I signed a new lease a month or so ago, just before trading in my Ontario license for a NY license and getting a motorcycle learner's permit. Smart me, I decided to put my new address on my license and MSF form to save me another trip to the local DMV after moving.
Well, apparently some poo-head backwards regions of this county require you to go register with the local post office before you can actually receive mail (???) which means my photo license and any MSF paperwork sent to this new address were returned to sender.
My question is, what should I expect this weekend? I'm taking the MSF course at a local college. I know that I'll need my own helmet (I've got one) and what sort of other gear to bring (thanks to previous posts). I guess what I'm asking is... What don't I know that I need to know?
Is the material they mail you (in NY) useful / necessary? Should I bring gear Friday night, even though it's all classroom work, so the instructors can see I actually have some?
I say take your gear. The instructors will likely want to see everyone's. At least that's how our first class was.
So, you're taking the course but you didn't get anything they sent you in the mail?
You'll need a helmet, long pants, long sleeve shirt, shoes that cover the ankle, and gloves. The bike needs to be in SAFE condition. Tires not bald and proper inflation, all lights working, all the things on the checklist. In fact, I think I have a link to some stuff... http://www.montevallo.edu/atsc/motorcycle/erctclock.shtm
Go there and look around... More choices are on the left side drop down.
That's right -- I'll be taking the course blind, knowing only what I've read online. Sheesh, talk about preparedness.
Whoops, I should've mentioned that this is the Basic course -- I'll be riding one of their bikes.
Thanks guys.
You sound good to go.
You should use the school's bike. The instruction favors light, small bikes. And the constant stop and go would be hard on a bigger bike's clutch.
You don't need to know anything. Really. You won't be riding on the first day most likely so they'll explain the dress requirements before you ever get out on the range.
The course is geared towards people who have never ridden a motorcycle before. When I took it I wasn't even sure which controls were which.
jeff
Great news, thanks Jeff.
Hopefully the instructors will present all the paperwork I'll need for the DMV in person on Sunday (after passing the course of course) and I won't have to sit and wait for it to arrive via mail.
and for that matter, when I took the class they supplied the helmet if you didn't have one....which I didn't nor did most of the class.....pure newbies we were :mrgreen:
Wayne
Welcome, from a fellow upstater (LakePlacid-Saranac Lake area). Yes, you are good-to-go for MSF, as Joerocker said, long sleeve shirt, helmet and gloves. I assume you have your permit or a license from Canada (you did say Ontario??)...the certificate from MSF is taken to motor vehicle, where they will issue you a motorcycle endorsement on your license. Plus, you'll get a little break on insurance.
Good luck, it's a great course.
Don
Call who ever is giveing the class and ask them. That will be the best way to find out. And good luck with the class.
To respond to another of your comments, you should receive your certificate at the end of the last day rather than having it mailed to you.
good luck with the course. interested in testing out your new skills on a ride next week? :cheers:
I took my test this afternoon -- and failed.
I was doing perfectly when practicing, but got all stressed out and frustrated because I put a foot down while performing the first part of the test, the figure-eight in a box. No excuses, I got bent out of shape and proceeded to screw the rest of the test up -- I totally deserved to fail, I made all sorts of stupid mistakes. If I was on the road I would've pulled over and given myself time to mellow out, but you can't do that in the middle of the test. :)
I'm pretty pissed off at myself, I'm not the sort of guy who is used to failing things (and flaking out during the test is way worse than being consistently awful) but I'm sure I'll do fine next weekend when I retest.
that box is gets alot of people, myself included. I just got back from taking the Skills test and got some pts. off for passing the boundry once a little bit.
My advice would be to TURN your head ALL the way to the point where you're looking back almost, put weight on the outside peg, play w/ the friction zone and maintian a constant speed. remember TURN your head and keep the head UP. if you look down you go down.
Only experience i had on a bike was during my MSF class so this just from my experience, anyone w/ more miles on the seat correct me if im wrong