For over ten years I thought about taking the Motorcycle Basic Rider (BRC) course at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, South Carolina. Yet, nothing got me to do. Maybe it was fear. Or I was still battling addiction issues. Or I thought the timing wasn’t right. So, when I really decided to pursue the art of motorcycling, this past July, I knew I needed a solid foundation to build from. I also had never ridden a motorcycle before, so a weekend to see if I could ride a motorcycle, and most importantly, find out if I had the guts to pursue the dream of motorcycling. And learning from those who had years of riding experience made complete sense to me as a beginner. I believe my first ever experience riding a motorcycle was holding on to a rider, as we rode a dirt bike through a trail on James Island. I was maybe 12? But hearing the engine turn and the world around me flash bye is a memory I have never forgotten. But that was my ONLY experience on a motorcycle. The nervous energy heading into the BRC weekend at TTC was unlike anything I felt before.
If I allowed myself to watch all the motorcycle crashes on YouTube or read the statics for new motorcyclists within the first 6 months of their journeys, the odds are very stacked against you. Yet, reading the BRC course description, made me realize that everything would be provided. And, Lord willing, at the end of the course I would know how to ride a motorcycle and most importantly, decide if the art of motorcycling was for me.
The BRC course began Friday night at TTC. I and 8 other students began our BRC journey with a long MS PowerPoint slide presentation filled with facts, situations, and “oh shit” moments. My instructor Mr. Banks was the perfect instructor for a new rider like me. There was no bullshit with Mr. Banks. Having ridden motorcycles for over 40 years, a retired Marine, Mr. Banks knew how to hammer home the facts. One of his best comments was, “Your motorcycle is trying to kill you! You MUST learn how to control your bike. Or you will die.” I wish I had a photo of my face after the first night of BRC because it was a huge reality check. The idea of riding a motorcycle was still strong, but I had to learn how to ride a bike before I commented thousands of dollars to, what would become a reactional hobby for me.
ROLF NOTE: If you do take the BRC course at TTC, or at a licensed Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training course, MAKE SURE you complete the “Basic eCourse” prior arriving for the first class. If you don’t, you will not be allowed to finish the BRC course. You will need to reschedule your class at a later date. For me, I was lucky enough that Mr. Banks allowed me to take the eCourse after class on Friday. The Basic eCourse by MSF, is a web based training program that is…ready? 3 HOURS LONG! I started the eCourse at 10pm on Friday, and finished at 1:30am on Saturday. Trust me, get this done BEFORE the first class.
Let the good times roll! Saturday and Sunday during the BRC were 6 hours of riding instruction followed by breaks and discussions of how we did. Early Saturday morning, my first hour on a 250 Royal Enfield, I could not find neutral with the left footed gear shifter. Mr. Banks, keep yelling at me, “Rolf find NEUTRAL!” Immediately after this drill, I asked the other instructor Jen, a retired Army officer, to help me find a larger bike. Jen smiled and handed me a 250 Yamaha Dual Sport bike. This Yamaha was about a foot taller and much more meaner looking than the Royal Enfield. This would become my horse to finish the BRC race. Within an hour of riding the Yamaha, I had confidence and became one of the fastest riders during the BRC.
ROLF NOTE: Honestly, my take on finding your first motorcycle, is look for something that fits your size. Keep the bike engine between 300-650cc’s and let your fears go. I will write more on selecting your first bike later on. For now, lets focus on the BRC.
Looking back on my motorcycle training for the BRC on Saturday and Sunday, was a blur. But the skill tests we did during the BRC have stuck with me to this day. After the BRC, I bought some bright orange cones from Home Depot, and created specific motorcycle skill training into my riding routine. TRUST ME: low speed maneuvers really help your skill set as a rider and transfer wonderfully to the fast, busy, public roads of the Lowcountry. Through my motorcycle training, my level of confidence is blossoming from the ability to CONTROL my bike as well as UNDERSTAND the mechanics of how to operator my bike. This is SO important to your survival as a motorcyclist.
We ended the BRC on Sunday around 3pm. It was hot, humid, and sunny. Much like Saturday. The amount of sweat after each day was only second to the amount of soreness my body felt at the end of class each day. I will say the BRC evaluation test at the end, might have been one of the most nervous times in my life. But in the end, ALL STUDENTS (including me) PASSED. We each got our BRC TTC certificate, paperwork for the DMV to get our motorcycle endorsement, and a shared common belief that we have built a strong foundation for our future in the art of motorcycling. To close, I will say this. 9 students enrolled. 1 student never showed up. 1 student had a panic attack during the first motorcycle exercise, and 1 student did not show up for the final day because of an injury she sustained during the previous day. The art of motorcycling is not for everyone.
Rolf