About all I got out of it was a free ticket past the DMV test... And a chance to ride a little cruiser, that was fun. Couldn't do much with it because one of the instructors was a nasty little biznitch that had it out for me. I listened attentively, followed excersizes as instructed, and was bored to tears. I pay 250 bucks for the class, yet they still make me pay for water out on the practice lot. BS... I think it would've been worthwhile for maybe $50, just to get out of the DMV test, but I'm seriously disappointed. I took it a couple weeks ago, but I keep seeing all these "TAKE THE MSF, NOOB!!!!" type things and I can't help but wonder why...
All the questions I asked them they couldn't answer (like "when cornering, should you keep your back like this or this?" "Uhh... I don't know, I just do it. Whatever works man"), I passed everything with a perfect score. One of the instructors asked me how many years I've been riding. At that point it'd been a month. About 1700 miles. I just felt it cost wayyyyy too much. However, had I never sat on a bike before in my life, it'd been worth every penny. I will give it that, very thorough on the basics, but I seemed to have done fine teaching myself.
I'm sorry you felt that way. Maybe it was just those instructors.
I had a great pair of instructors, and learned great things from them. Lots of tips that have saved my ass from becoming one with the pavement.
I had ridden before I took the MSF course, when I took the course here with my wife ( GA. cost $250 each ) I felt that it was well worth the money. My instructors were really nice help explain everything and answered all the questions any of the students had.
Everyone I talked to at the course said they had a great time and even a couple of the riders who have been riding 5+ years said they learned something new. My wife who's been riding about 7 years now said she really enjoyed the course and realized that she had some bad habits she needed to work on.
Quote from: blue05twin on July 18, 2006, 08:44:00 PM
I had ridden before I took the MSF course, when I took the course here with my wife ( GA. cost $250 each ) I felt that it was well worth the money. My instructors were really nice help explain everything and answered all the questions any of the students had.
Everyone I talked to at the course said they had a great time and even a couple of the riders who have been riding 5+ years said they learned something new. My wife who's been riding about 7 years now said she really enjoyed the course and realized that she had some bad habits she needed to work on.
I had a neighbor last year tell me that he's only been riding on a permit for like 10+ years. I told him that I highly recommended taking the course. Not only would he get his license, but he'd learn som new stuff and possibly find out about the bad habits he's been riding with.
Maybe I just had bad instructorsm then :dunno_white: Every riding habit related question I asked they couldn't answer... I realize the MSF could be very useful to some, I'm simply expressing my dissapoint with the Anaheim, CA class...
4r
$250.00? That is too much. I took the course but I only had to pay $100.00. And my instructers did a pretty good job answering questions. If it was $250.00 where I live I think I would have skipped it.
i had never sat on a bike before, paid $275, and thought it was well worth it. both instructors were very informative and friendly. i had 5 points taken off for going too slow in a corner during the test, but still passed with room to spare. i was very impressed with the attention and the answers i got.
there are 5-6 companies that offer the class here in MA, and i drove 50 miles to go to the company that had the highest marks. i think it paid off in the end.
the price is different in different states... I paid $250 in NJ, but I think PA is free.
Anyway, I rode for a couple months with just my permit and picked up a few bad habits. I think the MSF did a great job at breaking those habits and made me an overall better, safer and more comfortable rider. My instructors were great though, they were both racers and race instructors and really knew what the hell they were talking about.
Yeah, some of it was boring, but I can see how if you went at it with the mindset of 'oh this sucks this is boring' you would get very little out of it. For the MSF course, or any learning enviroment for that matter, to be worthwhile you have to go at it with an open mind or you won't learn anything.
Quote from: LimaXray on July 19, 2006, 06:22:20 AM
Yeah, some of it was boring, but I can see how if you went at it with the mindset of 'oh this sucks this is boring' you would get very little out of it. For the MSF course, or any learning enviroment for that matter, to be worthwhile you have to go at it with an open mind or you won't learn anything.
I think I paid $225 in MA. I would gladly pay double that for the beginer course. The experienced course is $110, and again... I'd pay much more.
If I had to pay $250.00 I dont think I would have taken the class at all. Here in PA it is free.. So no harm at all in taking it.
I kinda felt the same where I really didnt learn a whole lot.. So for $250. I would be pissed...
Taking the course really doesnt give you any bennifit other than saying you took it... Insurance DOES NOT discount for the course like most belive. Your insurance is based mostly on your credit score and a bit on your driving record and time behind the wheel
I did get a discount on my insurance because I took the course. And I'll get even more of a discount when I complete the experienced course. My dad took the ERC and received a nice discount.
Yup. almost forgot about that. i got my 10% insurance discount too. 1 year with some additional coverage is only $230 for me!
MSF is $180 here in TX. I skipped it and haven't regretted it yet. I read a few books, practiced low-speed maneuvers in the lot and spent the money on high-quality gear instead. I still just have a permit; one of these days I'll go do the road test and get the endorsement.
-M
the MSF i have found is good if you have never riden a bike before. its a great way to learn how while hopfuly heading off bad habbits before they start.
if you have 500 miles or more in UNDER a 6 Month time then advanced coarses would be more the benifit.
250$ to take a class that is REQUIRED BY LAW for under 21 is beyond BULLSHIT.
ive found alot of 16-19 year olds first starting out more receptive to instruction then those who start out at 21 getting thier endorsment without a class and it only cost them test fee and endorsment fee. which is under 50$ for both if i remember.
i took the coarse as an agreement with my father, he paid for the coarse but it was only 75$ and it included everything. granted i had many a miles under my belt with him Via the L. Permit. but that was back in late 80's
Blueknyt ... how you been.
I actually have the KZ440's problems sorted out ... almost.
The floats vent through the bottom. My floats seem to leak ... a river from that vent once in a while ... now I am not able to set the floats any lower ... cos lowering it makes it not open enough cos its got a limit on how much it can open at all ... being very very close to that limit - it still managed to leak.
Dod it happen to you. And how you fix it.
Cool.
Srinath.
I'd only been riding a little H#nda 90 before I took the MSF... So, for me it was worth it. :thumb:
MSF here in Ohio is $25. Haven't taken it though. Every class up until november within 2 hours of me is booked up. May take it next spring though. So far I am doing alright on my own.
wow. I guess I never thought about how lucky I am to live in PA. Free MSF basic and advanced course for residents of the state. I recently took the ERC, and it was a hoot. Three years of riding experience and I still was able to enjoy the turning, u-turn box and emergency braking drills. They are a blast to go through once you have a little more confidence. As fun as it was, though, I'm not sure I would have paid 250 bucks. And I'm positive I would be ticked off if I paid that much and got an attitude from my coach.
Quote from: Blueknyt on July 19, 2006, 12:49:58 PM
250$ to take a class that is REQUIRED BY LAW for under 21 is beyond BULLSHIT.
Yeah, and the state should pay my insurance too!
In Texas the price actually varies between $150 and $180. I found a $150 course and took it. All I had for experience was dirt bikes, so the MSF helped a lot. Sure some stuff I knew how to do, but they reinforced it and corrected a few bad habits. Worth it for me.
I did get into an argument with one of my instructors though. He kept saying that bikes could out brake cars. I proved him wrong yet he wouldn't listen.
Quote from: 06GSowner on July 19, 2006, 02:02:56 PM
MSF here in Ohio is $25. Haven't taken it though. Every class up until november within 2 hours of me is booked up. May take it next spring though. So far I am doing alright on my own.
If you really want to take the class, go early on the first day, let the instructor know you would like to grab an empty seat if there are any no-shows. That's how I got in without signing up in advance.
Also, some who didn't win the drawing for a seat on the first day just sat in on the first day and officially got in on the second day after someone dropped out.
Good luck,
:cheers:
Took the course at the honda factory like I said it was $250 at the Harley shop that offered the MSF course it was $400. Pices do very on the cost of the course.
I did get 10% off my insurance for taking the course and was informed that if I took the expericed course I would get another 10% off. Right now paying 390ish for full coverage on the GS and 490ish on the gsxr per year.
Some states subsidize the MSF, which is why in some places like PA it is free... and in other places it costs $250+. Georgia used to subsidize it, but they cut the funding a few years ago and the cost went from $50 to $300.
Sorry to hear about your bad experiences with the course. The MSF course at the local Honda headquarters here offers an ERC (experienced rider course) that is only $60 (only one day and you use your own bike)... and they also have a dirt bike class (they have a big 'ol mound of dirt out back behind the offices). I tell all my friends who can afford it to take the basic rider class... but if you have responsible riders who can teach you the basics (for free) then there is no harm in doing the ERC after you've gotten your license.
I started riding in August of '05. My roommate taught me how to ride.... i have been meaning to take the ERC but i have to fend off my of my debtors first!