Rider Safety Course

[1100rider_imp]

Completed the MSF Advanced Rider Course at NIU yesterday. The instructors were great and I came away with more riding techniques than I had and more confidence in handling the CB. Highly recommend the course to anyone.

[arva_imp]

congrats... did you do the course with your cb1100? or did you use the bike provided by the course provider?

Completed the MSF Advanced Rider Course at NIU yesterday. The instructors were great and I came away with more riding techniques than I had and more confidence in handling the CB. Highly recommend the course to anyone.

[veech_imp]

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!

[ish_imp]

Okay so my friend and I both got our bikes at about the same time and the only real difference between him and I is that I took the MSF course and he did not. I guess he got a learning permit and didn’t bother to get the full license.


I was on my little ninja 250 and he got a blacked out Harley 48 (beautiful bike)

Unfortunately he wrecked it on the freeway (with only 1500miles on the bike) and doesn’t ride anymore.

The reason why he crashed was because he panicked brake and only used his rear brake making the bike tire lock up and slide. I was riding behind him and the accident could have been easily avoided with proper riding technique.

He was okay, but like I said above the harley is wrecked with frame damage collecting dust in his backyard.

I believe that if he had taken the MSF course he would still be riding today.

The MSF course was the best $200.00 I have ever spent.

I am thinking about taking a track day course and learn a bit more.

[kmoney_imp]

Definetely worth it. I don't think I've ever met anyone who, regardless of skill or riding experience, has told me they didn't get something out of the course. For what it costs, it should really be compulsory for licensing.

[JF Coastal_imp]

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.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

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.

[Xyzzy_imp]

Honda will pay for part of the MSF fee: http://powersports.honda.com/documents/t...m-Form.pdf

[Guth_imp]

I took the MSF class as well and in my case it was definitely time and money well spent.

We had an interesting mix of students in the class including a few guys that had been riding "forever". More often than not, it was those guys that had the most time on a bike that would quickly raise their hand with what would turn out to be a wrong answer in the classroom. They weren't free from errors out in the parking lot either. Probably most telling thing was that at the end of the class everyone agreed that they had learned something (some more than others of course). Still, it's hard to argue with results like those.

Thanks to the class, rooted in my subconscious every time I ride is a focus on how I can avoid setting myself up for accidents. My goal is to minimize putting myself into situations where the odds are stacked against me. That doesn't mean such situations don't arise, but when they have, I've been fortunate so far to react as I learned in the class. The braking exercise was fun in the class, but more than once has proven to be truly essential on the street.

I can understand how guys who have been riding for their entire adult lives might feel like they wouldn't get much out of the class. That might indeed prove to be the case. I can respect the decision not to participate. My aim here isn't to preach, merely to add to the chorus of those who feel that they have benefitted from participating in the class.

[SanPete_imp]

Okay so my friend and I both got our bikes at about the same time and the only real difference between him and I is that I took the MSF course and he did not. I guess he got a learning permit and didn’t bother to get the full license.


I was on my little ninja 250 and he got a blacked out Harley 48 (beautiful bike)

Unfortunately he wrecked it on the freeway (with only 1500miles on the bike) and doesn’t ride anymore.

The reason why he crashed was because he panicked brake and only used his rear brake making the bike tire lock up and slide. I was riding behind him and the accident could have been easily avoided with proper riding technique.

He was okay, but like I said above the harley is wrecked with frame damage collecting dust in his backyard.

I believe that if he had taken the MSF course he would still be riding today.

The MSF course was the best $200.00 I have ever spent.

I am thinking about taking a track day course and learn a bit more.

I gather he did not have full coverage?