Has anyone taken Basic Motorcycle Rider classes from a college?
If yes, can you explain your experiences?
If yes, can you explain your experiences?
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California
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Are you referring to a class which teaches you to ride or that teaches you the mechanical aspects of motorcycle maintenance.
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I believe the class teaches you to ride, at least I hope so!
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That is what I thought. I took a class through Bay Area Motorcycle School (www.motorcycleschool.com/) and thought that it was good and thorough. You take a class on Friday night and then ride either AMs or PMs on a close course (read: parking lot) Saturday and Sunday. At the end, you take a skills test and provided that you pass that, you don't need to do the DMV skills test - which is REALLY handy when you don't have a bike yet.
It was a good experience.... I would recommend it highly. -
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Unsu...
i think they are all Fairly similar.
a few hours in the books/classroom watching movies and answering questions like "if you see somebody crossing the road with a purple cane do you:
a) accelerate (only white canes are for blind people)
b) slow down and proceed with caution
c) vroom the engine a few times to scare them off or
d) who cares about old people?"
i mean it was Really basic is what I'm saying. You learn enough to get you on the road but everybody is pretty newbieriffic. After the first 4 hr class you will probably have a a 3/4 of a day on the bikes and then a quarter back in the classroom to pass the written exam, then the next day is all about riding and finally the street course test.
or soemthing of that nature.
basically it's a great cl;ass and Everybody should take it. you won't feel stupid because everybody is new (ok, that was My biggest fear)
good luck :) (p.s.- either at a college or private course they are very similar materials and you're looking at around $200 or $250)
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Hey girls, I have my license I got it in December I took the class I was the only girl with a bunch of men it was kinda intimadating but I passed so thats all that matters but I have a very big dilima I don't have a bike yet and I want one so bad but I dont have a lot of money anyone know of a cheap first time street legal bike?
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I know some motorcycle companies will reimburse you for msf training within the first year that you buy the bike, if you get a new one, and sometimes used...
I thought the MSF course I took was great... i mean, yeah, it is a bit silly at first, but for a newbie that had never been around a bike before i was able to be riding for hours after that course, with a mild form of confidence... and they start you out basic, i mean, really basic, like- this is how you turn the thing on, and more importantly, this is how you turn it off... there were about four of us gals in a class of twenty... but it was fun, and i totally did not feel any sexism going on. -
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it was about 50/50 women to men at my course, and I had a blast, I'll always remember things from it...
sure they get you started, but what else would you expect? any course isn't going to make you an expert when you're just starting out, but it's SOOO worth it, even if it is worth it just to get out of the DMV test.
And, another hint-
go to AAA to register your bike when you get it to avoid DMV.
it works.
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Aah! I am in your same situation!
I passed late last year but no money for a bike ::: sigh ::: I am hoping for a bonus at work to come my way. If i get it, it should be large enough to buy a reliable used bike. You may want to check Craigslist for a bike and have a friend who is familiar with bike mechanics go with you to take a look and test-ride for you so you don't wind up with something unsafe or mechanically unsound.
But the class was great. I did better than most of the guys! While I am certainly not ready to hop on a high-powered street bike, I could manage operating a good 500cc bike. Basically the class gives you all the basics to build from. You sensibly get used to your bike and street traffic from there.
Once you pass the class and get your bike, take it out to open lots and practice everything you were taught until you are used to your bike. Then slowly start taking yourself onto streets and into traffic as you build your skills and confidence.
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new to the group, but am big on the MSF course...
I feel that it is THE BEST way to learn to ride a bike...I didn't pass the first class, but was able to retake the riding portion and did fantastic after the second riding portion class...there was just a little detail that I missed that I caught the second time and breezed through it.
I don't know if it is available where you are, but about a year after riding, I took the advanced rider course, which is the riding portion on your own bike...awesome, I took a couple problems and resolved them so they didn't become bad habits...and the difference between a 400lb 500cc bike I learned on and my 700lb 1450cc is significant.
and you will notice that I am big on the MSF program, as I also have taken the opportunity to attend the MSF Group riding safety program through my local HOG chapter...
so go for it!!! -
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what was the detail? I am trying to pass the class, but I'm having some little problems.
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How much exposure have you had to bikes before taking the course?
I found that it helps some people if they already know how to drive a manual transmission car. Good coordination and reaction and the ability NOT to panic is a good thing. Same with confidence.
Have you taken the permit test yet? You may want to consider geting your motorcycle handbook to review and familiarize yourself with the basic rules. Sometimes understanding them will help.
Ride with a skilled rider on the back of their bike and listen to the engine when they shift, feel the lean and pay attention to what the driver does in turns, when stopping, etc. I am lucky enough to get to ride with my boyfriend quite often and found that those things helped me tremendously.
Where are you stuck in class? -
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yes, this is pretty much a lot of my problem. I haven't ridden an manual bikes before, so remembering to keep the clutch in messes me up. I stall all over the place.
Yeah, I have my permit. Anything written, or knowledge wise, I'm okay. It's just getting used the feel of it I guess. -
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It's a lot to think about when it isn't automatic yet: clutch here, brake there, gas/no gas, shift, lean, pay attention, etc.
Since you know what your catch is, then at least you have the chance to focus and really think about it and be aware of it. The hard part is taking that AND thinking about everything else you have to do.
My first few times on a bike after the class, I was OK in a parking lot where i could focus on the mechanical aspects of riding. When I was on the street, even though it was a side street, I had a hard time because I had to focus on the mechanics AND pay attention to the traffic and other elements.
So if you can get through the course and feel comfortable enough with your abilities after passing to get a bike and build on your skills on your own, then borrow a friend's bike or get a used bike, go to a parking lot, and start/stop, start/stop, start/stop until you have the clutch thing down.
You will get it, just have confidence in yourself and don't let it intimidate you. Good luck! -
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yes, that's exactly it! Like a million new things to remember.
Alas, I did pass the class, and can use the certificate to get a license. But I definitely should do as you suggest and practice some more. It's going to be totally different when I have to pay attention to even more things. -
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Being on a bike you have to be 125% aware of your surroundings. When I took the MSF course 20 years ago, my husband who had been riding for eons took it with me. I beat him by 1 point on the written and he beat me by 1 point in the riding portion. He said that he was glad he took it because it reinstalled some good things to remember.
Once I got my bike and was out in traffic, yes... there are a bazillion things to remember as a novice rider. And even if you know how to DRIVE in traffic, it seemed like you had to learn all over again. Wore me out!!!!
BUT.... I hafta agree... the MSF course and the ERC are well worth the expense and time. Plus you get $$ discounted on your insurance.
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Practice in an empty lot until you reinforce what you learned in class and get comfortable on and familiar with the bike. Nothing would be worse than hopping on a bike that you aren't used to and making a mistake in traffic.
Go to the DMV and get your endorsement in the meantime. That will be one less thing to think about when you do get your bike and it is time to ride. -
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I agree. I passed the class, but I am really nervous riding in traffic. I wish there was some intermediate class that helped build more skills. I've heard great things about Doc Wong's free riding clinics, but they happen in the South Bay area, so I'd have to get my riding skills good enough to ride on the freeway to get down there. Oh well, one step at a time, I guess . . . right now I just have to recharge my battery because I didn't ride my bike for 2 months and the battery is dead. Sigh. That's today's job . . .
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i'm taking the MSF course right now and i'm loving it!
bought my bike back in March (gotta love a tax refund!). bought a 06 Honda Rebel. . great starter bike! i was signed up for my classes back in february tho. they fill up fast so i signed up early. a friend of mine and i decided to take the extended class, which was advertised as 9 days (tuesday, wednesday and thursday for three weeks in a row.) turns out each group they split the class into gets 2 days a week of 2 hour sessions on the range. the first 4 hour class was the whole class, and basically they just took us thru the book, showed some videos and went over what to expect for the remainder of the classes and on the tests.
the year before, i dated a guy for nine months that rode his bike from the first barely warm day, till there was ice on the ground so if i wanted to go with him, i had to ride with him, so i did. over 5,000 miles in those nine months on the back of his bike. i had no idea how much i had actually learned just by being on the back. it's no replacement for the classes, but it sure was a invaluable introduction!
here in Michigan, my class cost $25. never spent a better $25! and since i bought my bike brand new, Honda automatically enrolls me in thier Honda Riders Clubhouse Association which re-imburses my class fees, up to $75. so my classes ends up costing me nothing. cant beat that!
so i've only had my first two riding days. next week i ride wednesday and thursday. the following week i ride tuesday, then our evaluation and final tests are wednesday and thursday. we've been told this extended class really only gives us an hour more time on the range than the crammed in weekend class, biggest difference being that it's not so rushed. you get to go home and ruminate over what you learned that night, think about what you need to work on, what you might have questions about. was just a better way for my tastes.
anyways, the plan is to have my endorsement in the next 2 weeks and to start riding to work everyday. my route to work is the perfect route to introduce myself to driving in traffic. a 30 minute ride on 35-45 mph streets and at the hour i leave, never much traffic to deal with. i cant wait!!
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Hey there. I took the Basic Rider Course through the MANYS, motorcycle assoc. of NY. It is a certified course given by certified instructors.Several different organizations offer them. It was great. I got good basic skills, expert tips from the instructors and I took my road test right there at the course. The practical knowledge from the instructors was the best thing about it. I am now looking for the basic mechanics course and the advanced rider course. They are harder to fill for various reasons.
Good Luck! Have fun!
Kate
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Unsu...
Definitely take the class. It will arm you with a basic skill set before you hit the open road. The advantage in CA (I think this is standard for most of the CA courses) is that you get to take the DMV driving test as part of the class. It's much easier to maneuver one of the 125 cc or 250 cc bikes they provide you in class. Good luck
