No MC endorsement?

[FJR-Voltron]

Last year, after purchasing my FJR, I took the MSF basic course to refresh my skills after not riding for several years. I still had a M endorsement from back in 1990, however I thought it would be a good idea to go back to basics.

While taking the class, I noticed that there was a huge number of individuals who owned/rode motorcycles for many years without ever getting an M endorsement. In fact, the only reason they were taking the MSF-basic course was so that they wouldn't have to take the official DMV test..

My question is, how many people do you know that have been riding who don't have a motorcycle endorsement.

 

[Silent]

My father has been riding since he was little. He's never had an M endorsement. His logic is he's been riding for longer than the M endorsement has been required His health has gotten bad enough that he doesn't ride anymore

 

[Patriot]

nobody that I know...in LA (the state not the city), you must show the M cert on your license to register a bike or get bike insurance

on the other hand, I've never pulled a handgun and demanded to see another's driver's license

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Wild72]

Here in PA, passing the MSF course automatically grants the M endorsement on your license.

As soon as you pass the course, the MSF notifies the DMV who send out a paper amendment to your license. Upon license renewal, the M endorsement is added to the actual license.

And the best part of the MSF course here is that the State actually eats the cost for residents of PA.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I went 25 years without one... Then my insurance agent said "I won't pay a cent on any claim you have unless you get off your wallet and get one"

Didn't need one when I first started either.

One point I will make is, before I got the endorsement I was less apt to get nutty when driving as I knew I risked impoundment of me scoot... Now It's just a ticket, I take more chances. :huh:

:jester:

 

[jordylad]

I know people who don't have one, some close friends.

I think part of the reason is they are frightened they fail the test so they won't take it. Here in CA (the state not the country) we have to ride in small circles to pass the test and it's tough to get some of our bigger bikes to comply. My buddy went to practice at the DMV and couldn't keep his ZX12 within the lines. He still has no M.

 

[STC10]

Last year, after purchasing my FJR, I took the MSF basic course to refresh my skills after not riding for several years. I still had a M endorsement from back in 1990, however I thought it would be a good idea to go back to basics.While taking the class, I noticed that there was a huge number of individuals who owned/rode motorcycles for many years without ever getting an M endorsement. In fact, the only reason they were taking the MSF-basic course was so that they wouldn't have to take the official DMV test..

My question is, how many people do you know that have been riding who don't have a motorcycle endorsement.

I went for several years without one. I had insurance and the bike was registered in my name, I just never bothered. One day, on the way to work, I crested a hill on a back road and the State police had a safety check set up. I handed over my documents and prayed that he wouldn't notice. No such luck! I had to call my brother in law to take the bike home. He arrives with camera in hand to document the occasion. Anyway, $125 later I decided to get my permit and take the MSF course. I was surprised at how good the course was and now recommend it to everyone.

 

[nofreeride]

Although I'm sure some will disagree, there is really no excuse for anyone to ride without a proper endorsement. They are either:

1) young and/or inexperienced, in which case a proper class and endorsement test should be their first priority,

2) experienced but haven't ridden for awhile, in which case the proper thing to do would be to refresh their knowledge and skills,

3) old and/or stubborn, in which case they think they already know everything, or don't care.

Did I miss anyone?

 

[STC10]

Although I'm sure some will disagree, there is really no excuse for anyone to ride without a proper endorsement. They are either:
1) young and/or inexperienced, in which case a proper class and endorsement test should be their first priority,

2) experienced but haven't ridden for awhile, in which case the proper thing to do would be to refresh their knowledge and skills,

3) old and/or stubborn, in which case they think they already know everything, or don't care. Did I miss anyone?

I'll take #3

 

[juniorfjr]

Went for years in the 80's riding my xt 250 without one. When I got my first big road bike decided it was a good idea. Had to pass the test on my 750F, sure would have been easier on the 250.

Had been without a bike for years and was renewing my license. The endorsement cost as much as the basic license, almost dropped it. The next year I got the bug and bought the FJR, guess it was just meant to be.

 

[SilverHound]

I didn't have one for the first ten years I rode then for whatever reason developed a sense of responsibility and have been legal the last 20 years.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Put me down for #3 also..

Then again ....#4- To damn cheap to spend the few bucks it took!

took mine on the feeg with bags and all.. Passed handily and the dude thought I had anti lock brakes on the front.

Yeah, I was in the zone that day

:jester:

 

[STC10]

Put me down for #3 also..
Then again ....#4- To damn cheap to spend the few bucks it took!

took mine on the feeg with bags and all.. Passed handily and the dude thought I had anti lock brakes on the front.

Yeah, I was in the zone that day

:jester:

I don't even have that excuse. As Wild72 said a few posts back, the MSF is free in Pa. They even supply the bikes!

 

[Sagebrush]

I knew the MSF class was #1 and had trouble getting in. Took me a year and a half to find a class that I could go to. Ended up taking a class in NC at a tech school for $100 or so. It was well worth the time and blows the DMV testing joke away, great instructors. I actually bought a bike and was riding a year on a learners permit. I was half way legal.... riding at night since I worked the night shift etc..

My MSF class was 90% non-riders, only me and another guy were already riding on learners permits... Lots of women too.

 

[old&slow]

Last year, after purchasing my FJR, I took the MSF basic course to refresh my skills after not riding for several years. I still had a M endorsement from back in 1990, however I thought it would be a good idea to go back to basics.While taking the class, I noticed that there was a huge number of individuals who owned/rode motorcycles for many years without ever getting an M endorsement. In fact, the only reason they were taking the MSF-basic course was so that they wouldn't have to take the official DMV test..

My question is, how many people do you know that have been riding who don't have a motorcycle endorsement.

Had one student in a MSF class that had been riding for 16 yrs. on a permits. He was a pretty good rider and passed the course..

 

[FJR-Voltron]

My MSF class was about 60% newbs, 30% experienced with out license, and the remaining 10% were refreshers like myself.

 

[madmike2]

I got mine a looooong time ago (CA, 1965 or 66) and have never let it lapse.

IIRC, I had to close my eyes and tell the inspector what and where each control was, ride in a circle, ride up the street shifting gears and return downshifting and braking. Ahhhh, those heady days of my youth!

I seem to remember that my dad's Tiger Cub and my Parilla Scrambler had the brakes and shifters on opposite sides. Also, my gear pattern was 1 up-3 down, his was 1 down-3 up. One had to think when changing bikes.

 

[pinscher]

• Nearly one out of four motorcycle operators (24%) involved in fatal crashes were operating their vehicles with invalid licenses at the time the collision.

"U.S. Department of Transportation Action Plan to Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities

October 2007"

This summarizes my point.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I got mine a looooong time ago (CA, 1965 or 66) and have never let it lapse.

Me too. But it was a couple years later -- it was just inacted as law -- my buddies and I discussed how the riding test was going to be conducted (no one seemed to know...); so, I borrowed one of these from the shop to take my test on. At the time, we thought the tester might ride along (like a car test) and this bike, altho street-legal, would preclude that.

Anyway, it was about like you said -- ride up the street and around the block (alone).