Motorcycle Classes

[HorseQueen]

I am looking into getting my Motorcycle License sometime this Spring/Summer..

Does anyone have recommendations on taking the course through CSM v. Harley Davidson?

Any tips, suggestions, in-sight on what to expect?

Thanks!

 

[Shaolin_Raptor]

I took it through the college, I don't think the HD Dealership here offers the class.

I enjoyed it. They really go over the basics of the motorcycle, the rules and the gear. They really try to not leave anything out or assume everyone is familiar with riding motorcycles. It will make it easier if you can ride a bicycle though. The bikes they use are pretty old....when you get to walk to a bike, go for a new looking one.

 

[victoryman]

PG college did the same gave us the basics and on the weekend pratice tests.

Sunday the test and then the Lic.

 

[GWguy]

PM aps45819. He probably has the best info on classes.

 

[HorseQueen]

I took it through the college, I don't think the HD Dealership here offers the class.

I enjoyed it. They really go over the basics of the motorcycle, the rules and the gear. They really try to not leave anything out or assume everyone is familiar with riding motorcycles. It will make it easier if you can ride a bicycle though. The bikes they use are pretty old....when you get to walk to a bike, go for a new looking one.

Thanks for the information. My first choice is CSM. I don't think the HD in Hughsville offers the classes, but I know the one in Annapolis does. I wasn't sure if it was worth the drive? (and the extra $30). I .heard. that the MVA actually goes to the Harley Dealership, so I wasn't sure if they would be able to issue a new license on the spot? I plan to call them sometime this week for more info.

I can ride a bicycle. I've ridden on the back of the BF's R1 a few times before he sold it, but other than that I only have limited experience with dirt bikes. I'm not a total beginner, but I would want them to go over every little thing to make sure I know it 110%.

GWguy: Thanks! I will send him a message.

 

[rd1128]

I took my training through MVA in Waldorf. 3 day course of written exercises, practical exercises, and then practical test. They provided the motorcycles.

 

[LPMEDIC]

local classes

I am not endorsing any business but there is one that is in lex park that does the training. Safety Zone Motorcycle Riding School -  Southern Maryland's Motorcycle Training Destination!

 

[HorseQueen]

I am not endorsing any business but there is one that is in lex park that does the training. Safety Zone Motorcycle Riding School - #Southern Maryland's Motorcycle Training Destination!

This would be a prime location for me. I've looked at the website before, but the website does not have much information on it and I haven't heard of anyone personally going through this program.

Has anyone used them? or know anything about them?

One of my questions is where we would practice the riding portion because it looks like the school is located in a shopping center.

I plan to sign up through some school on/by Monday. . that gives me a week to decide which one I should go through.

 

[Larry Gude]

I can ride a bicycle. I've ridden on the back of the BF's R1 a few times before he sold it, but other than that I only have limited experience with dirt bikes. I'm not a total beginner, but I would want them to go over every little thing to make sure I know it 110%.

.

A few things to keep in mind; 50% of newly licensed motorcyclists have an accident in the first 6 months.

Riding a motorcycle is ALL about the curves. Slow, look, lean, roll. It is VERY different from a bicycle in that, for the most part, you coast bicycles through curves. Motorcycles are about power, proper power in, through and out of the curves. This has to do with how the suspension works as well as the physics of the motorcycle.

Dirt bike experience is, to me, a CRITICAL component of learning BEFORE you get on the road so, that's good. In addition to experience with the control inputs; throttle, clutch, front and rear brakes, steer and body control, it's nice to take a spill or three to kinda get that out of your system in a field instead of an intersection plus you develop confidence when, not if, when the rear gets squirrely on the road due to gravel or sand or other loose material.

I am not discouraging you but, I would suggest maybe another summer of dirt bikes along with taking your licensing course. Spends LOTS of time on your street bike in parking lots working on slow speed maneuvers, stops, starts, etc.

You make a little mistake in a car, nothing happens. You make a little mistake on a bike on the street, you get a trip to the hospital or worse.

It is fun as hell, a wonderful, fantastic thing. And it is dangerous as hell and it ain't for everybody.

Once you get about 1,000 miles under your butt on the street, I HIGHLY recommend taking Total Control I;

Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic

 

[desertrat]

This would be a prime location for me. I've looked at the website before, but the website does not have much information on it and I haven't heard of anyone personally going through this program.

Has anyone used them? or know anything about them?

One of my questions is where we would practice the riding portion because it looks like the school is located in a shopping center.

I plan to sign up through some school on/by Monday. . that gives me a week to decide which one I should go through.

They have a course out in the big parking lot there. All I know about them is that they are there and offer the classes in a building by the Well Pet clinic.

 

[aps45819]

Riding a motorcycle is ALL about the curves. Slow, look, lean, roll. It is VERY different from a bicycle in that, for the most part, you coast bicycles through curves. Motorcycles are about power, proper power in, through and out of the curves. This has to do with how the suspension works as well as the physics of the motorcycle.

The physics are the same. you're applying an input (counter steering) to a gyroscope (your wheels) to initiate a turn and then leaning the bike over to go through a corner.

Vanessa at the Safety Zone used to work on base and decided to start her own business

The bikes take a LOT of abuse and even relatively new ones look like war veterans.

 

[ShyGirl]

I took the CSM class as a never-been-near-a-bike newbie.

I learned the basics in class.

What I thought was cool was that you have more than one chance to pass the written test and the driving test. When the next class is in session one of the instructors will go to the range with you to go through the driving skills and re-test. I overheard the instructor talking to someone in my class.

The CSM classes fill up fast. Register at CSM now and schedule your class. If you wait, you may miss out.

The key for me was finding a bike that fit me, that I was comfortable with. I have been as happy as a clam ever since.

Good luck and let me know when you have your license and are ready to ride. Woot! Woot!

 

[desertrat]

I am looking into getting my Motorcycle License sometime this Spring/Summer..

Does anyone have recommendations on taking the course through CSM v. Harley Davidson?

Any tips, suggestions, in-sight on what to expect?

Thanks!

If you have a place to ride and know what you want you could always buy it now and do a little practicing and get a bit familiar with the controls. Or buy a small used one to start with. That is what I did with my wife. She learned in the driveway on a Honda Rebel. So the class was pretty easy for her. When she took it there was an older couple taking it that had just bought two new Harleys. They both flunked the class. The driving part.

 

[Jbeckman]

This would be a prime location for me. I've looked at the website before, but the website does not have much information on it and I haven't heard of anyone personally going through this program.

Has anyone used them? or know anything about them?

One of my questions is where we would practice the riding portion because it looks like the school is located in a shopping center.

I plan to sign up through some school on/by Monday. . that gives me a week to decide which one I should go through.

The owner was an instructor with CSM. Is certified with MVA. And opened a location which is more convienent for folks in St. Mary's County. The owner is a long time rider, and has a great attitude.

 

[HorseQueen]

Thanks!

I took the CSM class as a never-been-near-a-bike newbie.

I learned the basics in class.

What I thought was cool was that you have more than one chance to pass the written test and the driving test. When the next class is in session one of the instructors will go to the range with you to go through the driving skills and re-test. I overheard the instructor talking to someone in my class.

The CSM classes fill up fast. Register at CSM now and schedule your class. If you wait, you may miss out.

The key for me was finding a bike that fit me, that I was comfortable with. I have been as happy as a clam ever since.

Good luck and let me know when you have your license and are ready to ride. Woot! Woot!

Thanks for your response! I will for sure let you know when I am ready to ride!

I think I am going to have the same problem when I go bike shopping. This past January I went to the D.C Bike Show and a lot of the bikes just felt like they would be too big for me to feel comfortable on when riding (street-bike-wise).

As one person suggested, when I do get a bike I don't (plan) to go out on the major roads until I am comfortable with my own bike. I plan to just ride around the neighborhood, parking lot, etc a few times.

I'm very excited about taking the classes. I've been told a few times to keep playing around with the dirt bike and maybe just not even try to get my license at all (for safety reasons), but this is something I want to accomplish for myself.

 

[ShyGirl]

You can probably go to the CSM range and observe a class. If you are still interested, take the class and see how you feel.

You owe it to yourself to at least try and there is no better time for you than right now! Grab it and go girl!! It is intimidating as a newbie but once you get over the hump you'll wonder why you waited so long to do it!

As far as bikes go, maybe check out GRD Cycle, in White Plains, for used bikes. It is at the corner of 301 and Demarr Rd. Also check Atlantic Cycle just to the north a bit.

 

[01mds10]

i took the motorcycle course at La Plata CSM last spring, i definitely recommend taking this class. i was not new to riding, i was riding for a few months before i decided to "make it legal".

the class was great though, i not only learned a few things, but learned to break a few bad habits.

i still to this day, sometimes go out in the neighborhood to the culdesac or a open parking lot and practice weaving in and out of corners and practice figure-8s.

 

[Larry Gude]

the class was great though, i not only learned a few things, but learned to break a few bad habits.

i still to this day, sometimes go out in the neighborhood to the culdesac or a open parking lot and practice weaving in and out of corners and practice figure-8s.

Yup. Only way to get better is practice proper technique. That way, in an urgent moment, you're in better shape than you might otherwise be.

Every time I go through a traffic circle and there isn't too much traffic, I'll go around a couple times and practice looking through the turn.

 

[Larry Gude]

The physics are the same. you're applying an input (counter steering) to a gyroscope (your wheels) to initiate a turn and then leaning the bike over to go through a corner.

The Physics are not the same. The suspension on a motorcycle makes everything VERY different than a bicycle and this is where so many riders get in trouble; understanding how the suspension works and the critical importance of proper technique in order to make the suspension work for you instead of against you.

Wouldn't you agree?

 

[aps45819]

The Physics are not the same. The suspension on a motorcycle makes everything VERY different than a bicycle and this is where so many riders get in trouble; understanding how the suspension works and the critical importance of proper technique in order to make the suspension work for you instead of against you.

Wouldn't you agree?

No

Counter steering, (press right to go right) works the same on all single track vehicles because the physics are the same