New bike

I was going to take the course.(greatmaul) But I know a few bikers who have been riding a long time and they gave me lots of pointers and say I do really well.. So not this year. But I will do it mayby next year..

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Brand New Rider

I was going to take the course.(greatmaul) But I know a few bikers who have been riding a long time and they gave me lots of pointers and say I do really well.. So not this year. But I will do it mayby next year..

Just a word of caution. These riders giving you pointers are not instructors. You may be doing very well according to them but just think about all their bad habits you may be learning. Take a course "Soonest" and learn the proper habits to begin with. I thought I was a pretty decent rider until I took a good course. Imagine my surprise when I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits before I could learn the proper ones. Yeah, I survived for a long time without mishap but after the course I was a whole lot better and the bike was a lot easier to ride than ever before. A short investment in time now will reap a bumper crop of enjoyment later when you have trained your body and mind to do the right thing.
No disrespect to your riding friends but they may be like I was in the past and I would have been a poor instructor with bad habits to pass on to others.

[bpdchief]

Water Warrior is right YOU NEED THE COURSE!!! Welcome to the group, enjoy your bike and ride safe.

[Rookie Rider]

Take the course man !!

[Rionna]

I did a countdown when I read your post about not taking the class because I knew it would only be seconds before someone responded and disagreed with your decision. Please listen to the advice you are receiving and take the course! I come from an entire family of bikers, and most of my friends are bikers. Yet, I took the class. I now realize that even though most of them are experienced riders, many of them have bad (unsafe) habits like WW mentioned. Every skill I learned in class has been crucial in keeping me safe. A few times, I found myself thinking that I'm glad I took the class when I encountered challenging situations and had to use one of the maneuvers I was taught. One mistake in riding a bike can result in a severe injury or worse. Why not make certain you've taken every precaution available to you to be a safe rider? Weigh the pros and cons, and hopefully you will make the right decision. Ride safe!

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Listen to the others and learn to ride the correct way. All you'll get from your friends is their bad habits. The money spent is the best investiment in your safety that you can make. Ride safe.

[vikz250]

I am happy I took the class1 I did not get my endorsement but stil I learned a ton and its worth it! good education IMHO..

Allright allready....Thanks for all the advice..I will take the course..Its just hard to fit it in cause I work weekends and that is when the courses are..But I will try (really) try to fit it in. But if I cant get it in this year the first thing next year for sure..#1 on my list...I will book my holiday for that weekend if I have to...
Thanks again for your advice. It's really a eye opener....

[Rookie Rider]

You might not see next year.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Brand New Rider

Allright allready....Thanks for all the advice..I will take the course..Its just hard to fit it in cause I work weekends and that is when the courses are..But I will try (really) try to fit it in. But if I cant get it in this year the first thing next year for sure..#1 on my list...I will book my holiday for that weekend if I have to...
Thanks again for your advice. It's really a eye opener....

Make the small investment in a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. Most riding courses have been based on his written words. That doesn't mean forego the lessons. It will just help you along till you have an honest to goodness trained instructor to work with. I was surprised at the number of times our instructor pointed out certain things to do or not to do in different situations. I might have been riding more years than the instructor was alive on this planet but it didn't mean I knew more.