- This topic has 90 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 7 months ago by eon.
MSF School: Waste of time, waste of money, both, or none of the above……Flamers flame on.
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September 25, 2008 at 6:44 am #12720smokeizfireParticipant
INSULTS ARE SLUNG IN MANY FORMS MY FRIEND.
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
September 25, 2008 at 7:01 am #12721smokeizfireParticipantCongratulations on your endorsement You’ll be one of the first to know if or when I get mine. I hope I do pretty good. Now where the hell is Elwood throughout all this???
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
September 25, 2008 at 4:10 pm #12739eonParticipantJeeesus, can we stop hurling insults around now, please? Arguing with people on the internet has to be one of the most pointless pastimes around.
Smoke, we get the idea you are disappointed in your class. This could have been a great thread on the merits of the MSF class. For what it’s worth, I was also disappointed with my class. I did not like the cozy discussion groups with other noobs, I wanted to learn from the instructor. I know they were trying to get us thinking but since I had already read the MSF handbook and Proficient Motorcycling, I pretty much knew the answers they were looking for. I did learn a lot from the range part as I had never sat on a motorcycle before so I certainly got my money’s worth there. However, it is not that hard to learn the basics enough to pass the test. I would have liked more time to practice certain things. My main complaint was, is that it? I wanted to learn more. It seemed a bit scary that I was now ‘qualified’ to hit the open road.
From reading forums like this it is not hard to get the impression this class will turn you into a safe, experienced rider in 2 easy days. Fact is it is a BASIC class. I think it does a great job of getting people to think about safety. If you are experienced it can probably help you identify bad habits you have picked up. You are probably in the worst position, new but with several weeks practice on doing things correctly and has read the material.
September 25, 2008 at 5:38 pm #12746smokeizfireParticipant(Your e-penis is huge????? More than laughing out loud)
It’s funny because the instructor who was over the written part asked how many of us had ridden before. After we raised our hand, she said (jokingly) that you guys are our worse students. I’m not disappointed in the class. The MANY distractions in the class were more to blame in my opinion.
I wanted to be DRILLED on what we were learning. I wanted my faults to be pointed out when I made errors, then what to do to correct them. I got the old PAT ON the BACK whether I FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS or NOT. Maybe when they asked me if I knew how to ride, I should have kept it to myself. Would have been pretty hard since I rode it to school.LOL
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
September 25, 2008 at 9:17 pm #12761AndrewParticipantMy instructor did mention that all the class did was make you parking lot certified. I did like the class for the skill level I was at and I learned a lot. There’s a gap though between the parking lot certification and and the riding on the road in traffic. I know in the UK they have a separate test for road riding where you ride in traffic with the examiner riding with you. A class that would prepare someone for that is what I think was missing.
I live in a small enough town that I was able to slowly transition myself into traffic but if I lived in major city then traffic would feel this unsafe major butt clenching activity until you built up a comfort zone.
September 26, 2008 at 12:38 am #12768AmorylParticipantI can safely say….BOTH!
September 26, 2008 at 1:30 am #12769smokeizfireParticipant..then I found 1 more behind my PC : )
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
September 26, 2008 at 2:07 am #12770smokeizfireParticipantHE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
September 26, 2008 at 3:23 am #12773MunchParticipantYesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
September 28, 2008 at 2:56 pm #12881AnonymousGuestThis was actually a very interesting thread (assuming I ignore some of the back and forth bickering). In my case I followed the recipee for disaster (some would say as I purchased a large new bike with no experience). I decided to get a motorcycle earlier in the summer for a variety of reasons. I had never ridden before but I was fairly confident I could do it. I’m a definite research guy so I knew the statistics around accidents and people that had taken the MSF safety class. So I decided I’d be a fool not to take it. Before the class after looking at a variety of motorcycles one I was interested in became available. I purchased it two weeks before the class and began practicing in the neighborhood. I also obtained the MSF course book and read it cover to cover.
I rode everyday before the class. When I took the class I was good at most of the basics. Plus anything high speed I had already done (if you want to call it high speed as most of you know the class). My instructors tailored the course to experience of various individuals. Provided extra attention and taught me much. Definitely worth it. They focused on the “Life Skills” which they said would save your life. They also taught some things that were useful/good to know but not considered life saving. They also provided the right level of criticism and praise (pats on the back and name calling where appropriate).
However as they say YMMV. I’m sure it is instructor dependent along with student dependent. I ride to work now 4 days per week in a combination of freeway and city traffic. I can definitely tell I improve every ride. I look at how I’m riding and attempt to improve on a daily basis. It’s been a great experience. I’m also looking forward to the MSF ERC which I’m targeting for next spring.
September 28, 2008 at 5:06 pm #12889smokeizfireParticipantToday is the day I go to the last session. I really would like to eat my words when I re post weighing my entire MSF experience. I’d like to extend more than an olive branch to RAB. A true apology is in order. Sorry for all of the verbal attack ( where I post “GLOVES OFF”). My offense to your statements still did not deserve a lashing of that sort. I hope we can agree to disagree in a more respectful manner towards each other.
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
September 28, 2008 at 6:16 pm #12899RabParticipantApology accepted; ‘ water under the bridge.
September 29, 2008 at 3:09 am #12928smokeizfireParticipantI passed. And what a challenge today was. This is going to sound soooo corny (so everybody get their spread ready), but today made it all worth it. The challenges, the coaching, the well deserved “good job” this time. Unfortunately, someone did get hurt today. During the skills test where you brake before you corner, a guy dropped the bike on himself. He sprained his ankle pretty badly, sad to say. 2/3 of the disabled students passed as well….yay for the underdogs! 10/12 ain’t bad.
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINSSeptember 29, 2008 at 3:22 am #12931megaspazParticipantCongrats on passing. Yeh, it’s the testing day that’s the most challenging. Doing what you practiced the day before at a snap of the finger. You can kick ass the day before but bork the test… something about pressure and all that. Again congrats on getting through it all.
Sorry to hear about the downed rider. hope he recovers quickly and goes again.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…September 29, 2008 at 3:36 am #12933MunchParticipantWell congratulations on passing and getting validation for your money….
Now you owe everyone dinner… and not the crow you just ate either………just kidding ( sorry couldn’t leave it alone without one humorous jab).
Seriously though… glad ya passed and got a better experience….now more practice and more practice then endorsement!Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
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