first day of MSF over

[se7enty7]

overall... so far... not impressed.  My instructers seemed like 'good ole boys'...  basically they gave information that conflicted with everything I've read/learned.


Hopefully the ride time tommorow/the next day will be better.

[cujosocal]

hmm..... kinda interested in what conflicts there are!

[se7enty7]

things like mesh is better than leather, hmm.. what else.. oh.  this guy rode up on a cbr1000rr.. first bike ever, had 300 miles on it

"as long as you don't gun it you're fine"

the new rider said was buying for "long term'

I was like.. if you live to see long term..

the two instructers basically were like nice bike, good choice.  Then went on to talk about how if your going to get a suzuki as a first bike a good choice is the gsx-r 750....

I was like.. um.. ok. whatever.

[Eisenfaust]

Where are you from? O_o

[Dom]

MSF is an instuctional course.  I didn't take one.  I walked into the DMV and asked the lady what I needed to get my mc certification.  She told me that I needed to get my learner's permit by passing a written test then take the ridden test.  Then she told me that I was just in time to take the written test...so without studying anything, cocksure as all get out, I sat down in front of the computer telling myself that I was going to ace it.   Failed...got about 30% wrong.  You can only fail once a day so I took the book home, read it once and passed the test the next day only getting 3 wrong out of 23...good enuf to pass.  The same lady at the desk called me a "little shaZam!" because on my way in I asked her if she wanted to bet money against me.  Then she told me that one guy had to take the written three times before he finally passed...I made the obligatory "geez, what a dumbass..." comment and was on my way.

[pantablo]

Dom-dont take this the wrong way but you're a dumbass if you think there's nothing that you could take from the MSF course. Cocksure for sure. I passed my written on the first try. Big deal. Didnt make me a good rider. The MSF course taught me how to be a smart rider and a safe rider. If you dont take the class at least read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. Things I learned in MSF have saved my skin many times.


Se7enty7-sounds like you got yourself into the wrong class. The way you describe your MSF is nothing like what I have heard others or how mine was. First day was classroom instruction. Second was on the "range", on bikes. Third in class and fourth range again, with the test at the end. Report back after your first range day to let us know if its as bad on the range as it is in class. it sounds rediculous. Where is the class being given?

[Dom]

I dont need no stinkin' school man!!!  School's for NERDS!!!

[mrblink]

My first "riding" day at MSF class sucked.  One of the instructors was this huge mean woman who assumed we memorized everything already.  She was like all in your face if you made a mistake.  Some of the girls dropped out, and lots of people complained.  She was mysteriously gone during the second riding day, and everyone that was left did really well, and had fun.

The moral of the story is:  I would complain to whoever runs the course you are taking (it was a local junior college for me), and demand that they refund your money, or set you up in a different course with different instructors.  For me personally, I got a lot out of the course, because it was the first time I ever rode a bike.  We had our 18-year-old squid with mom's credit card and a liter sportbike, complete with huge ego.  Everyone basically looked down on that whole attitude, and the instructors gave him hell.  Hopefully you get it all worked out.

[Cal Price]

Before you can ride, even a 50cc scoot here you have to take the CBT, compusory basic training. It is supposed to be a couple of hours in class, a couple of hours riding on "off road" tarmac, exercises and the like and a couple of hours out and about, usually on a 125cc bike. When I turned up, old geezer, and a couple of 17yr olds, The instructor talked for five minutes about riding gear then said "You won't learn bugger-all" in the classroom so lets go straight to the bikes. It was a really good informative "fun" day.
Here if you pass the written-test, hazard perception (another computer game) and practical ridden test on a 125cc you are stuck with a 33hp (about) for 2 years so a lot of peaople follw the CBT with three or fours days "direct access" training on a 500 then test. That is the difficult bit but remember to take as much from it as you can and enjoy it. You never ever know as much as you would like to know or think you know, but never stop enjoying it.

[The Buddha]

I dont need no stinkin' school man!!!  School's for NERDS!!!

Yea man Dom ... I wait outside the school ... and beat up the little nerds ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[cujosocal]

Dom-dont take this the wrong way but you're a dumbass if you think there's nothing that you could take from the MSF course. Cocksure for sure. I passed my written on the first try. Big deal. Didnt make me a good rider. The MSF course taught me how to be a smart rider and a safe rider. If you dont take the class at least read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. Things I learned in MSF have saved my skin many times.


Se7enty7-sounds like you got yourself into the wrong class. The way you describe your MSF is nothing like what I have heard others or how mine was. First day was classroom instruction. Second was on the "range", on bikes. Third in class and fourth range again, with the test at the end. Report back after your first range day to let us know if its as bad on the range as it is in class. it sounds rediculous. Where is the class being given?

I agree... I have no regrets in taking the class. Most of the time, it entitles you to an insurance discount also. (plus it got me out of taking the DMV riding skills test.) The instructor(s) at the MSF class Se7enty7 is taking have their heads screwed on wrong (IMHO)... I don't think my instructors really suggested any particular sized 1st bike, I think they avoided the subject in order to protect themselves.

If I had a CBR as a first bike, I would have lost it a couple of times already. I had a bad habit of accidently rolling the throttle while braking. On a 250 no problem. Even on my 620 it was not a huge ordeal. (I think I broke that habit now) But on a liter race bike!! You can imagine!! Not to mention the insurance in Calif on one of those would be as much as a house payment...

BTW... a GS500 IS a good first bike!

[starwalt]

The IMC - Introduction to Motorcycling Course here is South Carolina is a three day affair under the state technical school system (junior college). The MSF instructors were professional and very experienced. We had 18 students, 14 women - 4 men. With 9 bikes we split up into two range days. All of us had class on Friday night, one riding session of Sat., the other on Sunday.

While in Cleveland, OH for a month I spent some time at a very nice multiline dealer (Honda, Ducatti, Triumph, KTM, and another one or two I have forgotten). It was there I met a nice lady who also was an MSF instructor. It seems that different states, here in the US, have variations in the beginners course. I was shocked at the price difference.

Ohio has the 3rd largest per capita number of MC endorsements in the US. A portion of a bike's license plate fee goes to fund MSF classes. I paid $159 for my two day experience (yes, 2 days only). In Ohio it would have been 3 days for less than $50 (I thought I remember her telling me $25 but to be safe I know it was less than $50.)

I think it has made me a better automobile driver. I was always aware of riders but am even more so now. When I get my hanger queen on the road, the GS BTW was recommended by one of the guys in the Ohio shop, I intend to practice skill building.

The MSF course is intended to enable you to practice skill building. I think se7enty7 should take the type of bike these instructors are recommending with a grain of salt. Skill development will vary with base talent and the time available to practice.

It is a shame that riders killed because of ignorance (or arrogance) are not able to give their opinion of what they should have done. Experience is the best teacher - wait a minute - being killed is also an experience. We can learn from them. Darwin may have had a good point.

There is a great article in the January 2005 issue of Cycle World, "Picking Up the Pieces" by Steve Anderson. Buy an issue, read the article, and then wear a bib when you look at the new MotoGP wanna-be American bike, the MotoCzysz C1.

Michael Czysz has some great ideas in that machine.

[iandunn]

It's $25 in Ohio.

[Dom]

I think it has made me a better automobile driver.

I totally agree.  Every time I make a lane change in my panel van I look extra hard in my blind spots just in case there is a mc rider in them.

[John Bates]

My experience with the basic rider course was excellent.  Expert, tough but fair instructors.  Six gals and six guys in the class.  We had a great time. One day in class, two on the range. $25 included the bikes.

I plan on taking the experienced rider course in 2005.  It is $25 for one day, use your own bike. I'm going to try to drag my two sons, CBR600F4 and Buell S1, along.

[starwalt]

One day in class, two on the range. $25 included the bikes.

John confirms it. I thought she told me $25 in Ohio AND 3 full days.

<sigh>

[callmelenny]

I took the MSF here in TX for a couple of reasons.

1. I had  not been on a bike for several years
2. My wife was happier that way
3. Helped slightly on insurance and made DMV test simpler

I passed the writtern and road skills with 100% with little effort.

That said, I considered it a very valuable experience. If no other reason, it makes you practice scenarios that you otherwise might not do.

Half my class was riders that either had tickets or wanted to get the TX helmet exemption sticker. Several of the old timers had problems with the box and with swerving. One of them even dropped his bike.

It is not a perfect system and a crappy instructor could make it a waste of time and money but I still think it is a good idea.

[se7enty7]

Okay second day done.

This honestly is a joke.  If it weren't for an insurance reduction and automatic full mc license I'd demand a refund.

Class has 12 people. 2 women (supposed riders.)
of the 10 men, 4 considered themselves 'comfortable and proficient on a motorcycle'.  These 4, and the 2 women, didn't have a fsck clue what they were doing.  One owns a cbr1000rr.  For someone with that kind of bike, he couldnt get a GN125 or nighthawk around those cones for sh!t.  This group of 6 really slowed down the rest of the class.

Out of the remaining 6, 2 had never ridden a motorcycle in their life.  2 others (me included.) owned a motorcycle, but had ridden for less than 6 months. The last two rode harley's and are/were a-holes that talked about how 'if they had their ultraglide they could do this with no problem, etc. etc.  One weighed about 300lbs... on a GN125.. heh



Okay, on to the course.

I can ride in a circle and around cones like nobodies business.  I can duck-walk the motorcycle, and can definetely dismount, mount, and start it.



Thus far, I wouldn't recommend this course to someone who has ridden for 6months+.  It would be perfect for a NEW rider, and imo, that's about it.  I have read enough on this forum to MORE than cover the videos/coursework in the class.



I wish I didn't have to say this... but waste of $250.  Also this stupid wh0re in the class banged her helmet clasp against my mirrored faceshield.. scratching it. arg.  On a better note, the guy with the cbr1000rr let me try on his scorpion helmet (REALLY nice looking, seems of much better quality than my HJC cl-14.. only his helmet seems really small for a L) and tried on his joe rocket meteor 4.  Nice jacket, seems good for warm weather

One of the teachers told this totally new-never-been-on-a-bike 130lb guy that a gsx-r1000 would be a good first bike as long as he didn't run it at it's limits.  I honestly don't think the TEACHER could run it at its limits.. but whatever.

[hairball]

Did you get a chance to fill out an evaluation for the range teachers?

[se7enty7]

Did you get a chance to fill out an evaluation for the range teachers?

not yet.. the first day (fri night) is 4 hours class time.
2nd today.. today.. 9 hours or so total, probably 7 of it outside on the bike, 2 inside watching videos/reviewing book.
3rd day.. tommorow.. is supposed to be mainly outside, and will consist of the riding test.