Beginner Riding Course for the Experienced.

[cb360]

It's crazy how much the price varies from state to state and country to country. In Washington you can pay $100 if you wait for the subsidized class or pay $300 if you want to get in quick. I got lucky and got in standby for the $100 class and got off relatively cheap. It's less than $100 in some states.

[Wizzard]

Here where I live in Cali , it was almost $200.00 USD and worth every ¢ .
I was aware that I had a life time of bad habits and I was right .
Not only did I learn a great deal , I had the time of my life . It was great watching brand new riders get skilled in the 2 days of riding time . We had several that had never been on a bike before and only 1 dropped out and didn't finish . I think her fear of falling was greater than her desire to learn .
Kind regards, Wizzard

[Ladymx]

Here there is an advanced course, which isnt a racing course, but it was great to take after so many years of riding to sharpen up on some skills and get rid of some bad habits which come from years of laziness in riding. Was the best money i spent next to the basic riding course.

[Itzamna]

It's funny you guys pay so much. The course here is $25, then it is refunded upon showing up to the class. Or maybe it's $50 and $25 refunded. Either way very, very cheap.

[Buelligan]

$400? The course here is closer to $800, (As this is considered continuing education at least the $800 was tax deductable) it included 3 evening classes at the local college, then 2 days learning to manuever the bikes in a large parking lot, at the end of which we did the first part of the required Motorcycle test. The last 2 days were on the road, these were just too much fun.

The school provided the bike, which was good because at the time I didn't own a bike, and I also managed to drop theirs I also got the opportunity to ride some different bikes which helped me decide on the type of bike to purchase.

I plan to take an advanced course next year.

[NORTY]

I hestitate taking a course because they'd probably make a fool of me. I can hear it now, "How did you survive for 27 years without knowing a thing!" Answer: Dang if I know!

[Randy]

I am with Norty, except I have only been going for a couple of years. I did take and pass the MSF course, but now I am scared to look like an idiot.

[Flite]

The first MSF course I took was the experienced rider course, back in 1997. I had already been riding my Interceptor a few years when I arrived at my first duty station and I was required to take an MSF class. Interestingly, after selling that bike, and being without for a couple years, when I bought my R1, I couldn't find my MSF card, and was thus required to take another MSF class. Only this time, their rules had changed and regardless of years experience or miles ridden, they wouldn't allow us to sign up for the experienced course without first taking the Basic course. So here I am looking silly with the following on my motorcycle safety training log:
Experienced Rider Course: October 1997
Basic Rider Course: April 2003

(and I have since found the original MSF card, so I've even got both of them.)

[Runswalking]

Super write up. But 1 thing nobody mentioned is using the rear brake in slow manuvers. Yes any bike can be ridden thru the course including the U turn box, if the rider uses the rear brake to trail with.

Most sportbike riders I talk to don't use or use very little their rear brake. For slow speed work I consider it a must, tickle the throttle and trail the brake. Then you can make tight, leaned turns and not collaspe. I can zip thru the box on a ZX10 R with no problem. MSF teaches counterweighting also, but that, from my experience coaching the BRC is a tuff sell. Easier in the ERC.

There is a New Experienced Rider Course this yr.

[sapaul]

Super write up. But 1 thing nobody mentioned is using the rear brake in slow manuvers. Yes any bike can be ridden thru the course including the U turn box, if the rider uses the rear brake to trail with.

Most sportbike riders I talk to don't use or use very little their rear brake. For slow speed work I consider it a must, tickle the throttle and trail the brake. Then you can make tight, leaned turns and not collaspe. I can zip thru the box on a ZX10 R with no problem. MSF teaches counterweighting also, but that, from my experience coaching the BRC is a tuff sell. Easier in the ERC.

There is a New Experienced Rider Course this yr.

I was taught this one one of my courses, keep the throttle constant and use the rear brake as your speed control, works really well.

Great write up Tech, and for those that feel embarresed, don't be. I often go on courses because I feel that I am getting older and want experiance and knowledge to replace reaction speed. I can honestly say that I have learned something even if I have done the couse before.

In SA we do not have an MSF, we have to buy our own courses and we have several to choose from. The BMW acadamy does excellent ones and I do at least one refresher per year. What is really good is that on our organised track days the first two hours are spent with every rider doing what is taught on the beginner course. Regardless of experiance we all have to do swerves, emergency stop, stop and go, figure eight and so on.

The track days we have are brilliant, they are broken up into four classes. A,B,C,D. A being experianed riders and racers, B for intermediate and C for beginners. D is the special class for pillion riders. Instructors follow us around the track and then give us advice and we also have instructors giving classroom lecture in between track time. My avatar was taken at a track day.

Please please please, if you get the opportunity to train, do it.