I took it because my uncle said that even though I can ride I should still do it. He was a big influence on me growing up, so I took his advice. He raced for years, yadda yadda. Like I said, it felt like a waste of money the whole time, but I still learned some things. I mean when was the last time you spen two hours practicing u-turns? So, it's a goo investment either way. You get an insurance break, hang out with people who make way more money than you do and already own bikes I will never be able to afford even before they knew how to ride. For a complete novice it's a no brainer, though. I saw people who could barely move on the things completing figure 8 u-tuns inside a small box at the end of the course, so take it for what it's worth.
Ya, and then they go and buy a 1200 cc or greater bike only to go and hurt themselves. My point is this, learn to ride the bike you will have between your legs in a controlled environment, as did I, not a tiny 250CC motorcycle they give you at the MSF course.
The teachers said they work for free because they are passionate about what they do, and though there may have been people who make more than me attending the class, I don't think that factors into how one can ride, only the amount of what one can purchase. I didn't make the lottery and couldn't tell you what happened in the class after that. I did however, after learing to ride the 750 on side streets and pulling u turns and practicing figure 8's between the curbs allowed me to do really well on the DMV test using my bike. I really don't believe that by taking the MSF you should get a free bee that allows people to just get their picture taken. It's simply not enough.
I see too many doctors, lawyers, business men in general take the MSF only to go and buy a Road King Classic and lose control of it with in a year or two. Not all, but they stand a greater risk. You could have 30 years under your belt as a rider, but if you don't practice with your bike, your only kidding yourself.
For anyone who does not believe you can slam an 800 lb bike through the cones, watch ride like a pro; I was once ignorant enough to believe it wasn't possible: now I see either you can ride or you can't; no excuse.
You don't get a freebie by taking the MSF course. They can and will fail you if you do not pass a written exam and road test. And I'm sure that the video is very good and useful. Tell me though, what makes more sense:
A) Taking the course, riding one of their bikes, then spending the $xxxx.xx on a bike of your own once you have a basic feel for it
-or-
B) Buying a DVD and a motorcycle will costs several thousand dollars, and figuring out how to do what you see on the TV.
I'm sure the DVD is great, I'm sure it's packed with lots of useful information.
But for most people (at least in PA, because it's free) they take the class to see if they're ready for the investment of biking.
And not to mention:
- It's 4 sessions, only 3-5 hours each, so it's not like it's eatting up all your free time
- You can save up to 15-20% on your insurance if you pass it.
- You have the option of learning how to ride on someone else's bike, rather than risk dropping your own
- You also have the option of riding your own bike if you so wish (up to 500 or 750cc I believe)
- You have actual instructors there to answer your questions, and work with you if you need help
- I doubt you recieve any of the classroom segment on the DVD, including, but not limited to
- Pre-ride inspection process
- Options of increasing your visibility to other motorists
- Selection of proper safety gear
- Provide a safe learning enviroment, which, unless you live within walking/pushing distance of an empty lot, you're going to be on the road with other vehicles before you get to learn/practice anything safely
- Most bikes aren't equiped with a DVD player and TV, and chances of your remembering everything the video is trying to teach you when you go out to practice are nill
- And lastly, they stress throughout the course that bikes are not like cars in the least, and each make, model, and year is going to have a different feel, weight, and balance to it, and in turn, URGE you to become familiar with any bike you get on before riding it in earnest.
If you took the course and expected to jump on a 750 after riding a 250, that's your own fault. They warn you in the course, and people who buy 1000cc+ bikes and wreck them within a year aren't getting any of my sympathy.
I don't know why you're so vehement about the course. That's great, you bought the DVD, learned to ride like a pro, and feel the course is a waste. The MSF is a great organization, and they do a great job of introducing people to biking, and I don't care how much you learned from your DVD, there is simply no reason for you to try and talk someone who is new to motorcycling out of taking the course. If I had watched your DVD and found it useful, I would suggest it as well, but I wouldn't knock one or the other, because most people will never get to the god-like level of motorcycling this DVD seems to have given you. It's all about continuously building your skills as a biker, and constantly learning, from any available source, because you never know when you'll call on those skills to save your life. And I apologize if this last paragraph sounds like I'm trolling on you, but seriously, you're telling someone not to take a SAFETY COURSE when they're admittedly new to motorcycles.
