To think back, to the day I graduated from Trident Technical College’s Motorcycle Basic Rider course, it was a hot, humid, beautiful Sunday day. What I learned that day, was, I really wanted to buy a motorcycle and see what would happen. This past Sunday, around the same time I graduated from the BRC at TTC, and about the same weather conditions, I reached a major milestone in the art of motorcycling, I completed my first 500 miles on my motorcycle! I feel this is a huge accomplishment because the past four weeks have been a journey that really IS transforming me, for the better. One notable thing is, I have lost almost 20 pounds. Wearing about 20 pounds of gear, riding in the heat and humidity of the Lowcountry for hours, and add to that spending a few hours before each ride doing my MSF training really makes you sweat. I mean a lot LOL. Sitting at stoplights mid-day, in the sun, surround by other vehicles, is something only the few can survive on a motorcycle. Add to the fact you need to be mentally sharp and prepared for about any traffic situation or nature obstacle, really takes a toll you.

The first 500 miles taught me new and exciting things about myself. Not only do I love motorcycles; the design as well as the way each motorcycle is built, but there is something that occurs within me that leads me to believe that riding a motorcycle might be one the best experiences you can have. Just this last Sunday, as I was riding down Bohicket Rd to Kiawah, I couldn’t stop smiling. Heading to Kiawah on a motorcycle really allowed me to see the beauty of the Lowcountry and that has been a reoccurring theme throughout my motorcycle rides the first 500 miles. Just how amazing the Lowcountry is, from the view of riding on a motorcycle.

The lessons I am learning over the last 500 miles is amazing. At the core of my completing my first 500 miles is how to properly shift gears, using engine braking to slow the bike down, throttle control, using the friction zone, countersteering, full lock turns, figure 8’s, quick stops, surviving rush hour Lowcountry traffic in the AM and PM, allowing a good space cushion, and finally, understanding how to maintain your bike for optimal performance. The slow speed maneuvers are something I really enjoy before I start any major bike ride. Learning to control a 500-pound machine moving less than 10mph is a challenge. Yet, this is where the Art of Motorcycling really shines. For me, it’s the slow speed maneuvers that give me a world of confidence and the ability to be agile on the Moto Morini builds a foundation for my future. Sure, everyone can ride a motorcycle at high speeds. Motorcycles actually handle and perform wonderfully at high speeds. Yet, the slow speed stuff gives you a better idea of how your motorcycle responds at a speed that must be managed completely.

Some of the highlights of my first 500 miles include, visiting Folly Beach for the first time, riding around Downtown Charleston on a busy Friday night, riding across the James Island Connector on a windy day, commuting to my job in North Charleston from James Island during rush hour traffic, riding down Highway 61 to Summerville at 66mph, riding my bike during Tropical Storm Debby, my first crash, and riding through River Rd on Johns Island were all very memorable. This first 500 miles I will remember forever. Praise God!

TOTALS PER 1ST 500 MILES – Quick Stats

TOTAL RIDING TIME (SEAT TIME): 43 HRS 5 MINUTES
TOP SPEED: 66
AVG SPEED: 50.31
AVG MILEAGE PER RIDE: 40.08
REPAIRS: FRONT BRAKE LEVER / BRAKE LIGHTS
CRASHES: 1

It WILL happen to you if you ride a motorcycle….a crash. And, if you are like me, a beginner, your first crash on your new bike might turn you off from the art of motorcycling, or, encourage you to learn, understand, and be MORE committed to riding your motorcycle.

I will admit. I did not believe I would crash practicing the art of motorcycling. Yes. I am that arrogant LOL. Plus, my short, brief experience as a motorcyclist suggested, no, I would never drop my bike. And no way will I ever crash! I am an idiot for not truly understanding the learning process when practicing the art of motorcycling. So, let’s take a brief tour of my history with motorcycling to paint a picture of how STUPID I was. During my Basic Rider Course at Trident Technical College, I did not once drop or crash my training bike. “I am a pro”, I thought. Then, I purchased my new bike, and the first week was amazing. Highlighted above with my info graphic, that I rode to Folly Beach at sunset and thought, “I am amazing!”. To boost my confidence I rode twice the same week as my Folly Beach ride during Tropical Storm Debby, and really believed I had the chops to have a perfect riding record for the next 5 to 10 years.

Then, week two on my new Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR started on a beautiful, hot and humid Sunday afternoon. I knew my route. I was going to train at the parking lot next to Camp Road Middle School and start week two with a bang. Quickly, things went south. I made a left turn into the parking lot, rolled the throttle, and immediately recognized I was approaching the curb too fast and too wide. Panic set in. I forgot all my training, two weeks worth LOL, and slammed into the curb going about 10 miles an hour. After I got control of my emotions, I lifted my bike up, slapped the kick stand down, and walked for a brief period. I didn’t want to look at the damage I had done to my new bike. Was it totaled? Did I just lose $7 thousand in less than a second? And most importantly, how will I get home?

I honest believe now, after my first crash, that it was a wake up call. I must practice, practice, practice. Yes, riding to Folly Road at 50 mph is awesome! But do I know how to handle myself at that speed and survive? And will I get back on my bike and ride again? I am happy to say, three days later, after some recovery, documenting my mistakes before the crash, getting back on my Moto Morini, and limiting my practice route is bringing me a new found respect for the art of motorcycling. In short, I will repair my bike. I am VERY happy I invested in gear from head to toe, and will get back to basics of motorcycling (slow speed maneuvers, stopping, turning left and right, engine braking and more). I have decide to short my time on the bike from 3 hours rides, to 1.5 hours or less with strict focus on the basics. Thus, I will shorten recovery time and most importantly, no back to back days of riding. At this time in my motorcycling career, I am learning SO MUCH that I must allow my brain and body to rest between riding days. Sure, my first crash hurt. Physically, and mentally. But riding just 10 miles, on a cool Wednesday afternoon, sticking only to residential neighborhoods on James Island, locking in on specific trainings for newbies, I feel I am once again climbing uphill to a new level in the art of motorcycling that will be even more rewarding than before.

Stay safe all you motorcyclists!
Rolf

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

I don’t have children. I am unmarried. But seeing my first motorcycle arrive to my home on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon in August, really felt like welcoming my first child home. The night before my first bike was delivered, I couldn’t sleep. The next day, I couldn’t eat. And thinking about all the money I spent, made me nauseous. Yet, each time a negative thought arrived in my brain, I quickly turned my attention to the test ride I took on my Moto Morini bike, and a big smiled grew on my face, like a kid on Christmas Day. I just said to myself, “Rolf, you are going to love your first bike. It will change your life”. Looking back on that day, I feel I made an important life decision that is changing my life for the better. As someone with a mental health illness, creating positive changes in my life feel me with hope, love, and excitement for the future. Just a few days removed from my first bike delivery day, I already feel a stronger sense of purpose and discovering the art of motorcycling is making me very happy.

As someone who takes medication, meets with a therapist a few times per month, does not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs, while learning to accept my mental disorder, motorcycling is quickly becoming an important part of my life. I will say, the art of motorcycling is not for everyone. And riding a motorcycle is scary as hell. Just look up the statistics especially for new riders like me. But as I learned in my Motorcycle Basic Rider course at Trident Technical College, you must learn to focus on what is happening in front of you so you can take the best evasive action to save your ass! I am so thankful for the time I spent preparing to become a motorcyclist. I will share that with y’all soon. Fun fact, about two weeks ago, I never rode a motorcycle before. It really is amazing what you can do when you put your mind to something.

Rolf