06-22-2015, 03:54 PM
(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.