Have been looking for my first bike for about one and a half months. Did a lot of looking and finally settled on a GS 500 E. Found a bike locally - 1993 with 20K miles for a good price.
Taking the MSF Course the weekend of July 9th. Can't wait!
Anyway, thought I'd introduce myself. I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of questions over the next weeks.
Thanks,
Royce
Until then, check your DMV. You should be able to pass the written test and get a learners permit. You can ride during daylight hours with no passenger. Gain experience riding around the block will help when you take the course. At least that's the way it is in Washington to get a learners permit.
The WA manuals are downloadable and the MSF manual is also available on-line as well as sample tests. Do some CAREFUL practice and the class will go easy. If you can, go watch a class so you know what they will expect then practice. If you have a learners permit, you should be able to practice on their course when it isn't used.
Enjoy! The GS is a lot of fun! And above all - ride safe!
Added note: MSF courses in Washington make you use their 250cc bike. If you can do the requirements with your 500, then the 250 will be really easy. Run out fast from the classroom to pick the bike you'll use. They have dual purpose bikes and cruisers. Seating position on a cruiser is different and lower with the feet out front --- and I can't stand them. I made sure I got a dual purpose bike (aka street legal dirt bike) because they ride upright like the GS500. "U" turns will be the hardest but are only a minor part of the test. It is a lot of fun to practice on their course even after you have your license. Practice on a huge, empty, safe area? Great way to learn what your bike can do, hone your skills and not have to worry about cars.
I always thought the general opinion was that people who have never ridden before might learn the best in the class, because they haven't developed any bad habits that they need the break through. Either way you're not too far away, but it would have to be hard to stare at a bike and not ride it. Good luck at the class, you'll love the GS
Thanks guys.
I done more than look at it. I've put it in first and engaged the clutch! In my garage. I live on a busy street - yes we have them in Des Moines, so I'm going to wait for the class and think I'll start there.
I do have some riding experience, but it's over 35 years ago in high school.
And from what I'm reading, a lot of people have issues with the manual transmission. I've been driving a standard since I got my license, so that whole coordination of the accelerator/clutch thing won't be foreign.
Here in Iowa, the instructor has the option to pass you on the practical test. Then you just have to take the written at the DMV... then you get your cert.
Anyway... thanks again. I look forward to sharing my newbee experiences and learning from you guys and gals.
Royce
Where??? I grew up in Highland Park. Harding Jr High and North High (class of 70).
Got my first bike there after a class in North's parking lot (back in 72 I think). Kawasaki 125 first bike parents weren't happy, but learned to live with it.
35 years ago would put you in about the 74 graduating class, or close to it.
Back then the DMV at Part Fair did it all. They checked to see how you got the bike there. If you didn't transport it or someone else drive it, you'd get a ticket for driving without a license. I don't recall if there was a learners permit back then. I'm too old to remember that far back.
haven't been back there since I moved my mum to Seattle 4 years ago.
I miss the Chicago Speakeasy on Euclid.
Royce:
If you have a bicycle, get on it and ride the sucker. This will re-familiarize your brain with two-wheel motion and handling and balance etc. yes, the bike at the course will then feel oddly heavy (at first) but you will get used to the weight. But you'll be a step ahead on the control side of things.
Michael
royced57, I also started with this late in life. I bought a scooter 4 months ago at the age of 57. I practiced on that with learners permit for 3 months waiting for MSF class. The MSF class was great and I got my license about 2 weeks ago. I wanted more power than 125cc scooter so I bought a GS500f last week. It feels a lot heavier than scooter or the MSF bikes but after a few days of riding it, I love it.
Jerry
I got my first bike 26 years and 380k miles ago at age 52 and had never riden a motorcycle before but had a bicycle as a kid and drove mostly stick shift cars. I got son JP who already rode to ride it home for me and I practiced in the parking lot for an hour and put it away. Next morning I hit the road alone and never stopped. Occured to me a few days later that I needed a mc license so I stopped and got a learner's permit to ride on for couple months until I took the state test and got my mc endorsement. Many others my age also never took the MSF course and never will but I think it's best to do so now, things are different out there now. First bike was a CB400 that I replaced with a CB750 six months and 6k miles later. Now I'm back on a couple of smaller GS500s for the last 11 years and 150k miles and really enjoying it.
In my state i think the tests are harder than the neighbor state i work in and goto. I live in indiana and work in kentucky, my friends said the kentucky riding and written tests are short and sweet..pretty much jokes...like the riding test is like doing 2 or 3 things..in Indiana...where i live..it took me 3 tries to pass the written, as well as with my mom and dad...and the ridding tests involves 5 different obstacle course tests or so to say...i failed the first time, then had two more times to take it before my permit expired...after you rpermit expires or you fail your 3 times on your permit you have to wait till u renew your next permit then u get another 3 tries at the riding tests. I planned on taking it till i failed completely or passed when i took my rididng tests because my permit expired in less than a month and it was the only chance i'd have to take it, plust it was over 30 miles away to the closest test site ( i thought they should give you extra points depending on how far you drove to take the damn thing) i'd never actually ridden a clutch operated motorcycle before until i got my gs about 3 or 4 months ago, i'd driven scooters and auto fourwheelers but that was it. hopefully you'll pick it up quickly and don't get discouraged on your permit and riding tests..their was an older guy taking the riding tests that failed twice and left because he had a pretty good size cruiser and couldn't manuever through the cones but the test givers said it's possible and can be done and they've seen it done..the funny thing was when we were getting our licenses back from the instructors after we passed he said we still had to abide by the permit laws of wear a helmet no passengers, only during daylight hours etc...and their went the guy that failed...with a passenger and no helmet
AdidasGuy - We live on the West Side at 56th and Ingersoll. Ingersoll is only two lanes but we live right by a 4 way stop. My kids both went to Roosevelt High. Have lived in Des Moines for 12 years now.
Taking the class at DMACC - again, the instructor has the option to pass you on the practical test. The same is true of driving schools here. High school aged drivers can be passed on their behind the wheel test by their instructor. Then they just have to get their license.
In Iowa, motorcycle learners permit holders have to ride with a licensed rider over the age of 25. So, it's hard to justify taking the written test before getting the classroom instruction at the MSF course.
Mister - I ride a bicycle quite a bit, so I'm hoping that "feel" will transfer to motorcycle riding.
Again, can't wait!
And thanks again for all your comments.
I see the difference between Washington and Iowa.
Here in WA, you can ride on your own during daylight hours only (which is almost all the time during June and July!) You can be alone.
Iowa requires another biker within sight and hearing distance, but does not have to be on the same bike. So if you know someone with a motorcycle endorsement, it might help you get some practice before your class.
FYI:
Iowa:
http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/mcmanual.pdf
Washington:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.20.510
Remember that on a bicycle, you go easy on the front brake or you land on your head. On a motorcycle, 75% of your braking is the front brake. Your Iowa manual looks pretty good so study it before class. If you have an alley, practice a little there. Every little bit helps.
Check out Chicago Speakeasy on Euclid - good steaks, good salad bar. Always my favorite place.
I took the written test at the MSF and at the DMV (second time for a learners permit) - both were essentially the same. Both really easy if you read the book and stayed awake in class. Two days of classroom was OK, but basically just background.
Two days on the range was astoundingly useful. Having experienced instructors yell "Look up" was great. The Road test administered by the MSF class was
accelerate to 15-20mph, pass the cones, quick controlled stop and downshift to first (timed, proper distance)
double U in the box - untimed, no feet down or out of the box
right out of the U box, accelerate 15-20mph (timed) - double swerve to avoid obstacle, controlled stop.
straight, accelerate to 15-20mph, brake, accelerate through a 130 degree turn with slow, look, press, roll, then stop
immediate fails were dropping bike, touching a cone in the avoidance or 130, big points off for covering brake and clutch in the quick stop or failure to do any of the timed moves in the required time.
I think the DMV test is a little different.
And FYI, in MD, the permit only lets you ride under the supervision of an experienced rider.
I guess we're pretty lucky in WA to have learners permits that let you ride alone.
Like other states, if you pass the MSF class, it waives all DMV testing. Walk in with the card. Wait 3 hours. Pay $25. Get your picture taken. You're done. (And you get a discount on insurance).
Learners permit not required here, but I just couldn't let my GS500F sit in the carport for a couple weeks.