Holy Crap
I don't mean to preach and I am sure no one else here means to either, we just care, ok?I've been riding for over 45 years along with about 5 years of roadracing and I agree with everything said above especially the part of NO PASSENGERS and I would make that until you've been riding at least a year. I would also add the the passenger must have experience being a passenger when you are a newer rider. Nothing worse than inexperience combined with an inexperienced passenger.
I would also recommend finding a small light bike to begin training with in the parking lots until you master the slow manovering tasks. Dropping a small light bike will less likely hurt the bike, you, and your pocket, plus it is easier to pick up than a 700 pound bike. You will also learn to master how to pick up a bike (leverage not muscle). Get the feel for how a motorcycle geometry works, leaning, throttle, braking, and balance. The key to at speed counter steering is to understand what the steering head does when you push lightly on the left side of the bars and then right side. Countersteering is something to do at speed not just starting out from a dead stop. For example, push left and the steering head will want to lean down towards the left, push right and the steering head will want to lean down to the right. The confusion will be at very slow speeds or starting off if you push too hard on the left the bike will actually turn right and push too hard on the right the bike will actually turn right. To help understand countersteering at speed check out a gyroscope and it will come to you. Riding a motorcycle is a delect balance of throttle and feel. Ride with the bike don't wrestle it. Perhaps the most difficult thing to master besides high speed curves is slow course manuvering.
I would also recommend finding a small light bike to begin training with in the parking lots until you master the slow manovering tasks. Dropping a small light bike will less likely hurt the bike, you, and your pocket, plus it is easier to pick up than a 700 pound bike. You will also learn to master how to pick up a bike (leverage not muscle). Get the feel for how a motorcycle geometry works, leaning, throttle, braking, and balance. The key to at speed counter steering is to understand what the steering head does when you push lightly on the left side of the bars and then right side. Countersteering is something to do at speed not just starting out from a dead stop. For example, push left and the steering head will want to lean down towards the left, push right and the steering head will want to lean down to the right. The confusion will be at very slow speeds or starting off if you push too hard on the left the bike will actually turn right and push too hard on the right the bike will actually turn right. To help understand countersteering at speed check out a gyroscope and it will come to you. Riding a motorcycle is a delect balance of throttle and feel. Ride with the bike don't wrestle it. Perhaps the most difficult thing to master besides high speed curves is slow course manuvering.
HYPR made a great point about no passengers. But it would also be advisable to have the wife take the course as well. That way she will learn how to do everything you do. Recently there was a new rider that went thru the course and purchased a used Harley from the dealer. He had his wife with him and decided to take her with him on their maden voyage. They never made it out of the parking lot. Reason being she had zero time on a bike. All because she had no idea how to lean with him. No damage was done but she was in the next class and really learned a lot. Be safe
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I believe the OP get the point on MSF course & sure everyone read he's scheduled to this is covered. Just adding to the new bike owner + Dyna rider excitement - enjoy learning to ride & the new scoot. You'll have many years of riding bliss on this new journey.
