[i0423x]

I have a few questions one mainly about what needs to be done before obtaining a motorcycle. I've already decided on a non-abs CBR250R and within the next 2 months I will most certainly purchase on the spot.

Question one, what should I do before purchasing any motorcycle? I understand I have to take the MSF course and I understand going to the DMV to take the written test to obtain the license but do I get to skip the riding test if I were to take the MSF course?

Note: I'm from Houston, TX.

 

[GolfRasta]

I actually bought my CBR without a license. I'm signed up for MSF class, but just got the written test out of the way. Been practicing in parking lots. The only thing you need is insurance if you plan on financing. The license can come later.

 

[i0423x]

So as of right now you have the CBR and are going to attend the MSF course and have already completed the written test?

I'm going to fully pay off the CBR, financing is just not in my circumstances at the moment.

So for now it should be okay to do things in this order?

1. Purchase bike + insurance
2. Written test
3. MSF Course

I'll probably end up doing the MSF course first since I don't feel like waiting at the DMV until I have all the prerequisites done.

 

[superfly]

I financed and did not have insurance beforehand. Maybe I'm an anomaly. You certainly don't need a license to buy.

I got my license in Texas and did not take a driving test, having already taken the MSF BRC.

Sent from my DROID4 using Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[w0nd3rb0y]

Since you're putting off buying for a couple months, you have plenty of time to get most things done before purchasing your bike. I bought my Red/Silver Non-ABS CBR250R two days after completing the safety course. Since I only had my learner's permit at the time of bike purchase and my ride home would have been either 25 minutes on freeways (not allowed) or 1.5 hours on back roads and surface streets, the dealer was kind enough to drop off my bike to my house at no charge thanks to him living relatively close by. I'd add to what GolfRasta said by saying that you'll need insurance regardless of financing. A quick call to your agent can get you a quote or temporary insurance card at the time of purchase.

Here's what I did:

1. Read rider's handbook.
2. Get learner's permit - costs around $30, takes a few minutes, is 25 questions, up to 4 incorrect answers allowed. Restrictions: no freeways, no night riding, no passengers.
3. Complete and pass MSF beginners course. Costs $250.
4. Purchase bike.
5. Receive Certificate in mail (mine came 8 days after completion)
6. Walk into DMV (no appointment necessary), hand them your Learner's Permit and MSF Certificate, walk out with temporary license with M1 endorsement. No riders test and no written test needed at this point as they had already been satisfied. You are simply converting two documents into 1 document.
7. Ride without restrictions.
8. Receive license in mail (mine arrived ~2 weeks later).

I've had my bike for just over 1 month and have put a little over 1000 miles on it.

 

[NSU]

Can't help you exactly on Texas but the process in Pennsylvania is thus:

1 Obtain a motorcycle permit (pass a 20 question quiz to obtain)

2a) Attend MSF BRC1 course, which has a few hours of classroom and course instruction each. There is a written test at the conclusion of the classroom component. The last thing you do on the course bikes is complete the state license test.

(2b)You can also take the test by scheduling an appointment at the DMV and performing the same riding tests on your own.

(2c)Alternatively, if available, you can take the BRC2 class. The BRC2 class has no classroom time, and nearly identical road coursework to the BRC1 but it performed on your own motorcycle. At the conclusion of the BRC2, you are given the same license test. This is a great way to become more acclimated to your own bike and learn some of its limits in a controlled environment.

It's a good idea to acquire the learning permit before buying a bike in any case.

 

[jscott1]

Here's the deal in Texas. (no offense to others but each state is different)

New riders have to take the MSF course. End of story. But the good news is that the riding portion of the test is waived at the DMV. After passing the MSF course you will get your certificate in your hand to take with you. The next day you can go down to DMV and you still have to take a 20 question test at the DMV, but after taking the MSF course it's a piece of cake.

They will take your picture and make you pass a vision test and give you a paper license with the motorcycle endorsement that allows you to ride immediately. About a week later you will get a new picture license in the mail.

If you are purchasing the bike outright you don't need insurance unless you intend to ride it off the lot. And even then the dealership is not going to stop you, it's up to you at that point as you own it. If you are loading it onto a truck you don't have to insure it right then and there.

You don't need a license to buy a motorcycle, again like the insurance, you can load it on a truck and be perfectly fine. You own it, you can do whatever you like with it.

By the way, I recommend taking the course at San Jac College. They use Suzuki 250s and 125s. If you take it at the Harley dealership you will be on cruisers which I don't think are as beginner friendly.

By the way I'm in Houston so I know from experience.

- Jonathan

 

[i0423x]

Thanks for the information guys, I now understand what it is I need to do. Again, thank you!

 

[GoBigRed]

Also spend some time now shopping around for all your gear. That way you can use your own helmet for the MSF course. Congrats and have fun!

 

[olhogrider]

About insurance, most states require liability insurance. Not sure about TX. One thing I do remember is they have supplemental insurance on YOU that will cost $$ but allow you to ride without a helmet. I consider that an investment in stupidity. Make sure your Insurance company is not charging you for something you don't need.

 

[GolfRasta]

I'm in NC. I have my learner's permit ($15)...only restriction is no passengers. I can ride on freeways and at night. I'm signed up for MSF class but the earliest I could do it is in 3 weeks. MSF class is $120...but if you join the HRCA for free, they reimburse $75 of that $120.

 

[schneidewent]

If you finance the bike, you must show proof that you have insurance in order to complete the transaction. No big deal though. I called my insurance company from the dealership and they added the bike onto my policy and faxed a proof copy directly there.

 

[5005]

In Maryland you can go to the MSF without a learners permit, I had one but everyone else in the course with me did not have a learners permit. The MSF gave us all a written test and a skills test and in MD if you past both of these at the MSF course, the MSF gives the rider a certificate to take the MVA ( dmv in most states ) and you give them the certificate and they add your Motorcycle to your C license

 

[5005]

If you finance the bike, you must show proof that you have insurance in order to complete the transaction. No big deal though. I called my insurance company from the dealership and they added the bike onto my policy and faxed a proof copy directly there.

That is how I did it too.

 

[jscott1]

About insurance, most states require liability insurance. Not sure about TX. One thing I do remember is they have supplemental insurance on YOU that will cost $$ but allow you to ride without a helmet. I consider that an investment in stupidity. Make sure your Insurance company is not charging you for something you don't need.

Texas requires liability insurance. Liability is the damage that you cause to others. This is cheap, because a motorcycle is not likely to do much damage.

Insurance on yourself in the form of uninsured motorist medical payments is VERY expensive. The reason is that if you get hurt you will usually be hurt bad. If you have good medical insurance you can skip the uninsured medical payments though.

As for the helmet, to ride without one in Texas, prior to 2009 the former law required a person be covered with a minimum of $10,000 in health insurance for injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident to be eligible for an exception for the offense of operating or riding a motorcycle without a helmet. In 2009 the law removed that minimum amount, and you no longer need to display a sticker. You still are required to have health insurance to ride without a helmet, but there is essentially no enforcement.

As mentioned earlier, I wouldn't recommend riding without a helmet anyway.