MSF Course?

[Larrypv]

Can anyone tell me what is covered in the MSF courses other than what and how to watch out for danger?

The reason I ask is my son is going to take the beginner's course to help him get his MC license and asked me if I wanted to take it with him.

I have been riding for quite a few years, no accidents, and always ride conscientiously, defensively, and am very much aware what to look out for. I consider Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough to be a "must read".

I'm wondering if there are very important riding techniques (and what they might be) that are taught and practiced in class that my son would not be able to relay to me.

While I would love to spend the Father-Son time with him taking the beginners course, money is tight and it cost about $190, which I could use to put towards a full face helmet (I now only have a 3/4 helmet).

I think the ERC is only about $80 which would be earier to afford. We could take it together when my son is ready after the beginner's course.

So, is the beginner's course necessary (as far as riding techniques) before the ERC?
And what is taught in the ERC?

Thanks,
Larry :)

[vossman]

The BRC and ERC are similar in exercises and concepts although the ERC speeds are just a bit faster and you use your own bikes.
BRC's are designed for those that have never ridden but we get experienced riders in it all the time. You start out slow with clutch control, starts and stops, easy braking and upshifting then slow speeed turns. Last part of day one is cornering and braking.
Day two is more slow speed turns, countersteering, more cornering and then emergency stops. LAst up is the eval of 4 exercises you have already done. Braking, swerves, u-turn and cornering.
I have had guys go through my course that have ridden for 25 + years and have said they still learned something and it was definitely good to have someone watching them for proper technique.
If you have the time to do it with your son, it will be $$ well spent if you ask me. You'll have fun.

[Medicine Bear]

+1 on the Vossman's reply!

Fred :03biker:

[Rob Hephner]

Never hurts to practice core skills in a controlled environment.

[STJockey]

I concur with Vossman - you can always improve your skills. I've had "seasoned" riders with lots of "skill" and attitude fail the BRC because they couldn't turn, stop or swerve effectively. Take the course with your son and you'll have both a riding and accountability partner.

[forgitaboutut]

ok...Ive been riding for +20 years (though I'm SURE people would STRONGLY argue that with me and demand proof!:eek: )
I think this year I am REALLY going to look for local MSF course!
to bad we couldnt get a group discount on this, but every is scattered all over the WORLD!

[Blrfl]

While I would love to spend the Father-Son time with him taking the beginners course...

I actually don't recommend taking the course together. My wife and I did and we found the urge to check up and see how each other were doing was a bit of a distraction. Depending on his age, he may find a similar distraction. MHO, YMMV.

--Mark

[HankSTer]

Agree with whats been said so far too. And Mark makes a good point, depending on your relationship with your son... essentially you dont want anything to distract you (or him) from whats being taught.

I've had husbands and wifes that have worked well in a class and others where they've caused ea other misery.

Let me ask you these questions... while I certainly believe you when you say you're a defensive rider (and I'm sure driver)... have you ever had a situation in your car that caused you to slam on your brakes? Could you do that same thing on your bike? Have you had to unexpectedly swerve violently around something in your car? again could u on the bike? Have you ever found yourself on the bike in the middle of a corner going "Holy crap, I sure misjudged that!"?

Thats what the MSF is for, along with defensive driving. It's money well spent IMHO.

Regards and best wishes,

[BlaSTr]

If you're an HRCA member, they'll pay up to $75/year for training courses. I know money's tight but it'd be a Father-Son experience like no other, you'd relearn/unlearn lots of things, and come out of it a better rider.

[DataHawk]

I actually don't recommend taking the course together. My wife and I did and we found the urge to check up and see how each other were doing was a bit of a distraction. Depending on his age, he may find a similar distraction. MHO, YMMV.

--Mark

On the range I teach at in San Antonio we have two ranges that are out of sight of each other. We never put couples together if we are running two classes. When asked why we say because we don't want the husband to be embarrassed. :)

[msnyder755]

If you have the money to spend it will be worth it. I had ridden since age 16 but took a number of years off before I bought the ST. I took the BRC simply because it had been a whiles since I did any "real" riding and although they may not have taught me anything new it was reassuring for the instructors to watch my technique and give honest critique. You may not be doing anything wrong but there may be tips for that that improve your riding even further as was my case. Some of it will be extremely boring but the time you spend with your son watching him improve skills in a matter of a couple of days will be great memories. Thats my opinion anyway.

[Clair]

Both can be very rewarding to you and the BRC is mandatory for your son. I'd schedule your son for the BRC right away, whether or not you take it. I also second letting him take it alone. that way they'll be no "pressure" ... self imposed or not ... on him with you being there. Have your son take the BRC and learn how to ride properly.

As for you ... both the BRC and ERC are an option. As stated, the BRC is the "Beginner" course, designed for new riders mostly. It starts from the very beginning with how to check the bike (T-CLOCS), duck walking the bike, friction zone, and so on. It's usually done using 125 and 250cc bikes. Small and light, good beginner bikes. You'll then learn weaving, offset weaving, braking, braking in a curve, u-turns, emergency weaves, and so on. All can be very benificial to you even with your years of riding as you may realize you do certain things wrong or not as good as you could. The downside to you would be that some of it is redundant (you know it) and you'd be on somebody elses small bike.

The ERC is pretty much the same, except that you do it on your own bike and they skip all the "here's the starter switch, here's the brake" stuff. But you do work the weave, offset weave, even do them one handed. You do braking exercises, emergency weaves, u-turns, and so on. This is very good because it's all done with YOUR bike, the one you're used to or getting used too. So it helps you learn how to better brake your own bike, how to do slow maneuvers with it and so on.

Doesn't hurt to take both, but for you I'd definately do the ERC.