This weekend I took a motorcycle safety class. It was a two day course with classroom session in the morning and a range session in the afternoon.
So why? Several people asked me, mid-life crisis? I dunno. Maybe. But I’ve been accused of that then I decided to go bungee jumping. I just felt like I was in a pattern and needed something to break that pattern. I wanted to learn something new. Since I’ve been wanting to learn how to go putt-putt on a scooter for a while (maybe 2-1/2 years?), and more recently, have been interested in the workings of a motorcycle, I decided to do it one day while driving home. Like the Nike commercial: Just Do It.
Of course, after signing up, and talking with a few people, I thought, oh, no! What am I getting myself into?! But I plowed ahead. That and I paid money.
The classroom session was nothing. I passed the written test there with only 1 mistake. Go me!
The range session was a bit different. It was scary at first, but you know what? The instructors did a good job of preparing us on getting to know our bikes. I felt like they were giving us baby steps, and it was good. By the end, I was comfortable shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear, and coming to a complete stop with both hand and foot brakes.
I rode a Yamaha duel bike. I’m not sure exactly what kind though.
The only real hitch I had was at the very end of the first day. When we were finished, we were told to park our bikes at the end of the parking lot. I had a dehydration headache, was mentally and physically fatigued, and just wanted to go home, so I forgot to put the kickstand down when I got off the bike. I realized my mistake as soon as the bike started tipping over onto me. I went down and knocked my head on the concrete. Fortunately, I had a helmet on, so no concussion for me. Knocked my left hand knuckles into the ground pretty hard, too, but it was okay since I borrowed sturdy riding gloves from a coworker.
Near the end of the second day was the riding test. If I failed, I could take the class again as standby for free. I passed the course, so I’ll be getting a certificate in the mail I can take to the DMV. I have to pass the written test there, but I don’t have to do the riding portion to get my M1 class added to my license. Nice!