New wanna-be rider from MD

[pimpybra]

Howdy, been wanting a bike for about ten years, still don't have one yet though.

When I do get one, there's a very high probability it will be a Ninja 250. Always been a fan of the Ninjas.

Now I just keep waiting until I can get one.... Every year when it gets nice out I start getting excited and thinking This will be the year that I at least go through the MSF.

I'm sick of waiting!

[CynicalC]

pimpybra! Glad to have you aboard...

[Mocha Man]

[Stingray1000]

Where in md? Lots of md de va and pa riders here.

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Stingray1000

Where in md? Lots of md de va and pa riders here.

Eastern Frederick county.

[Old Lemon]

Sup, im in elkridge

[KJohnson21]

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Old Lemon

Sup, im in elkridge

Survive the storms today?

[Old Lemon]

barely, i work at papa johns as a delivery driver

[Snake]

Hello and welcome.

[Minikin_Jo]

Hi welcome... I'm new to riding and this is my first bike, too. I also live in Md, Howard County. The MSF isn't too bad. I have never ever ridden a motorcycle before and I passed the test with no problem. Good luck

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

Hi welcome... I'm new to riding and this is my first bike, too. I also live in Md, Howard County. The MSF isn't too bad. I have never ever ridden a motorcycle before and I passed the test with no problem. Good luck

Where did you do the MSF? Glen Burnie looks the cheapest. I saw them doing it in Frederick at the Harley dealership today.
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[Minikin_Jo]

I did it through Anne Arundel Community College. When I went there in 2009 the had either the Basic Rider Course (which I did) or the Advanced Basic Rider Course (for experienced riders.)
Howard Community College has a great program. They have Those two I just mentioned in addition to the Ansolute Beginners Course, designed for those inexperienced that aren't sure they want to ride and they also have Total Control classes and Extra Practice classes if you need tips and stuff.

[dfox]

i was in the same boat as you, wanted one since I could first drive. 13 years later, I have my bike. i finally bit the bullet and signed up for the class, and started watching craigslist.

thankfully i picked up my bike 2 days before the class, so there was no wait for me.

at some point, you just need to do it. if you keep saying that you want to, but don't sign up for the class, it's obviously not going to happen.

do your research here, getting on a bike, and buying gear can be expensive, a lot more expensive than most would think. From my experience, I'd recommend used, just do your due diligence. Call the dmv/local police with the vin before you buy to make sure it's not stolen/has a clear title. There's some deals out there with gear, like what I found (modded bike, 2 helmets, jacket, over pants, boots, gloves, saddle bags, tank bag, tail bag, etc.), just be wary of the helmets. I replaced mine within the first month with a nice arai.

that, and welcome!

[Minikin_Jo]

10 years is a LONG time to 'think about' getting a bike and getting licensed. You should at least, in my opinion, do the MSF first and see if you can get licensed, then go get a bike. You never know...maybe riding a bike is just not for you. It's a lot to think about when you're on it, using your hands, feet, thinking about the road conditions, how to react before you get there, expect the unexpected, deal with crazy drivers, etc.

Not trying to sound negative and turn you off from it, but you really should just jump in and see how it goes At least, no matter what the end result is, you'll know you did it!!

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by dfox

if you keep saying that you want to, but don't sign up for the class, it's obviously not going to happen.

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

10 years is a LONG time to 'think about' getting a bike and getting licensed. You should at least, in my opinion, do the MSF first and see if you can get licensed

Yeah, my first plan for anything is the MSF course before anything further.

It's been pushed off for all sorts of things, like $$$, or moving, getting married, having our first kid in the last year, etc etc. It might happen later this summer (between family vacations), depending on what's available and my schedule.

Yeah, maybe it's excuse after excuse, but even if I do the MSF, there's no funds available in the short term for a bike. There was years ago before 'the real world' set in. I kick myself for not taking the FREE MSF in PA when I was a resident many years ago.

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

You never know...maybe riding a bike is just not for you.

Oh, I"m 99.9999% certain that I'd love riding, it's just one of those things. I can't stop thinking about it recently, this season has been the worst of it so far (obviously being on forums, etc). It's driving me crazy, especially when I see a bike on the road.

But then the big thing is, I don't have a place to PUT a bike when I eventually/hopefully ever get a bike. Single car garage, NO room for a bike

[Minikin_Jo]

I understand the timing of things...I got my license in 2009 and following that was our destination wedding so that cost $$ for us, then we had to save to get a down payment on a new home that wasn't even built yet. Then finally we moved in last June, then this year we finally got new furniture for the new home...so I understand that part. I literally have never ridden a motorcycle other than as a passenger and using the bike for the test was the only time and here I am now finally on a bike of my own 2.5 yrs later. But i cant imagine 10 yrs going by lol My coworker did the class with me and he wanted this license so freakin bad and he took the test twice and failed both times. I felt so bad for him, I knew how bad he wanted it but I also felt guilty that here I am a girls girl and I got the license and he didn't. That probably pissed him off even more. Lol

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

i cant imagine 10 yrs going by

It's depressing when I think how long it's been. I'm going to be 32 this year, and it upsets me that I've 'missed out' on so many years.

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

My coworker did the class with me and he wanted this license so freakin bad and he took the test twice and failed both times. I felt so bad for him, I knew how bad he wanted it but I also felt guilty that here I am a girls girl and I got the license and he didn't. That probably pissed him off even more. Lol

Oh wow, was there a particular part he was getting stuck up on? I would be so depressed/upset!

[Minikin_Jo]

Well, Chris, if you ask me, 32 is still young and you're hitting the prime of your life. It's like you're in your 20's, only smarter

I'm not really sure what all my coworker had missed on. I do know he missed it by a LONG shot.

Also, I forgot to add, I also have a one car garage. It holds our bikes, holiday decorations and my shoes...

[tony7kp]

I took the BRC class at Howard Comm College. They have a great program with great instructors and I highly recommend it. Went in with no experience what so ever (didn't even know that the left lever was the clutch and when the instructor asked, I said it was for the front brakes, thinking it was the same as regular bicycles...) and came out of the class with confidence to ride.

Take the class and it'll let you know first of all whether you really want to ride or not. Had a classmate that was so excited to ride, but when it came down to the riding portion, he decided that it wasn't for him and dropped the class. And it'll give you all the basic instruction needed to start riding a bike.

[Minikin_Jo]

I just found out today speaking with my coworker that they made changes to the MSF and that now it's more difficult for people to pass. They've been having students that didn't pass come in for extra practice to prepare for the next time they can test. I'm pretty busy at work today but I'll try to find out what those changes are, unless someone here already knows? I was just curious.

[Stingray1000]

Originally Posted by pimpybra

It's depressing when I think how long it's been. I'm going to be 32 this year, and it upsets me that I've 'missed out' on so many years

Dude im 34 now and started riding in Nov of last year. Trust me i feel your pain. I still look like im 25 so it aint so bad, but the years ive lost i wish i could get back.... my lic was never as good off as it is right now so i guess everything happends for a reason....

[pimpybra]

Well, to revive an semi-old thread... I finally signed up for the MSF course. Next Wed/Thurs/Sat/Sun, I get to do it at the Glen Burnie MVA locale. I just checked today, and they actually had an opening, so I booked it ASAP

Sweeeeeeeeeeet

[Little Green Machine]

Originally Posted by pimpybra

Well, to revive an semi-old thread... I finally signed up for the MSF course. Next Wed/Thurs/Sat/Sun, I get to do it at the Glen Burnie MVA locale. I just checked today, and they actually had an opening, so I booked it ASAP

Sweeeeeeeeeeet

Good luck on the class! Im sure you will do fine!

[ryan.chin]

Originally Posted by pimpybra

Well, to revive an semi-old thread... I finally signed up for the MSF course. Next Wed/Thurs/Sat/Sun, I get to do it at the Glen Burnie MVA locale. I just checked today, and they actually had an opening, so I booked it ASAP

Sweeeeeeeeeeet

Bro. I took it there. It's really legit, aside from one thing. DO. NOT. BE. LATE. EVER.

I signed up with my good friend and he was LITERALLY 1 minute late to the class because of traffic (I-695 was half closed) and they did not let him retake any of the classes, and he had to wait again to sign up.

If you have any questions about the class, I'd be glad to share.

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by ryan.chin

Bro. I took it there. It's really legit, aside from one thing. DO. NOT. BE. LATE. EVER.

I signed up with my good friend and he was LITERALLY 1 minute late to the class because of traffic (I-695 was half closed) and they did not let him retake any of the classes, and he had to wait again to sign up.

If you have any questions about the class, I'd be glad to share.

Thanks man, I just hope it's not hard to find and I end up wandering around for wherever it is. Let me know otherwise!

[ryan.chin]

Originally Posted by pimpybra

Thanks man, I just hope it's not hard to find and I end up wandering around for wherever it is. Let me know otherwise!

It's pretty easy to find, I'd go early, like 45 minutes early. It'll give you time to go and look around. The instructors are really odd, but also interesting.

[Minikin_Jo]

That's great you're going - and wow, at the MVA even! I've never heard of anyone that was able to get in. Well, my husband took his there, but that was like, a couple decades ago. Haha.

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

That's great you're going - and wow, at the MVA even! I've never heard of anyone that was able to get in. Well, my husband took his there, but that was like, a couple decades ago. Haha.

I checked Glen Burnie a few weeks ago, and the next opening was OCTOBER. Last night, I was actually going to sign up for Frederick's course, but on a whim, I figured I'd check GB's if there were any recent openings...

well that paid off!

[Minikin_Jo]

Is it cheaper, as far as pricing goes?

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

Is it cheaper, as far as pricing goes?

Oh definitely, that's why I was excited as well. $175 at GB, versus ~$280 in Frederick Community College, or $325 at the HD dealership. Big savings.

I'm super excited, and this next week until it happens will be torture.

[Minikin_Jo]

Woah - that's definitely a lot cheaper. Howard Community charges $345 for the Basic Rider Course and $460 for the Absolute Beginner Rider Course. No refunds. Add $10 to the fee if you're an out of county resident.

[jeff.roark]

Welcome, I'm from MD too - Baltimore County - Once you sign up, the process can move really quickly. It did for me once I started getting excited about riding. It wasn't even a month after taking my course that I had a bike.

Good luck!

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by jeff.roark

Welcome, I'm from MD too - Baltimore County - Once you sign up, the process can move really quickly. It did for me once I started getting excited about riding. It wasn't even a month after taking my course that I had a bike.

Good luck!

I'm now through one day of the classroom course, which was fun and had good discussion, but didn't really learn much I didn't already know. Still worth it for the open discussion/etc. Still excited for tonight's classroom, and this weekend's on-bike experience! Like a kid waiting for Christmas.

One of the guys in the course signed up for it A DAY BEFORE. We had 2 no-shows/late-arrivals, so 2 people on stand by were able to make it in.

I need to get some gear soon, and while I'd like to go online, some things I just want to try on. Any recommendations for shops around here? Jeff, you show Catonsville, and I work in Woodlawn, anything out this ways?

[Minikin_Jo]

I recommend Cycle Gear in Laurel on Rt 1. They have a good selection in the store and lots to try on.

[pimpybra]

Originally Posted by Minikin_Jo

I recommend Cycle Gear in Laurel on Rt 1. They have a good selection in the store and lots to try on.

Thanks, I don't often make it up to that part of town, but I'll keep note of it.

Looks like there is a Cycle World just 3 minutes north of the Glen Burnie MVA, I might just head down there prior to the class and check that out.

[Minikin_Jo]

I've been there, too. Most places like them have a wide selection of helmets just not in every size and the same goes for jackets. You'll find a few gloves options. I'm sure you'll find something you like but I haven't been in a store that compares to Cycle Gear so you might want to consider a trip down there some day.

It was only a suggestion.

[robmilchling]

I just wish cycle gear carried more options beside all of their in house brands. I like that they carry a few higher end options but it always seems like 75% of their inventory is Bilt gear.

[Minikin_Jo]

Yeah, and I wish they'd carry more girl inventory.

[jaesun]

For some dumb reason, I'm still checking CL and local auctions for Kawasaki 250Rs. It's a habit I haven't quite ended. If you're really interested, I can send of the more promising ones your way. There's currently a beater 2007 on CL out of Gaithersburg for $800 firm. There's another 2007 for $1300 in Silver Spring. I think the owner has it misdiagnosed. It's probably not the starter but a gummed up jet in the carb. But be prepared. These carbs are a major pain.

You'll come across gems every once in awhile at the auctions where charity donations go. I'm still kicking myself for not bidding on a pregen with 2k miles a few months ago. I think it went for $1350 before auction fees. Some of the auctions will take credit cards. Others are cash only.

Eastern Frederick County - like Mt. Airy?