Motorcycle Training in the USA?

[storysunfolding]

In Va it's possible for a 17 year old to ride a haybusa with no training and taking a test where they don't go over 14 mph.

[Jake-Suzuki GSXR 750 K7]

storysunfolding, Didnt really understand that last post. Do u mean a 17 year old can ride a hayabusa as long as they dnt go over 14mph?

Jake.

[storysunfolding]

Sorry. They have to take a test to get their license where they don't have to go over 14 mph. After they get the license they can ride anything street legal. You'd be hard pressed to find one going under 14 though

[big_ry_ry]

Yes you can be 16 with a learner permit and drive a hyabusa. There is no power limit in NY. The only restrictions are permit must be accompanied by a licensed driver and if you are licensed at ages 16-18 there are limited hours of riding..

Here is the restricitons of the dmv website they are the same for a car and a motorcycle.

http://www.nysdmv.com/broch/c41.htm

[Flting Duck]

In the US is pretty much boils down to spending money. If you pay MSF to teach you some minimal skills, they'll go out of their way to pass you. And you can go get a license after mastering parking lot drills on a little bike. Then go pay $xx for your endorsement and hop on your Busa.

(Im not dissing MSF. The instructors are comiitted to doing what they can in a limited timeframe and at least it's better than people teaching themsleves - which is how I did it back when I started riding. The training MSF provides is A LOT better than nothing.)

IT's the same way with scuba diving. In the US, you can take a PADI course, pass a written test or two, take 4 dives - abnd you can then go and rent all the euipment you need to kill yourself. From the European divers I've met, I understand that it's a graudated training/experience type system.




Why do people NEED to be taught countersteering? Did someone teach you countersterring on a bicycle? Nope, your brain figured it out all by itself. And given that being able to ride a bike is a prereq for MSF....

I imagine that for many people, actually thinking about countersteering instead of "just doing it" puts more junk to think about in their heads and distracts them while riding. Just my .02

[Jake-Suzuki GSXR 750 K7]

Oh right well the fact that people can ride anything with a permit with any power like a hayabusa at 17 shocks me. Its amazing how different the laws are from two powerful nations.

No wonder i got alot of people saying dong get the 750 for a first bike, i didnt realise in america you can ride it unrestricted. I quite happy with the restriction though, allows me to learn safely .

About the time restrictions, why is that then? i dont really understand why you can ride at certain times .

Jake.

[big_ry_ry]

Under 18 you are not considered an adult so from 9pm-6am they have to ride with family or they can not ride at all unless coming home from work with a note from your employer. also most accidents happen at night so they are trying to limit the accidents.

Also people don't realize that most of NYS is farm/forest. We have a lot of deer that like to play at night so that could be another reason..

[storysunfolding]

If you pay MSF to teach you some minimal skills, they'll go out of their way to pass you.

That's not the way I've seen it run. Once we have your money, we don't care what happens. I'm your best buddy all weekend but a real screw during the eval.

Anyway- in Va we have 5 levels of MSF training and hopefully we'll be adding an on road course, a 3 wheeled course and maybe if they find a way to not totally rip off the Total Control ARC, and advanced cornering course.

Once you pass the BRC we remind everyone that each bike handles differently and they need to practice our lessons on their own bike. They aren't ready for riding on the street, though granted they are legally allowed to do just that (the license waiver is the carrot for getting them there). Oh, and of all the m/c deaths in Va last year none of the riders had been in a MSF course.

Oh and the MSF only requires to to be able to balance a bike, not ride it

IT's the same way with scuba diving. In the US, you can take a PADI course, pass a written test or two, take 4 dives - abnd you can then go and rent all the euipment you need to kill yourself. From the European divers I've met, I understand that it's a graudated training/experience type system.

It's not government regulated in the U.S., just a gentlemans agreement between trainers, shops and boat operators. They don't want anyone dying with their stuff b/c of lack of training. That said, many of them will rent equipment to people who have "lost" their card. And don't get me started on SSI training- what a rip

I imagine that for many people, actually thinking about countersteering instead of "just doing it" puts more junk to think about in their heads and distracts them while riding. Just my .02

Keith code said it right in twist of the wrist and sorry for paraphrasing but I don't have the exact quote- you can learn all the physics, you can figure it out in it's entirety but if you really know it then you understand that it all boils down to one simple thing. Press left go left, press right go right

[Brackstone]

Why do people NEED to be taught countersteering? Did someone teach you countersterring on a bicycle? Nope, your brain figured it out all by itself. And given that being able to ride a bike is a prereq for MSF....

I imagine that for many people, actually thinking about countersteering instead of "just doing it" puts more junk to think about in their heads and distracts them while riding. Just my .02

At my MSF course there were many people who could not figure out counter steering.

[Fast Eddy B]

Why do people NEED to be taught countersteering? Did someone teach you countersterring on a bicycle? Nope, your brain figured it out all by itself. And given that being able to ride a bike is a prereq for MSF....

I imagine that for many people, actually thinking about countersteering instead of "just doing it" puts more junk to think about in their heads and distracts them while riding. Just my .02

Having spent considerable time and money to get my full license, I feel comfortable on busy roads on a motorbike. The two things I think I need to work on are

1. emergency stops...really getting that front tire to squish down, and not lock up the rear

2. obstacle avoidance, while consciously countersteering.

I'm thinking that track based training might be better for this kind of work.


But up til now, no. No need to talk countersteering, it just happens doesn't it.