[gitchy42]

Starting this year, Oregon is phasing in state mandated motorcycle training for getting an endorsement.

This year, 21 and under must successfully complete a Team Oregon Training Course.
2011 30 and under, 2012 40 and under and 2013 50 and under. I believe in 2014 is when they mandate it for everyone to get a new endorsement, if not it’s under 60 then 2015 is everyone. Renewals are grandfathered in.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

More training is always better, but it does cost more and take more time.

The person who can complain the most about this new requirement is someone who rode dirt bikes from 8 to 16 years old, who needs very little training to know how to ride on the street, and statistically is much less likely to crash on the street, compared to someone who went from a bicycle to a street bike years later.

[eon]

I’m all for more training and I support it being a legal requirement. Yes, it means forcing some people to take a class they do not need but if it raises the basic standard then I’m all for it.

I find the age bracket thing confusing though I can understand the age 21 part. Everyone knows folks (at least males) below that age have little understanding of risk. Even been proved scientifically its biological, fleeing the nest, taking on the pack leader type of thing. But differentiating between 30, 40 and 50 year old’s? Seems a bit odd.

[gitchy42]

The idea behind breaking it up like that is so they can gradually phase it in, without overloading the system. Ten year breaks are convenient. A few years ago Oregon phased in requiring boaters to get a license the same way, starting at 18 or 21 then 30, etc until everyone was covered after the 4th or 5th year of the phase in and it worked fairly well.

[IBA270]

there is no way to quantify what the “experience” is. Does rider who claims 10 years of dirt experience have 10 years of experience or does he have one year of experience for 10 years? Better question…who taught the dirt riders? Are their respective techniques any good?

I’d still rather have brand new rider in my classes than an “experienced” rider. “Experienced” riders, whether dirt or pavement have to be “un-taught” several things. We have continually remind them to use both brakes, look through the turns and press the inside bar to turn. Beyond that, I never really know if they are accepting of the techniques taught or are just placating me to get through the course.

FWIW…all new riders in this state MUST complete the MSF/BRC in order to get a license as there is no longer a riding test given by the state, only a written test.

[gitchy42]

The instructors in the course I took said basically the same thing; it is easier to teach someone from scratch. There were a couple guys in the course that have ridden before, and there were a few things that they had to unlearn/relearn.

[gitchy42]

I forgot to mention a portion of the law. It requires insurance agencies to give a discount on rates to anyone who passes a DMV approved course. Right now those are the Team Oregon BRT and IRT.

[Author]

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