When Did You Take Your First MSF Course?

[64BonnieLass]

Based on a previous conversation about learning how to ride, and purchasing a first bike, please answer the following poll.

And if you have taken an MSF course, please share why you did so, or why you thought it was important to you.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Ahhh, I don't see a poll attached darlin'.

For me, it was in maybe '83 or '84, and I'm not sure it was an MSF course per se, but it was a course taught on the base that we had tl take so we could ride on the base. If it wasn't MSF, it was equivalent.

[Bueller]

Never, did it the old fashioned way.

[TinkerinWstuff]

Voted "before the bike" but I mean before I got a STREET bike. I had dirt bikes all growing up and only took the MSF because I felt it was the easiest path to an MC endorsement.

[BC14]

I voted before, but I did tool around on my dad's old shadow a few(<5) times(rural) before getting my own bike and taking the course. I made sure to take the course before I rode my own bike on the street.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

I never took an MSF class.......but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn last night!

[DemonRider]

I took it prior to purchasing my bike only cause it was highly suggested by several people and I also wanted to make sure it was something I would feel
Comfortable doing. Super happy I did.

[DeeStylez]

Took MSF course immediately after failing the riding test at DMV , so approximately 45 days after purchasing bike.

[zPurpleRoom]

I started riding bikes when I was 5 in the dirt. The minute I turned 16, I got my permit then endorsement and just rode with some of the best riders in the region. Never taking a formal course, I think the MSF courses are good but give "graduates" a false sense of all encompassing rider knowledge. Scary! I realize that I do not know everything and I am still wanting to learn more. I believe that is the key....never close yourself to learning. Just my opinion.

[CaptGoodvibes]

I learned to ride in 1984 in Los Angeles and took the BRC here in Denver in 2007

I had a hiatus from riding from 1992-2007

[rfranks303]

Rode my first bike for two years without an endorsment. Then shortly after purchasing my second bike it took one. Once I finished I thanked god I made it through those first two years.

[PhL0aTeR]

i bought a bike when i was 16 for my first vehicle. In TX you have to take the course to get a license if you are under 18, so i bought the bike, took the course, then rode it, despite my voting for within 180 days.

[Spiderman]

I'm taking my Basic Riders Course this coming weekend!

[Matty]

Never, did it the old fashioned way.

[Graphite675]

Never took the MSF course but started out riding dirt when I was about 8. 34 years later I finally decided to try out street riding so I went down and got my endorsement. Being on 2 wheels was second nature by then.

I'm sure the MSF course is great but nothing can replace experience and riding dirt is a great place to start for any rider.

.

[TwistyRydr]

Road dirt way before I took the MSF course, then shortly after taking it .. came across my bike :-)

[Darth Do'Urden]

Never have. In one sense I desire to take it, but in another I feel that I've educated myself pretty well (and continue to do so) by reading more experienced riders, and learning what I can from those I ride with. I'm extremely cautious by nature, so I've been super-conservative from day one.

One thing I wonder if the MSF would help me on is emergency braking. If so, then that alone could be worth it to me at this stage. But maybe I need to look more towards the Advanced course...I don't know. My brother took the BRC/MSF right after he got his bike, and while he was glad he did it, in retrospect he's said that it is quite basic (at least his was).

Being somewhat hypocritical, I'd say that anyone new to riding (or has been out of it for a lengthy period of time) should take the course.

[TwistyRydr]

Never took the MSF course but started out riding dirt when I was about 8. 34 years later I finally decided to try out street riding so I went down and got my endorsement. Being on 2 wheels was second nature by then.

I'm sure the MSF course is great but nothing can replace experience and riding dirt is a great place to start for any rider.

.

Totally agree on that last part!

[OUTLAWD]

started out on dirt at 5...worked my way up through various 50's and an 80 and was racing hare scrambles on a KTM 250 at 13...

I got a streetbike at 19 and took the MSF course after I had my permit for a the minimum time req'd. NJ offered the course for free, and I took it because it excempted me from the DMV road test. to be honest, I found idling around a parking lot on a GN 125 to be quite pointless

[Sean]

Never did. Although I wish I would have. It miht have made me feel more comfortable on the bike, sooner. I did take the ARC Total Control. And now, I have total control, which is nice.

[drago52]

I rode dirtbikes before, then when I decided I wanted to go street, I took the course. I highly recommend it. I thought the most important part of the course was the discussion of all the potential hazards facing a rider on a road. Much better to learn about the potential for a rider-cager accident in a course than from experience.

[Captain Obvious]

Required by military to ride on base, so borrowed a bike, took the class, then shopped for my first street bike. No dirt bike experience.

[madvlad]

I rode couple street bikes before hand but nothing crazy. Got it done because I thought it would be helpful to ride safer, cheaper insurance and when I bought my first bike I got a full refund for the class from Suzuki so win/win for moi!

[ghostrider_9]

I took my first MSF class at my first duty station so I could ride on base. By then, I had been riding for about 13 years and still managed to walk away with some very good information. Subsequently, I became an MSF Rider Coach in 2002 and have been teaching the classes (and others) since then. This past weekend I took the Total Control Levels 1 & 2 and had a great time.

I very much encourage riders to continue their education about riding and motorcycles. Your cup of knowledge can never be too full! The worse thing that can happen is that you might accidentally pick up a new skill set or put some understanding behind all of the things that you are already doing . . .