no MSF, Anyone else done this the hard way?

[NWTrtle]

Not really intending to get into the argument about rider training as related to accidents, but summary finding #24 from the Hurt Report states:

24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

I had read the summary recently, so it came to mind when I read the responses asking for data.

[High_Side]

Not really intending to get into the argument about rider training as related to accidents, but summary finding #24 from the Hurt Report states:

24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

I had read the summary recently, so it came to mind when I read the responses asking for data.

In the year 200 A.D. when the Hurt report was compiled there weren't really many rider training courses available. Could one assume that at the time 92 % of the riders at the time had no formal training? I really have not heard of anyone who took a course before 1981....

I think that it is great to get all of the training that you can. There is no better training however than getting a a small dirt bike and riding the wheels off of it for a season or two. This step is often over-looked when there are "pay-for-it" options available. With many of the "pay" options featuring instructors who are recent graduates be careful with what you sign up for.

[Kibagari]

Not really intending to get into the argument about rider training as related to accidents, but summary finding #24 from the Hurt Report states:

24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

I had read the summary recently, so it came to mind when I read the responses asking for data.

In the year 200 A.D. when the Hurt report was compiled there weren't really many rider training courses available. Could one assume that at the time 92 % of the riders at the time had no formal training? I really have not heard of anyone who took a course before 1981....

I think that it is great to get all of the training that you can. There is no better training however than getting a a small dirt bike and riding the wheels off of it for a season or two. This step is often over-looked when there are "pay-for-it" options available. With many of the "pay" options featuring instructors who are recent graduates be careful with what you sign up for.

Well, one of our instructors made the claim he'd been riding for 51 years, and I don't doubt that for a second. The instructor I had was riding for 25 some-odd years. But they get the same training from the MSF RiderCoach program. The only real difference is personal experience.

But that's just what I've experienced.

[MrShake]

The MSF program in central illinois done through ISU has been around since the early 70s man.... and has been hard to get into since it offered its first class.... I'm sure plenty of people took classes before 81... kinda an unfounded statement.

there are very important facts that come out of the Hurt report, don't just dismiss it.

[ANDS!]

I'm sure plenty of people took classes before 81... kinda an unfounded statement.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but you're basing that off ONE example.

[Kaiser Soze]

I've never taken a course. My dad taught me how to ride. I think I'm a safe rider.

*shrug*

[MrShake]

I'm sure plenty of people took classes before 81... kinda an unfounded statement.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but you're basing that off ONE example.

An infinatly better basis for a statement than zero examples

[Skier]

Riders without formal training are far more likely to die in an accident than riders with formal training.

Please get some.

Based upon what facts?

If the Hurt report ain't your bag there's other sources:

A review of all 2,530 motorcycle crashes statewide from 1996 through 2003 revealed 92% of those involved had not attended a STAR training class. Further research of this data indicated that STAR training is associated with a 64% reduced crash risk and a 69% reduction in the risk of a fatal crash. In addition, it is estimated that if the 108 "untrained" fatalities had received STAR training, 75 would not have died.

[Nalian]

Going by my experience with the MSF: you aren't missing much.

My father taught himself to ride and has had around 45 years of happy riding and trips under his belt.

While I think the MSF is a good way to start - let's not overstate the 10 hours of on/off the bike range riding instruction and 3 hours of classroom that many states have. I think a lot of the MSF is just getting you to think about things in the right way, and slow speed maneuvering. It certainly doesn't teach you how to ride high speed, how to pick corners, etc. It's a basics class. If someone has been riding a lot of miles with no issues, I don't see the point in them taking the MSF, especially not to satisfy a statistic from a study done way back in 1979. It's pretty much an unusable report at this point because pretty much everything has changed so much.

[erbgottie]

I haven't taken the course because I never heard of it till now, but I'm a good rider as it is. You will be surprised how much better a rider you are if you add a little COMMON SENSE and SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, but even that can't save the biker everytime. Stats are F***ing useless to me, except for jonnythan. So the un-(properly by claimed professionals)trained guy didn't see the 18 wheeler running the red light and was killed, umm um should have taken the course, could have saved his life, BS. You may say I'm a smart A**, go ahead, opinions will rectify themselves. I ride motorcycles because I love them, the freedom and peaceful feeling is always worth it. I know danger is there, I've (at least I think) well trained myself through years of riding off-road bikes and putting myself through tons of on-road riding situations, yes, even though I'm 21. You can NEVER prepare yourself for the mistake, not the one you make, but one someone else makes, it's inevitable. Another opinion, take or leave it.