My M.S.F class was a joke...

[camthepyro]

It's $250 here, and I think it was definitely worth the money.


Anyway, fiveOboy (just curious, why the name, is the 'stang in your avatar a 5.0? that's what I'm guessing) you would be surprised by how much you learn in the class. I thought the same thing as you before I took, I was just taking it as a formality, mostly just to make my gf and parents feel better about the bike. But, after taking it, I realized how much it taught me. I now feel confident that I could safely avoid most accidents, which is the most important part of the class as far as I'm considered. Anyone can have a friend teach them how to ride the bike, but the braking, swerving, and other crash avoidence techniques are what really make the class worth the money. There's a reason most people who take it rave about it, the people who complain about USUALLY (not always) seem to be the people who did badly, and want to blame it on someone besides themselves.

[dieziege]

I'll go along with the price complaints to a point.

Most instructors cost $25-$50/hr. I'm not talking MSF instructors, but instructors in general. Guitar lessons, flying lessons, sailing lessons... name your example, an instructor can usually be had for $25 an hour at the low end, up to $50 an hour... not counting the "minor celeb" type instructors or anything.

A bike should cost maybe $5/hr to rent, "wet" (including fuel). That's about 80 range days (assuming a morning and afternoon class) to payoff. Less than a year.

So if you received 1:1 instruction, the range days should've cost about $300-$500... and I probably would've paid that for 1:1 instruction. However, when you share one instructor across 6 students, the fair prices change. At that point, the range days should cost maybe $10/hr..

The classroom session was worth maybe $25 if I'm being generous. Frankly, they should've just handed everyone a DVD and said "watch this at home, you will be quizzed"...

All that said, I'm not unhappy with the $225 I spent taking the MSF course. I've used a lot of what I learned... and even where I'm intentionally not following the advice (e.g. not covering the front brake with 4 fingers) it is an informed decision rather than... well... the guy who rode his sport bike to the range days, who only used his middle finger on the brake because when he used more the front slid....

[1will]

some states subsidize the msf programs. hence, in some states the msf costs less to the student than in others.

[fiveoboy01]

(just curious, why the name, is the 'stang in your avatar a 5.0? that's what I'm guessing)

Yes, thought it's a tad over 5 liters(310 cubic inches). Alas, it sits in the garage now with no engine or trans.

[BubbaGump]

That sucks about your course. We had excellent instructors. One of them had raced in Europe for years and had ridden a lot of demo gear for the manufacturers. The 1/2 hour I picked his brain with 1-1 instruction was worth the cost of the course.

[basshole]

Sometimes the hardest things to teach are common sense or the sense of feel. Sometimes you just have to go out and do it and in a controlled environment is the best place for it. I'n not sure where you live, but regardless of the price, it's still something you can benefit from IF you choose to do so. Granted your biggest concern was shifting but there was a whole lot more on the cirriculum for you to learn as well and I hope you kept your focus for those skills as well. If you've ridden a bicycle with gears then you should know when to shift. Same concept applies.

[Npeart]

I must tell you: I think it is insane for a rider course to give anyone a license after only two days of riding a 250cc bike. I took the MSF course and thought it was a nice introduction to motorcycling, but the notion that people emerge from this course "road ready" is preposterous.

Last night was only the third time I have ever been on a motorcycle in my life. It was the second practice session with my 2003 V-Star 1100 Custom. My first time being the MSF course. Last night, while shifting up on a straight away in the lot, I low-sided the bike and landed on my right side. I went down faster than one of Mike Tyson's opponents.

My point is, I knew after the class that a) starting on an 1100cc bike would be quite an adjustment b) that the course did not prepare me enough to ride on the road with cars, stop signs, traffic, red lights, hazards, etc.

I would not go so far as to suggest the MSF course is a "joke," but I would say it is nothing more than a reasonable introduction. You must do your own independent practicing. Get the feel for your bike and what it will do and not do. Then start out in a quiet neighborhood, then when you got that down venture out into some traffic and busier streets, then get on the highway early on a Saturday or Sunday morning when traffic is light and get a feel for 4th and 5th gear. Then you'll know if you were meant to be motorcyclist.

I haven't made it out of the parking lot yet, so I don't know if I'm meant to be a motorcyclist, but I'm gonna find out slow and gradual.

[TeamONEinc]

I had only ridden a few times before I took the MSF and after I completed the course, I didn't feel like I was ready to go in rush hour traffic, but it did prepare me for the low speed limit areas of the city. I believe thats why most people say to start out on a 250cc on this forum...its what you were taught on in the MSF and its easier to control and is more "beginner friendly".

damnit, just got called to work. will finish later.

[anthonyjwhite]

I have been pricing the classes in my area and the lowest price is $180, and about 40 miles away. In my county the lowest price is $220. This is a lot of money to spend if my class will be like yours. I think that I will decide on the class and then pay a visit before giving any money. As far as when to shift, you can do it by feel or just ask someone with your same m/c what speed or rpm they shift at. After getting this information listen to the tone of the engine at each shifting point. After one or two times you will get the feel without looking at the speedometer. I am a new ridder but taught myself to drive a manual shift car. Everything I know about shifting translated fine to motorcycling. As soon as you git the proper feel you will not have any more trouble until on the street with a car reving up behind you. This will also fade away with more practice. I have just about mastered shifting at low speeds. Good luck and be carefull. Don't be discouraged.

[sharpmagna]

My MSF course was only $135 and it was the best money I spent.

I agree with Npeart though that the MSF BRC is just an intoduction and a stepping stone. After taking the course, I test rode my current bike and I was a bit overwhelmed as I jumped from a 250cc/330lb bike to a 700cc/550lb bike. I took some major adjustment. At first all I did was drive around in my neighborhood since the speed limit is 25MPH it allowed me to get into 3rd gear and learn the bike at various speeds. After I got comfortable I made it to main streets then major thouroghfares and finally to highways. I'm pretty comfortable on it now and I've been on extended trips and also very windy technical roads. After taking the BRC, you will still need some practice on your own bike so take things slow and you'll be ok.