Hey guys, I just signed up for the MSF class 2 weeks from now and I want to know what to expect. I will be getting my GS500 shortly after the class. I haven't ridden much at all but I really want to learn so I thought I should sign up to MSF before I get my bike, anyways what should I expect, and also what type of gear should I look into getting?

where do you live that you can sign up and get a spot in 2 weeks?  in MD, you have to sign up MONTHS in advance to even get in at all.

I'm finally taking the course on May 26.

Quote from: ReaperKKI just signed up for the MSF class 2 weeks from now and I want to know what to expect...what type of gear should I look into getting?

Helmet (3/4 OK, no 1/2. I bought full coverage...must have face shield...try lots of them on), gloves (cotten garden gloves would have worked in my class, but I bought riding gloves), long sleeves (jacket not required), jeans, and boots over the ankles.

That is for the gear (at least in my South Carolina class). Now the part with the pain sticks was the hardest....    The Klingon females did way better than us human males.

ReaperKK, if you tell us where you are located maybe someone can respond with more detail.

You don't need any real riding gear for the course.  In MD at least they had plenty of helmets (3/4) for us.  Any basic gloves will do, same for boots, as long as they're over the ankle.  Just use their stuff.

As for the course itself, it's generally 6 hours of classroom instruction on the basics of how the bike works, accident avoidance strategies, pre-ride checks, that kind of thing.  Then it's two days of riding, 6-8 hours each, where you progress from just walking the bike around, to learning how to get going in 1st, to shifting, to turns, figure 8s, emergency stops, swerving, etc.  

It's really an excellent course.  I've found that 90% of the questions about riding that get asked on these sorts of boards are answered by the class.  

jeff

Sorry for the non-response, thanks alot for the help. Also I live in St. Petersburg, Florida and they had openings but the guy said that it is filling up do to the nice weather.