California Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course

[LilNinja77]

Sadly, the quality of service people get when taking the MSF-B often isn't up to par with what it is claimed to be. IMO you can get out of the class whatever you are willing to put in to it. I went in a COMPLETE noob, having never even ridden dirtbikes, let alone scooters or actual *gasp* streetbikes. I had done my fair share of online and paper research during the preceding months, mainly just because I was so excited and wanted to learn as much as possible during my time there. The classroom portion definitely was the worst part, mainly being a very slow series of highlighting and reciting, and watching what looked like 80's PSA style-videos. BUT, I also took the initiative to ask specific questions that I already had memorized in my head, and was able to get them all answered; there-by even gaining knowledge from the classroom boredom.

I really don't have anything negative to say about the range portion, other than the fact that it needs to be longer and more in-depth. These courses are really stressed with time and class-size, now more than ever; and in my specific course I think they did a very admirable job with what limited time was available. The only two people who did not come out of the course with a pretty good level of comfort on the bike, I really don't think could be taught how to ride with any amount of training. Of course, one of them had already bought a Honda Shadow a few weeks before the course.

I often hear people complaining that they didn't learn any "secrets" of riding, or that they thought they would be shown advanced techniques or something........and sorry but that's thier own silly fault. The course is directly advertised as a beginners course, designed to teach the basics of riding a motorcycle. They have an advanced course, but really it is merely a higher-difficulty adaptation of the beginners' course in which you use your own motorcycle. The speeds and increased, the braking distance and turning radius decreased, and some extra tidbits of knowledge are thrown out for you. If you really want advanced techniques and high-dollar training, go sign up for a trackday. Me, I was more than satisfied with what I got for my $150, but that's just me.
Ride safe