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Message started by steelwolf on 06/09/06 at 19:38:43

Title: Better late than never
Post by steelwolf on 06/09/06 at 19:38:43

I started my MSF course today. Mostly for the general benefit of the class but the insurance break will be nice too. We ride tomarrow. I'll ride my bike to class but the 250s they use for the class are gonna get a work out while the Savage watches from a safe, shady, far away distance. 3 or 4 of the people in the class have never been on a bike at all and at least 1 of them has no time with a standard shift of any kind. "LOOK OUT"! ;D I wish them all well. It's gonna ba a long day. ;)

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by Jagndeke on 06/10/06 at 02:20:59

Don't forget to take your camera along. Should be lots of "unique" photo opportunities. ;D ;)

I also thought about taking a course up here in Ontario, Canada but the course costs $500 and there's no real insurance break for those who complete it. At least not a significant enough break that provides "payback" in any reasonable amount of time. I've been riding since I got my first dirt bike at 13 and since I'm now past the 40 barrier, I figure all my bad habits are ingrained in my DNA!!!

My wife on the other hand who wants to learn to ride a bike is in the category of having never driven a bike and never driven a stick shift auto. She'll definately be taking the course. Heaven help those poor souls who turn their back on her while she's riding around!!! :o :D

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by WKD on 06/10/06 at 04:03:12

Hey Jagndeke-
I would have to disagree with you there, (although in your case it is different) with a new rider young or old like myself the Insurance broker told me that it would be about double the cost without a course.

I highly recommend RTI for your wife they have smaller classed than the Colleges and the price this year was $335. I took mine in Guelph, Ont. and there was a 5 to 1 ratio and only 15 total in the whole class. The bikes are a little abused but then again what do you expect ;).

The other nice thing is they have different styles of bikes so she can try each one and get a feel for handling different bikes. I found that this made it easier to ride my Savage for some reason.

Here is the link if you want to check them out:

http://www.ridertraining.ca/

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by Lion on 06/10/06 at 04:50:01

When I was at the bike course there was a student guy who was driving bikes for 15 years at that time without license :D We practiced on 400cc Suzuki Bandits and the guy arrived with his 1000cc Kawasaki ;D He told me he was bored to fear the cops so he wanted an official paper...

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by Jagndeke on 06/10/06 at 07:06:54

WKD wrote:

Good point WKD. Didn't mean to generalize. I was referring to my particular situation.

I never checked into insurance costs for my wife yet but I will. I would be surpirsed if there isn't a hefty discount for her to take the training program given that she is (or will be) a first time driver. Even if there isn't, she needs the training anyway. I want her to be as prepared as possible before she gots on the open road with a bike.

Thanks for the link.

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by starmom on 06/10/06 at 17:51:24

I am a 44 y.o. woman that had never driven a standard ever!

I took lessons from a woman that teaches the motorcycye safety course, due to my work/family schedule private lessons was my best bet!

Im a natural, and the lack of experience with a standard made no difference, its just a matter of practice.

I did 5 private lessons of a few hours each took my road test in NY, and passed with flying colors!

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by steelwolf on 06/10/06 at 18:19:54

Well my camera is in Illinois with my buddy at the Hog Rock rally so no pics. Sorry. There were really no major events today anyhow. One lady, not the one with no stick shift experience, dropped the Nighthawk she was on. Good bye to the left front turn signal. Then comming into the staging area she nearly runs over the other instructor. Other than a certain Savage owner getting the "shaking finger" from the instructor for trying to drag the pegs off of their GZ250 in the corners it went kinda uneventfull. Well there was one guy who grabbed just a lillte too much of the front brake during the quick stops. He won't do that again. ;) Didn't go down but he thought he was. Eyes like this... :o.

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by Banger on 06/11/06 at 06:57:49

Ahh, memories.

I was 17 when I took the MSF. Finished second in the class, having never ridden a motorcycle more than a mile. (And even then it was a dirt bike around my old neighborhood.)

I can remember thinking it was near impossible for me to convince myself to lean that Nighthawk over far enough to scrape peg. Didn't ride one of the GZ250s.

Those Nighthawks are pretty fun, though...and well-suited to a six-foot rider, too. If only they'd put a freaking disc brake on the front, I might seriously consider buying a used beater. Hard to beat 75 mpg and that huge tank.

Be wary of the wagging finger!

Regards,
Banger
========

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by DianeS. on 06/11/06 at 12:17:10

Jagndeke & WKD:

I also hail from Ontario, Canada and did my MSC through the RTI at Seneca College's campus in King City last fall. It was great. Yes, I had ridden different vehicles as a teenager, but at the age of 42, I was a brand new motorcyclist. I liked the fact that there were only about 20 candidates, both male and female instructors, and different types of bikes to try out.

The course was very informative, and it allowed me to do the M1 exit test and get my M2 license quicker, than had I not taken the course. Then, if I take the next course, in 2007, I will be able to test for my full M and not wait the extra time. Besides, I'd rather do the full course, and get practice time and be tested by the instructors, than drive to a driver testing centre and be tested on the spot in unfamiliar circumstances.

I believe that I got a decent break on my motorcycle insurance as well - for taking the course.

Anyway, those are my views!

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by steelwolf on 06/11/06 at 18:09:49

Ok guys and girls start the applause. All 21 of us passed and yours truely scored a perfect on both the written and riding. 1 of 2 might I add. (proud but trying hard to be modest) The Savage's similarities in weight and manuverability to my GZ250 test bike made it a cake walk. Though the pegs on it are now a bit shorter without question. ;D The instructors were a super bunch of guys. I almost hated to leave there today. Almost. I didn't really learn anything "new" per say, but it did refresh alot of things that had started to get foggy. Had I been a new rider as a few of them there were, I'd say the class would have been very informative. Should anyone read this that has not taken the course, Do it. It is well worth the money and you may just learn something. I'm sure anyone else who has taken it will back me up on that. I made a few friends and maybe even a new riding buddy all the while spending 2 and a half days around motorcycles and people who like them as much as I do. All in all, a great time. I wish I had taken it years ago when I had my first bike. The bad habits I have now would have been much easier to overcome. You know, the "teaching an old dog" thing. ;)

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by DianeS. on 06/11/06 at 18:56:14

Steelwolf: Good for you!!!!

I would have scored a perfect on my test too - except that I apparently was 1/100th of a second too slow on one test - and the instructor told me that it was likely the stop watch - which may have made the difference. Yet, I didn't care - I had passed and done my best!!!!
(Plus I had done the course etc. all on my own - no one else in my family rides). Yahoo!

Anyway, glad you found the experience enjoyable!!!

Diane S

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by divecop on 06/11/06 at 21:36:27

Steelwolf: CONGRATS to YOU

I remember taking the course and how much fun I had...it was a great experience and wish it were mandatory for anyone under 21...it would help in my state for sure...

bk

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by GA_Wolf on 06/12/06 at 08:06:32

It seems every military base I was stationed wanted us to retake the MSF course to get a base sticker for my bike. Even after I retired and moved to GA I needed to take it again to get a fairly current card before they would let me get a sticker. I enjoy it, actually. Get to talk bikes and riding with newbies to old hands like myself and more importantly refreshes technique and helps break bad habits that form over time.

My wife took the MSF last year to learn to ride and get her license.

I almost wish they would make the course a requirement for all riders and cagers, even if they don't own a bike...maybe it would make the cagers a little more aware of bikes on the road.

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by bikingb on 06/12/06 at 08:33:27

I scored a perfect score on both the written and driving test in my MSF course last July. It was a great confidence booster.

Title: Re: Better late than never
Post by Jagndeke on 06/12/06 at 16:40:18

Congrats to steelwolf and bikingb on the successful completion of the course. Great stuff and happy and safe biking. 8)