Motorcycle safety course.

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.