MSF vs state approved class

[Delta]

What is the major difference between the actual MSF and the state safety course, besides the extreme difference in cost of 295 and 25?

[hozhead]

You may want to ask some Ohio locals about that one.

As for Idaho, the state class actually uses MSF videos and books so I'm pretty sure there's not much difference between the two. We only have the state class so there's no choice anyway.

[mjfan12]

i think theyre both the same. Some states charge more than others. illinois for example subsidizes the program. its free for state residents and you pay a 20 deposit but you can get that back.

MSF wokrs with the states to provide this service to the public. If the states are cheapskaktes then youd pay full price, if the states are generous then they pay most or all of it and its cheap for the citizen.

thats what I think anyways.

[walther_gsp]

I took the Harley version of MSF called Riders Edge, price was $300. I think the major difference between that and the state course was this one was availability. You can actually still get into the regular MSF courses relatively easily, getting into a state course at this point in the year is damned near impossible. I signed up in june, took the course 3 weeks later in July. Assuming you find a state course with an opening, it definately won't be until November and not likely to be in a location near you.


Edited to add: The convenience of being able to do the course almost right away and in a nearby location was definatley worth the extra 275.

[robert_s_hunter]

Originally Posted by Delta

What is the major difference between the actual MSF and the state safety course, besides the extreme difference in cost of 295 and 25?

I'm late to this thread, but, as a newbie who just went through the "Motorcycle Ohio" course I thought I'd ad my two cents. The M.O. course is the MSF course, from the handbook and videos to the exercises. The earlier post was right about getting booked for a class. On 9/6/06 I suddenly got the bug to give motorcycling a try. I called three different locations, with no luck. The standard response was,"we start booking classes for 4/07 in 1/07". The last place said,"you could give Honda a call". Called the Honda Rider Education Center the next afternoon, late enough to end up getting a message that said they were booking classes for late 10/06. I called the next day (fri.9/8/06) and the lady said she could get me in the next class! Next thing I know, I'm in the 9/13/06 class(instructor said they must have had a late dropout). Less than two weeks after making the jump I was addicted, and had my endorsement. Sweet!!! They have some great instructors, if they're conveniently located for anyone who may be interested. They get two big thumbs up from me. Cheers! Oh, yeah! Just to be clear, the Honda course is a "MO" class(with shiny new Hondas) and is only $25 just like the state run classes. It's awfully hard to beat that!

[Fargin_Bastige]

I would only add one thing about Riders edge. If you are okay with dealing with the Harley marketing thing (which is done heavily) you may get some stuff out of it. The standard BRC is much better and does not give you a sales pitch along with the course.

[robert_s_hunter]

Originally Posted by Fargin_Bastige

I would only add one thing about Riders edge. If you are okay with dealing with the Harley marketing thing (which is done heavily) you may get some stuff out of it. The standard BRC is much better and does not give you a sales pitch along with the course.

Yeah, a "sales pitch" is something you don't have to worry about at the Honda Rider Education Center. They had nothing but positive things to say about the chosen rides of the experienced riders taking the course, no matter what brand. The only thing you saw that was branded Honda (other than the bikes) was a guidebook we recieved. A class act in my book. Cheers!