Rentals and Practice Range?

[NYSubway18]

OK, I am completely new to this. I took the MSF class over the weekend - but missed out on passing the road test by 1 point. Just never felt like there was a chance to get a feel for the bike. I was really learning from scratch - I didn't even know where any of the controls were before I got there. So I had to use a lot of energy focusing on every detail - Anyway, It was get on the bike do an exercise and then off and wait a while before quickly on to the next. Never was on the bike and moving for more than a couple minutes at a time. Throughout both days, I just kept wishing they would give us 10 minutes to just ride around a little to get a feel for the bike. Didn't happen. Out of 12 people in the class only 5 passed the road test portion - and 4 of them had previously ridden with 3 of them already having bikes. So much for this class being for a complete newbie. They just kept telling us how much easier the DMV test was - and that they were much tougher, but of course I can drive an hour and a half back up there within the next 30 days and re-take it. But, how do I get better before then?

Are there any places that rent bikes and have a parking lot or practice range that I could just ride for an hour or so? I live in Westchester, NY - about 35 minutes north of New York City. I know if I could just get a little time on a bike I'll have no problem at all passing the test so I could move on and get the real practice under way. I really just want to get some time on a bike. Any suggestions?

[jmillheiser]

Sounds like your instructors weren't very good. I also learned from scratch this september at the MSF course. They taught me everything and we had plenty of time to practice. Everyone in my class of 12 passed the road test.

NY is all private MSF courses iirc? Might look for a different place to take the course if you have to drop the cash again.

Wyoming MSF is only $15 too which is nice.

[josowsky]

I took the MSF course a while back in Yonkers, by and large the instructors were cool and helpful. What I would recomend is taking a private lesson with one of them immediately prior to doing the test over again. I don't know how the re-tests work, but each type of bike rides and feels a little different, which ends up being a bigger deal as a new rider. If you could spend 30 - 60 min on the bike prior to taking the test, you'd get more experience on a bike and probably have an easier time with the test to boot.
good luck,
jon

[Loonette]

I would definitely write and complain to the MSF organization. The fact that only five of the 12 passed is a sure sign that the instructors have done something wrong. The program overall is very good - same as others, I started from scratch, and passed only missing 2 points. I really think the instructors you had should at least be called to task on this.

Usually the only rentals available are through Harley dealerships. Practicing on a Sportster would be beneficial - I think they're pretty easy to handle. But... you'll need to have a motorcycle license - not just a learner's permit. So there is a big problem - I don't think it would even be an option for you.

Aside of knowing someone who is willing to let you borrow their bike, you might end up having to take another class. Or... if you're confident enough in your ability to pass the test, you might have to go ahead and buy a good, used starter bike. I know it's a tough situation for you. It's disappointing that the MSF instructors did such a poor job with the class overall. Let us know what happens.

Cheers,
Loonette

[Mag7C]

I'd take it elsewhere. When I did it they had us ride around in a big oval and then figure-8 around the lot for quite a while after teaching all the controls and before any of the skill drills. Our class only had 2 fails, but the instructors just had them retake the failed portion afterwards and they passed. You should find somewhere else to take it where they do it right.

[cb360]

We had a couple of fails in my class in Seattle, but hell, they dropped their bikes. We had plenty of time to practice on both road days. And we had lots of warm up time prior to getting graded with multiple attempts before the test. What you experienced doesn't sound like standard procedure to me. Maybe the instructors were feeling lazy and decided to take shortcuts that day? If your accounting is accurate it doesn't sound like they followed their own rules to me.

[basshole]

I have my final MSF road session and test this Sunday. My first was last Sunday and we we're on the bikes almost non-stop. We had three 10 minute breaks. We even rode most of the class in the rain which I feel made it a bit better. The instructors did a good job of explaining the drills and then showing them to us. No falls in our class and only recall a couple of people even putting a foot down. The bike we're a piece of junk but that's what I expected.

[jmillheiser]

We had 3 drops in my MSF course (I was one of em). Everyone passed though. Most of the cruiser riders put a foot down in the figure 8. Me and the other dual sport rider had the nicest figure 8s with neither of us putting a foot down. I passed with only 6 points off (5 points for too slow into corner, 1 point for looking down in the same turn).

We had lots of time to practice before the test and got a good 10-15 minutes to practice each new technique.

[Shiv]

We had 4 drops I believe. Three of them by me

I just suck at braking. Did them early on, none towards the end though so I guess it's all good.

Regardless, everyone in my group of 12 passed. the range was 5-15 points taken off in our class. The oldest person there (70 years old, never ridden before) beat all us younger folk.

We had a few breaks. Like 5 I believe, and an hour for lunch. But we never got to ride our bikes around either (which is what I wanted to do so badly, just ride it around and get a feel for shifting and stopping and what not) but we spent enough time on the bikes that I feel I got an alright feel for the bike, I passed at least.

Did ya'll not fill out an evaluation form at the end? We did. I wonder if your instructors convienently misplaced those...

Also, if you can, try to take it again (if it's not too expensive, mine was $180 O.o) but ask for different instructors if possible.

[TeeMan]

I wanted to find the same thing as you but no one will rent you a bike without a license. You'll need to find a friend to lend you one (maybe try a Craigslist post and offer someone $50), or buy one.

Your MSF experience kinda sucks. I took mine a month ago and everyone passed. I had never ridden a bike until I got there and I only lost 5 pts on the riding portion (too slow into turn). They did kick one woman out at the start of day 2 (actually, encouraged her to leave) but she was truly horrible, stalled all the time, couldn't start from a stop, and worse than all that, couldn't even follow direction or the other riders when we were doing an exercise! A third instructor even came out to work with her one on one and she couldn't manage that. Everyone is beating on your instructors, but sometimes its just not their fault...