Experienced riders taking the MSF class?

[ally99]

Has anyone ever taken the MSF class a 2nd time after riding for years? If so, I'm curious as to whether you got anything new from it or if it felt like a waste of time and $$?

[LittleRedNinjette]

I was thinking of taking the advanced class. Its around $100 last i checked.

Half the cost of the beginner one (at least the one by me) goes to the test (both written and practical) to get the motorcycle endorsement i think. It was $300 for me.

[antiant]

They have advanced courses, geared toward people who know how to ride. I am not sure if you are aware of that, I think a few here took it and found it useful.

[DEFY]

Originally Posted by ally99

Has anyone ever taken the MSF class a 2nd time after riding for years? If so, I'm curious as to whether you got anything new from it or if it felt like a waste of time and $$?

They offer a second class for advanced skill, I remember someone saying an elder gentlemen took it every year. I am sure it helps to retain some of the skills. Could just take trips to the coarse and if have permission from the instructor work on it when the coarse is closed, some instructors even say if you want they will be happy to work with you on the side, not during classes.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I think there's an echo in here...

[allanoue]

We are lucky in PA
http://www.pamsp.com/CourseInfo_ARC.aspx
free

[LittleRedNinjette]

Lucky.

[DEFY]

Originally Posted by allanoue

We are lucky in PA
http://www.pamsp.com/CourseInfo_ARC.aspx
free

lol yea I moved up to New York before I took it and was shocked when it wasn't.

Echo in here cause we all answered before each other posted, thus no refresh all thinking we first responders lol.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I know, still funny!

[csmith12]

That was me Nick, that old chap learned us all a thing or two. I am sure I will see him again next month. I am sure he will still take the crappiest bike. I am still sure he will outride us all AGAIN. lol

Are you thinking about taking it again Ally? I think the best answer to this is not "what will it offer me" but instead a question... "What are my riding goals and will it help me reach them?"

[Yarhj]

I just took the MSF Basic Bike Bonding Rider Course (seriously, who names these things?) a few weeks ago, since I wanted a skills refresher and it looked like it could be useful (I originally took the MSF BRC back in 2009, got a bike in 2011, and only just actually started riding with any regularity), but I didn't want to spend two days and quite so much money on the regular MSF course (and my skills were too rusty to go straight to the ARC). I definitely got a lot out of it, but the BBBRC focuses almost exclusively on low-speed handling (which isn't really mentioned in the description), so I didn't really get to practice proper cornering and evasive maneuvers (stopping in a curve and swerving being the two I really would have liked to have some extra time on). That said, I definitely got a lot out of the course, and feel a lot more confident on the bike now (especially at slow speeds, fancy that), so it wasn't a waste of time, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for, either.

I started writing up a review of the whole thing a while back, but never got around to posting it -- I'll find it and post it when I get back from work.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by allanoue

We are lucky in PA
http://www.pamsp.com/CourseInfo_ARC.aspx
free

Yea I'm painfully aware of that as the person who originally told me to take the course lived in PA and he was shocked when it ended up costing me $300

everyone else has already covered the advanced riders course but they offer 2 or 3 of them where I am so it could be different.

[adouglas]

I did.

I was away from riding for about five or six years at one point and felt that refresher training would not be a bad idea before buying a new bike.

As a pilot I'm a big believer in both recurrent training and recertification. I think that if we required people to get relicensed periodically (and be actually willing to fail people) the roads would be a LOT safer.

Whether it feels like a waste of time depends entirely on your attitude. I went into it knowing that I could ride, but fully prepared to absorb everything even though there were things that I definitely did not need (e.g. friction zone drills). I did find it worthwhile overall.

It becomes more of an exercise in absolutely nailing the test and the drills, not just trying to pass them. The cone weave and figure 8 box in particular are a challenge no matter how experienced you are.

[ally99]

Thanks all! My friend Karen is wanting to learn to ride and mentioned taking the course. I wondered about taking it with her, but it seems like the advanced one would be more up my "ally" at this point. Actually, the California Superbike School would be my first choice!
Thanks for all of your responses!

[ForceofWill]

I've taken 2 BRC's and an MSRC(sportbike course). The BRC was still fun the second time and you can always get something out of the slowspeed stuff like the box.

The MSRC was much better. Focused on sport bikes and at a much quicker pace. I learned a TON in that class, including that my 250 will do a stoppie(woops).

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by ally99

..........Actually, the California Superbike School would be my first choice! .........

Misti and Ally riding on the same track and then posting the experience here !!!

[csmith12]

Ally, you're invited to come to Laguna with Misti and I. It will be an awesome time. lol

[komohana]

I work at the local Navy Base (PMRF Barking Sands, Kekaha HI). For civilian contractors to use their motorcycles on base we had to complete a MSF course. I did the first course offered there on my '84 700 Interceptor back in the late 80's and it definitely improved my skills.

The State/County does not offer any m/c safety training nor is it mandatory for licensing.

Several years ago the Navy and Marines (all branches of service actually) were concerned by the rise in the number of fatalities attributed to service members involved in m/c accidents. They revised their requirements and we went through one of 2 courses provided to be able to ride on-base.
There was a course for the first-time m/c riders, an advanced riders course, and a course that was being constructed for 'Sport Bike' riders. There is a measurement formula used to determine what bikes were considered 'Sport Bikes' that included foot-peg placement and handle bar height ... and something else that I'm brain farting at the moment...

ANYWAY the advanced riders course I took was a 2 day affair, class room first day followed by a skills course that was no walk in the park...timed and graded which was a pass or fail deal...no pass..no bike on base.

..and after 30+ years of riding I feel I left that course a better pilot

[Kokosun]

I rode in the USA for 13-years. When I moved (back) to the UK, I had to retake my motocycle test. That meant CBT (same as MSF) - plus mod-1 (closed conditions) and mod-2 (open road) tests.

I have to be honest and say that I got nothing from the CBT/MSF. It was really a complete waste of a day. But, I had a few lessons for the tests, and they were excellent. The instructors could clearly see that I knew how to ride, so they did the advanced riding course for me. I really enjoyed it, and learnt a lot. I think that I had five or six lessons, and everyone was worthwhile.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Ally, you're invited to come to Laguna with Misti and I. It will be an awesome time. lol

is there a cheaper way to do laguna css than the 2 day camp? seems like they dont do the single day 500$ class at laguna?

[nickjpass]

I think you'd be better off riding on your own, practicing maneuvers in a parking lot. If you still have the guide to MSF, you could probably test yourself.

[csmith12]

Dunno if they have in the past, but a single day is not on the schedule this year.

[allanoue]

only laguna has no 1 day
what is up with that
http://www.superbikeschool.com/schedule/

[rasta]

Sure, take it again! But if you fail the test, you're banned from bikes forever

[ally99]

Originally Posted by alex.s

is there a cheaper way to do laguna css than the 2 day camp? seems like they dont do the single day 500$ class at laguna?

Yeah. The cost for CSS is crazy! Laguna Seca is too.

[7oxSin]

as a MSF instructor i can tell you a big pro on taking the experienced or advance classes a few years after is keeping your skills sharp. not to mention the 10% off insurance only last for 3 years for that exact reason.

[chugs]

I wouldn't spend my money on taking the course again, especially if its just the beginners course. Being in the military I have to take the sportbikerider course every three years at no cost. I have yet to gain anything from it yet.

[7oxSin]

Originally Posted by chugs

I wouldn't spend my money on taking the course again, especially if its just the beginners course. Being in the military I have to take the sportbikerider course every three years at no cost. I have yet to gain anything from it yet.

you are still alive tho, so it might be doing something right?

[Datn]

When I took it I and 3 others were new riders of a class of 9. Seems common to re-take the course after a period of stagnation.

[old3]

Originally Posted by nickjpass

I think you'd be better off riding on your own, practicing maneuvers in a parking lot. If you still have the guide to MSF, you could probably test yourself.

$15 (or free stones painted a bright color) worth of toy sized cones and a friend is all you need to practice. Heck, you can do it alone too. Most riders I know never bother to do that, so any basic instruction would serve them well. Mixing it up with full lock circles, a timed lap with one or two full stops in the middle, figure 8s, a stick to cross, the combinations are endless.

Gymkahna runs are a blast. All you really need is the desire.

[LittleRedNinjette]

If you go to a class you have someone to tell you if you do something wrong. AND things change, maybe theres a new law or technique you can use.

And the insurance discount only applies if you go to a class.

Not saying that practicing on your own is not a very good idea. I plan on scooting up to where they hold the class when i get back on the bike.

[old3]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

If you go to a class you have someone to tell you if you do something wrong. AND things change, maybe theres a new law or technique you can use.

And the insurance discount only applies if you go to a class.

Not saying that practicing on your own is not a very good idea. I plan on scooting up to where they hold the class when i get back on the bike.

The idea is to know more than a MSF instructor. I know one who refuses to accept many very common riding techniques because they are not in the basic MSF bible. He is a safety Nazi, not a motorcyclist. Trail braking is "insane".

Luck of the draw who you get, some are great.

[csmith12]

Here is a seriously FUN alternative. lol

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=295149610663611

[LittleRedNinjette]

Guess i was lucky. Mine for the BRC were awesome. The beet the safety stuff into your head but gave you more real work riding advice. Very cool guys.

[old3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cWQ04WqyXk

Many here don't get it.

[old3]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Here is a seriously FUN alternative. lol

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=295149610663611

I like the way they hold on to the bars as they fall, no broken arms. Good form!

[chugs]

Originally Posted by 7oxSin

you are still alive tho, so it might be doing something right?

I'd say the seat time riding daily and track time has contributed more to my riding growth.

[7oxSin]

Originally Posted by chugs

I'd say the seat time riding daily and track time has contributed more to my riding growth.

track time does help alot! if you do retake a class i would aim for one you havnt took yet. the ERC or ARC are both good classes, the dirt bike class is fun as mess as well, and they all work for the 3 year insurance renewal.

[chugs]

Originally Posted by 7oxSin

track time does help alot! if you do retake a class i would aim for one you havnt took yet. the ERC or ARC are both good classes, the dirt bike class is fun as mess as well, and they all work for the 3 year insurance renewal.

+2 I agree, the dirt bike class is on my list of things to do.