I’ve at all times been inquisitive about bikes—however not as a result of I wished to cruise the open freeway or acquire chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I wished to check experience BMW’s CE 04 electrical scooter—an ultra-modern, zero-emissions two-wheeler that appears prefer it got here straight out of a sci-fi film. However to try this, I wanted greater than curiosity. I wanted abilities. I wanted a license.
So I signed up for the Motorbike Security Basis (MSF) Fundamental RiderCourse, hosted on the Harley-Davidson Driving Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it could be a weekend of studying to experience. What I didn’t count on was how a lot I’d study myself—and the way a lot enjoyable I’d have within the course of.
Earlier than the First Experience
Like several good system, the MSF course doesn’t simply throw you on a motorcycle. Earlier than even setting foot on the vary, you’re required to finish a three-hour on-line eCourse, targeted on idea, security, and using fundamentals. It’s self-paced however obligatory—and might’t be carried out greater than 30 days forward of your first session, otherwise you’ll must redo it.
You additionally want an Illinois M-Class Learner’s Allow to take part—until you’re already licensed in one other state. That is non-negotiable. The State of Illinois doesn’t supply waivers for the street check both, so everybody within the course is there to genuinely put together for a DMV examination. Fortunately, I aced the examination on the primary strive though I heard the failing price is kind of excessive. However spend per week studying the ebook, do some on-line quiz exams and also you’ll be positive.
Day One: From Nerves to Impartial
I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than somewhat nervous. I had by no means ridden a bike earlier than—not even a mud bike. And once I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Avenue 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a reputable machine, with weight, presence, and energy. For somebody with zero expertise, simply sitting on it was intimidating.
Our instructors—licensed RiderCoaches following the MSF curriculum to the letter—welcomed us with an off-the-cuff classroom session contained in the dealership. It was three hours of guidelines, threat administration, group dialogue, and primary street technique. Nothing flashy, however it laid the groundwork for what was coming.
We additionally had a little bit of time to take a look at a few of the Harley bikes on the ground. Sure, there was a contact of salesmanship—however truthfully, sitting on just a few new Harleys was extra enjoyable than I anticipated. It made the entire thing really feel much less like a course and extra like coming into a brand new world.
Day Two: The First Clutch Pull
This was the actual deal: our first day on the bike. From 8 a.m. to five p.m., we lived within the parking zone—what MSF calls “the vary”—the place cones, chalk traces, and stopwatches grew to become our second residence.
After a fast security briefing and kit examine, we have been launched to the Avenue 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for newbies—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—however it’s nonetheless an enormous bike for a newbie. Particularly for the smaller college students within the group, stability and luxury have been particular challenges. Even I discovered the clutch tough at first. It took me some time to really feel the place the friction zone was, and several other stalls later, I lastly started to determine learn how to feather it correctly. It felt awkward, even unnatural.
However that’s the purpose. The MSF course is designed to satisfy you the place you might be. And with every using train, my confidence started to meet up with my enthusiasm. Each session constructed regularly on the final:
- First, it was simply beginning, stopping, and utilizing the friction zone
- Then got here shifting, primary cornering, and throttle management
- Ultimately, we progressed to lean initiation, tight turns, and fast stops
These have been damaged up by frequent “Roadbook” breaks—probabilities to relaxation, hydrate, and chat together with your classmates. There was no rush, no stress to carry out. Regardless of the time administration (sure, they do use stopwatches to remain on schedule), the pacing by no means felt unfair. It was structured in a manner that permit the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every pupil a good shot at mastering the basics.
By the top of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we have been using. Not nicely. Not confidently. However we have been doing it. And that’s an enormous leap from the place we began.
Day Three: Experience Like You Imply It
If day two was about understanding how the bike labored below you, day three was about making ready for the street forward—each actually and figuratively. This was crucial day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum grew to become extra superior, extra sensible, and extra mentally demanding. However by then, one thing had shifted: the stress within the group was gone. Everybody appeared looser, extra talkative. The nervous laughter from day one had turn into camaraderie. We had began to really feel like riders.
We started the morning with some evaluation workouts—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, primary cornering—and from there, we moved into eventualities that mimicked real-world street conditions. It wasn’t nearly maneuvering anymore; it was about decision-making. How briskly do you brake in a nook with out dropping traction? What do you do when a automobile cuts into your lane? How do you react if you abruptly must swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—time and again—on a course arrange with cones, curves, and shock cease cues. The Avenue 500, which felt so intimidating simply 48 hours earlier, now felt like one thing I may truly management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workouts—I used to be studying to experience with intention.
Some of the revealing drills was the short cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a average pace, then a coach indicators both a tough cease or a quick directional swerve. It’s meant to simulate what occurs when a automobile brakes in entrance of you or an impediment seems in your path. At first, I overthought it—grabbed the brakes too laborious or didn’t lean sufficient. However ultimately, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had discovered. Certain, there have been some mishaps, however for this reason the security bars assist so much.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re using by way of a mild flip, and midway by way of, you must brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, steadiness, and throttle management abruptly. It’s more durable than it sounds, particularly when your instincts scream “stand the bike up!” However once more, with observe and training, you begin to belief the method—and your self.
The instructors, who had been nice all through the course, actually got here into their very own on this closing day. Their suggestions was extra personalised, extra focused. One coach seen I used to be nonetheless hesitating barely earlier than leaning into sharper turns. He pulled me apart between drills and gave me a fast tip about head place and throttle stability. Just some phrases, however they made a distinction. The subsequent lap across the curve, I felt smoother, extra in sync with the bike.
After which got here the check.
The MSF Ability Check consists of 5 scored workouts:
- A cone weave
- A fast cease
- A flip from a cease
- A U-turn in a field
- A swerve maneuver
- And a closing cornering move
It’s move/fail, however each transfer is graded. You get factors deducted for hesitation, operating huge, placing a foot down, or lacking the mark. Watching your classmates go earlier than you, it’s straightforward to psych your self out. However the instructors offer you one final pep discuss: “You’ve already carried out each one in all these workouts a number of occasions. You understand what to do.”
And so they have been proper.
My check wasn’t good—I dropped some extent on my U-turn for coming too near the road—however I handed. And so did many of the class. The grins have been larger than ever. One pupil who had struggled with the clutch on day two let loose an precise cheer after ending his swerve. We’d all been rooting for him.
After the check, the coaches handed out completion playing cards and talked us by way of the DMV scheduling course of. If you happen to handed the course, you have been eligible to return to the dealership on a scheduled day and take the official Illinois DMV street check on the identical bike you educated on. No tips, no surprises—simply familiarity and a closing step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting discovered one thing that when felt not possible. We didn’t simply be taught to experience—we grew to become newbie riders.
Was It Price It?
The parents at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I informed them the evaluation shall be purely primarily based on my expertise and what I “really feel” in the course of the class. If you happen to’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is among the finest investments you can also make if you wish to experience bikes. Not simply by way of studying a brand new talent, however in confidence, self-discipline, and perspective.
Most significantly, the course gave me a strong basis for ultimately using the form of electrical bikes I’ve at all times wished to check. The BMW CE 04 continues to be on my radar—however now I’m prepared for it.
What You’ll Study: MSF’s 14 Core Driving Workout routines
- Motorbike Familiarization – Study the controls, posture, and security checks
- Friction Zone Management – Grasp slow-speed clutch work
- Beginning & Stopping – Study throttle-brake coordination
- Shifting & Stopping – Apply clear gear adjustments and halts
- Fundamental Ability Apply – Advantageous-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management below stress
- Stopping Distance Demo – See how pace impacts security
- Restricted-Area Maneuvers – Study U-turns and steadiness
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Adjustments – Apply shifting safely by way of visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Study evasive maneuvers
- Remaining Ability Apply – Mix all the things in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state tips are clear: you should put on full protecting gear otherwise you gained’t experience. This consists of:
- A DOT-approved helmet
- Eye safety (visor or glasses)
- Over-the-ankle boots
- Lengthy sleeves and full-length pants
- Full-fingered gloves (ideally motorcycle-specific)
