thanks for the input everyone. i start myc class tonight. should be a good time and maybe meet some new people!

 

Dude...have a fun time in class. Listen..listen...listen! Its been 20 years since I took that class, but the stuff you'll learn will stay with ya. Nice scoot you got there, too, bro. Thing I remember most, is short shifting into 2nd so my bike wasn't so much in the powerband. Although, I took mine on a Yamaha RD400. Heck, used to own an '82 Seca 650...

Good luck with the course and enjoy the ridin'.

 

Best thing I can tell you is get into second gear when doing figure of eights in the box. The throttle response isnt as touchy and it'll be alittle easier.

 

jaycross, the highest gear you will be in, is 2nd, and the highest speed will be only 20mph. The class teaches the basics, with emphasis always on safety. It is up to you to transfer what they teach you onto the street.

With that Harley, with it's massive low end torque, pay particularly attention to the part in the class about keeping your throttle arm "wrist down." You'll understand in the class.

Here's a link to Iowa's MSF that should answer most questions.

http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/mre.htm

 

A you have already heard, but can't hear enough, listen, listen, listen. The key to being a badass in this world, is having the skills to prove it. Good luck!

 

Congrats on your first Harley! I don't have much to add to the great advice already posted, just enjoy the class.

 

You are already wise beyond your years! I got my first Harley 3 years ago after not riding for over 25 years! I took the class because I realize my mortality more now than when I was your age.
As all the others have mentioned, listen and understand that the instructors are there for your benefit, and will teach you to be a better and safer rider.
the people you ride with after the class will appreciate it too.

 

Congrats on the Sportie, Jake.

I'll echo everything everyone else has said.
Listen to what they have to say and do your best to follow through the instructions. I'm a big guy and when I took the class I felt like a circus elephant on a tricycle on those little bikes. I wallowed around the figure-eight poorly and put my feet down once or twice on the first day of exercises. It was my first day of riding as an adult with limited dirtbike experience as a kid.
There was this younger guy there who actually rode to the class on his CBR1100 (or whatever.. fast looking sportsbike) who said he had been riding for 5 years. I just knew he would smoke the exercises, but he didn't. He couldn't stay in the box on the figure-eight and even put his foot down once.

I realized than that when riders refer to "different skill levels" they aren't talking about riders who have been alive the longest, or rode in different weather conditions. They mean those who actually practice and are able to do things on their motorcycle that don't feel possible to someone who doesn't practice it.

The tip about 2nd gear is a good one. I wish I would have known and thought to do that at the time. Good luck!

 

Congrats on the Harley. You already passed the first test by taking the MSF class. Ride safe and enjoy.

 

Lucky kid, I was 29 before I got my first Harley and that was considered young for a Harley. Good choice, a bike is not a toy and it's hard to not forget that on a cafe racer. I would think if you have experience riding then the course should be easy for you. It isn't like a driving test where you have to get it right on the first try, you get to practice. So a lot of the mistakes you might make and flunk a driving test because you're nerveous shouldn't be an issue.