I want to share how my son learned to ride a motorcycle. We have limited access to the msf course here. They are overbooked, and infrequent. Chris decided to learn motorcycling the hard way...without a motorcycle. He read everything, talked with me, asked questions of experienced riders...basically, he did what many of the new riders on this forum probably do (c'mon, be honest), and skipped the msf altogether.

He did not, however, fail to practice, or get over-confident when he approached the apparent mastery of certain maneuvers. He spent hour after hour riding around in the grass before he got his permit. He spent even more hours riding in rural, low traffic areas. He exceeded the traction limits in the grass where it was less painful, and continues to explore those limits on pavement in a deserted soccer complex parking lot. He passed his test on the first try.

He understood fully the concept of countersteering BEFORE he ever rode a motorcycle, so he never experienced the fumbling around "Why won't this confounded thing turn" syndrome. He understood the role of every control, before he ever touched any of them.

I believe his research, and his tremendously humble attitude have made him a very good rider in only 3500 miles (since September). He will continue to practice, and we will continue to push each other in the safety of the parking lot, so we can be even better, safer riders on the road.

While I don't recommend this learning method, (especially if you have access to the msf course) It can be done with the right person, and alot of patience.

I wrote this for all the frustrated newbies who can't go the preferred route. Read books, read this forum, read, read, read. Then start slowly and practice, practice, practice! And ask questions until you're blue in the face.

Most importantly, heed the advice you seek! Resist the urge to get your forum members to tell you what you've already decided is right in your ignorance. This is a sport where stupidity, or just simple ignorance can result in serious injury or death. Research and practice can go a long way if no msf course is available.

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Ride safe...God bless!
-Ron

Great post ronboskz650sr;

I'd like to highly recommend to all new riders about taking an Motorcycle Safety Course if it is available in your area. The MSF course is extremely valuable and teaches you a lot of basic things about riding a motorcycle that you will need later on down the road. It is better to know and practice them now then to "try to figure it out" in a spilt second.

If you do not have an MSF course I would suggest doing what ronboskz650sr posted, learn, read, learn, ask, read and learn some more before getting in traffic.

Total Motorcycle has a great Beginners Guide to Motorcycling Handbook: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm that I would hope all new riders will take the time to read.

Mike.

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I don't think it is that tough to get into an msf class if your in the usa. just get on the waiting list and when time comes make the trip to the friday night class, rent a cheap motel if its not close to home, and get up saturday and do the ridsing section. Just takes a couple hundred bucks and a couple days. Something that i dont see why newbies would skip, atleast in America. But, as the mecanic on the site:
http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm
always sais:
"If you don't, It's OK... I don't care,
it's not my body, and it won't HURT me at all !"

_________________
1994 Ford Explorer
2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm
check out this site!

You're entitled to your opinion, and I can tell you it isn't always that easy just because it's America. Even the $200 may or may not be that easy (or even the right amount). Taking a weekend off may not be that easy. Going out of town and renting a motel may not be that easy. Like I said, You're entitled to your opinion. BTW, if you don't care, why post?

_________________
Ride safe...God bless!
-Ron

ronboskz650sr, now a days I always recommend taking the MSF, Riders Edge, or similar type course for new riders. Passing an approved course gets an automatic MC endorsement in this state as well as a 10% discount on insurance from most companies.

My son started riding at about age 17, around 1971 or 72 as I recall. He just bought a small inexpensive bike and started riding. He did go back some years later and took the MSF course to get the insurance discount and felt it helped his riding skills and it was worthwhile.

The summer of 84 at age 52, I stopped at a dealership and bought my first bike. A new 81 CB400T. Called my son to ride it home for me and then I practiced in the apartment complex parking lot for an hour and put it away. Next morning I hit the street alone and kept on going. Now over 20 yrs and 326,000 miles later, I still haven't stopped. Never did take any courses or read any books about how to ride.

I always said anyone who rode a bicycle as a child and could drive a stick shift car could just get on a bike and ride it. Just show them where the throttle, clutch, shifter, brakes, etc are and let them go. But things are different now, traffic is much faster and much more aggresive. When I first started, I had a close call ocassionally. Rather rare then. Now it is a almost a daily occurance. Nobody yields an inch to anybody they don't have to. Defensive riding techniques are much more needed now than they were in earlier times.

I still think it's best for a new rider to take the MSF course, but if I had a new first bike now and the MSF was filled up for the season, I would still go get a learner's permit and start riding myself. The rest of you should go take the course first.

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403,475 miles in 10,413 days (28.53 years) for 14,142 miles/year average. Started 7/21/84, updated 11/29/12

Quote"BTW if you don't care why post" Quote

For legality reasons. It is my waiver so i can't be sewd
It's not i dont care as much as it is just saying my part and letting the others decide from there.
I don't want newbies to read this and not take the training course. I think if you want to take the risk of driving a motorcycle you should go out of your way as much as possible to lower that risk as low as you can, and most bikers on this board love msf classes more than any other teaching aid to bikes.

_________________
1994 Ford Explorer
2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm
check out this site!

here in australia, training courses are a given: you need to attend and pass a 7 hour course over 2 days to even GET you Learner licence (min age 16 and 9 months, cant carry a pillion passenger) for a bike, then another more advanced course is mandatory to get your Provisional licence (min age is 17). after that, you can progress to an unrestricted licence at age 18. The good news is that the courses only cost $66 for the learner course, and $99 for the provisional one, which is not all that bad at all to be honest. theres always the option of learning the other way by taking a bike out to a farm or where-ever though, which is what i've done to be honest. doesnt mean you can negate the course tho, just means you'll probably ace it anyways, the results of a mandatory course based licence graduation system are being really felt after being introduced in 1991, as a lot less bikers are dying on our roads. i say take the course, at the very least you'll (in the USA) get your insurance down, and at the most you'll learn how to ride properly.

regards - Enoch

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Go fast on something not meant for it. Then you'll understand the true meaning of speed.

Ron,

I'm very much like you. I am completely self-taught to this point. I've logged roughly 15 to 20 K miles on two wheels. I've never taken the MSF course. Most of my riding experience was on a learner's permit, and continued after it expired.

I now posess an M1 endorsement on my comercial license. I will still complete the MSF Basic Rider Course, however. Why? An overwhelming majority of experienced riders recommend it. David Hough quotes statistics that say those who complete the course as part of their learning experience are far less likely to crash.

I live in California, though. There is a city with over 100,000 people within an hour's ride anywhere in this state (almost), and all of those cities have MSF courses. For those of you who may not have realistic access to a course - RIDE! Read, ride, Read, ride, and read some more. This is a good place to learn. Practice in parking lots. Go SLOW. that is where you gain the most skill, believe it or not. Also learn how to stop in a panic situation without loosing control. The more you practice, the better prepared you will be when an emergency calls for your skills.

For anyone who is interested, I have David Hough's
Proficient Motorcycling. I am willing to pass it on, if you're willing to read. PM me.

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Only the dead have seen the end of war. (Plato)

For those who stopped reading my post before these sentences, here it is. This was an attempt to help those who WILL ride without proper instruction, not an attempt to talk people out of proper instruction!

Clearly Mike and Matt, and I think Jack read the whole thing and didn't simply post to disagree.

As for getting sued, the same anonymity that made you feel safe posting your opposing opinion will protect you from that, too. Nobody knows or cares who you are here for legal purposes, we just try to be kind and helpful. That is still my intent for this post, as I have NEVER met a rider who HAS taken the MSF, regardless of what a good thing it is. The reason for that is clearly explained in the first thread. BTW, I am originally from New York state, and there are no courses within 60 miles of where I grew up either, regardless of the population density there.

For those who read my post in its entirety, thanks for the replies. To the others, take a moment now to read the whole thing...I will not reply to any more posts, I wrote what was in my heart, and still is.

_________________
Ride safe...God bless!
-Ron

My name is Justin, and I have taken the MSF course. Nice to meet you Ron.
the legality thing was just me being hilariuos glad it made everyone laugh (sarcasm intended)

_________________
1994 Ford Explorer
2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm
check out this site!