My MSF experience in-depth

[TheBBB]

Yeah, I'm sold.

Awesome write-up on the secret "inside infoz".

Thanks and I'm going to sign up this week for MSF!

[the robtica]

Wow man. I do have to say this was an AWESOME write up. I had no clue what to expect and ever since I've joined this forum I've been looking and looking and reading and reading for hours on end man and this as well as the new riders message I have found to be the two most valuable articles.

I found myself not being able to wait to get to the next day of the write up, haha. Just like a bookk that you can't look up from.

I also find myself to be a little nervous but so excited, I can tell I will not be able to sleep as well as I'd like to tonight because I am just too excited to get on a bike and find out what it's all about.

Much appreciation for the write up.

robtica

[Firstbike]

Originally Posted by mnsport

Rider's Edge instructors are usually MSF instructors as well. I am an instructor in Minnesota, and I know a few who teach Rider's Edge. They say it's identical to the regular BRC, except they use Buells.

Where do you teach in Minnesota? I'm signed up for the first course offered in April.

[ninja4610]

Originally Posted by GUTTERbOY

My purpose in writing this thread will be to tell the world in general about my experience taking the MSF course. I, for one, had a great deal of curiosity about what went on during the course that wasn't satisfied looking at info here and elsewhere- and if nothing else, I like the idea of putting as much info as possible here in one place.

I want to provide a perspective of what a n00b should expect- and since I am pretty much a total n00b to two-wheeling, save for a little dirt-biking eons ago, I feel qualified to do this.

Mods, if you think this would fit better in the MSF subforum, I surely won't be offended. I put it here since I want to direct it to the average new rider. Now, on to the meat of the story.

First off, I'll talk about the course I took. I actually took a course provided through Harley-Davidson called "Rider's Edge". What it boils dotwn to is the MSF BRC, with a little more orientation and immersion in the HD side of things. It also seems to be a bit of an advertising opportunity for the company. I selected this course over an independent MSF course because it was very convenient to me location-wise, and there were a wide variety of class schedules to choose from, including this midweek course, which is very appropriate for my work schedule. I registered for this course last Wednesday, and today was my first day.

Now, back for a bit to the perceived difference between this and an independent MSF course. Today's classroom session was held at the local HD dealer, Ray Price. Not surprisingly, one is immersed in the HD feel, for better or for worse, when inside an HD dealer. As best I could tell, I was the only student of the nine in the class who was planning on riding a sportbike instead of an HD or cruiser. I detected little or no derision towards sportbikers in general, though, be it from staff or students.

However, there does seem to be a secondary aim to the course, which is to get you to buy stuff. Today's time included a ~30-minute "dealer tour", including spiels from various people about different HD and Buell bikes, accessories, gear (especially HD-branded), and purchase info about stuff like the "preferred buyer program". Most of this I found interesting in spite of the "buy stuff" overtones.

Also, the videos we watched were 100% HD-specific, with references to the brand name at regular intervals, almost sounding like slightly more informative commercials. I can't say that I really learned anything from them that I hadn't already found through my research.

The classroom time in general I found to be not necessarily boring, but also less than informative. I don't think I learned anything that I couldn't have found out by reading a DOT riding manual or threads here. Moreover, I felt that the instructors were more oriented towards "teaching to the test" than they were towards providing practical knowledge and filling in the cracks in the written material. But in fairness, not every rider is going to be as diligent/rabid as me in seeking out information. Novice riders will get good info from this time, even if it's taught straight from the book, but I thought the teaching style could have been refined.

We did have a bike in the classroom that the instructor spent some time sitting on and demonstrating static stuff with. I got the feeling that the instructors were far more comfortable teaching practical knowledge than the book info. In light of my previous comment, this leads me to believe that the "teaching for the test" isn't necessarily an overall strategy- maybe they instead reserve the more practical knowledge for the hand-on time on the range.

Finally, a word about the instructors. We had three instructors, only one of which did much teaching today. One was a retired NC SHP officer who'd been tooling on Harleys for about ten years. Another was sort of the typical grizzled old hog rider, with eons of riding under his belt. Nice guy, and full of knowledge, I felt. Finally, the third was a Buell rider, something of a sportbike guy among the cruisers- but he didn't talk much at all.

All in all, today's time got has me really anticipating getting on the bike tomorrow and getting in motion. I'm very eager to get going. More to follow after tomorrow's time, which will be about six hours on the range and a few in the classroom.

I just completed day two of a 4 hour, 4 day MSF course and so far so good. The first day was all classroom and the second day was all riding. I finally got enough confidence to lean the bike farther than I ever have.

We started the class with 10 and lost one today. She scared herself by opening the throttle and forgetting how to break. She didn't crash, but walked off the course and quit.

I let you know how day 3 goes.

[ninja4610]

Originally Posted by ninja4610

I just completed day two of a 4 hour, 4 day MSF course and so far so good. The first day was all classroom and the second day was all riding. I finally got enough confidence to lean the bike farther than I ever have.

We started the class with 10 and lost one today. She scared herself by opening the throttle and forgetting how to break. She didn't crash, but walked off the course and quit.

I let you know how day 3 goes.

I completed the entire course on 04/23/09. I missed 0 on the skills test and one on the written. When starting the course I wanted to learn how to corner my bike better and learn how to lean it further. I walked away with more confidence and better able to handle my bike in curves. I already had my license when I took the class. I took the road test two years ago and passed. What a joke it was compared to what you learn at MSF. I think everyone should have to take MSF to get their license. I think we would have less bikers injured or killed.

[miztic]

Your experience very much mirrors my own, especially the part about coming out of there being totally hooked and wanting to ride more, riding around the parking lot on those little 200cc yamahas they gave us was a blast!
I only got 3 points in the turning test because I'd decided to take it a little slower, play it safe, focus on getting my technique right, so I took 3.1 secs to complete the turn rather then the 2.9 for 0 points
The MSF instructors were awesome and made the whole experience fun. I worried a lot about the written test but it was a total breeze, I aced it, as did a few others in my class.

I also had the same 'issue' with other riders going way too slow (is that a girl thing?) I think overall 8 of the 10 people passed the course.
oh and something I wanted to add, 2 people just showed up before the class, they do a lottery type thing for the open spots, soo if you have time anyway, just show up and see, the class may not be full when you get there.
I went to the IL DMV a few days later with my MSF card, they just printed me out a new drivers' license with the M endorsement for $10, totally painless!

now just waiting for my xmas bonus so I can go buy a bike
did I mention I'm hooked?