 MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7 |
I'm scheduled for an MSF course in a couple weeks and I'm looking for advice on what bike to use. They've got some 250cc loaners -- a couple dirt bikes and a couple cruisers. This is my first bike and I'm afraid of laying it down, which I've already done once practicing around the neighborhood. The guy who scheduled me for the class was convinced I should bring my America as learning on the bike I'll be riding will be more beneficial. I agree, but like I said, I don't want to lay it down again. I'll also have to ride it to the course during rush hour and I'm not very comfortable with that. Any input?
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Although I agree that learning on your own bike is beneficial....practice, practice, practice....I'd go with thier practice bikes for the course in case a.) you dump it due to performance anxiety (if you're prone to that) and/or b.) someone hits you on thier bike. I know a woman whose bike was hit at an MSF course by another studen and she wasn't pleased.
There definitley are good points to riding on your own, as others will suggest, I'm thinking.
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012 |
in Connecticut; at the Basic Rider Course, you have to
use one of the 250's they provide at class.
seeing your post, i gather now, that rule varies from state to state.
i would recommend using one of the class bikes.
if time allows, right after class, get on your
own bike and practice what you learned in class.
best of luck to you. hope you like the class.
allhailthefrenchpress
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948 |
I would not ride my own bike in the first MSF course especially if you aren't experienced. Those little 250cc cruiser bikes are more nimble and you can take what you learned and practice on your America in an empty parking lot. Once you get the technique down you can easily transition to your own bike. Don't drop whatever you ride or you have to retake the course but I would learn on their lighter stuff.
Slow riding around the cones in the MSF and the figure 8 at slow speeds is like pushing a wheelbarrow. I would start with an empty wheel barrow(250cc) than one full of sand(500 pound America).
In the advanced course you do use your own bike.
I practice slow riding once a month a so in the high school parking lot with cut up tennis balls for pilons. Riding fast is easy, riding skillfully, slowly in a crowded parking lot is where a lot of bike accidents occur.
Good luck!
Last edited by redbike7; 07/15/2007 5:30 PM.
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 154
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 154 |
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7 |
Sounds good. I really wish I could have gotten in the class sooner but they've been full for the last couple months. Just riding around the neighborhood I'm a lot less comfortable on the bike than I thought I'd be and riding in rush hour is not something I'm ready for. Thanks!
jared.
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
Go with the loaner for sure - you won't care if you scratch their bike up and you might find insurance problems with yours if you have an accident on a closed course. Some insurance companies might consider it to be racing or a club event etc and refuse to cover you. And NEVER ride if you don't feel confident about your skills. If that means not riding through rush hour that's fine - never ride beyond your own ability.
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
Loaner bike fer sure, then practice with your own. don't ride over your head, you will know when...... 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Take their practice bike. A lot of the stuff they have you do is a lot easier to master on a light, agile 250.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2 |
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
if you dont have a licence to drive a bike, how would you get your bike there??? loaner 250, great bike to pass that test on!!!
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099 |
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 224
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 224 |
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10 |
Definitely use the loaner. In fact here in PA you must use the loaner for the beginners class, the advanced class you are to use your own bike. Good luck and have fun!
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 44
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 44 |
I did the loaner bike for the Basic Course and my bike for the Experienced Course. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
In the year between classes, I developed a few bad habits that they recognized right away and corrected during the day. I think I'll do it again next year to guage my progress or lack of progress.
Keep it fun or you won't stick with it. Expand your comfort zone and soon, the things that used to worry you will put a smile on your face.
Don
'05 Speedmaster, Corbin Solo Seat, removed psgr. pegs, idiot lights converted to led, AI removed, left mirror removed, long slashcut exhaust with baffles removed.
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706 Likes: 1 |
i'd be be using the loaner bike the lighter 250 is much easier to handle and more forgiving when you do make a mistake all the best with the course 
04 yellow&black Speedmaster+the Money Pit{xj jeep}
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
loaner for sure. friend of mind drop it at the course. was glad it wasnt his
Erwin
05 America
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Re: MSF: Loaner bike or my own?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541 |
Quote:
The guy who scheduled me for the class was convinced I should bring my America as learning on the bike I'll be riding will be more beneficial
This guy is talking out of his ****. As a MSF instructor i can assure you, it is absolutely forbiden for a student to take the BRC on their own bike. The rules are very clear, there is a weight and a CC restriction on the bikes that may be used. For the most part you cannot use anything over 250cc, the only bike i know of bigger than 250cc that is allowed is the Buel Blast and the MSF allowed that bike purely because HD wanted to get involved and endorse the MSF.
The only cases i know of when a student is allowed to use their own bike is if the student owns a scooter and wants to learn to ride and there is not a scooter school close by.
If you were to use your bike and drop it in the course you would not have any coverage, and worse, the instructors would not be covered on the MSF insurance. You could sue the pants of them and you would win, as the MSF would turn their back on the instructors. As an instrucotr i know that no matter what injuries a student gets in my course, IF i have followed the course directions to the letter, the MSF will back me 100% in any law suit. If this was not the case i would not teach this course. I have been teaching now for nearly 10 years.
Find out who this instructor is and report him to the MSF in Irvine, CA.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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