| Author | Message | ||
     Captainkirk |
Last weekend I took the MSF Basic Rider Course with my 17 year old son, who has never ridden before. I went with, sort of for moral support, sort of for encouragement, and sort of to qualify for insurance rate discounts, though I've been riding accident and ticket free for many years. I thought the course would be a shoo-in (in some parts, of course, it was) but the interesting thing was, the instructors tended to ride me much harder than the rest of the students. I responded not by being cocky, but rather, by trying to listen to what they were telling me and follow it to the letter. I learned a whole lot about basics, and more importantly, I learned about the mistakes I've been making and not realizing it (one biggie; not looking completely through turns) It was very intense; it involved a Friday evening from 6 to 10:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7:45 am to 6 pm; most of the time Sat. and Sun. spent in the saddle. I was really amazed to see so many students who didn't know the clutch from the brake doing quick-stops, figure eights, swerving, etc by day two. My hat's off to the instructors who do this (at no charge to students except for the 20 dollar registration fee, which they offer to give back to you if you want it; I let them keep mine & my son's, as it goes towards buying helmets for the program). My son learned to handle a bike quite well and safely and had a blast doing it too. He is now qualified to walk into the DMV after his 18th birthday and walk out with an M-class license(Illinois;any size motorcycle) NO TESTING REQUIRED! He can also qualify for an M-class license now if he takes the written and skills test (which I'm sure he could pass). If anyone (or their spouse or kids) is interested, you can find your state's schedule by doing a Google search; Motorcycle Safety Foundation (state). I would highly recommend this class to anyone;experienced or not. Be careful though; you might learn something. BTW; the only person in the class who I know for sure did not pass was the nice old guy who had been riding for over 35 years (without a license) and could not seem to break his bad habits. | ||
| Dave |
IL has one of the best MSF program rates going. Take the advanced course as well. Same deal... $20 holds your seat and is refundable. Highly recommended. DAve | ||
| Captainkirk |
Yeah, I'm waiting to register for that one as well. Had to take the BRC as a prerequisite...another good reason to take it! | ||
| Nadz |
Same as Dave, I say take the ERC. It's all the same stuff as the BRC, but with your bike, no classroom, and much higher speeds. BRC: I never could get those little de-tuned 250's fast enough to countersteer, but they asked me to please stop dragging the frame, as the sparks were distracting to the newbies behind me. Not saying this to brag, but put a 200-pound guy on a 200-pound bike, and he'll throw it all over the place! Back on topic- go for the ERC. You'll get more real-world practice in a day than the real world will throw at you in a month. Plus it's fun- kinda like Battletrax training. | ||
| Drfuyutsuki |
The Air Force offers the BRC and ERC to it Active Duty guys on base free of charge too. I did the courses on my buell and was really intrigued with what I could do on my bike. I recomend the course to anyone who wants to start riding and order any of my troops to take it if they even consider buying a bike. I also recomend doing the ERC each spring to refresh yourself on how to handle a motorcycle properly. Josh | ||
| Niceharleystuff |
Visit www.msf-usa.org to find the schools in your state. BRAG members are eligible for tuition reimbursement in the form of a coupon for up to $50 for the successful completion of an accredited MSF rider training course, including Riders Edge courses. (Message edited by niceharleystuff on August 19, 2005) | ||
| Cruisin |
Nadz...mine was worse. Most of the class got a fairly new Nighthawk 250. The two biggest guys, myself included (6', 280lbs) got a Honda CB125. Now that sucked. I got a few looks after I rode my S2 to class and hopped on that little thing. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I took the Arizona MSF class, again very good. Basics were taught. I had been riding for years without an endorsement and figured this was the best way to do it. The incentive for me to take the class was the shop that I had purchased my bike offered a gift certificate for the full price of the course, I think it was around $220.00. Couldn't miss with that. I guess the my point is that those courses offered are worth the time and money. | ||
| Nadz |
Hahaaa Cruisin! I actualy wanted the 125 dirt bike, but whatever. Took the ERC again, and there were a couple of Goldwings and a CBR: The CBR guy just couldn't get it to turn or go slow to save his life, and he's a pro dirt racer. I said "good Buell" to my baby and patted myself on the back for buying a flickable. OTOH, the 'wings looked like tapdancing elephants as they did figure-eights, two-up in the tight box. I was amazed. Josh, if you were a Navy Chief I'd have you order one of my PO1 friend to take the ERC. She needs it before she dumps her nice new Sporty 12. Beat Navy! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Glad to hear the course getting some props. I enjoyed taking it and felt like I had learned something valuable each time one of the skills learned saved my hide. Taught it for a few years since I thought it was so effective I wanted to share. Took the ERC on my M2 just after purchasing it, thought it would have the same turning radius as my GS500 since they had the same wheel base. Gave me the opportinity to drop it at a nice easy pace in a closed environment. Embarrasing. -Mike |
