Motorcycle safety course.

I just got home from day one. 4 hrs. of bookwork, and 2 days (6hrs. each) to go. Day one was really boring and when they say basic, it's BASIC. As in "identifying controls, starting your bike, etc". I'm sure things will get a lot better this weekend when we actually get on bikes, but thusfar it's pretty slow. There are a few that have never ridden bikes in the class, and a couple who have ridden for years, so I suppose we'll see some exciting moments. I'll try to do a little eveluation of the whole course after I finish it. Stay tuned.

 

What made you decide to do a safety course?

 

Wait'll you get on the range:

You'll have people that never been on anything with 2 wheels.

You'll have people that have never shifted any kind of transmission.

You'll have people that are afraid to lift their feet.

You'll have people that will fail the driving test because they will run the course perfectly, stop, and forget to put their feet down.

Normally it would be pretty funny, but they are all serious and will be heartbroken if they don't pass. (Some pretty sad faces when they pass out the scores)

Except for the jackass that hot rods through everything even though he can't ride or learn. Him you can laugh at.

(Don't be the jackass)

 

I took it with my son after riding for 25+ years.....and STILL learned a lot. It all depends on your attitude going in. And the instructors can spot a hot dog a mile away. Go in with a good attitude and try to learn something and you will come away knowing more than you did 3 days ago, with more confidence as well. Go into it with an attitude like "I've been riding XX years and you can't teach me something I don't already know...." and you won't learn a thing. Guaranteed.
I applaud you for going for it. We all owe it to each other and to every cager, cat, dog, and rodent to be the very best rider we can. Always. (Well, that's my philosophy, anyway!)

 

I took it two years ago and I firmly believe it's saved my life more than once. I highly recommend it to everyone. Kudos for stepping up.

Greg

 

Cool. I'm not the only one...

I'm signed up for the class in a few weeks.

I signed up this winter so I could get my license, but the weather turned, I got my bike workin, so I went to the DMV and just did the test.

I decided I'm still taking the course though. I paid it already, and I get a discount on insurance. I'm looking forward to it.

 

The MSF course I took back in 88 probably saved my skin on more than one or two occations. It is worth the time and effort, trust me. Remember, the corriculum was made to take joe average (who doesn't know which end of a bike to point toward the road) and get him in the saddle with some pretty good habits that might keep him alive some day. I can recall a few students that passed through my classes that had the "been there, done it all" attitude. Funny thing is, they were also the same fellows who would be looking rather pleased with themselves after they came in off of the range and had mastered a particular skill dispite "knowing it all". Remember, we all have something to learn. I did every time I took the class, dispite being an instructor. Take the class. You'll be glad you did.

 

i took the course back in 2000, when i had already been riding for 15 years but never had a real "street bike" so i never had a license. I took the course for a couple of reasons. One, to brush up on my riding skills, two - to get the discount on my insurance, and three, to avoid having to take the riding portion of the license exam (since I did not own a bike at the time)

I was probably the most "experienced" rider in the class. I learned a lot and got some great riding tips which I still use today. (even in my car!) I reccomend the course to anyone who is thinking of buying a motorcycle or even a scooter. Its also a great way to figure out if you would be comfortable on a motorcycle if you have never ridden one.

In my class we had the whole range of people, new riders, old riders, people who had never ridden before. Only 3 people (of 12) did not complete the class. One was an older gentleman who fell during the "pushing your partner" range excercise, he was not riding, he was doing the pushing. The second was a girl who was taking the course at the request of her husband so that she could get her own bike and not be a passenger. She was kicked out for not following directions from the instructor. She almost caused several accidents during the figure 8 exercise. The last person quit near the end of the second day, he was just too intimidated by the bike.

When you actually get to start doing some riding on the range the course excercises can be a lot of fun. I really liked the the slalom excercise because the bike i was riding was a Honda Nighthawk 250, and i could just pitch the bike back and forth through the cones. The onle problem was that i was behind the timid rider i mentioned above and I would catch up to him before we got to the end of the cones, so I would have to slow down in between the cone sections to let him get a big lead, otherwise i would just be creeping through the cones and not "riding" Plus the instructors had said no passing so I was stuck there, lol.

The biggest problem i had was the Honda 250 i was riding had a real flat spot in first gear which made it kinda unruly, so I pretty much rode in second gear most of the time.

I may take the course again when my wife goes to take it.

 

I took the course back in October and I'm glad I did. The classroom part was boring but informative. Out on the range the weather was miserable-cold and raining- but the instructors did a great job at keeping us focused and relaxed. I learned alot and think it made me a better driver in the car as well. I aced the written test and only missed two points on the driving when I locked the rear tire for about two feet in the panic stop even though I had the shortest stopping distance. I highly recommend this class to anyone who rides or wants to ride. A friend at work who has been riding for twenty years took the class for the hell of it after hearing my experiances and said that he really learned a lot and broke some bad habits he had gotten into.
James

 

I took the course a couple of years ago too.

The only reason I took it is because otherwise I would have to wait a full year before I could drive the bike without supervision (only a permit) - and I needed to be able to ride it to school in the fall.

However, I def recommend it to anyone. I've been riding dirt bikes since I was 6 years old - but you don't learn how to counter-steer and drive in traffic from riding on dirt roads. Learned a fiar bit... Plus it's nice to be the only person there to score 100% On a rainy course 8).

 

I took it at my fathers request, hey took it back in the 70's and said it saved his life, so he told me if I want to ride, then I take it. I'd never 'really' driven a motorcycle before. I learned soooo much. I mean the first day was a bit boring, the whole this is a choke, this is the horn etc, but the actual practical riding was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone

 

well i had to take the course.. My dad (who sold me my bike) told me he wouldn't bring it up here to WI from Ohio until i take the Safety course... and being in the military it is required to ride period, and mostly its a smart move, being an experience or beginner rider.. i took it and i was happy i did i learned many things at the class, my dad took it and he been riding since he been in highschool(he is in his late 50's now i think) and even he learned new things while taking the course

So i highly recommand it, its a diffent must-do as its helpful

 

I took it myself over two days around christmas. Great class. I took it mostly to skip the DMV tests. But very helpful and informative. The guys at TEAM Arizona are great.

 

The most important thing I learned was, that depite being an "experienced" rider, I was looking "into" my corners rather than "through" them and my instructor dogged me mercilessly until I got it right. He really drove home the point that "where you look is where you go" and made me prove it to myself through repetition. I am much more confident in the corners now. You really CAN teach an old dog new tricks, if the dog keeps an open mind.

 

Kevin, How much did it cost you? I took it 4 years ago and it was $55 in Wisconsin. There was huge demand for the class and I was on a waiting list just to get the mailer they sent out for when the classes were going to be held. I called as soon as the mailer got to my house and they were already booked half way through the summer. I've called on the class this year for my girlfriend and a buddy and it's about $125 When I took it, it was only a sat.-sunday thing 8 hr each day. Now they have the two and the three day option. I'm curious as to what other states have.
I had about 15 people in my class and everyone passed and no one crashed or dropped a bike. It was a lot of wives taking the class because they wanted to get off of the back of their husbands bikes and get their own. Some said they tried to learn from their hubby’s in parking lots and their husbands just got frustrated with them or were too worried about them laying the bike down. I was probably the most experienced rider with only a few months on a street bike. I took the class because I had a brand new R6 and had been ripping it for the spring. I took it easy for awhile and read a lot about sport bike racing techniques and considered myself a capable rider. I went in with a good attitude and enjoyed the class even though it was slow going after getting off the R6. I wore the ends off both pegs on the 250 I was riding during the course. After I'd get done with an exercise, instead of critiquing my riding skills, the instructors would laugh at my peg dragging and say they wished they were 20 again. Anyway, great class that I've recommended to everyone and am looking forward to what you thought of day two and three.

 

I should point the guys at work to this thread. None of them have taken the course. Mainly because they have insurance companies that won't give a discount for it. I signed up mainly to bypass the tests, but it looks like even if I take it before my class in June, it will still be worth the $25 cost, and then some.

Those cheap clowns just can't seem to justify spending $25 to learn some ways to keep the bike rubber side down.

 

Cost me $200

 

Wow, in Michigan the community colleges offer it for $25, or you can pay $300 at the Harley dealership.

 

it cost me about $120.. but that was with the Coast Guard working a deal with the instructor, origanlly it was going to be free, then 300 dollars, finally they settled on 120..

 

$190 through the National Safety and Health Council

 

There isn't a military base nearby? Usually the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) has something set up. I couldn't take it when I was at Camp Lejeune, but it was free.

Oh, wait, you're in North East WI... too bad you're not closer to Illinois, I bet Great Lakes has something.

 

I just signed up for a course this summer at NWTC in Green Bay, WI and it cost me 160.00 or so... prices just got raised and the spring classes filled up the day that were opened for registration in the fall :evil: . I think it was around 120 before the increase...

I'm looking forward to the class... I've been riding on the road for a few summers with my temp's and really just need to get my license. Didn't have much time for it when I was in school... nearest DMV or school that had the class was 45 min away...

I also will have a little bit of time to finish getting the bike together before I take the class which is good because I tend to rush because I want to ride it so badly and this way I won't feel that need...

Hope the rest of the class goes well... let us know what you think of it.

 

DoD provides the classes free of charge. They are usually headed and funded through the various department's Safety Program. If you are being charged for a course that is offered on any installation, there is a very big no-no going on. I'd report it to your fraud, waste and abuse hotline ASAP.

 

In Pennsylvania the MSF safety course is free.

 

I just signed up to take a course here in Moorhead MN at the college. It is $160 for a 3 day course (Friday 5:30 - 10pm, Sat 8am - 1pm, Sun 8am - 1pm). Can take an afternoon course for the Sat-Sun too, but figured Id like to be doing something else in the afternoons so I did the morning ones. I just signed up now to make sure I got in since they only take 12 people per class, but I still don't know if I will go take the road test and see if I just pass that (can cancel class 1 week b4 I go and still get money back). Anybody take the road test in MN? I don't know what I need to practice doing and what they want you to do and know.

 

Unfortunately I'm having a hard time getting into one of the courses here in Indiana because of my work schedule. I'm definitely trying though. My girlfriend and I sent in applications (again) with alternate time-slots that we can hopefully get into since we didn't get our last three picks. If it means taking a couple days off of work that's alright with me.

I'm taking it for a few reasons. Mainly, I think it's a good thing to take. I grew up riding dirt bikes, and while there's a lot of great parallels, I've only been riding a "real" motorcycle for about a year now and I'm sure I've still got TONS to learn.

Secondly, it's been a few years since my girlfriend has been on a bike. She's wanting to take it before she does any serious riding to get back in the game. So it's a perfect excuse for us to take it together.

Third, in Indiana it waives the driving exam to get a motorcycle license if you pass the class. If I don't get into a class by August, when my permit runs out, I'll probably go ahead and schedule a riding test and get my "real" license. But even if that happens I'm stiil taking the course. We're already planning on doing the experienced rider's course next summer assuming we can get into the basic one this summer.

 

Day 2... Much more enjoyable. We started around 8am and finished about 1:30. There were 2 or 3 women who had never EVER been on a bike, not even as passengers. Other than slowing things down a bit, they did fairly well. There was 1 laydown, a foot slip at a stop. No biggie. The course was pretty informative, and actually really fun. There were 6 or 7 diffrent course setups and a walkthrough and explaination before and after each. Like I said, the course is BASIC, meaning that the topics were such things as starting/stopping, shifting, slow slalom-both a tight and wide, shifting etc. I'm really glad I'm taking it, it really stresses the fundimentals of riding and has helped me break a bad habit or 2.

I signed up the first day registration opened and the classes all filled up quick. In Ohio, it costs $25 and well worth it. I'm thinking of taking the advanced class later too, that of course dependent on my passing this one More on day 3 tomorrow. Wish me luck.

 

two 2 1/2 hour days of watching videos and copying answers out of a book and three 4 hour riding days for $125 at my community college......

 

WOW....you guys live in high-cost states! Here in IL the cost of the MSF BRC course is still $20.00......and they give it back at the end of the course if you want it! (I let them keep it-it's for a good cause) I'd urge anyone in this neck of the woods to take it before our costs catch up with the rest of the nation.
I took the ERC (experienced rider course) last summer, same cost, and it was even better (you get to ride YOUR bike). Also HIGHLY recommended. My brother took it as well, a 25 year+ rider as well) and he enjoyed it too. Even learned a few things, along with me. Don't let this oportunity slip by you, folks. It's well worth the effort and $.
For those of you in my area (northern IL) courses are offered at a number of places, and there may still be some openings. Log on to http://www.outreach.niu.edu/mcycle/ for course schedules.

 

So, how did the course turn out?

 

Well, day 3 and I passed. We had 1 woman dump her bike during the test and although she failed, she's still eligable to retest at no cost. Everyone else passed too, some easier than others. Day 3 was a lot better than 2, everyone was used to their bikes and feeling a lot more comfortable. We started out doing the figure 8 in the box which was the most challenging thing in the whole course, imo. There were various exercises including turning, stopping, quick braking, swerving, stopping in a turn, more slalom, the figure 8, running over obsticles, and a couple others. All in all a very informative course, very good for the novice and experienced rider alike. I suggest everyone to take this, and the advanced course too, which I'll probably do next year, as this year is booked up for the season. If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to PM me and I'll tell you what I know. Thanks and g'night.

 

CaptainKirk, yeah, we get one hell of a deal here in IL. FYI, the ERC's are all full. I'm going to try walking into one at CLC in June. I was jsut looking at the schedule today - trying tot alk my wife into taking the Beginner course since we talk about her getting a bike from time to time, but she's never ridden and I'm not having her learn on my Seca Better to have the license before the bike than vice versa.

I did it the other way around - I took the test at the DMV and rode for a summer before I could get into a class. I made the mistake of going to the wrong place (went to Glenview NAS instead of Great Lakes NTC), so showed up to class an hour late. When I tried quietly taking a seat in back, the dude stopped what he was saying and busted my balls about being late (if you're late, you're out). I apologized, stated my case about the mixup on locales and stressed that I wasn't just there to get my license - I already had it and had even ridden there - I wanted the information. Luckily he let me stay. I think about 5 people in the class asked me why I was taking it. Heh. That was over 11 years ago, and I still think of SIPDE, Slow, look, lean, roll, etc. Solid information and experience at a price that can't be beat.

Too bad I forgot to check on the ERC earlier.

 

I'm stuck in SIPDE mode too, I hear there is a new acronym. I'm glad the fellow at NAS didn't drop you, what a picky twig.

 

At my class it was FINE-C which I think is the new acronym you're thinking of. It's

Fuel
Ignition
Neutral
Engine
Clutch

 

Ah, it's in the rules, clearly stated, so I wouldn't have held it against him too much - just would have been disappointed. The spirit of the rule is to allow for walk-ins in the event of no-shows (since the classes are in such high demand). It was within his power to kick me out - it was his judgment to make - I'm just glad a) there wasn't someone else doggin' for my spot in this case b) I demonstrated I had a thirst for knowledge, not just a desire to blow of the beginning of class and c) The instructor had nothing to lose by keeping me.

And just to clarify, he wasn't an NAS dude himself, just an MSF volunteer. The class just happened to be hosted at the base. He was a good, firm, fair instructor and I think more than anything he just used me as an example that he wouldn't take slagging off in class (or even in getting to class). It never struck me as a power trip. Momma always said "No one is useless. You can always be a bad example."

BTW, my better half, or My Darling Rose as I refer to her online, is registered for a class in September. Coolness.