Originally Posted by Plow64

IMO, the best approach to learning how to ride is the stair-step approach: start out on the small bikes and work you're way up to the bigger bikes. There are lessons to be learned on smaller bikes that, if not mastered, could prove disasterous on larger bikes. I'm convinced if you start out on a large bike without having "paid your dues" on smaller bikes first, that you will never achieve full mastery of your machine. Just my opinion, and I make no claim of having mastered every facet of riding. There's always room for improvement.

Originally Posted by JWD

Not that I disagree with the course, I encourage new riders to take it. But, I have two people in my neighborhood that went through the course this spring. One rides 2-3 times a week, the other maybe once a week, Rode with them both month and half ago, short ride to a bike night, neither were close to confident.

Last weekend our group went on a short 50 mile 1 way ride back country roads, thought the newbies would be ready, invited them.

For the duration of the trip neither one could keep up, we waited for them all afternoon, main group took it very easy never over 50 mph.

At the end of the day when we asked why they travled so slow they both stated they were scared of the curves, deer as it was country roads and other animals coming into the road!

Now I'm not sure what they taught them in class but they are clearly scared to death of the enviroment around them.

Do they take safety to the extreme and scare the living **** out of them to the point they go so slow they're a danger on the roads?

Originally Posted by Guitarfinder

I rode for years and then took about a 5 year break. I decide to take the MSF course to get my chops back before riding again. I was the only person in the class with experience AND the only person who had NOT purchased a Harley at the time the class was in session. I thought "this is crazy" some of the people had no business riding , let alone a big , heavy Harley. CRAZY

Originally Posted by BiggDogg

Yeah, i recently went on a group test ride at an indian dealer near me and i'd say about half the riders didnt know how to handle the bikes. of course they were all decked out in fresh new harley attire. I could never see myself doing a big rally.