Thanks to the great state of Florida and Motorcycle Safety Foundation, it is now legal for me to drive a motorcycle.

For those who know me, it’s a little scary huh? So, Lets start from the beginning.

About 7 years ago, while driving down I4, Orlando Harley Davidson had a sign out ‘LEARN TO RIDE! Only $199!’ — And every time I drove by it since I would say “Wow, I’d love to do that!” — Fast forward to Christmas of ‘06 — Jaime finds the perfect gift for me a gift certificate to the new east Orlando Harley dealership ‘Learn to Ride’ program. So, after it warmed up a little bit, I cashed it in this past week. Now, Please keep in mind, I have never actually be on a motorcycle. In fact, I don’t think I have touched one prior to this week. Seriously — Gavin wouldn’t even let me look at his bike for fear of me breaking it (or taking it apart) — So, I am in fact a novice / n00b in every sense of the term.

So, on the first day (Classroom Session) When we were going around the room introducing ourselves, I realized I was ‘different’. I was clearly the only person in the room that didn’t have a passion for motorcycles. In fact, I clearly said “I’m here to learn, just so I know how. I don’t own a bike, and most likely never will. I just want to know that I know how.” — Which pretty much pissed off everyone in the room. I didn’t realize why at first, but after talking to everyone over the course of three days I realized how much this class really meant to every single person in the room. Some were there to regain the confidence they once had before an accident. Some were there for the social aspect, they wanted to be a part of their group, and share the experiences they were clearly missing out on. And some were there because this was their lifestyle. It was either, get a motorcycle license, or be ostracized to staring at the back of someones head for life — Which meant infinite shame for them and their ‘Old man’.

Second Day (On the course) — So I’m finally on a bike. It was awkward. I felt like I was learning to ride a bicycle again. Just No training wheels. No dad saying ‘You can do it! Don’t worry I won’t let go!’. Just me, my 400lb huffy, and some very hard looking pavement. But, about 20mins into day 1, I really just forget about all of that — and the bike was just comfortable there. It was me, my trusty steed, and my friction zone.

Third Day (On the course) — I had fun. What else can I say? I had a blast. I was learning. I was executing the drills. I was listening to the instructors. And best of all, I knew I was doing them safely, or at the recommendation of the instructors, how to execute them safer. At this point I really started to see more and more how much this meant to the other people there. More than a handful were so worried about the ‘test’ at the end, that I think they completely sucked every bit of fun out of the day for themselves. This is a culture to these people. Whether it is a sport culture, a cruising culture, or a daily transportation culture — This is and will be a part of their lives. I still didn’t feel like a member of the cult… But I started to understand it. Motorcycles are fun.

The Test — This was an on bike test, based off the execution of the skills you had learned. And I passed (Perfect score actually) — But Others didn’t. This really impressed me. I’m sad for the people who didn’t pass, because I know how much it meant to them — But I’m happy that the instructors had the backbone to keep people off the street that may be dangerous to themselves, and to others. The instructors unfortunately really had to step up to the plate, and shit in these people cheerios, and you could tell that they knew it. But kudos to them. I have a feeling that this level of standards is not upheld when it comes to drivers licenses — and it’s a shame because it makes the road more dangerous for everyone — and had I of shown them that I might be an unsafe rider, I now know, they would of kept me off the street, and it made my license all the more valuable to me… — I really thought it was going to be a “You all passed, please buy a Harley on your way out…” — But it wasn’t. They truly would of failed everyone in the room if they saw fit. And I applaud them for that.

In Closing — I would like to thank the awesome instructors. You were great. You cared about our safety. You didn’t sugar coat anything. And you told us what we did wrong. In fact, Even when you were pretty sure you did everything right, you still had constructive criticism for us. And when the experienced riders would say “You’re right, it’s easier/better/smarter doing it this way..” It gave me a warm fuzzy that the habits I had learned from the start will make me a better safer rider… Which is why I would now consider buying a bike just to get the miles required to take the advanced rider course…

If you have ever considered riding, or even if you ride now — I highly recommend that you go to Orlando Harley Davidson and sign up for this class. I had a blast, and the instructors are top notch. Hell, if they can teach me, They can teach anyone..

Oh, and to answer your question. Not sure if I’m going to buy a bike yet. I’d really like to. But, I don’t trust Orlando drivers. On the ride home, I had two people pull out in front of my truck. So, if they want to risk their lives pulling in front of 5000lbs and 19ft of steel, what will stop them from doing the same to 500lbs and 5ft.. Such a shame…