I have to be honest. Getting back on a motorcycle again after a 15-year break gave me a bit of anxiety at first. Somewhere along the way, I had lost the confidence of my fearless youth. The thought of driving my brand new Harley Sportster 1200 Custom off the lot and into all that Orlando traffic was inconceivable.
So what did I do? I called a friend and asked if he would drive it home for me!
He was as excited as I was that I bought a motorcycle; he was there in 20 minutes.
Since the time I owned my last bike, until I bought my next one, many things had changed. I moved from New York State to Florida where the riding season lasts all year if you want it to, and I grew up. I was no longer the 24-year-old kid who just wanted to ride a motorcycle and zip around town as fast as I could never thinking about tomorrow; I was a 40-year-old adult with safety first and foremost in my mind. I was not only living in another state; I was in another state of mind. I wanted to enjoy the entire riding experience - short trips, long trips, group rides, dinner rides, scenic rides, meet new people, see new places, attend rallies, ride for a cause, and do it all on a motorcycle that carries enough insurance to cover me and my bike in case of unexpected circumstances. I must say, that last thought never entered my mind 15 years prior. Back then, my first thought was to scrape enough money together to put it on the road legally. I guess with age comes a little wisdom - as they say.
Once my bike was home, sitting in my front yard for all the neighbors to see, I was like a proud mother. But when the novelty wore off - for my neighbors, not me - I was left there sitting on this beautiful beast wondering how I was going to summons the courage to ride it. It was much bigger than I was used to, it felt so powerful beneath me, and it was so shiny I didn't want to chance putting a scratch on it. I finally realized that I couldn't just sit there in my front yard on my Harley, I had to find a way to actually ride the bike.
The next day I signed up for a motorcycle safe rider course. The course was a full weekend long and catered to beginners and experienced riders alike. The instructor was a no frills, say-what-you-mean kind of guy who was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast with a nickname of 'Ironbutt'. He hadtens of thousands of miles under his belt and just as many stories to tell.
The first part of the course was classroom lectures, reading, and quizzes. Some might think this would be the boring part, but the teacher's passion for riding and for teaching others how to be responsible riders was infectious. He had a real life experience to share on virtually every topic we covered. His lectures were so dynamic that our interest never waned, and our enthusiasm grew with each passing hour.
After the book learning came the riding part of the course. Each student was assigned a motorcycle. I picked a little Suzuki that reminded me of my first bike. Our instructor covered all the basics beginning with how to start the bike and how to switch gears. Many of us were already familiar, but no one appeared impatient to have to go through these steps. All those who had previous experience were more than willing to assist those who did not, and the camaraderie of the class was reflective of the camaraderie of motorcycle riders in general. For 2 days we practiced handling our motorcycles and maneuvering through simulated traffic. We learned how to prevent dangerous mishaps by riding smart. We also learned techniques to avoid unforeseen obstacles and how to think quickly to deal with unavoidable emergencies. We even learned how to fall if a collision was imminent. On the last day the instructor tested our written and road skills and graded us accordingly. Those who passed received a certificate from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
In one weekend I saw how this class changed each student, myself included. Those who walked in timid or apprehensive about riding left with confidence; those who walked in cocky and over confident left with a new found respect. I personally carry my certificate in my wallet so it's with me wherever I go. It's a reminder to myself that I possess the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be a safe rider which not only helps me but makes it safer for others on the road as well. Armed with safe riding skills and increasing experience I know I'll be able to enjoy motorcycle riding for a long time to come.
For me, the value of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Safe Rider Course cannot be overstated. It was just what I needed to build my confidence and get back in the saddle.
Learn more about Motorcycle Safety Foundation Safe Rider Courses.
Karen Gifford is a freelance writer and Harley rider who currently lives in upstate New York.
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