MSF class completed!

Message

kyle · #1 Unread post by **kyle** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:43 pm

Passed my MSF class this past weekend, and had a blast! I'd spent tons of time in parking lots on my own, and with this under my belt, and I already have my license, bike, and helmet, its time to get some real miles on the tires!

Ladymx · #2 Unread post by **Ladymx** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:18 pm

Congrats, Keep the shinny side up and keep an eye out for the cagers, as they dont tend to keep an eye out for you.

Toyuzu · #3 Unread post by **Toyuzu** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:35 pm

Congrats, Kyle!

You've probably already been told you have quite a handfull of a bike for a beginner, just be careful once the tach sweeps past about 7K. Have fun out there! And post up some pics when you get a chance.

stock28 · #4 Unread post by **stock28** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:15 am

Just don't forget that the MSF is a starting point. Take YOUR bike to an open lot and practice the drills again and again. You don't need to be worried about how the bike is going to handle when you have traffic to worry about as well. Take it slow and don't be in a rush to get out there before you feel comfortable on the bike. Oh, congrats on passing the class. I know the feeling well.

kyle · #5 Unread post by **kyle** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:15 pm

Good heavens, past 7k? Not planning on it, not unless I'm trying to get around a semi as fast as I can. A friend of mine took a trip to Arkansas over the weekend, and just as he had passed the semi, one of the tires disintegrated. Heck, the less time spent next to ANY vehicle, the better.

But even on the interstate running 80, I'm only hovering around 6k on the tach. Maybe nice to know that I could take it up to 100 if I needed to, but I try not to need to.

And yes, prior to the class, I spent many hours in parking lots. The only thing I'm not comfortable with on my bike yet is counterweighting in slow, tight turns. Those took me the longest to get in the class, and my bike feels like it wants to tip over more than the Nighthawk did.

Has anyone taken the Novice and/or Experienced classes yet? What did you think of them?

nyrblue35 · #6 Unread post by **nyrblue35** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:17 pm

Congrats kyle, now onto a quick one. im about to start taking riding lessons which are about 75 bucks a pop. they set up the road test and you use their bike and what not. depending how well you do i guess will tell how many lessons they tell you you need. what i want to know is how much is the MSF course? im sure id learn a ton of stuff taking that but im just wondering if i can really afford it and what not. i know its my safety, nothing that one should bargain for, im just trying to get an idea what its like. TIA

Bill

Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:54 am

nyrblue35 wrote: ..... what i want to know is how much is the MSF course? im sure id learn a ton of stuff taking that but im just wondering if i can really afford it ......
Bill

MSF course costs vary by location and who is giving it.
Some state governments have MSF courses very cheap.
There is a place near me that does them for $200 in 125cc and 250cc bikes.
I chose to do the Rider's Edge class put on by the Harley dealer at $300, but that included a 500cc bike, more class and practice time. Plus, my first year's learner bike I bought is the same model used in the class, so there was ZERO learning curve switching from the class bike to my own.

The classes are worth it no matter what you pay.
They give you experience in the mechanics of operating the bike, to include slow-speed tight turns, higher speed swerves and emergency stops, and so on. They also teach you things to look out for that cagers will try to do to yoyu, and how to avoid them.

When I went out on my own after the class I had a LOT of confidence and could concentrate on the ride, rather than concentrate on working the bike.

isaac · #8 Unread post by **isaac** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:00 am

Congrats on passing the course and getting the real license. With that bike, just avoid doing what I did the first chance I got: DO NOT open it up in traffic. Do not open it up when there's a chance someone will turn left in front of you, even if they never have. Do NOT open it up even hundreds of feet before a red light. You'd be surprised how quickly you get there when you're not used to the bike's illusions of speed.

autumnwindridr · Fri Apr 22, 2005 7:40 am

Congratulations Kyle! I took the class locally in NC thru a community college last fall. Well worth it. Around here H-D dealerships charge $300+ , I pd only $120 and had same instructors and info.
Of course we didn't ride Blasts, but I plan on a cruiser and know due to $$ my 1st ride won't be a Harley. My 2nd .....

nyrblue35 · Fri Apr 22, 2005 8:16 am

you guys are kinda lucky. here in ny, the cheapest i can find the MSF test is 350(trama's) which is a 3 day course. (unless im not looking hard enough) but since i am set to start taking lessons from a different company next weekend (75 $ a pop) im wondering how much will this guy teach me, and if i should just skip him and take the MSF course im was talking about originally. problem is, i like the idea of a one on one training session. the MSF course teaches in groups so i wonder if i will benefit from that, or will it hinder my performance since ive never rode before.

hmmmmmmm, decisons, decisions.