Ok so I started my MSF class today @ the Alexandria campus. I'd like to write about my 3 day expeirence for those waiting to take it, those wanting to but haven't, or those that don't give a rats ass. Let me squash this myth first. You need to pass the MSF class (test and driving) and pass the DMV written test before getting the waiver for the practical DMV portion. I will update this thread as I do days 2 and 3. Day 1 (07/17/06) I show up about 7 am to class (starts at 7:30) and its so hot outside its crazy. Today is classroom instruction. We have four teams depending on which table you sit at. Each table sits six people. The instructors (they are funny) introduce themselves and has each one introduce someone from their table with information such as name, riding experience, bike, expectation, and concerns. After thats over we all begin learning some basic stuff out of the msf manual. We have to as a class and team answer 79 questions. We also learn that after the questions will be a test on the answers we just went over. All closed book and no notes. We took 2-10 minute breaks and when we answered all the questions and watched the msf videos it was 12. Time to take the test. The test is multiple choice and very easy. There are 50 questions and you need a 80% to pass. Thats up to 10 wrong for you math challenged folks. I missed one. No biggie. We left afterwards to a HOT ass afternoon. The whole class decides to begin class tomorrow at 6:30a since it will be hotter than hell. That means I got to leave my house at 5 am to give myself time to get through this mess we call traffic. Other than that we class was good. We got a coupon book for $$$ of from Coleman's gear and services. I think that about sums up day #1. Day 2 Before I start I must say I have a respect for the 250cc bikes. I've never ridden before so I must say they have a little pep in their step. On the flip side I also see why some of you guys recommend these bikes for beginner riders. There are at least 3 people in my class that keep stalling in first gear and go just as fast in 2nd than they went in first. These same people want to get 600cc sports bikes. Ok then. On with the class breakdown. We start out by learning all the parts of the bike, getting on and off, and starting it. We then began by walking the bike while straddled. Then we crank the engine and did a "power walk" learning the friction zone and how to use the clutch and throttle. Some good stuff. Then we went to full on riding. We did weaving, swerving, and corning. You can lean on those damm 250's if your in 2nd or 3rd. Of course there were people who were supposed to use speed in certain areas but they kept stalling their bikes and we ended up on each others asses. It of course was hot as hell. While you are riding it ain't so bad, but damm when you stop. I hated siting on the seats after we would discuss what we just did or are about to do. My as and balls were cooking. Note to the fellas: Don't wear briefs on hot ass days. Wear boxer briefs because sweating in jeans rubs you in the wrong areas. BB's will at least let the jeans rub against them instead of your legs. Well it was a fun day and we did all sorts of different things. I forgot to mention roll stops and some other things, but you get the point. One more day of practice riding and then we take the test. Oh I didn't buy a helmet so I had to wear theirs. I did this because I wasn't sure if I would really like riding. So instead of spending $$$ on gear that I potentially would not use I just used theirs. I see everybody passing in my class. There is one person that might have a really hard time. They are short and gets frustrated easily. On more thing for people wanting to learn to ride. Use your freaking breaks. Thats plural for front and rear. Its amazing how people kept flying past the stop point by pressing the clutch or clutch and rear break. Oh well. Looking forward to tomorrow. Day 3 Ok so only 11 out of 12 people showed up this morning. Don't know what happened to them. She had some problems yesterday, but so did some others. Anyway about 2 hrs in another girl quit. I think she was asked to try again since she had run a curb the other day and supposedly dropped the bike. Anyways the test was easy. Some of the same things we did except a little harder. The double U turn was in a smaller box (I lost 3 point for going outside the box). I aced everything else. The 10 remaining people passed too. So I got my MSF and like $$$ in coupons from Coleman's. I went immediately to the DMV and got my "M". So I can now officially say to the non-M's GO GET YOUR M. BTW my instructors were Pat and Diane.
DMV tests i recommend you to get ready to pass DMV written test before you'll go to DMV office. Here's good site to study: Online sample questions for DMV written exam for all states
I did the MFS course at Cecil Comunity College in Cecil County, MD. AS above, it was a great class. We had 2 females that didn't pass, too. It was the second time around for one girl, who, like above, jumped the curb and wrecked a bike. The second girl dropped her bike 5 times in 2 days. She passed the MFS test, but failed the waiver test. I HIGHLY recommend this course for anyone thinking about riding a bike, and even for those who already ride. There are advanced courses, too. If you're military, this is the best option, as you get the card needed for riding on base, and the waiver for the MVA in 3 days. Insurance companies like it, too! I got 10% off from Progressive, and the best price, too! I had a blast on the Honda 250 Nighthawk!
Nice write up! odd it took two years to get a response. I took the course in NY in April and it was pretty much the same as what you outlined including the class introductions. Each state is a little different in how (if) they apply the MSF BRC for a road test waiver or other credit. Yes I had a Nighthawk 250 also in the course, and yes is a fun easy to ride bike. They also had some Kymco's, I'd of liked to have tried one but everyone stuck with the motorcycle they started on.
That little Nighthawk is a great Parking Lot ride, but with it's weak brakes and TOTAL lack of power, it 's not a decent road bike, and is so antiquated that Honda should have replaced it years ago.
hehe yah that's probably true, I mean we didn't really get much past maybe 25mph in that class. I think it had drum brakes front and rear now that you mention brakes. I think I just liked it because it made taking the test at the end pretty easy, especially the u-turns in the small box.
When I took the written test at the DMV here in KC I was asked how long I had been driving and if it had been a while since I had been tested. It had been more than a decade, so they gave me the cage test. Not much in the way of Motorcycle questions at all! Just something to keep in mind while prepping for the written test . . .
Being a MSF coach myself I appreciate the write up with the details. Much appreciated. Yes they are low on power and antiquated as a whole but considering the cost of running a MSF school they still aren't a bargain. Also it is the BRC as in Basic Riders Course and an emphasis on Basic or Beginner so the last thing needed is a motorcycle that is more intimidating than it already is for novice riders. okay my .02 and soapbox speech is over :wink:
man, the MSF course I took taught me so much! :biggrin: my bro and I had ridden dirt for years as lads, but we didn't know diddly when it came to street... I have never taken a class that had so many real-world practical applications... those obstacle avoidance exercises saved me and my girl twice in freeway mishaps :thumbsup: HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE COURSES!
So, are you gonna buy a bike now or wait until Squirrel dude takes over the the reins of Honda and produces A Jerry Garcia model?
I also highly recommend this course. I took it when I was 16 years old (two summers ago) after about six year of dirt experience. I learned a lot and found it amazing that this course had true beginners riding around in a safe and efficient manner in a very short amount of time. I'm curious as to what it takes to become an instructor.. I think that would be a great experience:thumbsup:
