Whatever year NC enacted the motorcycle endorsement requirement, late '70s or early '80s. I didn't have to take the test as I had been riding for several years prior and grandfathered in.
2002, I was 20 took the test first on a 1986 FZ600 I had fixed up, then MSF later as the classes were booked.
I was 28, never rode a MC before and took a private lesson the week before the MSF class, and was first scared shitless and then addicted. I think I started at the right age for me, maturity wise...which still hasn't entirely stopped the stupid, but limited it.... And I'm glad I started this debt inducing hobby and "hang" on the WERA beeb.
1980 when I turned 18. Bought my first street bike soon there after. Back then you just told the DMV office you wanted to add a motorcycle license to your drivers license, it cost a buck extra. No written test, no riding test just word of mouth I can ride. Still have the motorcycle endorsement on my drivers license to this day.
2000 at the age of 25. MSF course. Two months later I rode out to Sturgis with a friend of mine - him on a Harley, me on a borrowed BMW (my kz750 had eaten its timing chain and I couldn't get parts in time).
1964 at 14. In Florida you could ride a motorcycle up to 5 HP at 14. The cops would let you by on 8 HP S90 though.