Is it a good idea to buy a motorcycle before you know how to ride one? Should you learn to ride it or wait and take the class? Here’s what I did and why.
I bought a motorcycle when I’d never ridden one
I became interested in motorcycles after seeing pictures and videos of people traveling on them and motorcycle camping. It looked amazing! But I had never ridden a motorcycle before, and had no idea if it was too late for me to learn (I’m over 50). But I decided to take a Learn to Ride (MSF Basic Rider) course and find out.
Read “Learning to ride a motorcycle as an older woman”
I didn’t intend to buy a motorcycle – I didn’t even know if I’d like it – but my husband convinced me I should practice before taking the class and I could sell the bike if I didn’t like it.
I knew I wanted something sportier, and something that would be suitable for motorcycle camping. There was a used 2015 KTM 390 Duke for sale by a private owner, and I really liked it. My husband and I went to look at it. He took it for a test drive since I didn’t know how to ride, and a couple of days later we brought it home.
Starting from zero – learning motorcycle basics
When we brought the bike home, I had to learn how to start it. I really knew nothing about motorcycles. So I learned about the kill switch, and where the clutch, throttle, and brakes were. My car is a manual / stick shift, so I did already get the concept of using the clutch and shifting – I just had to learn where those were on the motorbike.
Should you learn to ride a motorcycle before taking an MSF course?
This question is the reason I’m writing this. I saw someone ask it in a ‘new motorcycle rider’ group and the general consensus from the experts (people who said they were long time riders and/or instructors) was no, you shouldn’t. I don’t agree.
Let me start by saying I’m not an expert – I’m a beginner motorcycle rider. But I rode my motorcycle before I took the MSF Basic Rider Course and I’m glad I did.
Learning bad habits
The biggest reason people gave for why you shouldn’t learn to ride a motorcycle before taking the MSF course was that you will learn bad habits they will have to try and fix. I had two months in between buying the motorcycle and taking the Learn to Ride course (it ended up being one month – I got in early due to a cancellation).
Do you know what my bad habits were? Accidentally honking while trying to use the turn signal and looking down while shifting to see what gear I’m in. Did I know those were bad habits? Yes, of course. Was I working on them? Yes. Was the class going to help me unlearn those? No. I was going to unlearn those by practice, by becoming a better motorcycle rider.
I would venture that most ingrained bad habits for motorcycle riders are from people who were riders for a long time before taking a course – often people who rode dirt bikes for years, for example. And really, most people who rode for a long time before taking the class will be better riders in the class than someone who has never ridden, bad habits or not.
I did see someone say their ‘bad habit’ was operating the clutch and brakes with two fingers instead of all the fingers. This isn’t a make-or-break situation and easy enough to unlearn. I still think the positives outweigh the negatives (positives are in the next section).
What I gained learning to ride a motorcycle before taking the MSF course
I learned I could do it. I was worried I wouldn’t be capable of figuring out how to shift or how to turn or balance. I can’t imagine the pressure of going into a class not even knowing if I could do those basic things. I spent some time in a parking lot, learning those basics. It was a safe environment with no traffic and plenty of room. I learned to accelerate and brake and some basic (wide) turns, as well as knowing where the controls were and being comfortable with using them, and getting used to the friction zone. I was much more comfortable starting the class knowing I could handle those things.
After mastering the basics in a parking lot, and having gotten my learner permit, I moved to riding through subdivisions. These didn’t have much traffic and the speeds were slow. I got more comfortable with turning, and learning to use the turn signals (though I honked nearly every time I did!) Again, I gained confidence and became more comfortable, eventually riding on country roads.
Learning to ride a motorcycle as a complete beginner
A Learn to Ride course is structured to teach absolute beginners who know nothing about motorcycles so if that’s you, don’t stress too much – you can do it. But learning some things in advance will make it easier for you. Learning to balance, learning to shift, learning how much to accelerate and brake for slow speed maneuvers, as well as knowing where the controls are and what they do will make you more comfortable during the class. I struggled with some of the skills in the class as it was – I can’t imagine having to do it with no practice at all. I’m glad I chose to buy a bike and spend some time practicing and learning before taking the MSF Basic Rider Course.
The class is made to teach you the life-saving basics. It is not a class on how to be an expert rider. That comes from practice. Practice riding, practicing the skills learned in the class.
The one thing that messed me up learning to ride before the motorcycle class
Okay, so there was a downside for me of learning to ride on my own before taking the MSF course. You take the class on their motorcycles. I had only ever ridden my KTM and I was used to it. The course I took was on a Harley. The friction zone was slightly different, but I had no problem getting used to it.
The one issue I had was the position of the rear brake. I kept trying to use the foot peg as the brake on the Harley. Oops. But that wasn’t enough to make me think getting some riding experience before the class wasn’t worthwhile. I didn’t ride my own motorcycle at all on the weekend I took the class, though, so I didn’t have to switch between my bike and the Harley – I could just get used to the class motorcycle. It was the right choice for me!
Final disclaimer – I’m not an expert. These are my thoughts and opinions. Follow your own best judgement.