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+--- Thread: Rider Safety Course (/showthread.php?tid=2948)
RE: Rider Safety Course - clearviewx - 06-22-2015
Harley Davidson is offering a free learn to ride for all former & current military members.
https://ridefree.harley-davidson.com/militarylearntoride/
RE: Rider Safety Course - JustPassinThru_imp - 06-22-2015
I was looking at that when I was at the H-D dealer - needed a helmet part.
I believe that's for non-riders who want to learn to ride.
I could be wrong here...but since they provide the bikes, and even safety gear...I think they're trying to recruit the curious to the Harley brand. But I don't think there's much there for us more-experienced, unless we want to get our hands on H-D hardware.
RE: Rider Safety Course - Cormanus - 06-22-2015
(06-22-2015, 04:44 AM)veech_imp Wrote: Good for you. Everyone at all skill levels should periodically take this as a refresher. Can never be to safe.
It's interesting to note how these safety courses change over the years. One thing I never hear anymore is the golden rule I ride by-PRETEND YOU ARE INVISIBLE. I mean literally, assume they can not see you at all times. One example: I was waiting in the left lane at a red light, a woman in a car was in the right lane next to me. We looked at each other, actually in the eyes, so she definitely knew I was there. Light turns green and you guessed it-she decides to take a left turn into me. Fortunately for my ninja like reflexes I avoided THAT one but it was close!
Veech, there's a lesson for us all in here. Curiously, I learned it on my advanced rider course. It is that you never, ever really know whether you have made eye contact with another driver. Relying on it as decision making input is fraught.
So I add my voice to those who say it's a good thing to do. We very seldom know so much that a refresher is not a good idea.
(06-22-2015, 09:35 AM)JustPassinThru_imp Wrote:(06-22-2015, 08:19 AM)JF Coastal_imp Wrote: I took the beginners MSF course years ago, and think it was an absolute must. Friends that are new to riding, I always say "Please take the MSF course!" Not many have, it boggles my mind. I'll be signing up for the advanced riding course when my schedule allows for it. Can't wait.
I'm one of those who never did.
I'm wondering what it would offer me. I'm self-taught; and I think well-taught. When I had my accident, I had one of the strongest-imaginable witnesses right behind me: And off-duty Detroit cop, from the Motorcycle Unit, who was vacationing with his family by car. He gave a five-page statement to the effect that I did everything by textbook - which cut off the other driver's assertion that I was riding recklessly (never explained how - that lie didn't even get that far).
Now, today...I'm not a performance rider but I'm way beyond what I could learn in a novice school. I don't know that either the power-rider class or the novice class could teach me enough to be worth it; I'm not looking to drag pegs on the pavement. I'm just out for fresh air and sunshine.
JPT, clearly I have no idea of your riding ability, but I'm not sure you should think of an advanced riding skills course as 'novice school'. My experience is limited, I know, but the course I did helped me work on a few things to improve my riding technique and was a useful refresher on some basic skills to keep me alive on public streets. I came away having learned more than I expected and intend to do it again someday.
RE: Rider Safety Course - 4 Paws_imp - 06-23-2015
Took the MSF beginners course with my wife when she decided it was time to buy her own. After being a licensed motorcycle rider for more than 35 years at that time I learned a lot. Great weekend.
Inspired me to look for more riding classes. Found out that the NC Highway Patrol offered a motorcycle skills improvement class several times a year in various locations. One day class emphasizing safety training but also had a coaching clinic and skills evaluation and improvement session with one on one coaching. Great day.
Look around, lots of fun stuff offered and usually the reduction in insurance cost will offset any fees.
RE: Rider Safety Course - veech_imp - 06-23-2015
(06-22-2015, 09:35 AM)JustPassinThru_imp Wrote:(06-22-2015, 08:19 AM)JF Coastal_imp Wrote: I took the beginners MSF course years ago, and think it was an absolute must. Friends that are new to riding, I always say "Please take the MSF course!" Not many have, it boggles my mind. I'll be signing up for the advanced riding course when my schedule allows for it. Can't wait.
I'm one of those who never did.
I'm wondering what it would offer me. I'm self-taught; and I think well-taught. When I had my accident, I had one of the strongest-imaginable witnesses right behind me: And off-duty Detroit cop, from the Motorcycle Unit, who was vacationing with his family by car. He gave a five-page statement to the effect that I did everything by textbook - which cut off the other driver's assertion that I was riding recklessly (never explained how - that lie didn't even get that far).
Now, today...I'm not a performance rider but I'm way beyond what I could learn in a novice school. I don't know that either the power-rider class or the novice class could teach me enough to be worth it; I'm not looking to drag pegs on the pavement. I'm just out for fresh air and sunshine.
I'm one of those who never did.
I'm wondering what it would offer me. I'm self-taught; and I think well-taught. When I had my accident, I had one of the strongest-imaginable witnesses right behind me: And off-duty Detroit cop, from the Motorcycle Unit, who was vacationing with his family by car. He gave a five-page statement to the effect that I did everything by textbook - which cut off the other driver's assertion that I was riding recklessly (never explained how - that lie didn't even get that far).
Now, today...I'm not a performance rider but I'm way beyond what I could learn in a novice school. I don't know that either the power-rider class or the novice class could teach me enough to be worth it; I'm not looking to drag pegs on the pavement. I'm just out for fresh air and sunshine.
I have no doubt about your riding ability. I would say however that the main benefit of these courses is about changing our mental perspective even more than the physical riding skills, although both can be improved for even experienced riders.
On the physical front they can reaffirm you are doing the best things you can be, and maybe even teach a new trick or two. One example that comes to mind is the concept of counter-steering which is an often misunderstood but incredibly useful riding technique.
On the mental front however it helps bring out a defensive riding mindset. Now I am not talking about riding like a pussy, but about making sure you have the best chances of living to ride another day by minimizing risks that can be easily avoided. In many cases the best defense can be a good offense, for example sometimes accelerating hard is the best way to get out of a risky situation.
The worst thing we can do however is get complacent in our own riding ability. This is when we start letting our guard down and bad things can happen. They are usually NOT our fault but that of others around us, but because we weren't as focused on them as we maybe could be we end up in potentially hazardous situations. Doesn't matter who was 'right' or 'wrong', you still end up paying the price.
Another of my favorite sayings they used to say in these classes which I never hear any more is: "Be right, but don't be DEAD RIGHT!"
RE: Rider Safety Course - Dale_imp - 06-23-2015
I took the motorcycle course as well and would certainly recommend it. I hadn't ridden a bike since my motocross days in the 70's so was looking not for how to ride a motorcycle but how to do it safely on the road. We used their bikes in the parking lot lessons and could use our own on the road portion. It felt good to be riding with the instructors the first few times I had my CB on the road. For those who didn't have their full license yet they offered a mock road test and would meet you at the motor vehicle office for moral support.
And what Veech said. It doesn't really matter whose fault it is. When there's a crash it's often the motorcyclist that's the worse off at fault or not.
And the single best tip I got was counter steering. Push right, go right, push left go left.
It's not an automatic reaction for me yet so I'm working on that. And having a blast on my CB!
RE: Rider Safety Course - Doug_imp - 06-23-2015
I too took the basic course last fall. I hadn't even thought about it but when I told a lady friend that I'm gettin' a bike, she told me I am taking that class. You know how that goes: But, I already know how to ride a bike.... Anyway, she was not taking no for an answer. The last bike I had was a dirt bike, and I had sold it 12 years prior. I learned some things and it was good to get in a little seat time on a learner bike before I got my hands on the real deal. Not one bit sorry I did it.
RE: Rider Safety Course - Pterodactyl_imp - 06-23-2015
(06-22-2015, 04:44 AM)veech_imp Wrote: Good for you. Everyone at all skill levels should periodically take this as a refresher. Can never be to safe.Veech, please explain exactly what sort of eye contact you made with this dear, innocent, young woman before she decided to kill you.
It's interesting to note how these safety courses change over the years. One thing I never hear anymore is the golden rule I ride by-PRETEND YOU ARE INVISIBLE. I mean literally, assume they can not see you at all times. One example: I was waiting in the left lane at a red light, a woman in a car was in the right lane next to me. We looked at each other, actually in the eyes, so she definitely knew I was there. Light turns green and you guessed it-she decides to take a left turn into me. Fortunately for my ninja like reflexes I avoided THAT one but it was close!
Cheers
RE: Rider Safety Course - Cormanus - 06-23-2015
(06-23-2015, 05:51 PM)Pterodactyl_imp Wrote:Veech, please explain exactly what sort of eye contact you made with this dear, innocent, young woman before she decided to kill you.(06-22-2015, 04:44 AM)veech_imp Wrote: Good for you. Everyone at all skill levels should periodically take this as a refresher. Can never be to safe.Veech, please explain exactly what sort of eye contact you made with this dear, innocent, young woman before she decided to kill you.
It's interesting to note how these safety courses change over the years. One thing I never hear anymore is the golden rule I ride by-PRETEND YOU ARE INVISIBLE. I mean literally, assume they can not see you at all times. One example: I was waiting in the left lane at a red light, a woman in a car was in the right lane next to me. We looked at each other, actually in the eyes, so she definitely knew I was there. Light turns green and you guessed it-she decides to take a left turn into me. Fortunately for my ninja like reflexes I avoided THAT one but it was close!
Cheers
Cheers
Pterodactyl, please explain how you know she was dear, innocent and young.
RE: Rider Safety Course - Pterodactyl_imp - 06-23-2015
Omnipotence I guess.