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My Bucket List : Learn How to Ride a Motorcycle


I've wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle since the first time I saw "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man". Owning a Harley has always been a dream of mine. One reason it took me so long to learn how to ride was a common misconception that motorcycle riding was dangerous. I mean why else would they call motorcyclists " organ donors" ?

Contrary to popular belief, riding is no more dangerous than driving. Learning how to ride a motorcycle SAFELY is the main goal of The Basic Rider Course I took with Pacific NorthWest Motorcycle Safety.

I've never been on a motorcycle before and till then had no interest in motorcycles. All I wanted was to learn how to ride.

The Basic Rider Course is a 16 hour curriculum for beginning riders. Half of the time you waste in a classroom learning about some useless crap you'll never remember, followed by a test only a brain dead moron won't pass.

Practical "learn to ride" part consists of a number of drills/exercises on a parking lot. During the full length of the class you never ride your bike on a road.



Students must achieve a 80% or higher on a written test and 80% or higher on the riding test to pass this course and waive further testing at the Washington State DOL for "2-wheeled only" motorcycle endorsement. Getting your motorcycle endorsement is the only advantage many people take from this class.
I wouldn't say I didn't get anything from this class ( I "learned " how to ride, got my motorcycle endorsement, and now can cross another item off my Bucket List ), but again, "learning how to ride" is not the main goal. That's exactly what your instructor will tell you - "I am here to teach you how to ride a motorcycle safely".

In my opinion, riding safely comes with practice. And that's exactly what I intend to do - buy a bike and continue learning how to ride a motorcycle.

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