Hey guys been lurking for awhile, finally decided to join. Don't own a bike yet, but I'm working on it.:thumbup:

:welcome: jokesonyou24! Glad to have you aboard...

thanks. so a bit off topic for the thread, but do you guys think I should take the MSF BRC or just learn on my own trial and error?(off public roads of course). I'm asking because there are no course openings in my area, but I've taken the written practice exam and passed, so I'm fairly confident I'll pass that part. I think with a few weeks on a bike, I could pass the skills test as well. What do you guys think?

The trend and recommendation here will be to take the course. If none is avail on the schedule then maybe a trusted friend can help get you started. Like many others that have picked up riding without the MSF and coming back to take the course later, they learned that the trial and error method lead to some unsafe practices and bad habits. I learned with my fathers help and come back to take the course 12yrs later and enjoyed it, despite much of it being review.

thanks for the insight. I planned on getting help from a few friends who ride. I've ridden atv's, but not bikes so I fully intended to take the course until they shut it down in my area( weird I thought it was still early in the year)

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=62&pictureid=1195

Hey Josh, welcome to the group. Good to finally see another Montanan on the boards. Where in MT are you? I'm down in Dillon; almost always down for a group ride.

I'm in lil old Hardin, about 48 miles from Billings. I would add myself to the map, but I'm stuck using the crappy web browser on my playstation 3 for the time being...:(

Nice; I come to Billings for work a few times a year. Maybe once you've got a ride we'll catch up over there.

sounds good :)

Welcome to the forum. If you can take the MSF do it!!! It's fun an helps you learn some basics on a bike you don't have to pay to fix if ya break it.

Welcome to our site !!!

Don't miss our Riding Skills section out :) :) :)

Welcome. I would strongly suggest to take the MSF. I learned things in my training that i would of never learned by myself.

Hello and welcome.

You'd have to go at least to Billings to take the MSF. MSUB probably hosts a few classes each year. I had to go to Bozeman (2 hours). Welcome to MT... lol Still it was totally worth it, not only because of what I learned but because I had the chance to learn it on THEIR bike. They even had a pregen! Beat to hell but it was sure better than the other options.

You'd have to go at least to Billings to take the MSF. MSUB probably hosts a few classes each year. I had to go to Bozeman (2 hours). Welcome to MT... lol Still it was totally worth it, not only because of what I learned but because I had the chance to learn it on THEIR bike. They even had a pregen! Beat to hell but it was sure better than the other options.

Wish I gota ninja at MSF

yeah I looked on the MMRS (Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety) website, and it lists billings, bozeman, great falls, kalispell etc., but when you try to register for a class, it has a message saying classes not available at this site etc. Last time I looked (before they posted the message) everything for september was sold out. They don't post a cutoff date for classes (that I can find anyway) :confused20:

http://motorcycle.msun.edu/brc.htm

They even had a pregen! Beat to hell but it was sure better than the other options.

I'm actually in the market for an '07 or older 250 (sorry but I don't like the new seat design)

I should probably clarify my earlier post...If taking the MSF BRC isn't an option, I'm going to get riding lessons from 2 or 3 friends who have. Also I have experience with ATV's, so shifting, throttle control, etc. shouldn't be a problem.(I hope). Balance, cornering, braking on the other hand...:eek: And when/if the opportunity to take the class presents itself before the snow flies, I'm going to jump on it!

Def check the rider skill section
I hope you don't get over 30 mph on a streetbike and try to drive it like a four wheeler... Def study up on counter steering... Sounds crazy, but it will keep you outa the bushes! It's not really that hard to learn to ride without the class, they have books and videos every where for free to help ya out. Twist of the wrist 1&2 videos on YouTube , proficient motorcycling (great book), you can get Msf books an all sorts of stuff. I grew up on four wheelers and dirt bikes, didn't help as much as I thought.
Lots of folks learn without the MSF, but most of the folks that post here learning on their own post about dropping bikes an such, then waiting till they take the MSF.

Either way you can do it!!!

I just want to say thanks for all the good info, warm welcomes, and encouragement from everybody! I've read and studied everything I can get my hands on: countersteering, front braking for most situations, keeping your body upright while leaning the bike itself for tight and low speed turns, etc. I'm trying to find everything I can to prepare before I get the bike and/or take the class. I'll definitely track down a copy of proficient motorcycling!

Your on the right track... An havin buds to help ya don't hurt.