| Author | Message | ||
     Joshinga |
Just throwing this out there what is you guys opinion on making it mandatory for all new riders to take a MSF course. and in addition requiring all non riders (read Cagers) to take a Motorcycle awareness class. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
That would work for me.... | ||
| Closetbueller |
In our state (FL) you are required to take the BRC to get endorsed I feel it is a great idea, but my opinion may be one sided as I am a Rider Coach | ||
| Joshinga |
so they did pass it I lived in FL a few years back and it was in the works but not law yet | ||
| Paw |
There is one problem most state charge money to take the course...Here in NY it is not cheap, do not quote me but I think it's around $250...When I lived in PA and taught the course. It was free to all residents who got a learners permit...If other state would do it the way Pennsylvania does I would be a strong advocate of a mandatory MSF course...Not everyone can pay the high fees some states charge. | ||
| Daveswan |
in RI it's mandatory. I was annoyed but after i took it I was thankful they did it. One - I learned a lot that I was unaware of coming from a motocross background, and i hadn't considered very carefully all of the scenarios you'll likely encounter. it made me think much differently on my bike and when i'm in my car with bikes are around me. Two - some people have never even ridden a bike before. my instructor went over the state statistics in RI where it's mandatory and states where it isn't - reason enough. I thanked him afterwards, my experience was very positive. | ||
| Jrfitzny |
Just became mandatory in TX. The course counts as the "driving portion" of the motorcycle test. The written test is still taken at the DMV. Class cost 200 bucks, written section cost 25 bucks. I had some dirtbike experience before taking the class...not much street riding. I thought the class was very beneficial. The experience riders in my class also found something to learn in the class, so in my opinion, it's worth the dough. Plus it gives you a small break on your insurance cost  | ||
| Aeholton |
If the law is going to mandate BRC participation in order to get a motorcycle endorsement, then it should require a similar required course for automobile operation. I believe a BRC is an excellent idea. I just don't think it should be mandated. If a rider can pass a skills test like a automobile driver, give him a license. | ||
| Crackhead |
I think all drivers (auto, mc, truck) should take the BRC, drivers ed and basic truck school. | ||
| Ourdee |
Cracksmoker has it right. Illinois course is free, they like a $20 donation. Get a learners permit after passing a written test for $10. Pass the safety course and take your learners permit, course certificate, and drivers license to the license branch and trade them in with no money for a motorcycle license. If you don't take the course you have to pass a driving test on the bike. I passed the driving test then rode my bike to the safety course. Other student didn't understand why I was taking the course as I had my license. I was the only one that aced the course out of that class. | ||
| Jaimec |
Paw: Try $350. The NYS motorcyclists voted many years ago to add a fee to their registrations to fund motorcycle safety programs. That money has since been reallocated to non-motorcycling programs. Geez, what a surprise, eh?? | ||
| Skntpig |
Does anyone know what type of insurance discount you might get by taking the class in Florida after having a license for many years? Can you use your own bike? Is it a one or two day course? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
That money has since been reallocated to non-motorcycling programs. They attempted to do that in Ohio....The AMA & ABATE found out about it... got the word out and filled the (I believe it was) State House with Bikers (non fag type) and Motorcyclists. The politicians backed off for now.... | ||
| Andymnelson |
I tell any new rider friends that it's mandatory if they are going to ride with me ever, so this works I took the course with my girlfriend when she started riding, after I had been riding for 15 years. I thought it was a great course, I learned a few skills and wished I had taken it long ago so I didn't have to learn the rest of the skills the hard way! | ||
| Sayitaintso |
Skn, there is a basic and advanced course. As far as I know the basic you ride their bike and advanced you ride your own. Idk about ins discounts. I've had my endorsement for 20+ years (never too the course) and my wife just got hers 2 years ago after the basic course; I dont think she gets a discount on ins. | ||
| Oldog |
Sayit; Most insurance co's offer a 10% discount for takning the course, Geico does.. Call and ask them. | ||
| Skntpig |
I wonder how long they continue to give discounts? Might be worth it just for the ongoing savings. | ||
| Chadhargis |
As an MSF instructor, I'd HATE to see them make it mandatory. Having people who don't want to be in class, or having people who think they know more than the instructor, will diminish the experience for the rest of the willing students. That being said, I DO support a stricter testing system. The current MSF skill test is RIDICULOUSLY easy. I've seen riders who couldn't start out without stalling, couldn't shift gears, and won't pull in the clutch when stopping pass the MSF course. It's scary. I don't care if you take a course or not, but everyone should be required to show proficiency. They should have to demonstrate basic control skills, braking, cornering, stopping, and avoidance maneuvers. If you are still stalling the bike, and can't manage to squeeze the clutch when you stop, you shouldn't be riding on public roads. Some people could do all of this without taking a class, and some people could repeat the class 10 times and never get it. I would love to have the European or Japanese licensing system here. Yes, it's expensive, but so are funerals. | ||
| Skntpig |
+1 Graduated displacement with age or experience. Busa...not a good first bike. | ||
| Drkside79 |
You have attend one in IL if you are a minor. I would not be opposed to it in general but they would need to have more of them. The beginners classes are hard to get in. The advanced ones are down right impossible. | ||
| Milt |
You're right DrkSide, it's hard to get a reserved seat. Many have good luck getting in as walk-ins, especially later in the season. Upon successful completion of the course, my instructors made it very clear that I was now qualified to ride a small bike, at low speed, around a closed parking lot, behind a fence, under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor: no more. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
+1 I agree completely. I am also an instructor, and this is how I see it happening. I am also completely for graduated displacement, etc. | ||
| Sayitaintso |
I am also completely for graduated displacement, etc. +2, my 14yo daughter is dying to ride on her own and there's no way in hell I'm letting her get on anything bigger than a 250 for quite some time. And just for a refresher, I'm going to take the basic course when she does. IMO it never hurts to be reminded of things you already know (or think you know) | ||
| Ulywife |
my 14yo daughter is dying to ride on her own same here! Smilee wants a Ninja 250, but I feel certain she will learn on the Blast since it's here and paid for! After riding as a passenger with M2nc for several years, I finally decided to try riding solo. It was helpful to have riding coaches (M2nc and Webe) before and after MSF class. I had no idea how much there really was to learn. It's been 6 months and I learn something new each time I ride. Our MSF courses here in NC are offered through the Community Colleges and was $120 if memory serves me well. Best money I spent besides gear! I've always been aware of motorcycles on the road when in the car, but I do find that I pick them up sooner in my radar since Carlos started riding. I wish they would promote motorcycle awareness more during the Driver's Ed courses. | ||
| P_squared |
I think MSF courses are great. I encourage everyone I talk to that doesn’t ride but shows interest in attending one. I even told my neighbor’s wife to make her husband take the course after he bought his 1st street bike (’09 1125CR) recently (and also to increase his life insurance policy.) I don't think making them mandatory, unless properly funded, is "great" though. If the goal is to get more people aware of and/or on bikes, you need an incentive, not a "price to participate" if you will, IMO. As for the graduated licensing, I see the benefits of it, but I'm not too terribly comfortable with letting a 16 yr old have the keys to any cage, but then turning around & telling them they only get 250cc or less for a year, after they've coughed up the money to attend & pass an MSF course. | ||
| Sayitaintso |
250 Ninja is what Dani wants, I was leaning toward a Rebel, but a Blast was not out of the question. I just dont know enough about the upper end of what a Blast can do to know if its more than I want to let her go with. My 12yo son has already told me I'm getting him a ZX14 as his first bike...... boy oh boy is he in for a surprise when he finds out I'm not going to let him get a bike at all (unless he matures in his thinking and actions, he ALWAYS pushes the limits) P_Squared, good point about cage vs bike as to making it the law. But I have no problem putting that restriction on my own kids, you need to be way more defensive on a bike and when they are learning, I dont want things to be happening as fast as they can on a 1000cc+ bike. Besides they're going to be my bikes so I get to make the rules. (Message edited by sayitaintso on December 15, 2009) | ||
| Froggy |
It should be based on performance, not displacement. Otherwise you would be able to get an 1125R before a XB12. You would also be able to get a Busa before a Harley cruiser. Obviously performance would be hard to classify, do you just go by HP numbers? 1/4 Mile times? What about braking and handling? | ||
| Froggy |
Sayitaintso, the Ninja 250 has a higher top speed than the Blast. Here is a (biased) comparison on the Ninja 250 vs Blast http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Buell_Blast_vs_Ninja_ 250 | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Normally graduated displacement only has a few large catagories. It wouldn't be too different from classes in racing. i.e. 1 cylinder air cooled = 1 cylinder water cooled = 2 cylinder air cooled = 2 cylinder water cooled = 4 cylinder = etc. | ||
| Sayitaintso |
Thanks Froggy, that pretty much confirmed my thoughts on the Ninja (hence the reason I was leaning toward the Rebel) but did educate a little on the Blast as a first bike. As the time gets closer I'll look into the Blast much more closely. |
