| Author | Message | ||
     Jayfredweb |
Sorry for the slightly off-topic rant, but I just need to vent. So my new to me 2006 Ulysses has been sitting in the garage for almost a month now. I'm new to the sport, and I've never driven a bike on the street. So I decided that I wouldn't touch the bike at least until I got through a course. I registered for a Rider's Edge course through the Las Vegas HD dealer and was supposed to start the class yesterday. Upon arrival at the dealer, they informed me that they had canceled the class due to unforeseen circumstances. So now I have to wait 2 more months for the next available class. I can't be upset at LVHD because they gave me a full refund ($350) and told me I could take the class for free in September.  I checked around again, and everyone else who offers a similar class is also all booked up until at least September. This is going to be hard waiting two more months! At least it will be a little bit cooler (temperature wise) when I finally take my Ulysses out of the garage!  | ||
| Hooper |
I feel your pain - nowadays, as a fairly experienced rider, I get that same feeling when my bike is in the shop for one or two days (or two weeks!) longer than they said it would be, or when the weather just won't cooperate. It's definitely not two months, though. You may have private motorcycle tutors in your area...one of them in my area (Washington, DC) is about the same price as LVHD, and also provides the legal permit upon graduation. Hang in there...it'll be worth it! | ||
| Rwcfrank |
You are very wise to take the course, in the long run it will save you money and more important maybe save your life... | ||
| Hughlysses |
Man, that does suck. While you're waiting, it's worth going to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's website; they have quite a bit of stuff you can study on-line: http://www.msf-usa.org/ You'll be ahead of the game when you finally start your class. | ||
| Supertoon |
Ahh, screw-it! Just getting ripping drunk, put on your best pair of flip-flops and bermuda shorts and go practice wheelies and smokies on the strip. License, we don't need no stinkin' license  | ||
| Johnboy777 |
""I decided that I wouldn't touch the bike at least until I got through a course."" WHAT? Bad decision... very bad! But it's not too late to amend it. To wit: 'I decided that I wouldn't (ride aggressively on) the bike at least until I got through a course... And? And, thanks to Johnboy777's reminder, I will always wear ATGATT and stay off the freeways for now! There! Now you've made a good decision. And remember, baby steps...baby steps! Okay, now go ride your Friggin' bike, doood! . | ||
| Reepicheep |
Don't know if the riders edge (or similar MSF) courses are the same there as around Ohio, but I did a "walk in" deal. People had to register in advance, but as you have noted the courses are months (or even a year) out. So by the time people actually get to the course, many blow it off or can't make it for other reasons. When I did my walk in, I showed up for the first session 4 hours early and was "walk in number 1". Four more people tried to walk in, two of us made it. You are "provisional" for the first two classes, in case the registered person appears late. After the first two classes, they are out and you are in. The MSF books are published as well, I think I got one at a Borders. You can read up ahead of time and practice some of the simpler drills yourself. You may or may not want to do this on your brand new bike, much better to drop an old beat up blast that belongs to somebody else  | ||
| Jayfredweb |
Thanks for all the encouragement. I knew that the peeps on this forum wouldn't bash me too hard... I might just take the bike out to practice near home a little. Of course..., I won't have a license or even a learners permit. I guess I'll see how antsy I get. My intention is to never drive aggressively. My purchase of the bike was for practical reasons. I want to use it for my commute to work. Living in the desert, I should be able to ride it almost year round. I'll check into the walk-in options as well. However..., with my odd work schedule there are only a few classes that I can attend without planning for a day or two off. And SUPERTOON I won't ever ride in flip flops and bermuda shorts! I actually had a friend who did that, and got hit by a taxi. What an idiot!! Although..., I did get a free pair of motorcycle boots from him, hardly used. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Larry Lloyd runs a training site in Mohave Valley (about 2 hrs from Las Vegas). Larry's program runs on the Reservation up there, so technically it is neither Arizona nor Nevada. I don't know how licensing reciprocity will be handled, but I am sure that Larry does. http://www.motovationlv.com/ There's also a training program in Kingman, at Mohave Com. College. It is run by CR Driver Training. Mark in Arizona | ||
| Tootal |
My intention is to never drive aggressively. Right! wink wink nudge nudge Have you ever ridden a Uly? Oh sorry, I guess not. | ||
| Jayfredweb |
Larry Lloyd's classes seem to be booked up until September too. But it is nice to know there are other options out there. His dirt bike/off-road motorcycle training looks interesting. And it's offered just outside of Las Vegas in the Jean Dry Lake Bed. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Right! wink wink nudge nudge Have you ever ridden a Uly? Oh sorry, I guess not. I promised myself I would never horse around on the bike ... never! Then one day you end up showing off with a wheelie in front of your house at your 4th of July party. Go figure. . | ||
| Jayfredweb |
I don't know about NEVER. But I need to be comfortable on the bike first, before I drive too aggressively. Although..., I guess I had the same plan with my 4Runner when I purchased it. It was my only vehicle, and I had to rely on if for transportation, so I wasn't going to push my luck by taking it off-road. A month after I purchased it I was taking it on some pretty knarly off-road runs, because that is what it is "Capable" of. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Larry Lloyd's classes seem to be booked up until September too. But it is nice to know there are other options out there. His dirt bike/off-road motorcycle training looks interesting. And it's offered just outside of Las Vegas in the Jean Dry Lake Bed. Well, I can get you into class much sooner, but you'd have to come to the Phoenix area. Did you try the folks at Mohave College? Mark in Arizona (Message edited by mark_weiss on July 11, 2008) | ||
| Jayfredweb |
Mark_weiss: PM Sent | ||
| Dbird29 |
Find a Badwebber to give private lessons? Pass your test and take the class this fall? There are lots of folks that could help you get started. Think of the accomplishment of passing the driving test at the DMV. | ||
| Javadog |
So do you have some offroad riding experience?Here are a couple of other things you might be doing while you are lining up someone to teach you some basic skills. Does NV require you to have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license? Here in NC it is a written test only.You could get that out of the way. I would also read a riding book-either the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence or David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling. Good luck-you ought to be able to get up to speed enough to ride around on some empty roads in the desert without too much trouble. Take another rider along with you as well as a cell phone and some extra water. Your bike wants to go for a ride! | ||
| Jayfredweb |
I've been reading various different books on the topic. In Nevada, it's a written test and a driving test. You can obtain a learners permit by just taking the written test, but of course you have to ride with someone else at all times. I think I'm going to wait for the September Rider's Edge Course. It's going to be free, plus, I can't afford to take any more time off right now. Mark_weiss: thanks for sending me the details about your Rider's Edge courses in Mesa, AZ. I'm sure it would be fun to go down there for training, but with hotel and travel expenses..., plus having to take pretty much a week off from work, it just is too expensive!!! I've have been getting the itch..., and I know the bike wants to be ridden. I was hoping that I would have the lower seat, that I ordered almost 3 weeks ago, by now, but so far nothing. I guess that is normal for Buell?? When I need a part for my Toyota, the dealer get's it shipped in overnite for no extra cost. I don't get it, but then again, I'm just frustrated. I think I will probably start trying to ride the bike near the house here, where there is very little traffic. Just so I can get the feeling... |
