I know by the time you graduate to the touring line you should be well versed in the way of the bike. Recently I started to think about going to a MSF course. I know it helps on insurance so sooner or later I will get my money back. Have any of you other "seasoned" riders went back and taken a MSF course? Was it worth it? From what I hear people like me with 20+ years on whips will get something out of it. Hey, I not the best rider ever. If there is something in one of these classes that will keep me alive, the class has my attention. Tell me your experiences.

 

I've taken some 12-15 MC courses over the years, everything from the original AMA safety course to the lowly MSF course, took something away from each, and if nothing else its a good reminder of things forgotten. Here in PA the MSF course isFREE to everyone. An additional dollar is added to the cost of all licenses that have a motorcycle endorsement which funds the program. Took it back in 2002 just as a refresher and because I couldn't attend the advanced riders course without having first taken the msf course.
So short answer is you never get too good to learn or be reminded

 

I'm taking the MSF class at the end of Aug. I cant wait. I have never owned a motorcycle of my own so I dont have alot of seat time. I been looking forward to this class for along time now.

 

My first bike is my roadie. The dealer threw in the riders edge course when I bought it. There were two guys that took it with their wife, They had the hardest time with a few things.

 

MSF was free in NJ when I took it too. It's free in NC too, my brother took it there. If you passed you got your license - no road test. I learned a lot met some cool people - if you have a few days to spare one weekend - do it.

 

Taken 2 MSF Courses... Well worth the time and $$$

 

I'll be starting my MSF next Wed... and look forward to it. I never realized that I had to graduate up to a touring... so just went and got what appealed to me (and still does)! What did I know.. .it just called to me from across the showroom floor!

 

Here in California its $235 for the class.

 

In AZ it's $100. for 5 hours looking forward to it.

 

I took it in October of 2006. Well worth the time and the money. I received my endorsement in 1979, thought I knew all about riding. Boy wasI wrong; I was doing everything wrong during those years.

I have come to the realization that the number of years one has been riding is not indicative of one's experience. It's the amount of total mileage one accumates during that time that's really impressive.Sure I can say I've been riding since 1979 but it's really been an on again off again routine over those years.The total miles I rode between 1979 and October 2005 was probably not more than 20,000 miles.

Let's jumpahead to October 2005when I purchased a new 2006 HD Road King. I’m still very surprised I didn’t kill myself in the first 6 months of owning this bike. There wasn't a day that went by that my confidence wasn't shaken some what.

After the MSF class everything changed. You're learn about target fixation, counter steering, braking in curves, and the use of the friction zone. You willbe riding over 2x4's to teach you how to ride over obstacles.I could go on and on. InsteadI attached a link to the MSF web sitehttp://www.msf-usa.org/.

Since purchasing the bike I have put over 20,000 miles on her in 21 months. That breaks down to about 240 miles a week. So far the coldest ride has been at 22 degrees and the hottest has been 102. The bike has turned into my daily driver. The only time I don't ride is when I raise the garage door and its raining or the roads are covered with salt, ice or snow.

Now thisis just my point of view: To be really proficient at riding a motorcycle you have got to be riding it all the time. Riding it just on the weekends when the weather is nice is not enough. Would you fly in an airplane with a pilotwho only flys on the weekends and only when the weather was clear. I don't think I would.

The only suggestion I would make is to'NOT' ride your biketo the class. Take the car. Depending on the outside temperature you will be tired by the time the class is over for the day. Take plenty of water to drink along with some snacks. Take your helment gloves, boots and rain gear. Rain or shine the class will go on. They gave our class a onehour break for lunch. One on each day. They allowed us to leave the building to get our lunch. The MSF BasicRider class will supply thebikes. Their size is 250cc's. It took me a good week to get back to being used to riding my 750lb Road King after riding the smaller bikes for two days.

My class wasbroken down intoapprox 4 hours of classroom instructionthen approx 4 hours on the road course the first day. The second day started with4-5 hours on the road course with testing, then finished up with another3 hoursin the classroom with the writtentest at the end. All the answers to the written test will be covered in the class. If you read the handbook and pay attention you will do fine. I had 12 people in my class 4 guys and 8 ladies. One of the guys didn't complete the course. He ran into the back of one of the ladies, droped the bike and skined up his elbow.He was walkedoff the course. But was allowed to finish the classroom stuff that day, then finish the road course later.

Have fun and enjoy the class.

daryl