Trevor

Hi Guys,

I will be taking the motorcycle safety course here in PA in a couple of weeks and I was just wondering what maneuvers etc have to be done in order to pass?

I would like to practice in a parking lot before the course starts but I haven't been able to find any specific info on the different things that I will be required to do.

Many thanks,

Trevor

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Buickguy

In my business I have had students that "practice" before they take a course.
I have found that most of them only reinforced bad habits that were then even harder to break. I can't speak for MSF instructors but I would imagine it is very similar.
If any MSF instructors on these fora can chime in, I'd be interested in their professional opinions about that.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
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twocoolgliders

If the PA course is anything like the NJ course, you will get plenty of practice BEFORE you have to do the part where you will be tested.

As said in the other post, don't try to second guess the instructors. They are used to taking people form zero experience up to being able to pass the road course. Concentrate on folowing their instructions!

Cookie

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jboy

I just took the safety course in PA and passed. I would say that it would be good to practice motorcycle balance and tight turns (you will be required to do a tight figure 8. And I would agree with the others: don't try to second guess the instructors. Go in there with a "blank slate" so that you can do things exactly like they want you to. And they do give you plenty of practice before they give you the test. They even let us do it for practice first.

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twitch

I'll echo everyone else here. I took the MSF course two years ago, having never sat on a motorcycle. I barely passed, but I did pass. My instructor told me to keep practicing in parking lots until I was more skilled and comfortable before heading out on the road, which is exactly what I did.

The tight turns--especially the figure 8's--were the most challenging, but it's only because I had not yet learned to trust the bike and understand what its capabilities are. If I had practiced in advance, it might have helped with that, but it's also possible that I would have picked up bad habits that would have been difficult to un-learn.

If your MSF instructor will allow you to bring your own bike, that might be a good idea. Part of the problem I had was learning to ride on the old, poorly-maintained bikes they provided. The Nighthawk 250 I got paired up with had a sluggish but touchy throttle, which would not respond at all at first and then jump to life suddenly after a second or two. That really didn't help with my comfort level.

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2008 Rebel 250 - 11,500 miles

People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs. -- Alexei Sayle

JunkyardDog

I have taken both the beginner and advanced MSF courses, many years after I started riding on the street. While I had no problems passing them, and even learned a few things, I had an issue with how over zealous they were about the gear thing. I admit I wear minimal gear, and intend to continue doing so. I definitely recommend taking the course especially if you are a beginner, it may very well save your life. I also definitely recommend a good (though not expensive) DOT full face helmet. As for the rest of it, if you can find gear that will help protect you without interfering with your ability to ride, that is the way to go. I would not (and don't) ride in shorts and a t shirt. Think about what will happen to your skin if you go sliding down the asphalt. I saw some idiot on the freeway just a few days ago on a sport bike, wearing a $600 helmet, gloves, an armored jacket, and shorts. Choose your riding apparel carefully, also consider visibility. But as for me personally, I am not wearing 50 pounds of armor. But that choice is up to every rider. Wear what you feel you need and want. Beginning riders are more likely to crash, in fact, a beginner is over 10 times more likely to crash than someone who has ridden consistently for 5 years. It takes a long time to develop the finely tuned skills and awareness that will prevent you from becoming a hood ornament. IMO, common sense plays a big part in helping prevent you from crashing during the first few years.


I had the good fortune to start riding on dirt years before I ever rode on the street, and crashed a lot. But with very few injuries. I also used to race MX (where I got quite a few injuries, some of them serious, even with protective gear, or what passed for protective gear in 1979) I learned how to control the bike, and do things you can't even do on a street bike. I believe this, plus the fact that when I ride, I focus 100% on riding, and don't use a cell phone or stereo, is why I have never crashed on the street in all these years. Jerry.

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JunkyardDog

Go to YouTube, and search MSF course. There are some really good videos on it. Will kind of show you what to expect. Jerry.

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mad hatter

might also want to read and reread "Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough
it helped me

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2001 Honda Rebel
jardine pipes
Twist the throttle, light the pipes and rip some rubber!