The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Training course is a must for beginning motorcycle riders. It combines classroom instructions with hands-on motorcycle training.
For the basic MSF riding course, motorcycle ownership isn’t required. They provide the motorcycle (usually in the 250cc class) for the hands-on riding portion of the training. No worries, all riding is done on a closed course, often a roped-off parking lot.
Want to get the most out or your motorcycle training?
Here are 3 tips that helped me.
One: Take the MSF Motorcycle Training Seriously.
In many states, formal motorcycle training is a part of getting your motorcycle license. In other words, no training … no license.
Because of this, many riders approach the training with the wrong attitude. While it may be a ‘check-the-box’ requirement, it is also instruction that WILL make you a better motorcycle rider. Approaching the training with the right attitude can make a huge impact on how much you learn.
Pay attention, ask questions, and concentrate on improving your riding skills.
Two: Find an MSF Class with Only a Few Students for Each Instructor.
To increase the amount of personal instruction, consider joining a class with a low number of students per instructor.
When I took the MSF training course years ago, a riding buddy and I contacted the instructor and inquired about ‘small classes’. For a slightly higher fee (approximately $100 each), one of the senior instructors conducted a class ‘just for the two of us’.
According to our instructor, we were able to perform each riding exercise many more times than the typical student. Another advantage… we felt comfortable asking ‘less than brilliant’ questions. We also took the class during the winter, which helped us find a ‘willing’ instructor.
Three: Take the MSF Training Class in Another City.
If your finances allow it, consider taking the MSF training class in a nearby city… close enough to be an easy drive, but far enough away to ‘stay the night’.
This is exactly what we did.
Instead of focusing on rushing home to face the responsibilities of ‘life’, we concentrated on the task at hand — learning how to more proficiently ride a motorcycle. For an extra $50 each, we stayed at a hotel near the training facility.
Another bonus: our discussions at dinner focused on the riding lessons that day, and on a list of questions for the next.
In summary: Approach the MSF training with the right attitude. Concentrate on becoming a better rider, and ask lots of questions. In addition, try to find a class with a small number of students… in a nearby city.
The most experienced, skilled motorcycle riders I know all have one thing in common. They take improving their riding skills seriously, and are constantly seeking ways to improve them.
Let’s follow the leaders.
MSF training is conducted at over 1500 locations across the United States. A quick search on their website will highlight a location — with contact information — near you.
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9. December 2010 at 2:55 am
I’m a beginning rider at age 48. I went through the course 2 times and was glad I did. The second time gave me a chance to digest all I learned in the first class. I can’t imagine riding with out this training. I am slowing putting all I learned into my own training. I just bought my first bike, Yamaha v series 250, and love it. Good Luck.
9. December 2010 at 7:49 am
I too took the MSF class twice and have recommended it to all my friends. I had only been on the passenger seat of a bike a few times so was a bit nervous about all the new material I will need to learn. There is a lot of information covered in the lecture on the first night (mine were weekend classes). Do yourself a favor and reread the materials several times each day. This stuff could save your life one day. Also, you can download a lot of information at http://msf-usa.org/ (go to Library/Safety tips). Take the class seriously and you will learn a lot while having fun. This is a great way to learn to ride at an affordable price.
9. December 2010 at 7:32 pm
I’d recommend the MSF beginners course to anyone getting started in motorcycling.
When I started I taught myself on a Honda CB50.
Taking the class was a revelation and if you’re going to be riding take it. You can finish it in a couple of weekends and it will give you a great base of knowledge.
9. December 2010 at 8:10 pm
Those are great points. Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with what you’re doing. The instructors are there to help you and most understand that you might, at times, be confused.
I’ve never thought of private lessons but they would indeed be better than a group class. More attention. More practice. The ability to ask seemingly irrelavent/moronic questions without eyerolls and snickers from the rest of the group…Priceless.
10. December 2010 at 12:29 pm
I’ve been riding off and on for almost 40 years. During the times when I haven’t had a bike (for one reason or another) and my license would lapse, I’d always retake the MSF. It’s a great course IF it’s a small class, as suggested in the article. My last one was much too large, resulting in not nearly enough instructor time or practice for many students.
The one thing I’d like to see done in the course that wasn’t done in 2007 when I last took it, is hands on practice time getting your thumb on the kill switch at speed, without palming the throttle.
Accidentally palming the throttle during any of the processes of clutching, braking, kill-switching the engine is an extremely common beginning rider mistake. Heck even “old timers” can make it. I know.
When a rider realizes they’re about to have a serious problem – especially a newbie – so much adrenaline is coursing and it’s easy to become overwhelmed mentally with “What do I do now?!”
It’s practice, practice, practice (in safe areas) that makes for the mental and muscle experience needed to instantly respond with the necessary correction(s) to keep oneself and one’s bike upright and hopefully, out of danger.
That’s my 2.
Krikit ~:)
25. January 2011 at 9:36 am
Would really like to find an advance course, (like the police have)somewhere near my home on Long Island, NY