Using my own motorcycle in the MSF course?

[Sk8dude]

What do you guys think about using the Ninja in the MSF class? I'm probably going to get my Ninja 250R before I take the class later this month. Is it worth using my own bike in the class or just using their bikes? On one level I think it'd be nice to learn on my own bike in the more sport position instead of the standard / cruiser position of the class bikes, but on the other little less stressful while learning if I don't have to worry about a new bike falling over in the class while i'm learning.

[DEXSPEED]

use the msf bikes its part of what you paid for.

[tjkamper]

Use the MSF bikes. That way you don't mess up your bike if you drop it. Also, You'll get some experience with different bikes.

[ckholloway]

Use the MSF bikes.

[Sk8dude]

Thanks for the info! seems to be a consistent answer. I'll use the MSF bikes then

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by Sk8dude

Thanks for the info! seems to be a consistent answer. I'll use the MSF bikes then

Smart choice!

[Xoulrath]

[Snake]

+1 for using the MSF bikes. Reasons:

1) You won't have to have a friend ride your bike to the class for you or worse yet you riding the bike yourself without your endorsement and risk getting caught or crashing.
2) Mess up the MSF bike and not yours if you drop it while learning.

[ericdrum]

Not to derail too much, but have any of you seen the bike dropped in the MSF class? I had 10 dudes in my class who were all average height and above and everyone did really good and there were no near accidents at all. But the guys who taught the class said the bikes get dropped all the time. Being 6'4" and 250 lbs, it's not easy for me to understand those bikes being dropped. BTW, I rode a late 90s model Ninjette in my class. That sealed the deal for me buying my bike.

[mrlmd]

You'll use your bike if you take an Advanced Rider Course. Use their bikes for now.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by ericdrum

Not to derail too much, but have any of you seen the bike dropped in the MSF class?

4 or 5 of them went over in the class I took. And most (if not all) of the bikes had broken indicators or more with clear evidence of bouncing off the ground at some point or another. That said, none of the bikes were close to new and were likely used in a training capacity for years and years.

[JeffM]

Originally Posted by ericdrum

Not to derail too much, but have any of you seen the bike dropped in the MSF class? I had 10 dudes in my class who were all average height and above and everyone did really good and there were no near accidents at all. But the guys who taught the class said the bikes get dropped all the time. Being 6'4" and 250 lbs, it's not easy for me to understand those bikes being dropped. BTW, I rode a late 90s model Ninjette in my class. That sealed the deal for me buying my bike.

A lady high-sided a scooter in my class during quick stop excercises. I recall she was hurt enough not to continue the class.

(eric, was the bike you rode red with purple wheels? If so it was the same one I rode )

[drowe531]

I think my bike was the only one left with turn signals still on it. We had one person dump it, although he thought he was a hot shot and braked way to hard on a wet surface during the emergency stop.

[Kalivos]

Always use the MSF bikes! That way when you get distracted by the birds flying towards your face like I did, you drop their bike and not your own.

[backinthesaddleagain]

And if someone else takes u out its an msf bike.
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[ericdrum]

Originally Posted by JeffM

(eric, was the bike you rode red with purple wheels? If so it was the same one I rode )

The one I rode looked just like this:

[vietboiz12345]

Im taking that course in two weeks too so i can get my license=]
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[Talonne]

Originally Posted by ericdrum

Not to derail too much, but have any of you seen the bike dropped in the MSF class? I had 10 dudes in my class who were all average height and above and everyone did really good and there were no near accidents at all. But the guys who taught the class said the bikes get dropped all the time. Being 6'4" and 250 lbs, it's not easy for me to understand those bikes being dropped. BTW, I rode a late 90s model Ninjette in my class. That sealed the deal for me buying my bike.

Guilty. Never having touched a bike before and having to tiptoe it was not great. I dropped mine multiple times.

[LazinCajun]

Some completely unsolicited advice -- if you haven't bought the bike yet and can stand to wait until after the MSF course, it *MAY* be worth it to wait if you have any doubts at all. 2 of the 15-20 people in my MSF course decided it wasn't for them and quit halfway through.

[Sk8dude]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone I did end up using the MSF bikes in the course. Defiantly worth every penny! With that behind me, I secured my endorsement, insurance, and the rest of my gear and I should finally be going out today for the first time on my Ninja

[wvninja]

Awesome congrats... I think if you are still learning doing that double U turn / figure 8 would've been rough!

[Anteraan]

Originally Posted by wvninja

Awesome congrats... I think if you are still learning doing that double U turn / figure 8 would've been rough!

The figure 8 was the drill I was most afraid of in the beginning. Having never ridden prior to the class, I was SURE someone was going to bite the asphalt. When we all looked through the turn like we were supposed to, found our gaps, and handled it, it became my favorite.

No collisions, no swerves to avoid other riders...it was beautiful. The only hiccup was late in the drill when one guy got throttle shy and stopped instead of taking his gap. Everyone else rode right past him for the rest of the drill, and that was exceptionally fun.

[jporter12]

I'm a bit late to the discussion, but here in Ohio, you HAVE to use their bikes, unless you have some sort of special provisions that make you need to use your own bike, such as medically necessary modifications. In Ohio, you get a learner's permit, and you can ride on that with restrictions of needing to wear a helmet, no riding after dark, and no riding in congested areas or interstates.

In the class that I attended, we had a few bikes go down, including my wife! One or 2 of the ridiers did not return for the second day.

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by ericdrum

Not to derail too much, but have any of you seen the bike dropped in the MSF class? I had 10 dudes in my class who were all average height and above and everyone did really good and there were no near accidents at all. But the guys who taught the class said the bikes get dropped all the time. Being 6'4" and 250 lbs, it's not easy for me to understand those bikes being dropped. BTW, I rode a late 90s model Ninjette in my class. That sealed the deal for me buying my bike.

In my class we had one lady drop her bike while trying to make a tight turn. In the class in the other parking lot, someone lost control, hopped a median, and narrowly missed a tree. They were injured enough for an ambulance to be called.

[ericdrum]

Well this all proves that if you are ever bored on a weekend, you can find the nearest local MSF course being taught and watch some people crash.

[pooter]

Just don't ride too close to the students, they might target fixate on you and start coming right at you :O