well, it must depend a lot on the instructor, then. Because, quite frankly, I see a lot, and I mean a whole lot, of new riders (it's obvious) out there, that have no clue, and look to be a danger to themselves, and anybody else riding with them.

All one has to do (other than just observing the riders on the road)to verify this is to read these boards. There isn't a week goes by that you can't read on at least 1 of the more popular board about some new rider crashing.

Sorry, but a new diploma and a few hours out in a parking lot doesn't get it done.

Flame away. I'm wearing kevlar chaps.

 

Why would we flame? You haven't stated anything but the truth.

 

Eric - I actually agree with you. As I said, they are still beginners and lack experience. And there is only one way to get it... RIDE

 

I purchased a brand new bike in late June and let it sit in the garage until I passed the MSF course ("graduated" two weeks ago). I don't know about your previous experience, but I had zero...zilch...nothin'! Never even had a manual transmission car! Anyway, I resisted the temptation to "practice" and am all the better for it. Going in with a "clean slate," I was able to more easily absorb everything the instructors were teaching me. Now, of course, there's much more practicing to be done, but, believe me, you'll learn loads of information--from basic operating techniques to potentially life-saving maneuvers. Bottom line--it's worth the wait!!!

Good luck. I think I'm pretty much in the same boat as you UC, probably with a lot of the sameconcerns. While this forum is definitely your best bet for advice in the meantime, your more than welcome tomessage me--a newbie"kindred spirit"--with any beginner's questions you might have.

 

unfortunately, there is so much more traffic now, than when a lot of us learned (I also learned in the mid 60s, out in the countryside), that it's much more dangerous.

 

Yes, this is true, but wouldn't ya want the new guy that is sharing the road with YOU, to have a few tried and true skillful techniques, tought be skilled professionals,for his experience(however short), as opposed to his own, selftought, off road lack of skills??

I personally recomend an MSF, or the equivalent, to new riders , JMO........ that, and an empty parking lot

 

There are two kinds of "experience"; the experience of practicing the wrong techniques and the experience of practicing the right techniques. The MSF course simply gives you the necessary tools to practice using the right techniques.

 

that's my point , what better ones to practice , and learn to apply in practical experience on the road.

LG

With a whoppin' 3 season's of experience, I still practice my skills............. EVERY TIME I RIDE!!

 

Thanks Ladyglide. As an MSF (and Rider's Edge) instructor here in the Houston area, it gets a little frustrating when people refer to an MSFclass as "parking lot" instruction. Whatwouldpeople suggestwe do? Take the students out on Interstate 10 and make them practice passing 18 wheelers? If our sons/daughters were learning how to ride, where would we want them to practice? On a parking lot of course. It's really a very simple concept. Learn and practice the techniques in the "parking lot" (class) and apply them on the road (real life).

 

I don't know when they started. I was never aware of them till around 1994. I learned by the "fall down method" back in the 40's