I’ve all the time been interested in bikes—however not as a result of I wished to cruise the open freeway or gather chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I wished 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 do this, I wanted greater than curiosity. I wanted expertise. I wanted a license.
So I signed up for the Motorbike Security Basis (MSF) Fundamental RiderCourse, hosted on the Harley-Davidson Using Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it could be a weekend of studying to journey. What I didn’t anticipate 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 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, targeted on principle, security, and driving fundamentals. It’s self-paced however necessary—and might’t be performed 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—except you’re already licensed in one other state. That is non-negotiable. The State of Illinois doesn’t provide waivers for the highway 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 attempt despite the fact that I heard the failing charge is sort of excessive. However spend per week studying the e-book, do some on-line quiz exams and also you’ll be effective.
Day One: From Nerves to Impartial
I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than a bit nervous. I had by no means ridden a motorbike earlier than—not even a mud bike. And once I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Road 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a reliable 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 highway technique. Nothing flashy, nevertheless it laid the groundwork for what was coming.
We additionally had a little bit of time to take a look at a number 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 coming into a brand new world.
Day Two: The First Clutch Pull
This was the true 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 house.
After a fast security briefing and kit test, we had been launched to the Road 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for freshmen—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—nevertheless it’s nonetheless a giant 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 a number of other stalls later, I lastly started to determine feather it correctly. It felt awkward, even unnatural.
However that’s the purpose. The MSF course is designed to fulfill you the place you’re. And with every driving 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—possibilities 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 method that permit the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every scholar a good shot at mastering the basics.
By the tip of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we had been driving. Not nicely. Not confidently. However we had 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 beneath you, day three was about getting ready for the highway forward—each actually and figuratively. This was an important day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum grew to become extra superior, extra practical, and extra mentally demanding. However by then, one thing had shifted: the strain within the group was gone. Everybody appeared looser, extra talkative. The nervous laughter from day one had develop into camaraderie. We had began to really feel like riders.
We started the morning with some evaluation workout routines—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, primary cornering—and from there, we moved into eventualities that mimicked real-world highway 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 automobile cuts into your lane? How do you react once you out of the blue should swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—many times—on a course arrange with cones, curves, and shock cease cues. The Road 500, which felt so intimidating simply 48 hours earlier, now felt like one thing I may really management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workout routines—I used to be studying to journey with intention.
One 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 onerous or didn’t lean sufficient. However finally, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had discovered. Certain, there have been some mishaps, however this is the reason the protection bars assist quite a bit.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re driving by way of a delicate flip, and midway by way of, it’s important to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, stability, 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 last 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 subsequent lap across the curve, I felt smoother, extra in sync with the bike.
After which got here the check.
The MSF Ability Take a look at consists of 5 scored workout routines:
- A cone weave
- A fast cease
- A flip from a cease
- A U-turn in a field
- A swerve maneuver
- And a last cornering go
It’s go/fail, however each transfer is graded. You get factors deducted for hesitation, working large, 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 provide you with one final pep discuss: “You’ve already performed each certainly one of these workout routines a number of instances. what to do.”
And so they had been proper.
My check wasn’t excellent—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 had been greater 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 check, the coaches handed out completion playing cards and talked us by way of 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 highway check on the identical bike you educated on. No tips, no surprises—simply familiarity and a last step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting discovered one thing that after felt unimaginable. We didn’t simply be taught to journey—we grew to become newbie riders.
Was It Price It?
The oldsters at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I informed them the evaluation can be purely based mostly on my expertise and what I “really feel” throughout the class. In case you’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is without doubt one of the finest investments you can also 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 finally driving the sort of electrical bikes I’ve all the time 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 Using 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 – Observe clear gear modifications and halts
- Fundamental Ability Observe – Wonderful-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management beneath strain
- Stopping Distance Demo – See how pace impacts security
- Restricted-House Maneuvers – Study U-turns and stability
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Adjustments – Observe shifting safely by way of visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Study evasive maneuvers
- Ultimate Ability Observe – Mix every thing in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state tips are clear: you must put on full protecting gear otherwise you received’t journey. 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)
