I doubt that happens very much here in NH.
The basic rider course costs $110, prepaid up front. Once you are assigned a session, the course fees are locked in and and non-refundable.
Best place to practice?
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The basic rider course costs $110, prepaid up front. Once you are assigned a session, the course fees are locked in and and non-refundable.
FJR1300A
Well-known member
Free? You mean it was subsidized by your tax dollars.
Nothing's free in life. Well... except the Living (and dying) in New Hampshire...
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$2 of your motorcycle registraion fee goes to PAMSP. It's such a small amount that it might as well be free. We are one of the few states that can offer a virtually free MSF course. Our state is also one of the top MSF courses (cleanliness, professionalism, and satisfaction surveys) in America. And we licensed 26,000 peole in 2006 and has a growing trend every year.Free? You mean it was subsidized by your tax dollars.
Nothing's free in life. Well... except the Living (and dying) in New Hampshire...
Also, I was referring to using there parking lot when it is not being used. Coaches can no longer recommend this practice due to liability issues, but as long as it is not in use, we are free to use it.
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C&C
Well-known member
Empty parking lots for acceleration, shifting and braking practice. On road practice; Sunday morning before traffic gets heavy.
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
You also might want to check with your local Harley Davidson dealer. They teach Rider's Edge courses which are pretty much the same thing. My wife took theirs because the wait for the MSF was too long. She really enjoyed the class, and no one there seemed concerned that she did not own a Harley. Actually, after the class, we started going on a bunch of their group rides on my VTX and her Vulcan. I was on a Harley ride in CO when I picked up my FJR. HAHA. B)
I called about the class date I wanted. next weekend. I got him in next week. It's all good. gotta gear him up before he goes. He needs boots and gloves. He can wear my Mesh crash gear and has his own helmet. We're set
FJR1300A
Well-known member
I called about the class date I wanted. next weekend. I got him in next week. It's all good. gotta gear him up before he goes. He needs boots and gloves. He can wear my Mesh crash gear and has his own helmet. We're set
Good Luck and have fun!
JimLor
Well-known member
I'll throw in my two cents on this one. I too was a beginner when I took the MSF basic course summer 04. Since buying my first bike, yes, my 05 FJR named Matilda, I have ridden 29k, taken 1 riding course, and have read 5 books and scores of articles on riding. What strikes me the most after gaining practical and theoretical experience is just how little the MSF basic course actually teaches. Yes, I think it was worthwhile and yes, I would recommend folks take the course as a first step. However, I don't think it teaches much more than how to ride a 12hp bike in a parking lot.
I had the benefit of having time to read several of the aforementioned books before I bought and started riding Matilda. I was able to fill in the many blanks left by the MSF course before I started riding - such as, slow - look - lean - roll on (sounds great, but they never explained the "why") -- after study I understood the effects of these actions on sight line, the suspension, effect of rolling on/off the throttle on lean angle, etc. Another one, if the rear wheel starts to skid, ride it out and don't release the brake (again, they never answered the "why").
Were I in your position, I'd start him off with some books and I'd discuss them with him so he understands the "why" you do or do not do things on a bike. I'd ride with him in parking lots, etc until I felt he could in fact ride reasonably safely on the street. Then I'd have him follow me (you) on some low threat roads so you can moderate what he's doing. Set the example, (see my signature line for "Set the Example" quote - something I firmly believe). Hopefully by the time he gets to the class it'll just be an exercise in getting a qual that will lower his insurance rates. And for you, nothing serves to increase your own understanding of something like having to teach it.
Finally, the hardest part, it's time to send him out on his own. I firmly believe that you can absorb all the theory, stories, and advice that you can handle, but the best teacher of all is experience. This worked well for me, and even at that I had some interesting times my first few thousand miles. Whatever you do I wish you and your son the best of luck. My son moved out before he took the MSF course, but I've given him a couple of the books to read and we have discussed technique, etc. He's living and working in Charlotte and hasn't yet bought a bike. If he does I hope I can have an impact on how he rides!
The above are my thoughts and opinions.
I had the benefit of having time to read several of the aforementioned books before I bought and started riding Matilda. I was able to fill in the many blanks left by the MSF course before I started riding - such as, slow - look - lean - roll on (sounds great, but they never explained the "why") -- after study I understood the effects of these actions on sight line, the suspension, effect of rolling on/off the throttle on lean angle, etc. Another one, if the rear wheel starts to skid, ride it out and don't release the brake (again, they never answered the "why").
Were I in your position, I'd start him off with some books and I'd discuss them with him so he understands the "why" you do or do not do things on a bike. I'd ride with him in parking lots, etc until I felt he could in fact ride reasonably safely on the street. Then I'd have him follow me (you) on some low threat roads so you can moderate what he's doing. Set the example, (see my signature line for "Set the Example" quote - something I firmly believe). Hopefully by the time he gets to the class it'll just be an exercise in getting a qual that will lower his insurance rates. And for you, nothing serves to increase your own understanding of something like having to teach it.
Finally, the hardest part, it's time to send him out on his own. I firmly believe that you can absorb all the theory, stories, and advice that you can handle, but the best teacher of all is experience. This worked well for me, and even at that I had some interesting times my first few thousand miles. Whatever you do I wish you and your son the best of luck. My son moved out before he took the MSF course, but I've given him a couple of the books to read and we have discussed technique, etc. He's living and working in Charlotte and hasn't yet bought a bike. If he does I hope I can have an impact on how he rides!
The above are my thoughts and opinions.
I called about the class date I wanted. next weekend. I got him in next week. It's all good. gotta gear him up before he goes. He needs boots and gloves. He can wear my Mesh crash gear and has his own helmet. We're set
Although I too believe in ATGATT, but isn't that a bit overkill for MSF? All that is needed is:
~Long pants aka Levi's
~Shoes that cover the ankle
~ANY type of full fingered glove
~ANY type of long shirt
~DOT approved helmet and
~ANY type of eye protection
Don't forget the rain gear for rain and water to drink
right! My mesh coat... its gunna be coldish and his dress leather one is just not a bike coat. (besides it looks cool.) Boots because he doesn't have over the ankle shoes.... he'll need something and gloves because he doesn't own any... He'll be in Levis, that is all he has and they count.I called about the class date I wanted. next weekend. I got him in next week. It's all good. gotta gear him up before he goes. He needs boots and gloves. He can wear my Mesh crash gear and has his own helmet. We're set
Although I too believe in ATGATT, but isn't that a bit overkill for MSF? All that is needed is:
~Long pants aka Levi's
~Shoes that cover the ankle
~ANY type of full fingered glove
~ANY type of long shirt
~DOT approved helmet and
~ANY type of eye protection
Don't forget the rain gear for rain and water to drink
Hell I rode my entire youth in shorts and Tanktops. Not a scratch on me.....Yet i ride MTGMTT
Helmet has eye protection correct?
Visor does count as eye protection. They'll just make sure it stays near fully closed if it's hot outside. Otherwise, sounds good!right! My mesh coat... its gunna be coldish and his dress leather one is just not a bike coat. (besides it looks cool.) Boots because he doesn't have over the ankle shoes.... he'll need something and gloves because he doesn't own any... He'll be in Levis, that is all he has and they count.I called about the class date I wanted. next weekend. I got him in next week. It's all good. gotta gear him up before he goes. He needs boots and gloves. He can wear my Mesh crash gear and has his own helmet. We're set
Although I too believe in ATGATT, but isn't that a bit overkill for MSF? All that is needed is:
~Long pants aka Levi's
~Shoes that cover the ankle
~ANY type of full fingered glove
~ANY type of long shirt
~DOT approved helmet and
~ANY type of eye protection
Don't forget the rain gear for rain and water to drink
Hell I rode my entire youth in shorts and Tanktops. Not a scratch on me.....Yet i ride MTGMTT
Helmet has eye protection correct?
vandy
Well-known member
One more thing that will help if you want to speed up the process a little..
You will have to splurge one more time with the money but you might want it anyway..
If you get yourself a good comunication systym that is good for bike to bike it would be just about like riding in a car with someone that has a permit..
There are also alot of good low traffic roads north east and north west of town to get some miles under his belt.
You will have to splurge one more time with the money but you might want it anyway..
If you get yourself a good comunication systym that is good for bike to bike it would be just about like riding in a car with someone that has a permit..
There are also alot of good low traffic roads north east and north west of town to get some miles under his belt.
NMRoadRunner
A Bulls work is never done!
I hope you have better luck then I did. I put my son on a Honda Rebel, went to classes, got his licsense, was doing good. All was well? not so fast. About two months into his riding experience, he was pushed into a curb by a truck that apparently didn't see him, the front wheel went up on the curb, but the rear slid along the edge until he was perpendicular the the median, then the rear wheel got traction and launched him over the median into on comming traffic. The first car that hit him, seperated him from the Rebel and he was trying to get to his feet to get out of the way when the second car, following too close and speeding hit him. It wasn't pretty :dribble: We almost lost him, and hes walking pretty good now 1/12 years later. I still ride, but I can't ever put him, or anyone else for that matter on two wheels again, and thats sad, because you all know the feeling you get when your riding free! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Good luck to you!
spklbuk
Well-known member
GUNNY! It may not prepare him for traffic per se, but he will be much more in control of any bike when in traffic. YMMV.
krashdragon
Well-known member
When my son and I were taking the MSF course, I got the Ride like a Pro DVD.
Because Chris was able to watch Jerry put his VTX and Harley thru those corners and uturns, he went and practiced in a parking lot.
After a few times, he could scrape both floorboards on his VTX1300 Retro doing figure 8's.
Did it without me even telling him to... he was 17 at the time. Poor kid still doesn't have an automobile driver's license...no car... and he's now 23! <G>
mary
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