MSF Course... Have You Taken It?

[BlueRaven]

I took the Gearing up course in NB. Our literature and videos were from MSF so i believe it is a sister course.

[krazygluon]

Originally Posted by CodE-E

It sucks, but therefore drivers and motorcyclists over here are generally well-disciplined and I guess not all too many people get killed on the roads.

Precisely why German drivers can do 220+km/h on the Autobahn and maintain a lower fatality rate than the US, as they have a similar program for auto and motorcycle licensing.

Personally I'd love to see the same thing stateside, and its kinda going that way bit by bit when I think about how licensing was for my dad vs for me vs for my cousins who are just 8 years younger than I am.

[kazam58]

Originally Posted by krazygluon

Precisely why German drivers can do 220+km/h on the Autobahn and maintain a lower fatality rate than the US, as they have a similar program for auto and motorcycle licensing.

Personally I'd love to see the same thing stateside, and its kinda going that way bit by bit when I think about how licensing was for my dad vs for me vs for my cousins who are just 8 years younger than I am.

I have to disagree with the idea that getting a license in the US is becoming more difficult. A trained monkey could've passed the test when I took it, which is less than two years ago. I also passed the motorcycle endorsement test after learning to ride on my own with flying colors. The only thing I missed was the u-turn, by an inch, and I hadn't been on a bike for more than two months. It scares me to think how little you have to know and how badly you can do and still walk away with a license for a car or a bike.
For some reason, driver's in Europe are rather insane. There's less crashes, less drunk driving and all that, but they're maniacs. Whenever I visit Czech I see some scary stuff going down on the roads. I'd be a lot more hesitant to ride a bike there than I am here.

[NaughtyusMaximus]

I took the equivalent here in Vancouver. It was a week long course, with two ~3-4hr total (with stops) road rides after all the parking lot fun. The name of the place was 'Pro Ride', and the quality was very high.

[smcbride11]

I took the BRC last September because now in RI it's the only way you can get an endorsement. Subsidized to $99 it was a spectacular deal - except when I registered in April, 9/19 was the earliest date I could get. Grrrr.

Great class - it helped immensely... especially since it was my first time on a bike (outside of a 20' throttle-less rocket ride on my buddy's R1 years ago). My only complaint would be that I felt the classroom time was useless - we read the book and watched the MSF video, and then took the test. For the time spent, I'd rather do that stuff at home and have them add 5 hours to the range time of the class.

Either way, it was money very well spent - I'm planning to take the Intermediate course they offer early this summer.

[ScorpionNinja]

I took my MSF class in Oct. 2008!

I passed it easy, i think only like 2 ppl Failed (outta 100).
This one middle aged chick failed, and cried... afew of us Told her she did good, but just needed more practice, and that she Looked Sooo much better Riding at the End of Day 3, then the First time on the bikes! Just Keep it up and youll Pass next Class NP! It seemed too cheer her up. As i felt bad for her.

Yea though... MSF does a Fun and Good job... so that if you Never even ridden a Bicycle... youll be ready for a motorcycle on the Road in 3 days!

Here in Michigan, MSF class was ONLY $25.00

My Braking (both brakes during Panic stops) seemed too be my Weak point, but i told the instuctor its the Bikes Fault for not having Good Brakes! He Laughed!

The Bikes we used were all 125cc 80-85' Honda's, NightHawk, CRB (or sumin like that)

[krazygluon]

Took my ERC on last Sunday. State subsidized in MI to $25

Can't say I was terrifically impressed. Virtually every range exercise we did was something I did in my BRC. Every word I heard in the classroom exercise was something I heard in the BRC as well.

Either I had one hell of a BRC in kentucky, or this place basically gave a refresher course instead of an advanced course.

What was I expecting? how to really deal with rain,snow,locked rear brakes, and other things the BRC shied away from, how to handle heavier bikes, touchier throttles. advanced training on particularly sticky situations.

[ninjablk08]

yes and it was well worth it, getting wife to do her soon , and i lucked out cause my work paid for it

[Grn99Kawi]

havent taken it and I probably wont. I dont find riding (especially on the 250) to be all that difficult. Add to that the fact that the MSF course here is $350 and at least a month or two wait.. no thanks... if it was even $100 maybe.. but for $350.. not worth it IMO no matter what they teach you. It sucks because I was really looking forward to taking it, and getting real world strategies for handling 'problems' .. and forget about insurance savings.. thats what I pay for a whole year of coverage for mine...

I wish it was subsidized in some way..

[sombo]

Get a PA license and take the course in PA for free.

[Elfling]

Originally Posted by Grn99Kawi

havent taken it and I probably wont. I dont find riding (especially on the 250) to be all that difficult. Add to that the fact that the MSF course here is $350 and at least a month or two wait.. no thanks... if it was even $100 maybe.. but for $350.. not worth it IMO no matter what they teach you. It sucks because I was really looking forward to taking it, and getting real world strategies for handling 'problems' .. and forget about insurance savings.. thats what I pay for a whole year of coverage for mine...

I wish it was subsidized in some way..

You can find the course/instructor's book online and at least run through the exercises yourself on day in a parking lot- I know people who have done that and said it was really useful.

[G250RSC]

I encourage everyone to take the course even if you are experienced. I am currently an MSF Instructor in SC. MSF is now working on a Sport Bike Class geared toward just Sportbikes. Instructing on high speed cornering and turns. The class should be out shortly.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Yes, is required in RI. When you finish the range course and pass you get your permit. Keep out of trouble for 30 days and go back to dmv and you get your license. Realize they have to teach to least common denominator, but they should break the range course down to those who have never ridden and those who have. Not to say i didn't learn anything new - I did. But no sense spending 10 minutes walking bike back and forth in 1st gear.

Craziest thing I thought is when they had us going around the course they had us all within INCHES of each others' tires. Never told us to spread it out. Just told the lead guy to speed up. They put anyone in the lead including the least experienced person. If the lead guy ever went down (which he didn't) the whole pack would have crashed.

Classroom teacher was great she kept it going good as it was a one day 8 hr lecture.

[Red'09250]

yep, took it right after buying my bike

it was good for basic operation and handling of a bike, but i think it left us unprepared for street riding. i had to learn how to really turn by going out on the street. wish they would have let us practice higher-speed turns and stops.

[Duvivr6]

I took it you need it in the AF to ride on base!

It got monotonous after a while is damn to long and boring should be a 1 day course not 15 hours!

[ironglory]

The last time I was on these toys was 20 yrs ago & I felt that its a good idea to be reacquainted with these toys maturely. Its cheaper than learning it the hard way, I think. Another plus side was the ease of acquiring a license than otherwise. All I did was present the completion card to DMV & thats it. No questions asked.

Its like having a back stage pass for a Journey or Rod Stewart Concert.

www.smartridermsp.com

I had the opportunity to attend the class with them & I recommend them. Great crew!

Enjoy the ride safely. GB2All.

[tinng321]

Took the course 8 yrs ago.
Don't remember much.
All i remember is it was informative and helpful.
Brake before enter corner and roll at exit.
Definitely a good course to take if you have never ridden and would like to learn the basic safty skills. It would also take away some of the pressure off your shoulder cuz after completing the course at lease you know how to start the bike and what to check for before you ride.

[Graphic Twist]

I have not taken it yet... But I'm scheduled to start it next Thursday

[ironglory]

The mind is like a parachute, if you open it it'll save your life.

For those who thinks its expensive or your too old or got experience...

Having been to a class myself, I strongly endorse it. Besides just think of the love ones you hold dear in your hearts - do it for them.

Be cool & safe.

[Momaru]

Took it because some friends were going and thought I'd like to learn. It's what finally got me hooked on motorcycles, knowing (sorta) how to ride. I enjoyed the course immensely (taught @ a local community college in Radford, Virginia) even though the first 'on-bike' day had some torrential downpour and I spent the day soaked. Spent the weekend learning on a Rebel, but got some time on the loaner pre-gen ninja 250 before I left and fell in love.

[addy126]

Yep took the MSF course in Dallas, Tx. Excellent refresher and the best "unknown" tip to me was..... "Look through the turn"! I hadn't a clue prior and it sure makes a difference even in parking lots.

[mr.niftie]

The Sheridan college course was great!

[2WheelGuy]

No I haven't taken it. There was no such thing when I got my first motorcycle license in 1983.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by 2WheelGuy

No I haven't taken it. There was no such thing when I got my first motorcycle license in 1983.

And they didn't have it when I got my MC license in 1970, but I took the ERC class last year and have to say I'm convinced no matter how long you've been riding, you owe it to yourself to take the course.

[NJD022588]

Originally Posted by Momaru

Took it because some friends were going and thought I'd like to learn. It's what finally got me hooked on motorcycles, knowing (sorta) how to ride. I enjoyed the course immensely (taught @ a local community college in Radford, Virginia) even though the first 'on-bike' day had some torrential downpour and I spent the day soaked. Spent the weekend learning on a Rebel, but got some time on the loaner pre-gen ninja 250 before I left and fell in love.

Did you take it at New River CC? I took it there and got to ride a pre-gen ninja 250 for the class.

[Momaru]

Exactly so. I had to ask get some pre-gen time as I wasn't there early enough to claim one of them for the whole training run.

Originally Posted by NJD022588

Did you take it at New River CC? I took it there and got to ride a pre-gen ninja 250 for the class.

[matteblack]

I took the beginner MSF about 8 years ago in SF, CA. It was really easy to get the M endorsement after taking the course. I for sure learned skills that I continue to use today like scanning the horizon and not fixating. I have to brag too, because I aced both the written and riding test at the end.

[Sailariel]

Since I have been riding for 40+ years, I signed up for the advaned course. Will let you all know how that went. Will be taking it after I have my eye surgery next month. Am not riding or driving much till the eye gets fixed. Riding a bicycle a lot.

[mfmclain]

I just took my course in Westfield, MA this past weekend (June 19-21). Besides the ungodly hours they were keeping (7AM start time, had to be there for 6:45 and I have a 1.5 hour drive. Not fun getting up at 4:30AM, but it was the closest course) I had a blast and learned a lot. The instructors were real nice, and one of my coaches has even written a book on riding, called Riding in the Zone. Overall I feel like I am going to be a much safer rider out on the streets. Obviously I have much more to learn, but it's nice to have the basics.

[Obsidian]

Took the free military version. All day long and it was hot as hell. I left with a lot more knowledge though.

[shift_6]

wsupp i figured i would post a quick review of the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) BRC Course. I took it at STHD with STAR (Southern Tier Academy of Riding) up in Binghamton. Course cost $275 and you had to supply your own helmet, long sleeve shirt and ankle high boots. i rode in full gear, borrowed some stuff from clutch, and used my scorpion exo-700 helmet i bought.

STHD provided 250cc bikes to ride on: suzuki gz250. a standard bike. there were 2 instructors, and 12 students in my class. about half were women riders. some people had motorcross/dirt bike experience and others already had their license and wanted to refresh/learn again.

1st day - only about 3 hours, went over the booklet, such as type of motorcycles, dangers of riding, etc. also reviewed concepts of pre ride inspection and how to start up the motorcycle. also watched some videos on motorcycle control.

2nd day - 8am-6pm - wow what a day. 8 hours spent out on the range on the motorcycles, 2 hours indoors watching more videos. out on the range (big parking lot basically) started off with learning the clutch 'friction zone' (if you drive stick, u should know what this is already), paddle walking the bike across the lot, turning, slalom thru cones, upshifting, emergency braking, straightening up the bike, counter-steering, decreasing radius turns. put about 10 miles on the bike the first day. that's a lot of miles to rack up in a parking lot. at the end of the day, they gave the written exam, which was really easy if u paid attention the first day and have common sense. got a 96/100. the two questions i got wrong were the two i fell asleep for after lunch for a couple minutes. everyone in the class got 90+

3rd day - 8am-4pm - spent all outdoors, this was probably the most fun day of the course because everyone was getting more comfortable on the bikes, and all the muscle memory from the day before had time to settle in. learned to swerve, do figure 8's, emergency braking, downshifting, even got the bikes into 3rd gear. the test of "celebration of skill" consisted of 3 things
1- figure 8's in the box
2 - getting bike into 2nd gear, swerving, stopping/downshifting
3 - getting bike into 2nd gear, emergency stop/downshift (stop distance was measured)

definitely a good course to take if you never did it. it's better to learn all the good habits from the start before you develop bad ones, and this course can definitely help implement that. the instructors were really nice/friendly and everyone in the class was friendly. by the end of the second day on the bike i was already starting to lean it in the corners

[i found this pic off kawiforums]

[kkim]

[P1NDLESK1N]

Originally Posted by Grn99Kawi

havent taken it and I probably wont. I dont find riding (especially on the 250) to be all that difficult. Add to that the fact that the MSF course here is $350 and at least a month or two wait.. no thanks... if it was even $100 maybe.. but for $350.. not worth it IMO no matter what they teach you. It sucks because I was really looking forward to taking it, and getting real world strategies for handling 'problems' .. and forget about insurance savings.. thats what I pay for a whole year of coverage for mine...

I wish it was subsidized in some way..

Yeah $350 sucks. A lot. A whole lot.
Unfortunately it was the only way I could get my license, since I didn't know any other riders to ride with under my permit.

The BasicRidersCourse here teaches you from knowing nothing, to normal riding. All those course exercises shift_6 just posted are the same here, and then at the end they test you on them.

If you can ride already, take an advanced or track course I guess.


edit: On a funny related note, on the cornering exercise I ground off the peg bottom on the little Kawasaki Eliminator 125. My instructor wasn't too happy.

[Grn99Kawi]

I was riding in a group today... went down Ocean Parkway, jones beach, OBI etc... I think I might see if I can get in the MSF this summer.. I'd really like to take it... despite the cost..

[CLSully826]

To get your license in Iowa, you can either take the MSF basic rider class or take a riding test with the DOT. I opted for the class as I figured it would help me much as a rider than just taking a test. The class teaches you a lot of stuff, even if you've been riding for a while.

Has anyone taken the advanced MSF class? I've heard that it may help lower your insurance rates...?

[nate-bama]

In Alabama all you need for a license is a $5 dollar written test (20 q's) and a 18 buck picture fee

COMMON SENSE goes real far

[kkim]

Originally Posted by nate-bama

In Alabama all you need for a license is a $5 dollar written test (20 q's) and a 18 buck picture fee

COMMON SENSE goes real far

may I ask why you've not taken it?

[seis gunnar]

I took it last week. Mostly because in MN if your over 18 and have your permit, you can get your endorsement quickly and easily. It cost me $160, for one day of class room, about 4 hours, and 2 days, again about 4 hours each day, in the parking lot.

For me I think the biggest value was having an experienced motorcyclist, giving me pointers and telling me I could do the various maneuvers better. It also sold me on the fact I chose a ninjette for my first bike, instead of the dual sport 250 they had me on.

[nate-bama]

Originally Posted by kkim

may I ask why you've not taken it?

Well sure you can for one id probably have to drive a hour and if its that close id be suprised, and im 29 years old and been riding for a long time so it would really be pointless to ride circles in a parking lot.. oh and i dont know where the nearest parking lot is. Now this is just me anyone buying their first bike definetly should.

[nate-bama]

Common Sense will take you far though