What Level Will I Be After MSF?

[newrider57]

Thanks rowdy, I will try that.

[kandie]

My advice - from one newbie to another - keep practicing in the parking lot until you are comfortable - then take the second part of the course to let them (experienced trainers) push you to the extreme in a safe environment.

I took the MSF course at Awesome Cycles (Houston, TX) on April 4th-6th, bought my M50 on April 12th. I have been riding around the neighborhood on the weekends early in the am and later in the pm just before dark - not much going on at those times.

Today I went to the elementary school with my practice book I received in class. I did most of the drills just fine, of course my bike is much bigger than the itty bitty kiddy bikes at the class, but I think I handled it just fine. I plan to do this every weekend until I feel comfortable enough to take a drive around the area - then I plan to go take the experience rider course - problem is that you have to use your own bike and it is about an hour drive in a cage - that will be about an hour and a half on two wheels - maybe longer for me.

Have fun and ride safe!

[newrider57]

Well I got an answer to my original question. I completed my MSF course yesterday and scored 97%, but that is just the score. I learned a lot about what I don't know, or at least what I didn't know. The class was worth every penny that I paid and I would recommend it to any new rider. I still have a lot to practice, and consider myself a beginner. I did gain my confidence so that getting on and riding my own bike will not seem so daunting. It also taught me that I do need to keep practicing until I feel that I am comfortable with my skills.

Right now, I know what skills I need to work on and I need to learn my bike as well. We had Suzuki CZ250's for our class and they are all still in the break in period. I will be getting me some tennis balls and splitting them in half for my markers. Then it will be parking lot practice until I am better at each exercise. In the interim, I can practice in my neighborhood. We live in the country in a development of homes that have 1 acre lots and only driveways that intersect with the road. Except for the entrance that is. And only 12 homes are built and of them 3 aren't occupied yet. The road is a 1 mile oval with 4 corners and a few turns. It will make a great practice area.

[Clint]

Congrats! Sounds like you have a great plan.

[robertc729]

Congrats on passing your MSF course.

[kd5ob]

According to David L. Hough Author of "Proficient Motorcycling" and a former MSF trainer/teacher, LOOSELY WHAT HE SAID, I quit, you'll be meat for the grinder....

He quit the MSF because they cut those classes back to nothing.

And I agree with the Master, the MSF is just a shade above learning to ride a bike from a Relative.

I would enroll in a private, more comprehensive riders course.

Charlie

I'm Charlie and I endorse this message!

[wxmcpo]

I recently completed my MSF BRC. Prior to the course I had ZERO riding experience, after the course I can actually ride the bike, but I am still mindful that I am a new rider and I have much, much to learn. The course teaches you HOW to ride a bike, but it just gives you the basics (guess that's why it's call the BASIC rider's course huh).

Nothing beats time on the bike and actually practicing in an empty lot. I take my bike out every night for about 30 minutes and each night I push myself to do a little more than the previous evening. I have gotten the bike up to speeds of 45-50 mph and have managed to force myself out into traffic, but I know at this point I'm not ready to get it out on the interstate. I am totally enjoying this new experience, but I am also respectful of the power that the bike has and am always scanning the road ahead for potential hazards as taught in the course.