MSF COURSE COMPLETE
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
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From: Connecticut
MSF COURSE COMPLETE
Completed the MSF course this weekend. It was the basic course and I think I learned a lot about evasive maneuvering and proper braking techniques, etc. Only wish I could have used my Sporty for at least half of the course.
Anyone take the basic course and then venture out on their real bike and find they are more confident and actually safer? I'm paranoid about running in traffic and merging on busy highways...
I'll see how I feel on my Monday commute...
Anyone take the basic course and then venture out on their real bike and find they are more confident and actually safer? I'm paranoid about running in traffic and merging on busy highways...
I'll see how I feel on my Monday commute...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo, NM
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
Congrats on completing the course!
I feel I'm a better driver too after taking the basic andthe ERC course. You may want to go back some time and take the ERC course since you do it on your own bike. It is pretty much the same course exceptfor a 1handed weave through the cones and doing some of the maneuvers at a little bit faster speed.
As far as more comfortable in traffic...that comfort comes with experience.1 class can't give you that, but it gives you some tools to stay safer.
I still go over to the practice range a couple times a year and run it. It is inthe school district soccer field parking lot and the course is painted there. So you can go practice any time the school isn't using the lot. Just a little bit harder to see though with no cones set up.
I feel I'm a better driver too after taking the basic andthe ERC course. You may want to go back some time and take the ERC course since you do it on your own bike. It is pretty much the same course exceptfor a 1handed weave through the cones and doing some of the maneuvers at a little bit faster speed.
As far as more comfortable in traffic...that comfort comes with experience.1 class can't give you that, but it gives you some tools to stay safer.
I still go over to the practice range a couple times a year and run it. It is inthe school district soccer field parking lot and the course is painted there. So you can go practice any time the school isn't using the lot. Just a little bit harder to see though with no cones set up.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: East Alton IL
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
I took mine on one of them Buells and then rode the buell to get my endorsement... I didnt like the Buell at all then drove to the Harley dealer and bought my ole 883C hopped on it and jumped right out into traffic no problems just gotta get out there and do it... hope to see ya out there soon
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
I really did learn a lot. What struck me was the bonding with the other riders - everyone coached each other along which was cool.
I plan to take the next course, and as you note, practice on the range when I can.
I hope the evasive manuevering techniques taught come natural to mein the real world when I need them.
I plan to take the next course, and as you note, practice on the range when I can.
I hope the evasive manuevering techniques taught come natural to mein the real world when I need them.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 6
From: Charlotte County FL
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
I took the course early last year riding the little bikes in class made me more confindent with doing the box turns before I took the course I was afraid of practicing them on my sporty, out of fear of dumping it. After the course I can do them with no problems on my sporty, thought after spending 2 days on a little 250 Suzuki my Sporty felt huge when I got back on it. Just riding in highway traffic just always assume no one sees you and keep safe distances, watch merging traffic and vehicles changing lanes. I don't know waht kind of roads you commute on but where I live the commuter traffic is barely safe to ride in a cage in. Too many driversin too much of a hurry talking on cell phones 3 lanes of cars tailgating at 80 mph just to risking on a bike.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
Yeah, U turns were very scary before the course - now I know technique after running them on the 250 CC Hondas they had.
My commute is mostly all secondary roads here in CT , with onlyabout 1 mile of 3 lane highway, with a scary merge to get on.
My commute is mostly all secondary roads here in CT , with onlyabout 1 mile of 3 lane highway, with a scary merge to get on.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Rock Hill, SC
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
I just finished my course this week also. Took the Riders Edge course at Charlotte Harley Davidson. They had a weekday course and gave me and my co-worker a great Military discount. It was a blast.
I thought the class was great and even though I used to ride allot 20 years ago. There were many "proper" techinques that I didn't practice and can only imagine how many riders out there that have plenty of ridingexpierience but never learned the proper techniques.Needless to say it was great to ride again after all of those years, and I am counting down the days till I get to cruise down to Alabama and pick up my '04 1200 on Memorial Day Weekend. (bike pic in sig) Good ole Dad is giving me his bike for my Birthday and he will be buying another one. Just a few more weeks. [8D]
I thought the class was great and even though I used to ride allot 20 years ago. There were many "proper" techinques that I didn't practice and can only imagine how many riders out there that have plenty of ridingexpierience but never learned the proper techniques.Needless to say it was great to ride again after all of those years, and I am counting down the days till I get to cruise down to Alabama and pick up my '04 1200 on Memorial Day Weekend. (bike pic in sig) Good ole Dad is giving me his bike for my Birthday and he will be buying another one. Just a few more weeks. [8D]
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
I know a number of 'long time riders' that have taken the MSF course here in my home state...
For one thing, here you receive your Motorcycle Cycle Endorsement after completing the course, so you don't have to take either the written or 'driving test' at the motor vehicle department. That's nice for guys that have let their endorsement expire for one reason or another.
Another thing is that you get an automatic 10% discount on your insurance after completing the Basic MSF Course. Some kind of state law through the insurance commission.
Plus it's also a good refresher course to refresh yourself with some of the basics you might have forgotten over the years.
For one thing, here you receive your Motorcycle Cycle Endorsement after completing the course, so you don't have to take either the written or 'driving test' at the motor vehicle department. That's nice for guys that have let their endorsement expire for one reason or another.
Another thing is that you get an automatic 10% discount on your insurance after completing the Basic MSF Course. Some kind of state law through the insurance commission.
Plus it's also a good refresher course to refresh yourself with some of the basics you might have forgotten over the years.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,608
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From:
RE: MSF COURSE COMPLETE
TESTFLYER - I took the class earlier this year. Prior to that I had never rode a bike. Been on the back of one; but never the driving force. Needless to say, I was very intimidated. I too learned alot from the class. I too purchased a 2005 883L. I love it!!! But I started out slowly by riding around my subdivision and local high school parking lot to develop the feel of my bike and practice handling it. I only ventured out into the real world road last week (I will only ride with my hubby in tow at this point and his bike is out of commission frequently - but thats a whole 'nother story). It was AWESOME!
Just take it slow. Find your pace and don't let anyone intimidate you into doing more than your comfort zone. Its better to besafe and trust your gut than to be a statistic.
Just take it slow. Find your pace and don't let anyone intimidate you into doing more than your comfort zone. Its better to besafe and trust your gut than to be a statistic.
