MSF Always full! Other options?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
MSF Always full! Other options?
I am a new rider with just 1100 miles under my belt on my '08 Nightster. I (feel) am very cautious and and aware of other drivers and I also feel that learning both in the twisties of WV and in the city has helped me mature in my riding quite well. (don't worry I make a concious effort to NOT get over-confident)
Although I feel good in my riding, I am afraid that I am missing crucial pointers so I want to take the MSF course. The problem is that they fill up as soon as they open so I can't get in and I feel, in the interest of safety, I should not wait 6 months to a year to be able to take one.
I rideoften and It seems like every day I teach myself something new. (or another vehicle not paying attention teaches me!) But I want to learn more fast because I don't wanna learn from a wreck! I also don't have any veteran riders to learn from or ride with.
You vets have any tips or options in lieu of the MSF to improve my riding and therefore safety. (beyond the obvious things like ride within you limits kinda stuff. I'm talking pointers that come out in MSFs or with years of experience)
Some of the things I know/ do:
-Turn myhead to look whereI amturning (a HUGE help help with all of the up/downhill hairpins we have here!).
-Use my hips to "swivel" and steer.
-Practice emergency braking....both on my own terms and others!!!!
-Constantly analyze what traffic is doing and in turn keep my self visible and with the most emergency options.
-basically all the stuff in the Learners manual
Although I feel good in my riding, I am afraid that I am missing crucial pointers so I want to take the MSF course. The problem is that they fill up as soon as they open so I can't get in and I feel, in the interest of safety, I should not wait 6 months to a year to be able to take one.
I rideoften and It seems like every day I teach myself something new. (or another vehicle not paying attention teaches me!) But I want to learn more fast because I don't wanna learn from a wreck! I also don't have any veteran riders to learn from or ride with.
You vets have any tips or options in lieu of the MSF to improve my riding and therefore safety. (beyond the obvious things like ride within you limits kinda stuff. I'm talking pointers that come out in MSFs or with years of experience)
Some of the things I know/ do:
-Turn myhead to look whereI amturning (a HUGE help help with all of the up/downhill hairpins we have here!).
-Use my hips to "swivel" and steer.
-Practice emergency braking....both on my own terms and others!!!!
-Constantly analyze what traffic is doing and in turn keep my self visible and with the most emergency options.
-basically all the stuff in the Learners manual
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
Use my hips to "swivel" and steer.
I'm not sure what you mean here, unless you are talking about low speed u-turns and you are shifting your weight to counter balance your bike.
Otherwise, you body should remain firmly seated. You steer a motorcycle by pressing on the handlebars--Press left and you will go left. Press right, and you will go right.
MSF classes are not "always full." Everyone taking one registered when they were not yet full. Get on the list !
Also, many courses will have students cancelling. Get on that list as well, and be prepared to drop everything else on a moments notice and get to class.
Check your Harley dealer as well, for the similar course offered through dealerships.
I'm not sure what you mean here, unless you are talking about low speed u-turns and you are shifting your weight to counter balance your bike.
Otherwise, you body should remain firmly seated. You steer a motorcycle by pressing on the handlebars--Press left and you will go left. Press right, and you will go right.
MSF classes are not "always full." Everyone taking one registered when they were not yet full. Get on the list !
Also, many courses will have students cancelling. Get on that list as well, and be prepared to drop everything else on a moments notice and get to class.
Check your Harley dealer as well, for the similar course offered through dealerships.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From:
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
When I took the MSF class it did fill up fast, but they allowed you to walk on at the begining of the coarse and if someone did not show up you were in. They also suggested watching the weather, because if it was raining or extremely hot the chances of someone not showing up was pretty high.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
Try waiting for the fall or winter (if able to in your area). It's Spring, and everyone is trying to get into the classes and ride. It's like trying to take a Hunter Education course in October. Darn near impossible to get in if you wait until the last minute.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 1
From: Texas
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
Check local dealers for similar classes.
Local colleges also have them sometimes.
Get on the waiting list for possible cancellations.
Find a bike night event or other motorcycle event in the area and ask people if there are other course locations.
Also, the MSF has a web site with a lot of helpful tips on it.
http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm...rCourse%20Info
Charleston DMV http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/Dmv...safety_brc.htm
Basic Rider Coursein Alexandria: http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/moto/BRC.htm
If you get your license you could do this: http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/moto/Intermediate.htm
Just a few thoughts.
Local colleges also have them sometimes.
Get on the waiting list for possible cancellations.
Find a bike night event or other motorcycle event in the area and ask people if there are other course locations.
Also, the MSF has a web site with a lot of helpful tips on it.
http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm...rCourse%20Info
Charleston DMV http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/Dmv...safety_brc.htm
Basic Rider Coursein Alexandria: http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/moto/BRC.htm
If you get your license you could do this: http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/moto/Intermediate.htm
Just a few thoughts.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
Actually, if he's in the parts of WV near Washington DC, the classes do fill up quite early, most of the time within a week of them opening registration for the year.
The walk on idea may work, I haven't tried it since my wife was lucky enough to get enrolled in Northern Virginia early. Rider's Edge is an option as well and you can also get the Ride Like a Pro video. I think someone else on here mentioned that you can get a discount if you mention HDForums when you order the video.
Have you checked all the local area colleges? Most of the community colleges will offer the course but it is not widely advertised.
The walk on idea may work, I haven't tried it since my wife was lucky enough to get enrolled in Northern Virginia early. Rider's Edge is an option as well and you can also get the Ride Like a Pro video. I think someone else on here mentioned that you can get a discount if you mention HDForums when you order the video.
Have you checked all the local area colleges? Most of the community colleges will offer the course but it is not widely advertised.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 1
From: Texas
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
One of the links I posted was for Norhtern Virginia Community College:
http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/moto/BRC.htm
There may be others too.
http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/moto/BRC.htm
There may be others too.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
From: Southern Arizona
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
+1 for the Rider's Edge course at your local Dealer, also you may want to invest in a couple of DVD's: "Surviving the Mean Streets" & "Ride Like a Pro" They are both available at: http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Ride safe,
Lures
Ride safe,
Lures
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
RE: MSF Always full! Other options?
I'm not sure what you mean here, unless you are talking about low speed u-turns and you are shifting your weight to counter balance your bike.
Otherwise, you body should remain firmly seated. You steer a motorcycle by pressing on the handlebars--Press left and you will go left. Press right, and you will go right.
Otherwise, you body should remain firmly seated. You steer a motorcycle by pressing on the handlebars--Press left and you will go left. Press right, and you will go right.
Maybe "swivel" is a bad way to put it. I heard someone phrase it that way it it seemed to make sense. I am firmly seated....I guess it is more like feeling the lean into a turn through the seat of your pants. I don't know how else to put it. But when I am in the twisties I can tell when I am doing it and when I am not. When I am not, it is obviously not right.
MSF classes are not "always full." Everyone taking one registered when they were not yet full. Get on the list !
Plus I don't see anything like a waiting list on the site.........and I've talked to my dealer and they have said nothing about any sort of courses......
I've thought about the walk-on but it is kinda far away....then again it is a good excuse for a ride!
Thanks for all the good feedback so far guys!!