KC10 and I were having a discussion within the thread "Enough is Enough" and somehow lost the spirit of the origional thread, but we had an interesting correspondence non the less. We began talking about motorcycle safety courses that the various branches of the US Military offers their respective people. So, just out of curiosity, what kind of training programs do the rest of you have experience with? MSF, ADAC, Track Schools, School of Hard Knocks..?
School of Hard Knocks. I'm almost afraid to go to a motorcycle training course. I don't want them to tell me that what I've been doing for 25 years is ALL WRONG. I come from three generations of motorcycle riders... Does that count for something?ope2: I have, however, been contemplating a track school of sorts. I don't know how successful they are, but can you believe there are even "stunt schools" starting to pop up. :bs: I'm not going to pay somebody to teach me how to crash/phuc-up my bike. I think I got that one covered all by myself.
I am considering taking the basic safety course or intro course or whatever it might be called at some point. I've been riding street for slightly less than thirty years, and rode dirt for about six or seven years before that, so I am interested to see how bad some of my habits might be.
I took the basic MSF coures when I was in the Air Force. Good course and it was mandatory to ride on base. Action
The MSF coarse is a very good one. It teaches the basics and some advanced. Then go on to a riders (track) school. I didn't have that luxury when I started riding. Bought my first bike Feb of 75 and got in my first road race in June. The school of hard knocks is great but the tuition will kill ya. Also Kieth Codes book "A Twist of the Wrist" should be mandatory reading. Some guys I ride with have been riding for years and still doing wrong/bad things. One word sums it up...education.
I'm an MSF Coach like KC. I've done the Lee Park's Total Control School with a follow up practice day. I also attend the occasional track day with NESBA : Northeast Sports Bike Association And my buddy Jeff and I practice cornering technique's in the good ol local parking lot from time to time. More training to come God willing. I have my eye on some stuff...we'll see! BZ
This right here has the potential to be a disaster. First, I AM NOT saying that JTC's relatives are lousy riders. I am only using his statement to make a point. How many people learned from their dad or brother or uncle, etc? How did that person learn? I learned from my dad & in retrospect, he's one of the worst rider's I know. The fact he never killed himself on a bike is absolutely astounding. Get training from a professional, that's what they are there for. KC-10 FE out... lane: :usa2:
I think KC hits on a point that is so often overlooked, but as a Rider Coach I see this all the time. We get riders who have been riding for over 20 plus years and often there outlook is "I'm here to pass the class for the insurance discount". That statement would be fine except these riders are anything but proficient and they often are very challenged by some of the exercises. If you have been riding for that many years and the MSF Basic rider class is a 'challenge' on small displacement motorcycles...like KC's Dad, there are some blessed ass riders out on the road. How they have survived is beyond me.
Well no MSF course hear did take a school called "too cool" and would highly recomend it. Focuses mainly on low speed manovers and counter steering. I would like to take an advanced course as i am sure i have alll sorts of bad habits.
You know, not only do these schools help us unlearn some bad habits, but many insurance companies will give you a break for having attended one. Hell I need every penny I can get! That alone may motivate some riders to give these schools a try!
I took the motorcycle training when I was 17 because it was mandatory for people under 18, and Thank God for Texas, because I needed it and it probably saved my life. I was never around motorcycles, nor rode one often, in fact I was probably on a motorcycle less than 2 miles before I bought my 1987 Honda Rebel 250. To this date, 20 years later, I still remember some of the things I was thought. I know there is a Beginer's course offered and an Advance course. I will be takine the Advance course soon since they're offering it in town now and it cost about $70, but I highly recommend the Beginer's course to people who have riden less than 10,000 miles, and I mean actually operated a motorcycle.
