SuzukiSavage.com - Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Course?

Jive--FSO Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Posts: 80 Beckley, WV	Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Course? 08/05/10 at 07:56:48 I am taking it the weekend of Aug. 27th, and was wondering what to expect. The one person I know that has taken it said it was well worth the time and money, and he took it after being a rider for years. Jive
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babyhog

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #1 - 08/05/10 at 08:04:17

Definitely worth it, IMO. Most will agree, a small few will disagree.

What to expect? Mine was a loooonng weekend. Friday evening (classroom), Saturday all day (1/2 classroom-1/2 course), 1/2 day on Sunday-(on the course, then test). They start slow and build you and your confidence gradually. Take it slow. Listen to what they say. Many things to learn. Participate in the discussions! The more active you are, the more you will get out of it!

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Stimpy - FSO

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #2 - 08/05/10 at 08:19:29

I have, yup worth it, go for it!
(weekend course? how many hours?)

Expect a bit of classroom activities and a fun day out with a bunch of
people that are worse than you and a couple of tutors that are trying
to be serious while trying not to laugh at the lot of you. Take a
gatorade.

- course practical, theorical & technical, get local laws & tips
- learn your strenghts and weakneses by observing others and yourself.
- precision-slow riding is harder than you think, learn how to quickly react.
- learn to COORDINATE!!
- statistics don't lie, accidents always happen in similar ways,
learn about common mistakes and bad situations.
- make friends/contacts to ride/repair your bikes with.

- after the course continue to learn online, there are lots of free
motorcycle safety courses and tutorials available, good luck.

- oh, and DON'T think you can ride after the course, it takes many
years, dozens of different bikes, roads and situations and thousands
and thousands and thousands of miles to even become a mid-experienced
rider, always know your skill limits and in the future sign up for a
''track day'', it's not the cheapest but you'll thank me later for it.

Have fun and take some pictures for us will ya? Wink

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gerald.hughes Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline FSO Posts: 1100 Tucson, Az Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #3 - 08/05/10 at 08:22:18 I took my first class after riding for about 25 years. I was amazed at how much I learned. I have retaken the advanced course every three or four years since, just to unlearn bad habits and stay sharp. Highly recommended.
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Tanker2Biker

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #4 - 08/05/10 at 08:37:38

Course is mandatory in Texas, although I did not know that when I took it. I just thought it made sense to get some instruction before I tried it.

Found the couse extremley instuctive, and fun as well. I took it on a Thursday-Friday. Both days 1/2 day in class; 1/2 day on the range.

When I was done, I was absoulutley fully qualified to handle whatever happened to me riding 10 MPH in an empty parking lot Wink

. But it did get me to a point where I could start on low traffic neighboorhod roads and start getting the experience it takes to be safe and able on the road.

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mornhm - FSO Serious Thumper Offline HMMM Posts: 1105 Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #5 - 08/05/10 at 08:38:53 I've taken the basic course and the advanced course and would recommend both.
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PerrydaSavage Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Riding "The Rock"! Posts: 3522 Republic of Newfoundland Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #6 - 08/05/10 at 08:40:33 The Canadian equivalent of the American MSF Course is called "Gearing Up" and is offered in all Provinces by various afiliates of the Canada Safety Council. I took the Course here in Nfld. back in 2003 and am now in my 3rd Season as a certified MTP (Motorcycle Training Program) Instructor.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28765 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #7 - 08/05/10 at 09:11:01 expect it to be hot, take a cooler of liquid refreshment, sunscreen, be prepared to be drenched. yes it's worth it. if you can't handle the course, biking ain't for you. The real world is worse.
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Jive--FSO Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Posts: 80 Beckley, WV	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #8 - 08/05/10 at 09:38:30 Ill be sure and post pics. Love yer avatar Verslagen, is that from JG 400?
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PBLover

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #9 - 08/05/10 at 10:13:50

Ditto on everything said. I rode years ago, but after 20+ without riding decided to take the course before giving it another go and have never regretted it. Learned a lot of useful tips too! Have fun and don't forget your rain gear. My entire weekend was outside in the rain with temps in the high 30's and low 40's and gusty winds last November in Minnesota...

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28765 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #10 - 08/05/10 at 10:32:20 Jive--FSO wrote on 08/05/10 at 09:38:30: Ill be sure and post pics. Love yer avatar Verslagen, is that from JG 400? Not sure which group, but featured on the me163, a hot little rocket plane.
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kimchris1

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #11 - 08/05/10 at 11:06:01

My class consisted of two full days. The first 1/2 was class room and the 2nd 1/2 was course. We had to have all our gear and I would suggest you get a good nights rest the night before.

My advice would be go in with an open mind. Don't think you already know more than the instructor.
Their was a person in my class who thought that and once he dumped his bike in front of everyone he settled down.

Good luck and keep us posted..

kim

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JohnBoy Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 825 Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #12 - 08/05/10 at 11:27:49 I rode for years before taking the course. I still learned things. Go for it!
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Jive--FSO

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #13 - 08/05/10 at 11:33:01

Verslagen, the Komet is one of my favorite aircraft. I try to go up once a year to the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH to visit the Komet there.

I'm excited about the class. I've been riding the back roads near my house, but that's about it. I'm hoping the class will help me be a bit more comfortable on the bike. I also fly r/c helicopters, and the only way I got more comfortable with those was more stick time. Like bikes, helis require 110% of your attention. I'm hoping the more time in saddle will help along with the class.

Jive

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LostArtist

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #14 - 08/05/10 at 13:31:47

I took it, hated it, but it's worth every penny and should be taken. I never felt comfortable on the bike being how it was my first time on a motorcycle and just felt discouraged the whole way through the course, but that'd s personal thing with me, still, learned a lot from the course and think it should be taken by riders before a license test, which is now the law in texas that you have to get an endorsement from an MSF class before you get a riders permit.

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