Saw in a recent thread that community colleges are cheaper and offer the same program that Ray Price does. I really want to get a bike ASAP, but I need my endorsement first. My questions are

1) Does the course substitute for the DMV road test and written test?

2) Does it give me any discount on motorcylce insurance?

3) Where's the best place to get insurance?

4) Where's the closest (or best, cheapest, etc.) community college to take the course?

5) Any starting soon?

Thanks for any help.

[Edited on August 26, 2005 at 10:41 AM. Reason : spelling]

8/26/2005 10:35:19 AM

1) No - substitutes road test only
2) sometimes - depends on insurance co
3) shop around - do online quotes, then call. i find if you talk to someone, you get a better quote than the online one. the online quote can be used as a reference.
4) wake tech is real popular - you won't be able to get in a class this season at this point. ray price is best best for getting it done now. it'll be around $110 or so at a community college.
5) they start all the time

8/26/2005 10:39:35 AM

I'm debating doing the ray price advanced course. I just bought a brand new bike after not riding for 3 years, so I'm very scared of doing something stupid right away.

8/26/2005 11:46:43 AM

MSF courses (wake tech etc) fill up quickly... I would be surprized if you could get in one for this yr.

I got insurance through progressive, and mine is 130/yr. I am over 25, one ticket, and an old bike w/out comprehensive though.

8/26/2005 1:00:54 PM

johnston community college. might have some in late sept or oct

8/26/2005 1:11:46 PM

you don't need to take the riding course, but its generally preferred. You don't need a motorcycle endorsement to drive a motorcycle, a permit works too and all you have to do is take a simple 25 question written test at dmv. Geico is decently cheap for a stand alone insurance, but progressive is good if you also have car insurance with them (atleast of what I've been told, they quoted me 350/yr for a 94 cbr600, Geico is 150/yr). Wake tech is pretty much full for the rest of the year.

I'd say best thing to do is if you have a very nice friend who is an experienced rider, have him teach you in one weekend the basics. Buy a beater bike first, then when you feel comfortable, buy a new one later on. BTW, when you finish the MSF course, you get a certification that you completed it so you don't have to take the road test at the dmv. they might test you again at the dmv. also, they are usually 120 bucks for the course and 60 (i think) for experienced riders.

If you want to actually take a course, best bet is johnston community college, wake is prolly full

8/26/2005 3:56:39 PM

yeah i didnt take the riding course, and im doing ok.. so far just have a veteran rider teach u the ropes

8/26/2005 3:59:52 PM

^psh, i'm hard core, I taught myself. but i guess that could have led to the deer vs. motorcycle incident (but not my fault)

8/26/2005 4:13:27 PM

Anyone on campus to talk to about lessons then? I don't have any friends that ride, but I've noticed a lot of WolfWeb guys ride. I've gotta get some stuff straightened out first, but I'm supposed to be looking at a Harley on the way home labor day weekend.

8/26/2005 5:06:25 PM

yeah. I was supposed to be taking the class at my hometown college (Rockingham Comm) and they called and cancel it on Wed b/c they don't HAVE MOTORCYCLES! so I called up Johnston and got in the Sept 9-11 class on Thur.

http://www.johnstoncc.edu/ConEd/motorcycle/mr.htm

it looks like there is still an opening in that class. They are only like 30 mins away.

8/26/2005 5:34:46 PM

I just rode a bike for the first time in 3 years. The guy at Ray Price gave me a free demo ride on a used performance sportster. He just gave me the keys and I took off for a few hours. Beat the hell out of staying at work.

8/26/2005 6:55:20 PM

bttt...

Thanks for the advice already, Johnston CC sounds good so far.

8/28/2005 7:42:46 PM

bump

8/29/2005 7:44:34 AM

bttt

8/29/2005 2:13:07 PM

8/29/2005 5:21:10 PM

8/29/2005 8:19:13 PM

^^ yuck

8/29/2005 8:19:50 PM

i had farmer's buerar (sp?) and i paid $300 a year for liablity for an 2004 YZF-R6 (599cc supersport bike), if you want full coverage it will cost you, but sometimes its not worth it. I have it now just for theft reasons.

8/29/2005 9:07:37 PM

^Thanks!

and bttt

8/30/2005 8:10:03 AM

seriously, who wouldn't bang the bejeezes out of that first chick?

8/30/2005 11:35:48 AM

I wouldn't know how. The logistics of it are mind boggling.

I was trying to find a picture of a ninja for another thread. I had to post it somewhere.

8/30/2005 12:12:08 PM

dude, just bend her over and stick it in. either hole, i dont care.

8/30/2005 1:27:04 PM

Aren't the ninjas 600 ccs? What's that, like 1 cc per pound?

8/30/2005 10:26:07 PM

2cc per pound

8/30/2005 11:50:02 PM

i am offering beginner and intermediate wheelie courses for mucho cheapo or a twelve pack
compare to $400 at starboys school

[Edited on August 31, 2005 at 6:53 PM. Reason : while i need to take spelling courses ]

8/31/2005 6:52:57 PM

I'm afraid I won't need wheelie lessons until I learn how to ride without dropping anything.

9/1/2005 8:13:14 AM

Applied at JCC but have yet to hear back from them. With gas the way it is, I need a bike yesterday.

9/2/2005 8:30:44 AM

they send you paper work to your address you put on the sheet

[Edited on September 2, 2005 at 9:32 PM. Reason : btw what days did you sign up for?]

9/2/2005 9:32:12 PM

Haha, I forgot what address I put down, I'll have to locate a copy to see where its going.

I signed up for the next four weekends, whichever is available first.

9/4/2005 12:29:24 AM

Thanks for all the help everyone. Signed up for the BRC at JCC for this weekend. Anyone have a tip on studying for the written test or should I not worry about it?

9/6/2005 9:23:26 AM

just take the written test
get the permit
drive the motorcycle, gingerly if you must

its not that hard of a process

and just read the hand book, and circle the things that don't seem like common sense
then go back and memorize those things

everything else on the test is commmmon sense

9/6/2005 10:53:41 AM

Took the course at JCC, and its my recommendation for anyone looking. Great instructors and only $100.

Got my endorsement today, missed one question, everything covered in the course and no need to study for it.

Now to buy a bike...

9/14/2005 11:36:37 PM

which question did you miss?

9/14/2005 11:52:42 PM

The question about which part of the road is slickest after a rain. How'd you do on your endorsement?

9/18/2005 5:50:52 PM