MSF

[Malve]

Ok, so thanks to all the good advice in another thread, I settled in on an FZ6R for my GF for X-mas. She has NO riding experience and plans on taking the MSF course ASAP. Are some better than others? Does anyone have any intel on SD schools/classes? Does anyone know of a private class where you can get more individualized attention and still earn the DMV certificate?

She will likely take a second course too.

We would like to hear any advice that relates to her situation where she is learning to ride at 37. I have been riding on and off since I was so young that I can't even remember learning.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, and on a separate note...what FZ forum do y'all recommend?

 

[azitlies]

The MSF has an "Intro" course now, it will depend on your area sponsors if the offer it or not. Also, many sponsors offer 1 on 1 teaching, but that gets a bit pricey.

Neither one of these results in a DMV cert though. Well the intro course definitely doesn't but the 1 on 1 *might*, I've not taught that one so not 100 percent positive there.

I'd suggest having her learn at an MSF class, but she could practice on her own with a permit. Thing is though, dropping your own new bike, that can be disconcerting to some. The MSF bikes are smaller and lighter, and easier to handle.

Something to look forward to! Riding with your GF! Should be fun.

 

[graler]

The MSF has an "Intro" course now, it will depend on your area sponsors if the offer it or not. Also, many sponsors offer 1 on 1 teaching, but that gets a bit pricey.

Neither one of these results in a DMV cert though. Well the intro course definitely doesn't but the 1 on 1 *might*, I've not taught that one so not 100 percent positive there.

I'd suggest having her learn at an MSF class, but she could practice on her own with a permit. Thing is though, dropping your own new bike, that can be disconcerting to some. The MSF bikes are smaller and lighter, and easier to handle.

Something to look forward to! Riding with your GF! Should be fun.

I would echo selecting a course that provides bikes. They do tend to fall down during the course.

Joe

 

[TomInPA]

In California, you only get 20 days to register and insure a vehicle. Be sure to take care of getting that done soon. Your first priority (after hiding the keys) will be to get her enrolled in the Basic RiderCourse. Be sure she has high quality protective riding gear before the class. This will be taken on their 250cc motorcycles and will include the class time needed as well as basic skills and practice. Once that is complete. get the license insurance and so forth, and find some safe practice areas.

I would not worry too much about which course to take the Basic from. The curriculum and practice maneuvers are pretty much mandatory, and most of the ride coaches/instructors are motivated and interesting people who are riders. When it's time to get into the Basic ridercourse2 and advanced ridercourse, you might look for schools that have access to more interesting tracks or better instructors, but at this point, you need to find a course that is being put together sooner than later, and is accredited CMSP. In your area PSC seems to have lots of classes frequently scheduled.

FWIW, that is a very high performance bike for a beginner, and would not be allowed at a basic course.

 

[AVGeek]

After MSF, I recommend Skillz Days (www.skillzdays.com). I know Jeff from the motorcycle club I was involved with in SoCal; he is based in OC, but he really helped me get better after I wrecked back in 03.

 

[Auburn]

In California, you only get 20 days to register and insure a vehicle. Be sure to take care of getting that done soon. Your first priority (after hiding the keys) will be to get her enrolled in the Basic RiderCourse. Be sure she has high quality protective riding gear before the class. This will be taken on their 250cc motorcycles and will include the class time needed as well as basic skills and practice. Once that is complete. get the license insurance and so forth, and find some safe practice areas.

I would not worry too much about which course to take the Basic from. The curriculum and practice maneuvers are pretty much mandatory, and most of the ride coaches/instructors are motivated and interesting people who are riders. When it's time to get into the Basic ridercourse2 and advanced ridercourse, you might look for schools that have access to more interesting tracks or better instructors, but at this point, you need to find a course that is being put together sooner than later, and is accredited CMSP. In your area PSC seems to have lots of classes frequently scheduled.

FWIW, that is a very high performance bike for a beginner, and would not be allowed at a basic course.

Very good advice. One thing, DO NOT take the class witrh her or go watch her. You will make her very nervous. Just be supportive and encouraging each evening when she gets home. After she gets her permit or endorsment plan rides that get away from traffic with an objective such as going to lunch somewhere. Work her into traffic situations slowly as she gains confidence.

When I taught the Basic Riders Course, I would have seveal students that would take it every year just as a reminder before the riding season starts.

 

[azitlies]

Another thing to add Malve, afraid I don't remember the original thread you started about a bike for her, so this may be a repeat.

Id have suggested she take the BRC prior to buying a new bike. I mean, that's a part of what the course is for: it could answer do I or don't I want to even ride a bike?

She may find she just doesn't have the skill set?

Another thing I'd suggest is Don'T go and buy a bunch of expensive gear before the class. She doesn't need it for the class, they have helmets and gloves, not the best in the world but appropriate for that class.

And don't worry about her age. I've taught classes with new riders in their 70's!! Not all of them pass, but the MSF classes are designed to do everything possible. Many are referred to the Intro class and then re take the BRC. One recent guy just said "It's not for me, I'm not having fun". That happens too.

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

The basic course is GREAT. I went to one never having touched a motorcycle and came out with the skills necessary to not die and gain confidence. And funnily enough, many people will come out of MSF and be better than people that have been "riding" for years. My dad was PISSED when he asked to take my bike for a ride and told him "no way". But fact of the matter is, with the MSF course and two months of riding, I had better skills and rode more than he had in the past five years (rides about 7 days a year and considers himself a "seasoned" rider). Here's my thoughts...

1) They start you out VERY slowly and work everyone up, giving more attention to those that need it, and less attention once they "get" that part and show that they just need practice. For instance, they pulled me aside to tell me I need to LOOK where I'm going BEFORE I turn and initiate a lean. Once I did that repetitively and consistently, they left me alone to continue doing the exercise and focused on others that had problems that needed tightening up.

2) After talking to an MSF instructor, and combining it with the Army's recommendations (which although they have some wacky policies sometimes, they DO do some research before implementing them), it was recommended to take the MSF Experienced course after about 6 months or 3000 miles. Whichever comes first.

3) BUY USED FOR THE FIRST BIKE!!! Like above, I would hold off on getting the FZ (if you haven't bought it already). I bought a Suzuki C50T based on looks, and after the MSF course and about two weeks of riding, discovered that it was too cruiser-ish for me and I didn't enjoy scraping the floorboards all the time. Add in the occasional drop during practicing in an empty parking lot, and I was VERY happy that I bought it used at a good price. Cause after three months, when I finally got comfortable to change, I sold it for 250 dollars less than what I paid. So I "rented" a bike to learn on for less than 100 a month. Worked out GREAT. Buying used gives you the resale power should she decide she doesn't like that riding position, or look, or power, or whatever. Buying new makes you lose thousands. And if she DOES like everything about it, but wants a new one, at least you bought used first and can then pay very little to "upgrade".

Alexi

 

[Neil San Diego]

Palomar College has the Basic Riders classes by MSF (see the "Motorcycle Safety" link).

This gal was offering private lessons when Janet took the MSF class, but Janet never got around to taking any private lessons, so I can't say if this woman is any good or not. Located in Oceanside.

 

[McRide]

In San Diego:

I did this series of classes with my son about 8 years ago. They provide 250cc at the 'track' for all students.

I think it was every Saturday for 4 weeks, plus 4 night classes over by Miramar College.

Check out their website.

https://www.saferide4u.com/

 

[Checkswrecks]

A lot of motor officers do semi-private classes on the side or will know another officer who does. Just have to ask a couple who they'd recommend.

 

[UselessPickles]

Oh, and on a separate note...what FZ forum do y'all recommend?

www.fz6r-forum.com

Unfortunately, the demographic of FZ6R riders tends to be on the younger, less experienced and less mature end of the spectrum, so the FZ6R forum requires a bit more BS/junk filtering when looking for useful info and quality advice.

FWIW, that is a very high performance bike for a beginner

Don't confuse the FZ6R with the FZ6. The FZ6R is a much more tame bike. I think it's a good option for someone that does well with the BRC, feels that the 250cc bikes feel a bit small by the end of the class, and has legs long enough to comfortably hold the bike up.

DO NOT take the class witrh her or go watch her. You will make her very nervous.

That really depends on the person. My wife wanted me to be there for support, but didn't want me just watching from the sidelines making her feel like she was being critiqued. So I went through the class with her and had lots of fun flicking those little bikes around. It also made it a lot easier to discuss at the end of the day since I had just gone through everything with her.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

"Don't confuse the FZ6R with the FZ6. The FZ6R is a much more tame bike. I think it's a good option for someone that does well with the BRC, feels that the 250cc bikes feel a bit small by the end of the class, and has legs long enough to comfortably hold the bike up."

I second this. The FZ6R is an excellent beginner bike. It is a very tame, non threatening bike that you will not quickly grow out of and will comfortable keep up with others. I made the mistake of buying one late last fall as an upgrade from my sons 650 Ninja. Great bike, fast enough when you want it to be but just too tame to be inspiring for a 20 year old with four years experience. He is now the extremely happy owner of a new hold over 09 R6.

 

[Auburn]

DO NOT take the class witrh her or go watch her. You will make her very nervous.

That really depends on the person. My wife wanted me to be there for support, but didn't want me just watching from the sidelines making her feel like she was being critiqued. So I went through the class with her and had lots of fun flicking those little bikes around. It also made it a lot easier to discuss at the end of the day since I had just gone through everything with her.

I am speaking form being an instructor and seeing the results first hand. In every class that I taught that had this situation, the student that was new (yes it was the male sometimes) the failure rate was very high. The reason given by the student almost always was the spouse being ther made them very nervous.

 

[azitlies]

Also an instructor... it depends on the relationship dynamics.

Had a father and daughter recently and they made a fun competition out of it to see who did better. One won in the classroom, the other the range.

Most recent BRC were there were 4 family members. They were very supportive of one another. 2 of them counseled out, 1 on their own, the other was unsafe, right from the beginning.

Another husband and wife both did fantastic. They had ridden some time ago and were pretty comfortable. But not when the test came, he kind of froze up but still passed, she had no issues at all.

A class with a bit older lady, she was telling me how nervous she was, she said because her husband was standing just outside the range watching. She still passed, but some coaching was needed to help her get over her nervousness.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. There would be too many examples as I've been coaching since 2005. Just pointing out...

it depends on the relationships...

To the OP I would say; if your gf says for you to come, she would enjoy the support, then go. If she says you being there might make her nervous, respect her wishes. but definitely don't go thinking you can help her, that's our job, we are well trained in it.

Best Wishes.

 

[Harald]

I have to vote for not going to the class to watch. My wife took the class last year as a new rider. She didn't request that I come watch and I had no intention of doing that because it would have made her nervous. I did, however, ride to a tire store next to the class parking lot and used my telephoto lense to take "spy" photos h34r: unbeknownst to her.