Words. They can't convey my anger right now.
#31
I am 6, kind of deaf, and really suck at riding... what is that little lever on the left side by my foot for again?
Cars have been around for a lot longer than training courses, but you have to take one to get your license, and those are a lot easier to operate than a motorcycle. Maybe they should let people hop into helicopters and fly them with zero training.
Cars have been around for a lot longer than training courses, but you have to take one to get your license, and those are a lot easier to operate than a motorcycle. Maybe they should let people hop into helicopters and fly them with zero training.
Regardless of what you think, the MSF classes and safety standards are proven to be beneficial. Even insurance companies recognize that, by giving discounts to those who have taken the course. Everyone who is interested in riding a two-wheeled vehicle on public streets should have to take the course. And I bet you're in a very small minority of people who would disagree.
To say everyone should be required is absurd in my opinion. Its like helmet laws. People can live their own lifes, we don't need government spoon feeding us what they think we want. There are many people who grew up riding motorcycles. A training class is nothing but going over what they already know. Heck, alot of them could teach the class themselfs. Thats the point of testing, to see if a person is at the required skill level to be allowed on the street. How someone gets to that skill level should be up to them [except for flying helicopters, those should require classes, lots of them]
#32
I'd like to stop the arguing lol. But I must say, around here you need to take drivers ed if under 18 in order to get your license.
Now for the motorcycles, this was taken from : Motorcycle Safety Statistics: Crash, Fatal Bike Accidents
"The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends"
I learned a lot from the course, but I already knew a lot too. There was one guy there who thought he knew everything, but he asked about countersteering about 20 separate times (not joking), he didn't know what it was.
I felt great on the range, we were done around 10:50AM, it was great! There was a nice breeze so we stayed cool even though it was 95+ and humid.
From there I went home, showered and my girlfriend and I headed up to the DMV (1.5 hours away ugh). 15 minutes and $15 later I walked out with a motorcycle license.
I'm legally ready to ride, just need a bit more gear and some parts now!
Now for the motorcycles, this was taken from : Motorcycle Safety Statistics: Crash, Fatal Bike Accidents
"The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends"
I learned a lot from the course, but I already knew a lot too. There was one guy there who thought he knew everything, but he asked about countersteering about 20 separate times (not joking), he didn't know what it was.
I felt great on the range, we were done around 10:50AM, it was great! There was a nice breeze so we stayed cool even though it was 95+ and humid.
From there I went home, showered and my girlfriend and I headed up to the DMV (1.5 hours away ugh). 15 minutes and $15 later I walked out with a motorcycle license.
I'm legally ready to ride, just need a bit more gear and some parts now!
#35
I thought I was a good rider, then I decided to become a MSF instructor. During the training I realized I didn't know nearly as much as I thought I did (but I DID know what countersteering was).
Now as an instructor I see "experienced" riders all the time that don't have the basic skills needed to safely operate a motorcycle. And remember, this training is also about getting people into the mental skills that can help on the street, things like situational awareness and risk recognition and acceptance.
Here is a perfect example:
During one of my classes we had a woman who was in the class so she could get her license and ride with her husband. He was sitting on the sidelines during the range exercises and during breaks he would give her his opinion on how to ride. The best dialog I heard went like this:
Husband: You don't need to downshift to first gear when you come to a stop. Just pull in the clutch.
My Co-instructor: Sir, have you ever taken a rider course before?
Husband: Well, no.
Co-instructor: Maybe you should. (Then he turns and walks away)
It was all I could do to keep from laughing. This husband has been riding for 20 years. Now it is true you CAN just pull in the clutch and come to a stop, but if you do that and were in say, fourth gear. What happens when the minivan with the soccer mom who is yelling at her 8 kids in the back doesn't see you come to a stop? WTF can you do sitting at a complete stop still in fourth gear? MSF courses are about teaching physical and mental skills to help survive on the street. Do we send students out there as experts? NO! We give them the BASICS to continue learning.
#36
To say everyone should be required is absurd in my opinion. Its like helmet laws. People can live their own lifes, we don't need government spoon feeding us what they think we want. There are many people who grew up riding motorcycles. A training class is nothing but going over what they already know. Heck, alot of them could teach the class themselfs. Thats the point of testing, to see if a person is at the required skill level to be allowed on the street. How someone gets to that skill level should be up to them [except for flying helicopters, those should require classes, lots of them]
Sure, a class might be inconvenient to 8% of the people taking it due to their previous experience. But the goal is to teach safety (for the sake of riders and people around them) to everyone, regardless of their knowledge coming info the class. Even the OP provided a first-hand experience of someone who needed to ask questions even though they claimed to be experienced. Allowing only a test just lowers standards.
#39
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