Triumphrat

Anchorbend · 12-07-2005

OK it is 12 degrees and snowing and I'm bored so here it goes. Many of the posts refer to the MSF course which I have taken and glad I did. I am curious how many out there have taken the course or a similar one? Also interesting to know if you had prior experience.

Philip · 12-07-2005

I took it when I was getting back into riding after a decade-long layoff following 30 years of experience. You see all kinds there, including experienced oldsters like me and others who've never thrown a leg over a seat. Many women, too, who did just as well as the men.

Here in California, passing the MSF course means you don't need to take the on-road riding test at the DMV. Pass the written, show your MSF certification, and you get the MC endorsement.

Highly recommended.

cobra935o · 12-07-2005

With most insurance companies the MSF card will also get you a discount, but you have had to have taken the course within the last 3 years. I think both the courses that the MSF offers are good to refresh and build on one another after you have some riding under your belt. Nathan

[ This message was edited by: cobra935o on 2005-12-07 10:45 ]

tba-golfer · 12-07-2005

I can ditto Phillip almost word for word.
I, at 53, had vitrually no experience. My group 12 ranged in age from 17-60, four women, and experience from nil to a few riding their bikes to class.
The instructors were terrific, and had a sense of what emphasis to put on each student.
An advantage, for me at least, was that we used small 125 and 250 bikes, which made learning various skills, especially the figure 8 inside a marked "box," that much easier. I doubt I could have passed that component of the test on my longer and heavier TBA. It has been the best bike related money I have spent. EVERY new or returning rider should take this class, in my opinion.

Panthermark · 12-07-2005

I took the class

Sixmil · 12-07-2005

The first time I took the course was 1975 with the US Navy. It was required to have a Motorcycle Safety Course (1 day course) completion card to drive onto military installations. Also you are required by the military to wear all the gear. (Boots, long pants, long sleeve shirt, helmet with shield or eye protection, and reflective vest).
I took the Navy's version of the course again in 1990. Sold that Bike in 92. Bought a Triumph America in Aug. 2005 and took the Abate course in Sept and with the course completion card got my license endorsed. After 13 years off a bike, I still learned something from the course. Highly recommended to new and old riders. Your never too old to learn. Stubborn maybe but not too old. Just turned 50 and decided that riding the Triumph is my second childhood!

:-g Got to go home and drink a Guinness! Too cold to ride today, high temp of 20 degrees F

Thunder_Forever · 12-07-2005

I actually took this course here in Denver......
Motorcycle Operator Safety Training

Ridge · 12-07-2005

I never took a MSF course but I plan on taking the an advanced class this spring to improve my bike handling skills. I would like to build my confidence enough to know I could handle any situation the right way.

I would also like to improve my handling skills in taking corners. I've read a lot on it but now that I'm going to be doing mountain driving and switchbacks I think actual instruction will help me more than anything.

I wouldn't mind learning how handle the bike on a track either (just for fun) so I may take a track class too. I have always wanted to be able to do this:

~Ridge

[ This message was edited by: Ridge on 2005-12-07 11:09 ]

boozefighter · 12-07-2005

Several years ago a good friend of mine and fellow employee expressed an interest in motorcycling. At that time he was in his early 30s. After touring the local motorcycle shops he selected a new BMW R1100R, which I assured him was a good starter bike. I helped him select the appropriate safety gear-Horsehide jacket, engineer boots, sturdy riding gloves, goggles, and a black BMW t-shirt. On the day that the purchase was completed I rode the bike to my house for him in a driving rainstorm. Once the rain had cleared up a bit, I began his training. After spending an extensive amount of time, about 15 minutes, going over the features and controls of the cycle and having him get comfortable in his knowledge of them, I rode his bike to an asphalt playground down the street from my hacienda. I had him carry a cooler of beer and my folding instructor's lawn chair to the playground and set it up in a good vantage point where I could observe and critic him. The beer was for me-I won't permit students to drink beer until training is over for the day. After having him circle around the playground for about a half hour and secure in his ability to shift and brake, he was than instructed to ride around the block on his own-never exceeding 2nd gear. When he successfully completed this assignment I went back to the house and got on my own Beemer. I than took him for a tour of the neighborhood using the side streets as a training area. Knowing that his skill and confidence were growing by the minute, I instructed him to follow me to a major thoroughfare-IL Route 53-better known as old Route 66. I gradually had him increase speed until he was at 55 mph and waved him to pull up along me in the right side of our 4 lane road. As we rode along side by side I continuously shouted words of encouragement to him. After about 15 miles I suggested we go back to my garage for constructive criticism and his feedback over a few drinks. Thus concluded a successful 1st training day. Within a week he was hauling ass with the pack and in ten days was cruising with his girlfriend on the back. After his first full year of riding he traded in the R1100R for a R1200C, which he still rides. I've now got him interested in Triumph and he's hot to trot to get one. Although I'm sure he would have benefited highly by the MSF course, he was more than satisfied with Boozefighter's School of Motorcycling which is free,except the student has to supply the instructor with beer, can be conducted anytime day or night, and includes free close combat lessons and real life practice sessions. And that's just something that MSF can't compete with. Ride safe, Joe :-D

stinebiz · 12-07-2005

I took the course for the first time in 1990, after years of riding dirk bikes, but not yet owning a street bike. I bought my 883 in 92 and sold it in 99. Started riding again in 03 when I bought my T100 and took the course again.

It's now mandatory for Air Force Hawaii members to take it every 3 years, but the govt pays for it. We are also forbidden to ride any bike of larger cc's than we used to take the course on. rules...rules