Passed your Test

So you've Passed Your Passed your Test..... Now What?

So you've just ventured down to the license exam station and passed your riding test by riding around a few cones. Maybe you took a different route and you just completed the MSF's BRC and you passed your Skills Evaluation with flying colors. What does that mean?

Let's start the answer to this question with an analogy

QUESTION: What do you call the person who graduates at the bottom of the Medical school class?

ANSWER: Click Here

However, who do you want helping you out? The same goes for passing your license examination.

For awhile I was in a position to field calls from people who wanted to take the MSF Rider Education Course. During that time I heard many interesting reasons for taking the course. One of my favorites was by a man who had purchased a Honda Goldwing. It was early in the work week and he wanted to take a course during the next day or two. I explained to him that we didn't have anything available during the day that week. He asked how long the course would take if we had one. I said about 4 and a half days for a total of about 22 hours. He explained he had just bought the Goldwing and was wanting to learn to ride so he could take a 200 mile trip out of town that weekend with his friends. This type of call was not unusual.

As a society of adults we have developed this notion that results are instant. Buy today, learn tomorrow and master it the next day.

So how are your skills different 5 minutes after you took your license test? Not any different then they were before you took the test. A license says that on that day, on that bike, you achieved a moderate level of success. The key word being moderate. Plus you must be honest with yourself. Did you take it on the same size bike you will be riding on the street? (see the article: So You Think You Want A Harley)

It is very tempting to skip the steps and take off with with your friends. That is fine. But are you ready to ride at their level? How far will they be riding? How fast? What good riding habits do they have? What bad riding habits do they have? Will they ride at your pace or level? Whatever the answers are, you will have to deal with them all.

Some Thoughts For When You Start Riding

Regular riding (this is not focused practice, but it builds confidence and comfort)
Regular practice (with a goal to improve a particular skill)
Read articles about riding
Remember that time away from riding diminishes your skills (read: winter and off season)
Choose very carefully who you ride with. You want people that are trained, knowledgeable and supportive. I still do this. If they don't wear helmets and use decent basic skills, I don't ride with them.
Choose where you ride and when you ride thoughtfully

I've been riding for over 34 years and yet every spring, and with some regularity during the summer, you will find me in a parking lot practicing my slow speed skills, braking skills and working on weak areas. When I am riding I always analyze what I am doing and what I just did. Was it okay, or would I do it differently if I did again. I spend the most effort on keeping my braking and cornering skills tuned up.

Developing your skills begins with your license test and never ends.......

Article by: Tom Burklow