Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique MSF Course

Well,
finally back from Iraq, and I was able to buy what I consider the one of the coolest looking bikes (06 America modded to look more like a SM)from a fellow member of this site (Benny). I absolutely love the look of the bike.Here is my frustration. I have been trying since April to get into an MSF course but have been denied due to the fact that all of the courses, prior to August, were already booked while I was still in Iraq. I should have had the wife register me in a course in early March utilizing her Power of attorney rights. I really want to do the right thing by taking an approved saety course due to the fact that I am a brand new rider. If I cannot get any help until August, I am tempted to take the bike to the parking lot of closed businesses on an early Sunday morning and conduct drills that will allow me to pass the relatively simple DMV test. Any suggestions as to how to get into an MSF course somewhere? I am eager to learn, I just need someone to teach. Sorry to vent,
Jason

Sorry to here your frustration, I am a MSF instructor here in Chattanooga, and our course are filled up three to four months in advance.

Where abouts are you, do you have any riding experience.

Welcome home, nice to have you back safe and sound.

Go to your local bike shop and check the bulletin boards for group/charity rides and poker runs. Then go to one (in your car) and engage some of the riders there, one of those cats will help you. Where in the wide wide world of sports are you?

Where are you stationed? Most military bases/posts/etc often require their own training for motorcycle operators.

Its been 28 years since I left the military so maybe they dont offer training anymore?

Keep trying, you might be lucky and get in earlier if someone cancels out.

Also, go talk to your local HD dealer. Some of them have a similar class. Naturally, being a Harley dealer, they will charge you more, but it may be worth it to you to get out on the road sooner.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I live in Louisville, KY.........great town. My current duty station is Fort Knox, KY. Fort Knox is currently in the process of establishing their own Basic riders course due to the fact that the former Commanding General was so passionate about bikes. (he used to be an MSF instructor) Knox has always had an experienced riders course due to the fact that all soldiers are required to take an approved safety course prior to being authorized to ride on post. Knox currently has training bikes on order for their first ever Basic Rider corse. I talked to the instructor in early april, and it sounds like he will have all of the red tape cut through by late June or sometime in July. Cannot get a deffinate answer from him on if I can get in their first course or not. Just frustrating...........a great bike sitting in the garage that I cannot legally ride.

What we do around here is just show up @ the course. There usually is someone who doesnt show and they take quite a bit of people in that werent registered. That is how my brother got in. Actually everyone that i told this to and they tried it, it has worked out for them.
Good luck,
Jack

Yeah,

I have tried to get into two courses by walking into the training session. It seems as if everyone is showing up for the class. My guess is that either the fact that it is fairly early in the riding season, or the fact that gas is $4 per gallon accounts for this. Thanks for the input, though.
Jason

I'm Navy but when I was stationed down in FL I lived on an Air Force base. The base itself would pay for servicemembers to take the Basic course since it was required to ride on base. If Knox isn't doing this the only other thing I could recommend is check neighboring towns or military installations. And don't laugh at me if that's not possible. I stay along the coastline and have no idea what the lay is around Ft. Knox.

BTW, welcome back and thanks for doing the time!!

Check out this link, there are several areas listed. Good luck.

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=KY

Sorry to hear your trouble finding a course. I would think they would squeeze you in in view of your service, guess not. Wendy had the same trouble and was put on a waiting list and got lucky , they called her with an opening and she got in and passed. Try and get on a waiting list if they have one where you are.

I'd suggest you call around to the commuinty colleges in what ever state you are in. There are probly several of them offering MSF courses.

I know that when I was in the service 25 or so yrs ago.
If you wanted to register a bike on base you had to take a defensive driving course.Weather you where alreadly lisenced or not.

First of all, thank you for your service.

As to riding, If I were you and none of the MSF courses were available, I'd look for a website for Kentucky's MSF and see if they have course outlines/handbooks/requirements etc.
If so, read 'em, head for a parking lot and practise, practise, practise. Do they have a learner's permit available in KY? Get one if they do. You can then be legal within the restrictions of the permit.
Then when you feel you're ready, take the DMV test.

If KY's MSF program does have a website, you can probably register online for a course.

PA's courses are seasonal - I found out when they began taking registrations and I was sitting at the keyboard at the ready and got in within the first few minutes of the first day. 2 days later all the courses were full.

Just my suggestion....