Getting My Endorsement
There are two options for getting a motorcycle endorsement added to your driver’s license here in Colorado. You can either pass the written test and then driving test down at the DMV, or you can take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Training course. I have decided to go with the second option. I am scheduled for the class next Saturday and I couldn’t be more excited. I signed up with ABATE of Colorado as they were highly recommended. I feel like the class is reasonably priced at $204. After reading through their website and what they are all about I was sold. Before I signed up, I had to run out and snag some essentials that are required for the class, so I went out to Thunder Mountain to grab myself some gear.
The class requires long sleeves, jeans, boots, gloves, and eyewear. Here are some pictures of the gear I was able to acquire.
The boots and the glasses I can understand, but I was unsure about the gloves because when I see people out and about on their bikes it seems like a lot of them aren’t wearing any. After talking the idea through with a couple of different people, the consensus was that it was mostly a safety/insurance/protection sort of thing. I thought the boots were pretty sweet looking with the skulls and all so that is why I picked them out. I wasn’t sure about them only going above the ankle, as my dad always wore much taller boots, but that is all the class requires so I went with those. Here is a closer shot at the boots:
I’m definitely looking forward to the course and everything that comes afterward, although I’m not really looking forward to having to be there before 7AM on both days of my weekend. I suppose there are worse reasons to get my ass out of bed that early. I will definitely let you know how it turns out!
I’m always open for feedback, so please let me know what you think about my choices or if you have any advice for a new rider, please share it with me!
Hope the class goes well! When I took the class it rained the whole weekend! Great experience while learning to ride.
Comment by HelmetorHeels — June 10, 2011 @ 8:47 pm
Hi Brad, I was surprised to see something pop up in my blog feed from Electra Glide in Blue. I’m glad you’re doing this. I’m from Biker Chick Adventures (one of the blogs) and knew your dad through the blog. However, we share a few friends in real life. Could be that one or more of them led you to ABATE.
ABATE is the best choice for training, but I wish you’d signed up in Greeley. I would have been honored to teach you and see the legacy carried on. Regardless, it’ll be a great class. Gloves and all of the gear are required in the class for insurance purposes, but MSF also wants to make sure you learn about safety and risk awareness. If you fall, your instinct is going to be to put your hands out. That’ll leave a mark without gloves. It’s your choice, but you might want to get some miles under your belt before you start shedding gear.
I’m curious about being there before 7am. Are you sure about that? Maybe that was just a typo. Look again. Good luck, and have fun!
Comment by Abby — June 10, 2011 @ 8:56 pm
Hey Brad,
Oh yeah, the 1st day of riding classes! You will be quite surprised regarding the things you learn. Even as a long time rider, learning about WHY the bike and I behaved the way we did was an eye opener. The mechanics of riding and understanding the reasons the bike (and you) perform the way you do will help you to become a safety minded rider, and of course a rider who can relax and enjoy the road and the ride quicker! Bravo for you! Enjoy Brad, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
Comment by Chessie — June 11, 2011 @ 5:43 am
Brad, as Abby mentioned, the gloves are there to protect your hands in the case of a fall/accident.
I’ll add: ATGATT: All The Gear All The Time. I don’t understand motorcycle riders who choose to not wear proper safety gear all the time but as Abby said, it’s their choice whether to risk head injuries through lack of a helmet, or road rash through lack of riding gear or foot/ankle injuries because of unsuitable footwear. I’ve been down, due to ice, at over 40mph and since I was fully geared up, no issues except for a slight separation of my AC joint, I was cleared to ride three days later….not a mark on me.
Taking the BRC is the best option in my opinion as well, get you started off right and with a good set of basic skills and safety concepts. My wife just went through the BRC and yes, first day started at 7am….yikes.
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Comment by charlie6 — June 11, 2011 @ 8:00 am
Hey Brad,
I am thrilled that you are taking the MSF class. I took the RidersEdge class thru a local Harley dealer to get my endorsement, and it was the right choice. Regarding gloves, etc. I’ll share a little story.
Within my first month of riding, I took my wife for a day’s ride on my Sporster. We set off on a rode I wasn’t familiar with and having a passenger was something I was having to get used to at the same time. Half way thru the twisties, I got off the edge of the road in loose gravel and dropped the bike. I was wearing blue jeans and a long sleeve shirt and some cotton work gloves. The gravel sliced the fingers of the glove open and imbedded into my pinky finger. It also sliced open the long sleeve shirt and embedded in my forearm. I spent a couple of hours in an ER with them scrubbing my arm and hand with anitbacterial soap and digging gravel out of my arm and finger. It was one of the less enjoyable experiences of my riding.
I went out and bought a leather jacket, leather chaps, and leather gloves. A year later, I went down in a corner in the rain. I got up, picked up the bike, checked it over, cranked it and rode home with nothing more than sore muscles.
Since I have ent down once when cars were smoking tires in a panic stop on the freeway and I got on the rear brake too hard and got into a tank slapper. Again thanks to the gear, I got up and with help got the bike up and rode onto work.
I have since gotten a Joe Rocket textile jacket that has some mesh panels for summer riding, but I never ride with out all the gear. AGATT – all the gear, all the time. Because, you never know when someone is gonna pull aleft hand turn in front of you, or like me, you never know when you will exceed your riding experience.
Enjoy the class. You will learn a lot. Pay attentino when they talk about the advanced class that is offered after the basic class. It would be good to take later on to add to your skills.
-Peace
Comment by Allen — June 11, 2011 @ 8:19 am
Yep. The class starts at 7AM and its says to please plan on showing up about 15 minutes early. Its not too much to ask, just out of the norm a little for me on the weekends. But, like I said, I can’t think of a better reason to get out of bed.
Thanks for sharing your stories with me guys. I can’t imagine what it would be like to wipe out, but it certainly doesn’t sound like any fun at all.
Comment by Brad — June 11, 2011 @ 10:41 am
brad, MSF is the best thing you could do for yourself! bravo!
the classes ive taken all started at 7am, and i’d rather sleep in too. but you’ll gain such fabulous knowledge and experience that its worth every second and penny. matter of fact, many of us go back for refreshers of the advanced class every few yrs or so. many old timers will tell you they still gain something from every class they take!
ps, the gloves. dont dress for the ride, but instead dress for the crash. you’ll be happy you did.
Comment by mq01 — June 11, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
Hey Brad, Good that you took the second option, you won’t regret it. I’m a firm believer in training and like others also recommend doing an advance course. These courses are good to do every few years because we all tend to get into a rut occasionally and these courses help us to stay on top of our game, even if we don’t think we need it.
I’d also suggest going and have a look at Dan Bateman’s site Musings of an Intrepid Comuter. He’s a trainer and has several good articles about the courses and what they cover. At the very least it’s give you a good idea of what to expect and start your training before you’re actually out there.
Comment by Twitch — June 14, 2011 @ 12:59 am
I love this. It’s great hearing someone talk about the first time. Doing it right is the smart thing to do. It bring alot of lost memories back…thanks again. It just keeps getting better from here on out.
Comment by FLHX_Dave — June 16, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
Thanks so much for the feedback guys. It really makes me think about being safe and getting myself some more safety gear. I am looking forward to the course so much. I downloaded the DMV book for Motorcycle’s and went through it for kicks last weekend. Everywhere I drive I am checking the road and thinking about what it must be like on a bike. There is honestly nowhere else I would rather be than in a BRC this Father’s Day. I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!
Comment by Brad — June 16, 2011 @ 8:50 pm