I got my license today.

[Heed]

Finally, after successfully completing the BRC, waiting nearly a month for my completion card to come in the mail, I went into the DMV today and managed to walk out in about less than 20 minutes.

It cost me $10 to get my motorcycle license (just the DMV fee). The MSF was funded by the state. LOL

[GeorgiaHooligan]

Congrats! It feels good to be legal

[Heed]

Now I can walk into a dealership, pay a ridiculous amount of money, and leave the place with a Ninjette and an expensive smile on my face if I really wanted to.

Although I am yet to spend a wad of cash on a helmet, jacket, footwear, AND insurance. My wallet is ready to be mutilated whenever. >.>

Surprisingly I have noticed a few more ads on Craigslist. Winter is coming. :/

I found a '09 for $3K or best offer (KBB $2929) but it's in Indiana. Damnnnnn

[Bunker]

Congrats on you new liscense!!! Ride safely and enjoy the sport!!!!

[crazyjayp]

congrats!

still waiting on my completion card. Been almost a month for me as well.

Have the bike, the insurance, registration, ect....but no license...

[Live2ride]

Congratulations!

[TXJ]

Originally Posted by Heed

Although I am yet to spend a wad of cash on a helmet, jacket, footwear, AND insurance. My wallet is ready to be mutilated whenever. >.>

My advice :

As a first time rider I would get gear first.

Second, save cash so you can pay your insurance for the year and save a lot vs monthly payments.

Buy some standard tools (Maybe a rear stand, oil & drain buckets as well?) and decide what maintenance you will do by yourself. Mostly anyone can get by with the kawa tool kit and or $20 worth of harbor freight tools to do basic maint. Pretty much all you need are some brushes, wrench set, cans of chain cleaner/lube and oil.

Then start looking for a used bike.

That way the only "bill" you will have to worry about is fuel. This makes it easier to put money aside monthly for consumables like oil, tires etc.. And/Or save for a new bike that you may want to buy down the road after you've ridden some miles.

I know you've got the I WANT A BIKE NOW feeling, try to overcome it. Research and buy a set of gear that will fit your needs (riding year round? Only on good days? In the cold? In the rain? etc.)

Congratulations on getting your license. Good luck with your new journey on two wheels.

[Snake]

Congratulations John. Way to go!

[2011Ninja250R]

Good job! I know the feeling.

[Mr.E]

I agree with TXJ, for the gear part anyways.

Gear first, bike second. Thats what I've done. Got all my gear, then almost finally done getting my bike.

Dont want to get a bike and have not even a helmet on, thats just asking for it.

Congrats on your license though. x-) And if you do go for a bike soon at a dealer, just watch for their fee's. Mine snuck up on me real quick lol.

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

I agree with TXJ, for the gear part anyways.

Gear first, bike second. Thats what I've done. Got all my gear, then almost finally done getting my bike.

Dont want to get a bike and have not even a helmet on, thats just asking for it.

Congrats on your license though. x-) And if you do go for a bike soon at a dealer, just watch for their fee's. Mine snuck up on me real quick lol.

Yeah, I'll buy all my gear first for sure. I think a tool kit comes with the Ninja 250r, right?

My parents should have spare drain buckets. Not sure if a rear stand is necessary. My dad ought to have some standard tools too, but I'll probably be buying my own lube, chain cleaner, oil, etc. The only thing I should be paying for are fuel/maintenance/insurance.

My budget on gear is about $400 if you include tax.
Helmet - Bell Arrow - $99.99
Footwear - Alpinestars Blacktop shoe - $99.99
Jacket - Alpinestars Verona Air Jacket - $159.99

It's just a matter of finding the right fit.

I'm not sure if I'll buy pants. I know jeans are the absolute minimum -- I'll probably buy pants in the future.

@Mr.E: You have a '11 250r on the way in September, did you get her yet? Is it being delivered?


If I do buy a new 2011, I'll try to stay below $4250 OTD. That's MSRP + Illinois sales tax. But I'll try to get a 2010 at a reduced price if possible.

[azimmer11]

indiana always has the cheapest priced bikes. im from MI and we always look for bikes down there. a long drive to indiana is worth saving a couple hundred dollars

[HKr1]

You guys have to wait for your cards... they just dont give them to you at the end of class

[FBNTH]

Originally Posted by HKr1

You guys have to wait for your cards... they just dont give them to you at the end of class

They don't give cards out after class here in Florida anymore. Now they do it all electronically. You just have to wait 2-3 business days for the record to trickle into the DMV's system.

[Vampyre]

I got a card when I did mine in May. Went to the DMV the next day. Must have changed real recently.

[FBNTH]

They didn't say when it changed but I just passed the MSF on Sunday and they said because of the holiday I should be able to go to the DMV on Thurs. and get the motorcycle endorsement added to my license.

[OGjackafidy]

i got my card the day i took the course but i still havent taken it to the dmv yet. in missouri though you can get a motorcycle permit thats what i have im to lazy to get my full license

[FBNTH]

Joseph, that's so strange. I am trying to find the Florida statute that mandates the change over to electronic submission but cant find anything on it. While in class I made the comment that Cyclegear off of 50 does a 1 time discount if you bring in your MSF card and they told me to come back and they will give me a card to show I completed the course, but otherwise the card doesn't mean anything at the DMV. Well I guess Ill find out for sure when I go get the endorsement added.

[akima]

Crazy that in the information age we live in, it can take so long to get your license delivered. It should take no longer than it does to take cash from an ATM machine.

Congrats on passing though! It was a great feeling for me. I gave my instructor a big hug

I got things in this order:
* Ninjette
* License
* Insurance
* Gear

I don't have any tools, except for the ones that came with the bike. At first I'm going to get all my maintenance done at the Kawi servicing shops. Over time I plan to learn to do everything myself and buy the tools I need to do it.

[Mr.E]

Originally Posted by FBNTH

Joseph, that's so strange. I am trying to find the Florida statute that mandates the change over to electronic submission but cant find anything on it. While in class I made the comment that Cyclegear off of 50 does a 1 time discount if you bring in your MSF card and they told me to come back and they will give me a card to show I completed the course, but otherwise the card doesn't mean anything at the DMV. Well I guess Ill find out for sure when I go get the endorsement added.

You may be a bit confused. To get your license, they do enter you're MSF Pass electronically into the database, but you should still get a card. I did mine in July. Cards help show insurances that give discounts because of the MSF, that you took the MSF. Where did you take yours? Harley? I cant remember if I showed my MSF at the DMV or not because that is indeed entered electronically. But its always good to get a card for proof.

Edit: Idk why I said september. I meant July.

[Vampyre]

What is this cycle gear discount you speak of?

[FBNTH]

@Mr.E - I took it at Orange/Osceola Safety Institute in Kissimmee because they offer an evening class that nobody locally seems to offer. Drive and tolls on 417 sucked but they took $20 off the course since I did come from winter park. Maybe they dont see a point in giving the card out but I pushed the issue and they told me to come back for the card since I want it for the gear discount. IDK

@Vampyre - I stopped by Cyclegear and I told the sales person all the gear I wanted to get and asked if the items ever go on sale because I plan on getting a bike before Nov. and was currently taking the MSF course. He said the stuff I wanted doesn't go on sale unless its on clearance but if I come in with the MSF Card showing I passed, they will discount my purchase by 15%. Its a one time discount and I think you have to claim it within 60 or 90 days of passing, I cant remember.

Give them a call
Cycle Gear‎
5032 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32803-4312
(321) 299-9903