I'm just moving into the sportbike range. I'm originally from oklahoma, a true country boy who did grow up riding dirtbikes. Got a dual-sport Yamaha Enduro when I was 14 and rode that until I was 16 and got my actualy drivers license. Oklahoma doesn't require you to take an MSF course, and honestly is quite expensive to take courses (MSF beginner = $150). They do require that you prove proficiency through a driving test to get the M class endoresement, but they wave it if you have taken the MSF course. They also do not require drivers to take drivers ed, but they put restrictions on drivers licenses if you haven't taken the class.
Now I live in Pittsburgh, PA where i don't know if you are required to take the MSF course to ride, but if you have a PA drivers license they allow you to take the MSF course for free.
I think it's great that PA offers the course for free and I think that every driver, not just those who ride, should be required to take a motorcycle education course, even if it's just to learn to watch out for those of us who do ride.
The most dangerous people on the rode are those that don't see what's coming.
|