MSF Courses

[oZo]

I rode bikes, dirt and street from age 12 to 26 (100cc to 600cc). I have ridden dirt bikes on occasion in the last 8 years and was looking at getting back to the street...I freakin' miss it and it's now or never.

Question: Is paying $175 for the MSF course really necessary for me? A friend of mine took it and told me that he knows I can ride and to put it toward the bike and/or accessories.

BTW, I am a common sense rider.

 

[warbrown]

An MSF course is always money well spent no matter how experienced a rider you are. The best riders are they who realize they still have a lot to learn.

 

[CorrodedAlien]

Yes... I taught it for 3 years for the Navy, Every time I taught a class, I found myself correcting a bad habit. It has been 5 years since I last taught a class... I wonder how many bad habits I have now.

Take the Basic (it may seem stupid but is helpful) and then take the Advanced later this year. The basic is taught on their bikes, little CB125's, and the Advanced is done on your own bike.

 

[Busa_05]

Geez, I dunno, dude. I've been riding since I was nine, all kinds of bikes, off and on road. I have my street license since I was eighteen. Both my parents rode, though, and when I started riding on the street, they really tried to hammer correct riding skills into my thick skull. So, in a sense, I was pretty lucky.

I can tell you, though, when my wife took the MSF Beginner's Course, I read through her work book and was surprised at some of the things I had either forgotten, or just really never knew, to tell you the truth...and, yes, I did correct some bad habits I had acquired. At this point, I don't think I would take the beginner's course, myself, but I am really considering taking the ERC course. $175 bucks is pretty steep, though, too. In WI it is only fifty bucks...so, I really can't give you advice either way, I suppose; just my experience with the MSF...

Good luck with whatever you choose, bro.

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[MN72Busa]

I put my ego aside to take the class with my father, and I thought it was a worth while refresher / reminder. Funny how many bad habbits a person can pick up, and MSF instructors assist you to better your riding ability. Classroom time is lame but 10 + hours on the course not only gave me a serious case of monkey-butt, it also sharpened my riding skills. Also met some pretty cool people. I think their beginer and advanced course is great, and what good are mods if ya dump the bike because you pulled a bone-head move.

 

[CorrodedAlien]

Yes, the ERC is a good course, for the old salts... You do repeated swerves and obsacle avoidance manuvers, even a log jump...

 

[Wag]

Money well-spent, even if you have a lot of experience. Most of us start riding without any formal training and we learn a lot of bad habits, being self-taught. MSF BSC will bring those to your attention and help you get started fixing 'em.

My worst one was watching the front of my bike through turns rather than keeping my head up and looking out ahead. Breaking this one bad habit has saved my bacon more than a few times. There are other things, all of which, I believe, have spared me some road rash and broken bones, to say nothing of broken bank accounts and broken plastic!

Here's a pic of me doing the turns right!

I say take the course. Ride for a while. Then take the advanced course. You'll be glad you did.

--Wag--

 

[rosco15]

Isn't the MSF course free. I took it at no charge. Awesome class.

 

[Nijinsky3]

in a word.... <span style='font-size:17pt;line-height:100%'>YES!</span>

Besides, where ese can you buy your way outta having to take the riding part of the test with DMV? That alone is worth it! Those here who take the MSF find it mucgh easier than the DMV's ride test.

As Wag says...it's well worth the money! No sense in developing bad habits that will get you killed. Get as much instruction and seat time as you can when you start. Be careful and use your BRAIN!

Have fun!

 

[fstAZfk]

i have been wanting to take the class for a while now. ( let the flaming begin )... i am an unliscensed rider and DO NOT want to take the test with the Busa. I have contacted MSF courses and my location is about 2 - 3 hours from where the nearest course is offered. Not to mention its like pulling teeth to get enrolled with the popularity of the course here lately. I am really getting worried about riding here lately. I do have a permit, but that expires next month. I know i gotta do it, but its just really tough to get the moons aligned where it would be possible. Not to mention, the next open class within a 3 hour drive is in Sept. or Oct i believe. Man this blows.

Anybody take the liscense test on the Busa? I just wish i would have done it while i owned the CBR.. I regret that big time!

 

[fstAZfk]

oh yea, to take the riders test its also the same distance away ( 2 - 3 hours )

 

[Busa_05]

i have been wanting to take the class for a while now.  ( let the flaming begin )... i am an unliscensed rider and DO NOT want to take the test with the Busa.  I have contacted MSF courses and my location is about 2 - 3 hours from where the nearest course is offered.  Not to mention its like pulling teeth to get enrolled with the popularity of the course here lately.  I am really getting worried about riding here lately.  I do have a permit, but that expires next month.  I know i gotta do it, but its just really tough to get the moons aligned where it would be possible.  Not to mention, the next open class within a 3 hour drive is in Sept. or Oct i believe.  Man this blows.  

Anybody take the liscense test on the Busa?  I just wish i would have done it while i owned the CBR..  I regret that big time!  

My wife wasn't allowed to use her own bike. She has an SV and wanted to use it, but they wouldn't let her. She had to use one of the bikes they provided. Maybe it's just different here in WI?

 

[fstAZfk]

i was speaking of taking the actual motorcycle liscense TESTwith the Busa, not the MSF course, i am pretty sure the beginner course through MSF you use the provided bikes.

 

[Busa_05]

i was speaking of taking the actual motorcycle liscense TESTwith the Busa, not the MSF course, i am pretty sure the beginner course through MSF you use the provided bikes.

Oh! Sheesh...my bad...

 

[fstAZfk]

no worries, never really been known to be 100% clear in explaining myself...

 

[fstAZfk]

I rode bikes, dirt and street from age 12 to 26 (100cc to 600cc). I have ridden dirt bikes on occasion in the last 8 years and was looking at getting back to the street...I freakin' miss it and it's now or never.

Question: Is paying $175 for the MSF course really necessary for me? A friend of mine took it and told me that he knows I can ride and to put it toward the bike and/or accessories.

BTW, I am a common sense rider.

DAYUM, MSF is only 90 bucks here. And it was only 75 bucks a year or two ago. Either way, even tho i have yet to take it, i think for the insurance discount, the tips and advice you get, and the chance to learn things on a loaner bike, its DEF. worth it!

 

[PDBusa]

I am taking MSF course next weekend. Three day course to refresh my memory since it's been a while out of the saddle. Initially I was going to wait until after the course to buy my Busa just to be sure my lumbar spine could handle any riding.... well, that was initially

. I just had to have her....NOW  

The course is a bit more expensive here.... like $375.00.

I'll think of it as money saved on repairs!

 

[greeneinc]

Th course is always worth the cost even if it is just to refresh. I know that after I took the class and passes, I got a cert that was good for an insurance discount.

 

[mjn]

TAKE THE COURSE. I've been riding on the street for 27 yrs. I took the MSF course (or the equivelant at the time) in Oregon back in '79. 6 yrs ago, I went to work @ a Motorcycle store, everyone in sales had to take the msf course.
It was a kick!
I, like wag, found that over the years I had developed bad habits....

ALWAYS be learning! Once you stop....well, that's when you get complacent. (and fall!)
Could also help with insurance costs too!

 

[Toyz]

An MSF course is always money well spent no matter how experienced a rider you are.  The best riders are they who realize they still have a lot to learn.