Quote Originally Posted by mushroom_toy
^Only problem with that is the location is 40 mins away from me.
And after all the facts the safety course is way too expensive.
40 minutes is a long drive for just a driving test. I agree that the safety course isn't exactly cheap, but if you don't have a responsible, knowledgeable rider to teach you things that you don't know, then you are putting yourself at risk for learning some things the hard way. I'd seriously consider it.

I tried to get in on a class, but it was booked solid. I never went back, but my roommate (who had been riding for 20+ years) agreed to teach me. I did my first 500 or so miles riding with him. I also researched motorcycle riding techniques like a mad-man (internet forums, books, talking with other riders).

I ended up taking the road test and bypassing MSF altogether. Having ridden for a couple of years now, there are a few drills in MSF that might have helped prepare me a teeny bit better for situations on the road (like my first real panic stop where I locked the rear and it started to shimmy on me).

I can understand your reluctance to take the test after a year on the road. You won't get as much out of it as the newbies in the class, but you might still pick up at least a few tips.







As for the road test, they test 4 skills. They make you:
Do panic stops
Do panic swerves
Do sweeping turns
Do a tight 90º turn (can't put your foot down)