A week from now, I’ll be able to get on my motorcycle whenever I want and ride. I’ll have a license that says to the world, “this guy is A-OK” but more importantly, I’ll have a certificate that says I passed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course which is a 3-day class that is not required by law but sets new riders up for the best success factors over riders taught by their buddy. It’s not hard to get a motorcycle license in NH assuming you know how to ride which is one of those chicken & egg things. I could find someone who has a bike and ride it around their property for a few hours then go take the test. Here’s what you do:
Drivers who have either passed a motorcycle rider training program or taken and passed the motorcycle skills test at the DMV can apply for a motorcycle endorsement by providing the following:
- A current, valid New Hampshire license.
- An Application for Motorcycle Endorsement Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol.
- Check, credit card or cash for the $30.00 fee.
- One of the following to show proof of fitness to operate a motorcycle:
- Completion card from a New Hampshire Motorcycle Rider Training Program showing successful completion within the past year.
- Motorcycle skills test results showing a passing grade.
Any applicant, who pays for a motorcycle learner permit within a year of applying for a motorcycle license, will not be charged the $30.00 motorcycle license fee.
That’s one way to do it or you can take an MSF course offered by the state or an authorized provider and simply go to the DMV with your passing grade along with $30 to get the accreditation. Because I’ve never even sat on a motorcycle before buying my BMW R1200 GS Adventure, I opted to take the course via http://www.mostridertraining.com. Not state-funded, they are an MSF authorized training center and their passing grade still has the ability to get your license in person at the DMV.
In the classroom you will learn about the different types of motorcycles, their controls, how they are operated and how to become a responsible rider. Your Rider Coach will advise you on what gear to wear for protection and comfort. You’ll find out how alcohol and drugs adversely affect your ability to ride safely.
The course concludes with a knowledge test and a riding skills evaluation. Once your Rider Coach hands you the course completion card, you will be happy knowing that you have gone the extra mile to develop your own safe riding techniques. This is a license waiver course. Upon successful completion, no further testing is required to obtain your motorcycle endorsement.
3 Days, roughly 15 people and only basic gear is required. They provide the motorcycle and helmets if needed.
Why did I take this course over the state of New Hampshire course? Mostly, convenience. These guys allow you to pay online for the class you want and you immediately get a confirmation you’re booked. While they follow MSF guidelines like the state, I get the feeling it’ll be a bit more relaxed than state-employed trainers.
If all goes well, I’ll get to hit the DMV on Monday the 4th to change my home address (since I just moved) and get my motorcycle accreditation.
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As for long term planning, I think the MSF is going to help me in a lot of ways. Control, safety, eliminating the forming of bad-habits and overall confidence on the bike. I’m one of those kind of people who likes to over-prepare and over-research to eliminate risk or failure later and the MSF course is really supportive of that.
Twist of the Wrist and other study materials I’ve already been following for over a month and tinkering with the motorcycle on weekends to learn more about it. I’ve already taken apart the plastic and metal pieces to get in there and play around a bit.
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After MSF and after getting my license, I spent another $100 for an Advanced Rider Course just over a month later where you bring your own bike and the same people who teach the basic course give a 1-day class on accident avoidance, heavy braking, cornering and other things that further increase your comfort on the bike.
Both of those courses combined also save me 15% on my insurance. With my clean driving record, the courses and the fact my bike has ABS and Traction Control, my bike insurance is only $200 a year for the 2nd to best coverage level.
I don’t know how much I’ll write about the Basic MSF course since I assume I’ll be too busy learning to take photos but I’ll likely reference it in future posts.