Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I wouldn't say scam. I saw 4 people in my class who had no business on the road with a motorcycle, fail the class. They couldn't control the bike well. Stopping was a disaster for two of them, and one could not do slow controlled movement at all. The other just had some slight problems with every excersize and quit early. He showed up without the required boots and long sleaved jacket. He took off home, came back, and quit later that day. Who know? There was also an experienced rider who was too good to be in the class almost - he passed and probably was just doing a refresher.

I got a lot out of the class myself. I sort of took the class because my wife (Loonette) wanted to ride bike and I felt odd not getting an endorsment too. I fell in love with riding by taking the MSF. It was a bargain for me - not a scam at all. But I dig the right to an opinion.

i wouldn't say scam either, because i got a lot out of it. i really think it depends on what you're feelings are going into it. a few of the guys in mine had been riding for like a year already, they were just here to get their license and do it legally. yet they still came to learn, and at the end even admitted seeing new things or really toning up what they already knew.

personally, i really enjoyed it, as my instructors were both awesome and helpful. the other half of my class finished way early, but we had no rush in ours. everyone was coached individually the second day, and everyone passed. of course, like someone already said, its not like out poo don't stink, but i think its definitely worthwhile to take the course. BTW, i paid $210 with a full-time student discount.

I had little trouble passing my MSF course. I only paid $15 for mine. Wyoming has subsidized MSF courses.

Everyone in my class passed except for one guy who didn't show up for day 2

I failed my first bike test many years ago for turning up and not signing my Provisional licence before the test, if you do that its a Immidiate fail in the UK, and you cant sign it in front of the examiner, your just poop out of luck,, when I took my next text I passed but I had to wait one month between tests, I was Gutted.

jmillheiser wrote:................Wyoming has subsidized MSF courses.

This is the standard that should be across the US. Forget about trying to push Helmet laws...mandatory MSF (or equivilent) training to get your motorcycle license. Since it would be required it should be subsidized.....

Mustang wrote:

jmillheiser wrote:................Wyoming has subsidized MSF courses.

This is the standard that should be across the US. Forget about trying to push Helmet laws...mandatory MSF (or equivilent) training to get your motorcycle license. Since it would be required it should be subsidized.....

It's a nice thought... However, I don't think it should be required. Also, around here the MSF costs $150 and it's booked on day one through the entire season. If it were only $15 and required they would have to set up at least 3 times as many classes or you would never get in one without at least a year long wait.

storysunfolding wrote:

Mustang wrote:

jmillheiser wrote:................Wyoming has subsidized MSF courses.

This is the standard that should be across the US. Forget about trying to push Helmet laws...mandatory MSF (or equivilent) training to get your motorcycle license. Since it would be required it should be subsidized.....

It's a nice thought... However, I don't think it should be required. Also, around here the MSF costs $150 and it's booked on day one through the entire season. If it were only $15 and required they would have to set up at least 3 times as many classes or you would never get in one without at least a year long wait.

That would weed out a lot of the squids. Similar to a 5 day waiting period for guns, but instead it's a year long waiting period for a motorcycle... I kinda like it.

Only the truely dedicated would go. And rather then subsidizing it, lets make it cost more, then people wouldn't sign up on a whim. And since they're signing up a year in advance, we won't call them to remind when their course starts, they have to remember and show up themselves.

Then you have to show a license to buy a bike.

LoL, well I think mandatory MSF wouldn't be a bad thing anyways.

Increase the price and make it mandatory... like a poll tax?

Silly squid, you don't understand enough about motorcycles and apparently don't care enough to pay to ride one.

Sounds like the old

Silly negro, you don't understand enough about politics and apparently don't care enough to pay to vote.

Or maybe the rich should be the only ones who should have fun, or have alternate forms of transportation. If they aren't wearing a Shoei Helmet it'll be obvious that they're a thief and that will increase motorcycle security as well.

Sevulturus wrote:That would weed out a lot of the squids. Similar to a 5 day waiting period for guns, but instead it's a year long waiting period for a motorcycle... I kinda like it.

Either that, or all the squids will just ride without any training, insurance, or license.... It's a can of worms that should only be opened if the demand can be met in my (not so humble) opinion

Well I don't know if I want to even get near there...

But, I think if we could charge more and pay the trainers (at least a small fee) we would have more trainer, more times to choose from, and more trained (or filtered out) riders. Mandatory training/testing seems like a good way to start people.

Regarding economical transportation - I don't see how anyone with out a bit of extra cash could ride a bike long term anyway. They require care and feeding that is not cheap, even if you do the minimum. You might be able to match the cost of keeping a car if you ride the bike and only the bike all year round (and not keep a cage at all) but otherwise if you have a car and a bike, the bike is an extra expense (meaning something you don't need). In only a very few places in the world is it practical for most people to buy a cheap bike and ride it all year round. And if you have to move furniture, pick up a large parcel, transport more than one person, you are stuck with having a spare cage, or having family or friends at your demand.

I know people always say, pick up a cheap old bike and fix it up. I've seen cheap old bikes that are fixer uppers. Very few are running and fewer are running well, and the remainders are projects that someone has time and money for - but I digress.

I want to make clear that I know there are some (even on this board) that ride all year round, and some that ride all year round in the snowy places, but for most people being that hardcore is not palatable. A bike is for the most part an extra, a toy, and/or therapy.