MSF Course in MI

Just completed the MSF basic rider course in Cheboygan MI. My son, a new rider friend and myself all completed the course and passed. The course was $25 each and was held Fri night ( 5 hrs ) and all day saturday and sunday.

I have a riding background, over 35 years of dirt & street, so I was not too worried about the basics. I was taking the class as I never have, plus I was joining my new rider wife, and my somewhat new rider son. My wife could not attend so a new rider friend tagged along in her place.

The class on Fri was all bookwork, and not very demanding. Read through parts of the book and discuss in class, while also watching training videos. Good information, and worth the time for new riders. No riding on Fri.

Saturday was 4 hours of riding, to cover approx 12 objectives. These included controls, starting, braking, clutch work, rolling, riding, stopping, swerving, shifting, hard stopping, etc. We had a few green riders and they did very well with the good instruction and attention of the course instructors.

Late saturday was 1.5 hours class work and a test of 50 questions. This test was not super difficult, as all the information was discussed in class previously. My son and I both scored 100%.

Sunday was approx 3.5 hours riding, then a riding test of 4 sections: u-turns in close quarters, faster swerving, panic stopping, and faster cornering. My son and I passed these with only incurring 1 point out of 15 available to still pass.

The riding section was basic, but the teachers pressed some very important points: clutch work, controlled simultaneous braking, looking further ahead around corners and such, and counter steering principles. Just operating, the riders got a lot of clutch practice, swerve practice, and stop practice, so the newbies seemed very comfortable at the end of sunday.

Some good points I personally took from the course:

Look further down the road, and around corners. I do this anyway, but still I improved with practice.

Smooth braking procedures: braking usually isn't practiced, instead only being done when really needed, so the practice makes you think about it more ( always a good thing ).

Clutch work in slow speed operations. This I do as well, but practicing made it more noticeable that I can improve in this area.

I think the course is certainly worth it for newbies, but also for experienced riders. I will be incorporating what I learned into my riding, and feel better for it.

The course used several TW200s, an XT225, several GZ250s, several TU250Xs ( my personal favorite, along with the XT ), and a nighthawk 250. The TU was very nice, and I would get one for light riding.

So now just a test at SOS, and I will have my cycle endorsement.

Here's a link for you riders in northern MI.

http://upnorthmotorcyclesafety.blogspot.com/

 

When I took the MSF I passed with flying colors. Only lost points in one of the riding skills (brushed the paint line on that accelerating turn).

Then I went to the SOS and failed their written test. Don't over think the questions.....

Last year 3 wives from our club took the MSF course and purchased motorcycles. They ride better than some of the 30 year self trained folk. The $25 MSF course in Michigan has to be one of the best deals in the world.

Do they still have the rib specials Wednesday night at Lorenzo's on Black Lake? Haven't been there in better than 10 years but still think frequently about their ribs.

 

If it wasn't 400 bux up here i'd take one....

 

$25? You got a great deal. It costs $280 up here in western ma. The break-down of study/practice and test sounds almost exactly the same.

 

I took mine years ago in Illinois. It was really cheap but you gotta be quick signing up. Seems that's true in all states. It was a really great course with top notch instructors that were really dedicated.

 

I think illinois now asks 20 or 40$, then gives it back after you pass the course. Odd, I thought, but oh well.

I haven't been to lorenzo's in quite a while. I drive by there quite often, but the owner had some bad choices for employees, so I haven't been back.

the instructor says the legislative set the price at 25$ back in 1984, or something like that, and none of the congress people have wanted to challenge it, so it's stayed there. But, they do ask for donations, as their budget from the state doesn't cover everything they need ( batteries, replacement parts, etc. )

Our instructors were very good as well, 2 main guys, and 1 newer one. All three quite dedicated and knowledgeable.

That sux about the $400 and $280 courses. I probably wouldn't take it either for that much $$$.

 

I wonder if people can come down from Canada for a MI course? I guess the course may not transfer back to Canada.

 

Damn that's nice and cheap. It's like 300$ here in WI

I just took the road test.

 

The basic rider course is free here in PA!!! All you need to do is get your permit from Penndot first. Plus upon completing the riding portion of the class you receive your motorcycle endorsement automatically.
I found the class to be very informative and feel that I'm much more prepared to deal with situations that may arise when out riding. I think everyone should be required to take it...even cagers!! It would raise awareness and make the roads a bit safer

 

Some insurance companies also give discounts for successfully completing the course!!

 

it was 160 in MN, but definetly worth it. I did it right before i bought my bike, it was nice to know how to ride when bought it and then it was legal to ride it home on the freeway at night.

 

Wow - wide range of costs. I thought $150 for basic was bad, but, get caught withoiut one and it's $800 ticket of which you get approx $600 back after you pass the class ....... so still $300 plus if you get tagged.

 

Have a friend is Cali that has ridded for a hundred years but has not taken the class 'cause of costs. Thought he might be able to do Oregon class but Cali still forced you to do their cert ...... still spendy.

 

Even at $400-$500 it's a good idea. Money well spent.

Lorenzo's has had poor service before. I remember doing coffee refills for the whole restaurant because the wait staff couldn't seem to get around to it.

 

Ranges from winter specials of $169 to peak time rates of $269-$325 here in Florida just for the course, then another $50 for DMV to endorse your license. I took the course in February and found it very informational and a good refresher. Would like to see it be cheaper so more people would go. Out if the 10 in the class I attended, 4 of the students had tickets for no license, 2 were experienced riders who just acquired bikes after a long hiatus(one was me) and 4 were newbies, which 2 of them failed the riding part of the final exam. I do agree it is money well spent.

 

-> re: lorenzo's, i heard the owner had his shifty son working as cook, and not being very nice, so I avoid the place now, plus I don't drink, so no interest to go there.

I lived down there for a while, redford / detroit / farm hills, back in the 90s. used to pick up a co-worker in livonia when working for EDS out in troy. Livonia is nice, I would live there, but I like up north a bit more =).

-> MSF course, I don't know what the penalty for riding without endorsement is, I don't know of anyone getting a ticket for it, so I think MI is pretty lenient regarding that.

We had a few newbies who were sweating bullets waiting for their score, almost hyperventilating. They all passed, from what I saw. It was a good course, and good instructors, so they all did well.

 

I took an MSF last year as I hadn't ridden for a while and wanted the refresher. While the instruction was good, I personally thought the testing requirements for a full motorcycle endorsement was far too easy. We had one guy who didn't get his permit until the Friday before, had never been on a bike, couldn't tell his left from right (he was almost pulled from the course twice for endangering others), and he *almost* passed the skills test. If he had, the instructors, who didn't want him on the road without a lot more practice, would have had no choice but to let him get a full license.

IMHO, courses should be required, and there should be two skills tests. One when you get your provisional license, and another between 6 mos and 1 year later. I don't see driving any vehicle as a right, but as a privilege.

 

I think I agree, as there are many hours of required driving for teenagers before they get their level 1, level 2 license. I would think cycles are more demanding, so probably should be more required for certification.

I don't know if any driving instructors (car) would want to ride on the back of a bike with a green driver on a bike =).

 

MSF course in OH is just like that in MI. Same pay scale ($25 USD), same 1 day course work with a weekend of riding. I remember mine and it was well worth it.
I got scratched on the slow box maneuvering (had to do right and left figure-8s in a space that was about 2 parking spaces large). Couldn't completely mac that as a noob a decade ago. It was still better than having to take your bike to the OH BMV, schedule a machine check and then take road test with a state trooper following your every move.
My dad (before he moved to OH again) taught for the MI MSF rider courses. I'm thinking about trying to join up as an instructor when I get a few more of my projects done.

 

See that's what I did, I just went there, the checked my bike, gave me a headset to wear under my helmet, a fright orange saftey vest, and then someone followed me in a car, telling me exact where they wanted me to go and what they wanted me to do.

It was cake and only took 15-20 mins tops.

The "test" was free, and then it was only 15$ for the endorsement/reprint of the license.

I would love to take the class, I just couldn't afford it at the time. Maybe ill go and take a weekend trip and take it in Michigan, 25$ sounds wayyyyyy better to me!