State of CT offers a basic riding class thru the community college system, that upon successful completion, is considered "the riding exam" for your motorcycle endorsement.
The class was 7 hours classroom, 12 hour range over 3 separate days (Thursday night, all day SatSun) The two guys giving the course were unbelievably knowledgeable and skilled and excellent with their presentation skills. One could tell the years of experience behind the things they stressed. The motorcycles (250cc) were provided as were the helmets. Only 10 students to a class
Course material was covered quickly with a lot of time to practice. As a new person, I was a bit overwhelmed, akin to drinking from a fire hose. As safety was a prime concern, range control was quite strict. Topics included tight u-turns, quick stops, negotiating curves etc.
I passed with probably a c+ type of grade; the things I thought I would have problems with (figure 8) i was able to handle and then blew the easy stuff. I will just offer that figure 8's are difficult when the handle bars hit one's kneecaps....
This class was no cakewalk for a beginner. It really pointed out to me how widely different riding is from driving or riding a bicycle. Hopefully it will temper my approach to any future endeavors. It seems like good riding will be a multiyear learning discipline.
I did run over the instructor and dump the bike. I was almost comfortable with "this might not be for me" but soldiered on..... The candor of the class is upbeat so stuff was dust off and we all pressed on.
Still not sure if it is for me....
-T
The class was 7 hours classroom, 12 hour range over 3 separate days (Thursday night, all day SatSun) The two guys giving the course were unbelievably knowledgeable and skilled and excellent with their presentation skills. One could tell the years of experience behind the things they stressed. The motorcycles (250cc) were provided as were the helmets. Only 10 students to a class
Course material was covered quickly with a lot of time to practice. As a new person, I was a bit overwhelmed, akin to drinking from a fire hose. As safety was a prime concern, range control was quite strict. Topics included tight u-turns, quick stops, negotiating curves etc.
I passed with probably a c+ type of grade; the things I thought I would have problems with (figure 8) i was able to handle and then blew the easy stuff. I will just offer that figure 8's are difficult when the handle bars hit one's kneecaps....
This class was no cakewalk for a beginner. It really pointed out to me how widely different riding is from driving or riding a bicycle. Hopefully it will temper my approach to any future endeavors. It seems like good riding will be a multiyear learning discipline.
I did run over the instructor and dump the bike. I was almost comfortable with "this might not be for me" but soldiered on..... The candor of the class is upbeat so stuff was dust off and we all pressed on.
Still not sure if it is for me....
-T