Got all my insurance paperwork through today.

In short, I passed!

Today’s course was another range session for about 4 hours straight on the bikes to compliment our work on Saturday, followed by a written test and a DMV structured bike test.

Well folks, I finally made it to the MSS Basic Rider Course and I’m smiling from ear-to-ear.
The course started after work on Friday evening at 5.30pm which meant knocking off work a couple of hours early. The course has a strict lateness policy and I had no idea how long it would take to get there so I gave myself plenty of time to get up there.
Turns out, it’s a short ride from Manhattan, just one 6 train stop into the Bronx, and a short walk from there down to …

If there’s one useful thing I learned from the New York Scooter Club forums, it was how to tackle the DMV.
Their tips:
- Visit the downtown location on Greenwich Street for a reasonably painless wait.
- Arrive prepared with completed paperwork.
- Arrive early, as in 8.30am-door’s-opening-early.
Given I knew today was going to be a snow blizzard, what better day than to hit the downtown DMV? Surely no-one else would be there. I could be in-and-out.
Got down there super early, about a half hour before the doors opened, and no-one else I’m pleased …

It’s been a long time since I’ve taken a test for anything and I’m not sure what to expect from the DMV permit written test, so in addition to downloading the online NY State Motorcycle Manual, I also scoured Amazon.com for the most recommended Motorcycle riding book.
At the top of the list by a clear margin is David L. Hough’s Proficient Motorcycling.
I picked it up from the Barnes and Noble on 5th Avenue in Midtown near work and have spent the last few days reading through.
Given it’s all theory to …

With Spring fast approaching, I knew that MSS would be opening up for 2009 soon.
Their three day Basic Rider Course can be found and booked through their calendar system and they have a number of day configurations that allow you to take it at different points during the week.
I promptly signed up for the first available weekend course of 2009 starting on Friday March 27th. The cost of the course is $350, and they’re located in the south Bronx, but easily accessible from the 6 train.
To be eligible for the …

The wonderful thing about dreaming about riding for years, is that you’ve read information over and over by the truck-load. You’ve surfed the web, scanned the magazines and stood and lusted after every scooter you’ve passed in the street.
Something like three years ago I had stumbled upon the New York City Scooter Club website, and they had then, as they do now, a great forum of local riders eager to share tips.
I was able to get a solid understanding of the process needed to get on two wheels here in …