Yes, MSF course is just one step. I honestly can't believe how much skill and confidence I gained from the course, and I am already looking at the 2'nd course. I also stepped down to the smaller bike... I started on a $700 70's Honda CB750 (nightmare... heavy, messed up carbs, mechanics nightmare, etc). I moved from that to a '95 honda magna v45, mostly because "it looked cool" (I was younger then)... I logged the majority of my beginning miles on the magna... and while it was a good bike, I was still always afraid of corners and turns. Now that I have taken the course, and am on the vulcan 500, I am focusing on my confidence level in cornering and turning... On my way to safer and more fun biking...