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

Charon

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #15 - 08/05/10 at 14:10:37

I took the Motorcycle Safety Course many years ago while I was still in the Air Force, and after having ridden for many years. Even so, I managed to learn some things and was refreshed on others. Best of all, AF even paid for the course. Since then both my wife and my daughter have taken the course, and both thought it worth while.

I tried to take the Advanced course, but there was insufficient interest and it was cancelled. I tried to talk some of my co-workers into taking it, knowing they were riders. The most succinct reaction: "I don't need no f*ing course. I know how to ride a f*ing motorcycle." Those unwilling to learn...

I also took Kieth Code's Superbike course, and that was informative on a completely different level. Also worth the money.

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« Last Edit: 08/05/10 at 17:04:23 by Charon »

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #16 - 08/05/10 at 15:54:03 Best way to learn anything is OJT.
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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 #17 - 08/05/10 at 16:23:44 OJT?
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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #18 - 08/05/10 at 16:34:23 OJT On the job training Like riding the bike.
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Charon Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 1811 Harvard, NE Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #19 - 08/05/10 at 16:43:09 Bill already knows how to ride a motorcycle. He taught himself, so of course he is an expert. He is our resident nay-sayer concerning the Motorcycle Safety Course. He firmly believes MSF cannot teach him anything about motorcycling. And, with that attitude, he is probably correct.
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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #20 - 08/05/10 at 16:49:13 So far on here I read one girl broke her leg and another her arm in those motorcycle safety courses,Doesn't sound to safety to me.
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Charon Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 1811 Harvard, NE Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #21 - 08/05/10 at 16:55:11 That is a pretty weak statistical sample. Two injuries sounds bad, but how many were not injured? Without the "Rest of the Story" it's a mighty weak case.
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bill67

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #22 - 08/05/10 at 17:01:43

Charon wrote on 08/05/10 at 16:55:11:

That is a pretty weak statistical sample. Two injuries sounds bad, but how many were not injured? Without the "Rest of the Story" it's a mighty weak case.

One story on one girl it was raining,I would have to say the instructor was pretty stupid,To let a beginner ride in the rain.

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PBLover

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #23 - 08/05/10 at 18:16:11

It was raining and COLD when I took my course. We all voted to go ahead versus canceling. Best thing I ever did. It was miserable and slippery but I learned how to balance, keep myself upright when the wheels locked up in a slide on the wet pavement and too many other things to name. Only person to fall ended up being the instructor when he stopped and turned at the same time...oops. We all had a great time and were very glad when it was over, but it was worth every single miserable minute we spent there!

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #24 - 08/05/10 at 18:26:47 I believe the instructor falling.
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verslagen1

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #25 - 08/05/10 at 18:38:58

bill67 wrote on 08/05/10 at 16:49:13:

So far on here I read one girl broke her leg and another her arm in those motorcycle safety courses,Doesn't sound to safety to me.

I believe one was (not seriously) injured in my class. Needless to say, they didn't finish the class. Thank dog (for you dyslexics)
Who decides who takes the class... the student.
do they take a preliminary test before taking the class... no.
If they can't even ride a bike they don't deserve to take the class.

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runwyrlph

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #26 - 08/05/10 at 19:10:46

My opinions- based on my experience:

if you're already riding, maybe take the "advanced riders course" at least that's what they call it in PA.

You take your own bike, they assume you know how to start it and operate the controls. it is 2 - 3 nights or all day saturday.

i totally agree it doesn't make you a "rider" but it does help. You get some tips from other people's " hard knocks" without as much risk. (you don't always survive otj on a motorcycle)

You're forced to practice some operations you might have been trying to avoid in "real life", lilke turning real slow in a tight space....easy to avoid on your commute most days Wink

You will almost definitely be a better rider after the course than before.

Also read "Total Control" by Lee Parks (ignore the religious parts), and "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough.

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Skid Mark Serious Thumper Offline FSO Posts: 1216 Calgary, Alberta Gender:	Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Reply #27 - 08/05/10 at 19:14:18 Have never taken a course, but when I started there was a lot less traffic and I was in a small rural town. If I was to start from scratch now, there would be no doubt about taking a course. Its the smart thing to do.
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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 #28 - 08/05/10 at 22:15:41 Just wanted to say that I read the "Idiots Guide to Motorcycles" and found it very informative, with a lot of good info. Jive
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Angie

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Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours
Reply #29 - 08/06/10 at 05:25:56

I took the course and it was definately worth the time and money. Gave me lots of good info and some time on a small bike to get a bit more of a feel for it. Im still learning, and by no means does this class make up for seat time. But its a good start thats for sure. I took the class in late Oct, and in fact it was snowing during our riding evaluation. Burr!! Being the only woman in the class I thought I'd feel uncomfortable but I really didnt, and in fact ended up with a "score" about in the middle of the pack. Nothing but experience can teach you everything about riding, but its a good idea to start out as best informed as you can. Here in Iowa, you also get a discount on your insurance if you take this class. Wink

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