How many of you took MSF?

[aeroxbud]

Some training is defiantly a good idea.
Like humanshield said though, you only really learn by being out on the road.
When I got my first road bike, I just went to the dealer, got them to insure it and rode home. I was lucky as had MX bikes before.
A lot of people got hurt doing this, so now you have to have a days training before your aloud on the road.

[lordverminaard]

MSF not required in Ohio, but our setup here for getting your endorsement is pretty much exactly the same as what 90GTVert posted for MD. I went in to the MSF basically never having ridden a motorcycle before other than putting around on a dirt bike a few times back when I was a kid. While I found the in-class stuff a little boring, it did give me a lot of good insight on safe defensive riding skills and a lot of that transferred to driving in a car as well. The field skills were of course the most fun, and also pretty challenging. It really helped my confidence for when I started riding on the street (in the city even) and especially the techniques for scanning intersections and quickly assessing situations to find the safest way through/around them. I plan on taking the Advanced riders course probably next year as well, and I think my Wife is interested in taking the MSF to get her endorsement as well next year.

It probably varies state to state, I have heard that some private establishments that do the MSF class can either be better or worse. Here in Ohio, the state-run MSF has a very good reputation so that is what I went with. Plus it was a hell of a lot cheaper than the other private-run deals. I guess it would pay to check in your area what people recommend. Either way, I don't think I would ever recommend anyone who is interested in getting their MC endorsement to NOT take the MSF class, I found it to be quite valuable.

Brendan

[farmer54]

Took mine in the late 60's it was required and haven't rode a motorcycle in 40 yrs. farmer54

[ryan_ott]

I took mine 10-12 years ago when I was laid off. Spent my time getting any endorsement on my license I could while collecting unemployment. It's not required here in PA but it's the easy way to get your license. Which your supposed to have here to operate anything over a moped (w/pedals)

[Deleted]

I have to get my ML next year to ride the 150 I'm buying, just pass a written and a riding test and you're golden. In fact there's a couple guys around the Des Moines area that rent their 150's for the tests.

[Deleted]

NJ sucked at the MC license thing. First, you had to have 6 months of "training" by riding with a licensed motorcycle guy. So, this licensed rider is on the back seat while you, the idiot beginer, is driving. Who would do that for 6 months? Then, you have to take the "test" and that means, your licensed rider guy has to take off from work for the entire day and be on the back while you ride to the testing area.

This is the reason I have kept my mc license for all of these years even if I did not have a bike. It was such a pain in the ass to get, I never weanted to have to go through that again. So, even though I ride a scoot...I still have my MC license...which I have had for over 40 years.

Bill