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Post by scootdoggydog on Oct 26, 2008 19:25:50 GMT -5
have you ever taken a motorcycle safety coarse?
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Post by thumper650 on Oct 26, 2008 20:21:42 GMT -5
I took the beginner course to get my license when I was 17, and then took the experienced course a few years later, on my XR 250. I was the only dirtbike in the class. I have put on about 50K bike miles since then and feel that the courses have definitely saved me at least a few times. Well worth the money.
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Post by harrywr2 on Oct 26, 2008 22:26:12 GMT -5
They be worth the money...even if you only pick up one decent riding tip/technique.
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Post by newrider57 on Oct 27, 2008 9:49:32 GMT -5
Here's another rider that supports the Motorcycle Safety Course. Now if we could just get the cagers to take it too. I took mine in May and enjoyed both days and learned more than I thought I would. Plus it was a lot of fun... The course supplied the motorcycles (all brand new) and it was a hoot doing all of the exercises.
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Post by jayhawk on Oct 27, 2008 18:59:28 GMT -5
28 years of riding without an accident and I've not taken the course.
Eric
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Post by harrywr2 on Oct 27, 2008 22:27:49 GMT -5
28 years of riding without an accident and I've not taken the course. Eric And how many biker funerals have you been to in that 28 years? Most folks can benefit from a bit of construction criticism of their technique's. Not all..just most.
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Post by jayhawk on Oct 28, 2008 15:05:58 GMT -5
I've been to one - a friend - we played hockey together for 10 years. Went comatose in 88 (he had taken the MSF course that year), and he died in the 90s.
Education is never bad, and I'm absolutely not against the MSF course, but just as there are genuises who never went to college or even finished high school, there are great drivers who never took a safety course.
I'm not one of those genuises, though. My high school driver's ed class was exceptional and installed such a fear of moving vehicles that I, and my wife who had the same teacher, are exceptionally defensive drivers - no car wrecks and no insurance claims for either of us in over 20 years. I think things like that spill over to scooter-riding as well, but of course it depends on the person.
FWIW - my wife has ridden a scooter since 92 with no accidents and never having dropped the scoot, and again no MSF course.
I post an opposing view simply because I don't believe the "you must take the MSF course to be a safe 2 wheel driver" school of thought is 100% true.
Is it a bad thing to take the MSF course? Absolutely not. Is it necessary to take the MSF to be a good rider? Not always.
I have read the MSF scooter riding guide...it's nicely done, lots of good information, and well worth the read...for free instead of $200 to learn safety on a manual 250cc motorcycle at our local MSF course.
Eric
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Post by brickstore on Nov 7, 2008 9:34:36 GMT -5
I'll be taking it before I buy a motorcycle. I'm sure I'll learn alot that I don't currently know.
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Post by squarehead67 on Nov 8, 2008 6:44:52 GMT -5
I took the MSF course and it was ok. I cost $175 here and the Honda Riders Club reimbursed me $50 for taking it and passing, plus I get a break on my insurance. It concentrates on safety and basic skills and exposes you to things you might encounter in a controlled atmosphere. They had me on a worn out Honda Rebel thatr was too small for me and needed a tune up badly but I made it through OK. I bought the book "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough and I really think I've gotten more out of it than the MSF. Thats just my thoughts though. For a brand new rider it's a good idea to take the MSF.
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Post by pukame2 on Nov 10, 2008 3:19:52 GMT -5
None available.
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Post by brickstore on Nov 12, 2008 8:38:57 GMT -5
I took the MSF course and it was ok. I cost $175 here and the Honda Riders Club reimbursed me $50 for taking it and passing, plus I get a break on my insurance. It concentrates on safety and basic skills and exposes you to things you might encounter in a controlled atmosphere. They had me on a worn out Honda Rebel thatr was too small for me and needed a tune up badly but I made it through OK. I bought the book "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough and I really think I've gotten more out of it than the MSF. Thats just my thoughts though. For a brand new rider it's a good idea to take the MSF. I really want to take it to help me with the gear shifting aspect. I haven't even driven a manual transmission car in 9 years.
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Post by heatwave on Nov 24, 2008 21:45:21 GMT -5
twice taken...first time about 15 years ago, DNF ...first summer in TX and wasn't heat aclimated. Second time this summer right before I actually got the scoot. Passed with flying colors and had the best score out of the 50 on the riding skill portion. One thing I don't get...drove a manual transmission car for over 30 years, just got my first automatic transmission 4 years ago....but could not get coordinated enought to make the hole clutch thing on a bike. Thank goodness they offered the MSF training on scoots for those who were getting scoots instead of cycles....oh well, to be young and coordinated again!
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Post by mrrube on May 12, 2009 20:51:33 GMT -5
I'm going to be taking the course this weekend in Lakehurst. I'm a little anxious, but am looking forward to it. Now if only my allergies would stop acting up...
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Post by imagesinthewind on May 13, 2009 16:03:25 GMT -5
I'm going to take it at the end of the month. My reason is simple. I don't want to have to take the test at the DMV by myself. When I complete the class they will give me a certificate that gets me the big M on my license. I'm sure I will learn a lot, too.
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Post by CCProf on May 13, 2009 16:19:09 GMT -5
You bet! In PA it's "free" although I think there's a small surcharge on the permit or license. It was well worth it. Plus, the MSF riding test is easier to pass than the one the state gives. I heard that PA is going to make it mandatory for all new riders. Incidently - I was evidently the first person around here to take it (and pass) on a scooter. We have that option here.
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Post by mrrube on May 17, 2009 23:09:33 GMT -5
Update: I just finished the course today, and all I need to do is pay the 18 dollars for the endorsement, and I'm all set. I thought that the course was very fun. Some parts more challenging then others, such as the counter-steering and offset cones. Others were thoroughly enjoyable like road obstacle, outside-inside-outside technique, and anything involving slalom. For the amount of fun I had it was worth it, and I'm sure the lessons that I learnt will help me out of any bind I might get in. Now it is just a matter of raising the funds to get a scoot...
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Post by CCProf on May 19, 2009 6:12:11 GMT -5
mrrube - congrats! Good luck with the allergies. I hate sneezing in a full face helmet.
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Post by Dennis on Jun 25, 2009 20:52:22 GMT -5
I took my course last week. No rain, but was it ever hot. I used a cycle as it said at sign up that I had to. when it was all over the instructor said with special permission, I could have used my scooter. I did feel that it gave me the experience of riding something that I have never ridden in my 65 years of life. I really had fun. Ther was not much pressure during the test and we got the waiver to get our license. The price was only $25. I did have to wait almost a year to get into the class.
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Post by titanrider2008 on Jun 26, 2009 13:19:09 GMT -5
I waited for over a year and then got bumped the day of the class for an under age rider. (That's the State Rule in Ohio as all riders under the age of 18 Must take the course to get their MC endorsement. So if one signs up at the last minute the last one over 18 to sign up gets bumped.) So I took the class in Kentucky which charges 150.00 but I got right in and had a blast.
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Post by kz1000st on Jun 28, 2009 16:01:05 GMT -5
I got my license long ago but my wife took the course in October. She was right at home on the bikes since she had been riding her Rebel for a month. She got a 98 on the written exam and an 85 on the riding portion. My wife the motorcylist. I still can't get used to it.
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Post by greginhershey on Jun 29, 2009 1:29:45 GMT -5
I just finished the course today (well, yesterday now)... I chose to use the bikes they provide instead of the scooter... As mentioned earlier, it's free in PA and I received my M endorsement when finished.. I can't say enough about the course. Nothing they said was "new", per se, but having the rider coach there to talk to you and reinforce things, fine tune things, was a great benefit in my opinion. As my permit was set to expire in about 3 weeks, I had considered just going to PennDOT to take the test but I'm very happy I chose to take this course instead.
I figure I'll ride for a year or so then take their course for experienced riders. I also picked up the info about learning to become an instructor. If there are any instructors on the forum, THANK YOU for taking the time to show new riders the ropes!
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Post by Bear on Jul 2, 2009 11:10:29 GMT -5
I took the BRC 2 years ago to get my license. Well more than just that, as I was entirely new to riding. I'm glad I learned those lessons on the course instead of out on the street.
Last summer I took the ERC. I wanted to take the more experienced class and I wanted to do it on my scooter. Unlike the BRC, where I had to use one of they're manual 125 MC's.
Then last month I took the ERC again. Back when I took the BRC, the instructor/owner of the school told us about this old guy who takes the ERC class first chance every spring. And has for more than 20 years. He said that he considered it a refresher to keep his skills up, and that as he gets older and his reflexes get slower he needed to compensate somehow :-)
Well I liked that idea, and thats why now on my 3rd season, I've taken the MSF 3 times. Although I didn't get as much this past time out of the class as the previous times. I might skip next year. Maybe not, as it is a good time too. Now if I get a new bike, I'll definitely take it again. To get the controlled experience on my new bike.
Bear
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Post by noobishrook on Jul 2, 2009 14:04:48 GMT -5
I have and its better that you do. There are many minor things you need to learn when driving. Good idea to do so.
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Post by G-Bo on Jul 3, 2009 12:04:53 GMT -5
I took my MSF course a couple of weeks ago...on a scooter!
My thoughts are that it should be mandated for all new riders. There is so much to learn in riding, safety, and getting good inside tips from someone who's ridden for a while. When I ride, I really get ticked at other riders who wear tshirts, shorts, flip-flops and no helmet. I hope they don't regret it one day.
TOTALLY recommend the MSF. I went from a no-experienced newbie rider to someone who can brave the roads and drive defensively.
PS-My advice? Take the class when it's cool outside. Mine was during the 103 degree heat index wave in Dallas and I wanted to QUIT the first day....but survived it to Day 2 and passed!
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Post by fong47 on Jul 7, 2009 13:31:22 GMT -5
If you take the course, do you get discount on Insurance?
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Post by titanrider2008 on Jul 7, 2009 18:06:19 GMT -5
Some insurance companies offer a discount to riders who take and pass the MSF course. You need to check with your insurance agent to see if your insurance company does. Even if they don't I highly recommend taking the course anyway what you learn is well worth the time and money spent.
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Post by Bear on Jul 8, 2009 8:50:58 GMT -5
If you take the course, do you get discount on Insurance? Supposedly my Nationwide insurance is discounted now. But it's SOOO small that I haven't even noticed it. Something else to look for. There are some dealers and groups who will rebate the cost of the class. Our instructor told us that the Honda Owners of America will rebate up to the cost of membership. As will Harley Owners Group (HOG). So when I first took the class I tried my best to google this to find something that I could use. And at that time Suzuki had a program too. Had I bought a Burgman (after the class) they would have rebated my $150 that I paid for the class. But I do not think they still do that. I have not checked on any of this recently though. Nor did my instructor this past spring mention it at all. So these programs MIGHT have fallen to the economy. Good luck.
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