If you have any kind of coordination and common sense at all, you will pass the MSF course...even if you dont even know how to ride a bicycle. I took the class with 30 other people...oldest person being like 60 and youngest being 17. No one failed, not even an old lady who never road a bicycle in her life.

 

Ummm if you drop the bike during the final test....(which someone did during my course), you automatically fail--- no questions asked. It isn't hard to be nervous and drop a bike in front of 40 people on the range.... With that said:

IMO: I don't believe that riding is for everyone.... therefore not just ANYONE can take a motorcycle course and catch on within the day that they expect you to.

 

buy a bike, a book (read it twice) then head north with a small group of friends so they don't push you to ride hard but the back to back corners speed up your learning curve.


and try to stay away from towns as much as you can.....


my .02

 

I learned on Dirtbikes.

My wife took the MSF with me to keep me company. She had never even sat on a bike. She did great. They teach you from scratch.

 

thats not true.. the're was a ladie in my class that forgot to pull teh clutch in at the stop and dumed the bike and passed

 

Some MSF courses are taught alittle different.
It really depends on the instructors that teach and evaluate the class.
I took it twice, once voluntarily about 5 years ago, and a second time, involuntarily (marine corps order) a few months ago.

Grading, strictness, and level of difficulty were different from the two courses.
However, we were never told the "fail automatically" if you drop it during the test rule. I guess some instructors evaluate the test differently.

Yeah, I agree riding isnt for everyone...cause not everyone has common sense and coordination.

 

i learned on with the MSF course.

 

1st lesson - Buddies 600, moderate work done, no 2nd gear...not pretty.

2nd & 3rd lessons - then gf's dad's 84 Goldwing. Started with the basics, taking off up the driveway, then graduated to up the drive way, right hand circle into the yard, around the tree, and back up on the driveway.

That was it, started riding. of course I had years of experience on 3 and 4 wheelers, but never any dirt bikes.

Then I took the beginner's course, and I recommend it for anyone, well worth it.

 

I'm sure every class is different. Personally, I feel that If someone drops the bike during the final test, that they shouldn't be permitted to ride a motorcycle until they have passed it without dropping it. Again, JMO. It seems as though too many people have bikes that shouldn't.

 

I agree. There is nothing terribly difficult about the final test, the bikes are light. When I took my course, there were two, possibly three people in my group of twelve, that I didn't feel should've passed, but they did. I mean honestly, if you come back to the driving range the second day, and still have trouble mastering a smooth take-off without stalling, thank you, please come again. Not trying to be harsh, just see them as a hazard to themselves and others. Again, every class is different. Some are more expensive, some are more strict, and a lot depends on the instructor. JMHO