MSF/RE in the chron.

[RACER X]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/4304082.html

ceasar is a friend of mine and took the ridercoach prep. w/ me :happy3:

[thatboygeorge]

repost haha

[scrapp]

The only thing Im worried about, is MSF is getting EXPENSIVE. I paid what...$60? and they are stating almost $300? thats just not fair. We are going to push people away from MSF if they keep charging so much. It should be a learning lesson, not a "well now I cant buy a helmet" experiance.

[RACER X]

well, that $295 is for Riders Edge, HD's version of the MSF. reg. MSF is around $180. it's a state funded program and some states its free others i've heard over $300.

whats the value of the course? $100 $200 $300 ?

[scrapp]

I woudl say 100-200 at ABOSLOUTE most...jsut feels like anything else would push people away. I know its a priceless class...but shit, 300?!!! I would almost be tempted to just take my DMW test and learn on my own.

[RACER X]

yeah, i hear ya.......alot of the price has to do w/ the state gov't and how they feel about bikes. TX is luke warm.

[Drumboy]

It was $180 when I looked into it and I didn't take it because it was so much and there was a 2 month wait. I've ridden on dirt (since I was 4) so I figured I'd be OK if I just took it easy.

[AliceInChains02]

i don't think MSF teaches you much you can't learn from an experienced rider(which you'll need after MSF anyways). I went to MSF never having ridden a motorcycle and left with a very basic knowledge of how to ride(an hour riding experience?) and a comprehensive knowledge on how dangerous it is. i wasn't anywhere near ready to ride on busy streets though. maybe it's worth it just because you can start out for the first few miles on someone else's bike, but i think it does relatively little to teach people how to ride outside of first gear, other than in theory. i guess it is a foundation though.

[RACER X]

its a good foundation.......is it the end all........nope. but it is better then learning from friends or family. mainly because it's more structured w/ a "lesson plan" vs oh yeah try this.........try that.

we like to say your parking lot certified.

as for drumboy, $180 is cheap for anything motorcycle related.......and your basic skills on dirt are also a good foundation...... but MSF will add to your knowledge.

[Faylaricia]

Personally, I think anyone should take an instructor led course before hitting public streets, period.

If you are new to motorcycles, the MSF will teach you in a controlled environment on light bikes and step-by-step learning. It is definitely more than one hour worth of riding. Granted, not everyone is a total beginner on bikes.

IMO, the main thing to take away from the MSF is awareness to safety. A lot of people think bikes are fun and cool and fast but forget the other side of it, which I think the MSF course covers extensively. Gear, vision, panick braking, etc. It teaches stuff that a friend or family member may not even think about because first, they are not the fun part and then we try not to remember the 'one time' incident that may mess everything up but for which you should always be prepared for.

[Mrs. ~T~]

oh i feel as if i learned a lot @ msf! and i would have paid twice the amt so that i do not have to take the riding portion in front of a cop!

[falxzzr]

I had never even sat on a bike before i took my MSF, when i picked up my bike the next tuesday, i rode it straight away and never looked back, definately worth the $180 i spent at MSF.. also skipping the license test was a major bonus.

[Drumboy]

oh i feel as if i learned a lot @ msf! and i would have paid twice the amt so that i do not have to take the riding portion in front of a cop!

It wasn't a real cop, it was a dmv worker lady.

Actually, it was really hard to take that test! I went 4 times to the office and got there right at 8 trying to get a slot for a test but they were always all filled up by then. Finally, I got there at 7:30 and got a spot for 3:30, only to be sent away by the testing lady (I was her last test of the day) because my rear blinkers "weren't yellow enough." I was so f*&king plssed and my boss had actually come with me to drive her for the test.

[RACER X]

another reason to take MSF..........forgo all that hassle.

and you might learn a thing or to, if your in the learning mindset.

then there's the possibility of an insurance discount for taking the class.

making the $165 seem alot more worthwhile, huh?

[scrapp]

165 is nothing, i think. but 300 or more is stupid. harley riders will pay anything just to give the mindset that they are some breed of rich people...whatever.

[Yokee]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/4304082.html

ceasar is a friend of mine and took the ridercoach prep. w/ me :happy3:
I think he was one of my instructors :icon_thum

[dbonezny]

So is it $180 or $165??? I need to take the damn course......I got a ticket for driving w/o an M endoursement :stupid:

[Challen]

So is it $180 or $165??? I need to take the damn course......I got a ticket for driving w/o an M endoursement :stupid:

Regular price is $180 thru most schools.

SBISD runs it at $165.

We run weekend at $180 and weekday at $160 HOWEVER if you'll go register RIGHT NOW, you can get the IMS special of weekend $160 and weekday $150.

Otherwise, we'll price match any lower price you find at anytime.

www.awesomecycles.com

[Mr. Unassailable]

Classes may help alot, IDK bc ive never taken one, but keep this in mind. "Its not if you are going to crash, its when." my dad told me that when i bought my street bike and he was correct. I dont know many people that havent laid their bikes over at least once. i got lucky and was only going about 20 when i did it. (popped the clutch on a corner on accident and it slid out from under me)

[dbuck]

I'm not sure if it's an actual MSF course that I took some 7-8 years ago up in Chicago, but I'm sure it's very similar. It was through the AMA and I "donated" $20.00 to take the class. It works the same way...1 day classroom, 1 day riding portion. They test you there and then give you a slip that says you've passed the riding portion and are now eligible for a M class on your license. I didn't need it though...I took my riding test at the DMV the day I turned 18. Nonetheless, it was $20 to reserve your spot and then if you really wanted it back you could send in a form and they would refund your money. Crazy that prices have gone so high in recent years.

[Challen]

I'm not sure if it's an actual MSF course that I took some 7-8 years ago up in Chicago, but I'm sure it's very similar. It was through the AMA and I "donated" $20.00 to take the class. It works the same way...1 day classroom, 1 day riding portion. They test you there and then give you a slip that says you've passed the riding portion and are now eligible for a M class on your license. I didn't need it though...I took my riding test at the DMV the day I turned 18. Nonetheless, it was $20 to reserve your spot and then if you really wanted it back you could send in a form and they would refund your money. Crazy that prices have gone so high in recent years.

Each state sets it's own price. Illinois is still a "$20 donation" whereas other states are over $200.

Texas was lower a few years ago (the state subsidized some of the cost), however, their budget was revamped and they are no longer able to do that.

Technically, the price is now $190 in Texas (became effective Sept. 1), but none of the schools have raised prices yet.

[RACER X]

free in pennsylvania :)

[MadseasoN]

free in pennsylvania :)

Actually the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (taxpayers) pays for the course.