Comments on: Motorcycle Safety Foundation training course – 3 tips

By: Angel

Angel — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:36:35 +0000

Would really like to find an advance course, (like the police have)somewhere near my home on Long Island, NY

By: Krikit

Krikit — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:29:16 +0000

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 ~:)

By: kevin

kevin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:10:46 +0000

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.

By: kevin

kevin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 01:32:25 +0000

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.

By: Mads

Mads — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:49:51 +0000

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.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:55:25 +0000

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.