I’ve at all times been interested by bikes—however not as a result of I needed to cruise the open freeway or acquire chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I needed to check journey 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 will be a weekend of studying to journey. 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 Trip
Like all 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, centered on idea, security, and using fundamentals. It’s self-paced however obligatory—and might’t be achieved greater than 30 days forward of your first session, otherwise you’ll should 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 take a look at 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 regardless that I heard the failing charge is kind of excessive. However spend every week studying the e-book, do some on-line quiz exams and also you’ll be nice.
Day One: From Nerves to Impartial
I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than a little bit 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 authentic 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 informal classroom session contained in the dealership. It was three hours of guidelines, threat administration, group dialogue, and primary street technique. Nothing flashy, but it surely 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 a couple of new Harleys was extra enjoyable than I anticipated. It made the entire thing really feel much less like a course and extra like getting 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 strains, and stopwatches turned our second residence.
After a fast security briefing and equipment test, we had been launched to the Avenue 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for learners—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—but it surely’s nonetheless an enormous bike for a newbie. Particularly for the smaller college students within the group, stability and luxury had been particular challenges. Even I discovered the clutch difficult 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 the right way 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 step by step on the final:
- First, it was simply beginning, stopping, and utilizing the friction zone
- Then got here shifting, primary cornering, and throttle management
- Finally, we progressed to lean initiation, tight turns, and fast stops
These had been damaged up by frequent “Roadbook” breaks—probabilities to relaxation, hydrate, and chat together with your classmates. There was no rush, no strain 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 means that permit the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every scholar a good shot at mastering the basics.
By the top of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we had been using. Not nicely. Not confidently. However we had been doing it. And that’s an enormous leap from the place we began.
Day Three: Trip Like You Imply It
If day two was about understanding how the bike labored below you, day three was about getting ready for the street forward—each actually and figuratively. This was an important day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum turned extra superior, extra life like, 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 out to be camaraderie. We had began to really feel like riders.
We started the morning with some overview workouts—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, primary cornering—and from there, we moved into situations 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 shedding traction? What do you do when a automotive cuts into your lane? How do you react whenever you immediately should 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 might really management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workouts—I used to be studying to journey with intention.
One of the vital revealing drills was the fast cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a reasonable pace, then a coach indicators both a tough cease or a quick directional swerve. It’s meant to simulate what occurs when a automotive 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 realized. Positive, there have been some mishaps, however that is why the protection bars assist rather a lot.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re using via a mild flip, and midway via, it’s important to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, steadiness, and throttle management all of sudden. It’s more durable than it sounds, particularly when your instincts scream “stand the bike up!” However once more, with follow 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. Only a few phrases, however they made a distinction. The following lap across the curve, I felt smoother, extra in sync with the bike.
After which got here the take a look at.
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 cross
It’s cross/fail, however each transfer is graded. You get factors deducted for hesitation, working huge, placing a foot down, or lacking the mark. Watching your classmates go earlier than you, it’s simple to psych your self out. However the instructors provide you with one final pep speak: “You’ve already achieved each certainly one of these workouts a number of occasions. You understand what to do.”
They usually had been proper.
My take a look at wasn’t good—I dropped a degree on my U-turn for coming too near the road—however I handed. And so did a lot of the class. The grins had been larger than ever. One scholar 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 take a look at, the coaches handed out completion playing cards and talked us via the DMV scheduling course of. In case you handed the course, you had been eligible to return to the dealership on a scheduled day and take the official Illinois DMV street take a look at on the identical bike you skilled on. No methods, no surprises—simply familiarity and a closing step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting realized one thing that after felt unimaginable. We didn’t simply study to journey—we turned newbie riders.
Was It Value It?
The oldsters at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I advised them the overview can be purely primarily based on my expertise and what I “really feel” in the course of the class. In case you’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is likely one of the greatest investments you may make if you wish to journey bikes. Not simply by way of studying a brand new ability, however in confidence, self-discipline, and perspective.
Most significantly, the course gave me a stable basis for ultimately using the sort of electrical bikes I’ve at all times needed to check. The BMW CE 04 continues to be on my radar—however now I’m prepared for it.
What You’ll Be taught: MSF’s 14 Core Driving Workouts
- Motorbike Familiarization – Be taught the controls, posture, and security checks
- Friction Zone Management – Grasp slow-speed clutch work
- Beginning & Stopping – Be taught throttle-brake coordination
- Shifting & Stopping – Observe clear gear modifications and halts
- Fundamental Ability Observe – Effective-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management below strain
- Stopping Distance Demo – See how pace impacts security
- Restricted-Area Maneuvers – Be taught U-turns and steadiness
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Modifications – Observe transferring safely via visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Be taught evasive maneuvers
- Remaining Ability Observe – Mix the whole lot in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state tips are clear: you have to put on full protecting gear otherwise you received’t journey. This contains:
- 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)
