Motorcycle Safety Foundation

[SteveADV]

It may be likely that most members of this forum are familiar with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. A few, including myself, may have even take a course or two.

The reason for this thread is to encourage others to participate in a course; and it does not have to be any kind of advanced course. I took the basic course even though I had previous motorcycle experience...and I learned more than I thought I would.

We have a lot of very experienced motorcycle/super scooter guys/gals that participate in this forum; even a former MSF instructor who can tell us about a horror story or two. Fact is, in most cases, those that buy a BMW Motorrad product, or are thinking of it, are not newbies to life, even if new to the world of motorcycles.

So, for those that are in the know......Tell us about your MSF experiences. What would you suggest to someone who is new or coming back to the sport?

 

[SteveADV]

So, the first response came from Jaime (the former MSF instructor I was referring to)...

"The MSF actually does have a Scooter course... but it is designed for considerably smaller mounts than ours. I still have friends in the MSF, so I'll ask one of them to pose the question and get back to you with the response. By the way, another course I'd recommend to "experienced scooter riders" would be the "Stayin' Safe" course that was founded by the late Larry Grodsky. I took it a couple of years ago in Connecticut (two day course, the fee includes dinner, breakfast, and one night's hotel stay) and found it VERY worthwhile. Something else to consider as it is geared towards STREET riding and not to track riding (like a lot of the other "advanced schools" out there)."

Thanks Jaime.

 

[JaimeC]

I actually took the aforementioned "Stayin Safe" course two-up on my K1200LT. My wife and I both got completion certificates. The course is given on the street and is limited to six participants with two coaches (three bikes per coach). Each participant (and his/her passenger if you have one) is provided a one-way radio (the coach talks to you, but you can't talk back). While you ride, the coach is giving you constant updates and feedback.

Through out the day you'll have rest stops and breaks where you'll gather in a parking lot and the coach will provide "chalk talks" (usually by drawing diagrams on the ground in chalk). At the end of the first day you all gather for dinner and debriefing. You get to sleep on what you've learned, and then day 2 begins with breakfast and another talk to discuss the upcoming day.

Although there are some "parking lot" exercises to hone your physical riding skills, MOST of the course is spent on "Street Strategies." How to read the road, look for hazards, and expect the unexpected. It was like a two day, education vacation/road trip for the two of us. The course fee includes dinner, one night's hotel stay, and breakfast. There will be other meal breaks through both days that you'll have to pay for out of your own pocket (if you want to eat). My wife and I also rode up the day before and spent the night in the hotel (discounted rate for people taking the course) so we could start with plenty of rest the next day.

For more information see their website, and if you do decide to sign up, tell Eric I sent you! Stayin' Safe/The A.R.T. of Motorcycling LLC - Advanced Motorcycle Training On Real World Roads

 

[SteveADV]

Class looks small enough so that members of this forum could arrange for a group ride.

 

[JaimeC]

Absolutely. I'm eying the May 24/25 class in Connecticut myself...

Addendum: Just put a deposit on that course.

 

[bill steele]

I don't know if this happens in other states but here in Vermont they will accept you passing the MSF basic safety course they will issue you your motorcycle license (You have to have a permit issued by Vt. 1st and have had it for at least 1 month)

 

[SteveADV]

I think that is true for Ohio as well.

 

[JaimeC]

It is on a State-by-State basis. In NYS it USED to qualify you for the Points Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) too, but not since the MSF took it over from MANYS. At least you still get the road test waiver if you pass the course and have a valid learners permit.

 

[Skutorr]

In CA if you take the MSC you don't need to take the state Riding Test. My brother and I took the course together and...BOY was I doing a lot of things WRONG and had some BAD habits!

HIGHLY recommend that everyone take it...and it's fun!

 

[SteveADV]

My class even built a bit of camaraderie over the 2 1/2 days even though we had a couple drop outs after the first riding day. Most of the class already had motorcycles. When the riding tests were over and we were told that everyone passed the whole gang clapped. I must have been the problem child because my instructors mentioned an expletive I spat out after I realized I missed a slow down and go point prior to going into a turn.

And I agree, it was fun and as I mentioned earlier, really informative. I also believe the MSF issues a couple bottles of patience pills to each instructor.