Any Bay Area MSF classes that favour the Ladies?

[Enchanter]

Have your wife get her permit and start her off in the parking lot. Teach her the fundamentals and take it really slow. After she is a little bit comfortable- enroll her in the MSF.

When people come to the class already 'prepared' by their friends or SO, they generally have a more difficult time with the course. The MSF basic course is designed for someone that has NEVER sat on a motorcycle before. She should take the class first, and then spend time practicing later.

Practice in a controlled environment is the most important thing. My friend took the MSF class after riding for many years. He was appauled that they passed so many people that could not master the basics. After they told my friend that he had passed.....he took the instuctor to the side and pointed out a few people: he said, " I'll tell you right now, he's gonna die, he's gonna die, and he's gonna die because you passed them when they were not ready. You should be ashamed." I guess the instructor was stuck and didn't know what to say because he knew my friend had a lot of truth in his words.

And the point of this was what?

At the end of the class, students must pass a test. Does passing the test mean that they will be safe and not fr0ng themselves? No. The techniques taught in the class cannot be 'mastered' in the short period of time we have with the students. The class is designed to be the START of the riders learning experience. Instructors can use their own personal judgement in many areas of the course, but arbitrarily failing someone that they 'think' is not ready goes over the line.

Yes, there are people that pass the class and could probably have done better. There are also some people that fail when they really do have the skills. How is that different from other learned skills...like getting a drivers license for instance? I see a bunch of people that hold a DL and shouldn't be behind the wheel.

My point is, the MSF is not hard to pass. You don't need an easier class for your wife......if she wants to ride, she will pass. I just hope you spend a lot of time practicing with her and teaching her what you know:thumbup

The class IS difficult for some, easy for others. Try to remember that students that get 'help' before class have a harder time during the class. And if you are going to teach someone, you DAMN WELL BETTER KNOW that what you are teaching them is correct.

Students that get 'help' before class have a harder time during the class.

Students that get 'help' before class have a harder time during the class.

Students that get 'help' before class have a harder time during the class.

I cannot say that enough times.

 

[Ian01]

So what about the students who get help BEFORE the class:confused




















:laughing

 

[Sane_Man]

Having friends and SO's together in class is very annoying.

These are the people whispering to each other during class and distracting those who are there to learn. They cause the instructor to repeat themselves because they don't hear what is going on in class.

You also won't have any time to cry, console, or offer support to another participant while on the course either. You are either watching the instructor demostrating an excercise or are actually performing that exercise. If you are handholding your partner, you aren't learning the material to pass the course.

I can't even imagine how cheerleading on the sideline is helping someone pass the class.

If you are paying instructors who are trained to instruct you, why not let them do their job rather then trying to nursemaid your SO through the course?

 

[crow]

i hate when females think they deserve special attn. then complain that it's not fair this and that. dont get me wrong fair is good, but giving breaks on gender is not both ways.

Isn't it the husband in this case that is asking for his wife to be put into an all females course, and not herself?

Skyway, I think it's best if your wife just enrolls herself in any regular MSF course. Having the course be all women won't necessarily make the experience better. Most of the MSF courses I've seen have a large number of women in them anyway, and there are also plenty of female MSF instructors. But really, the most important part is the course material and not who is in the class with you. I think if you follow Enchanter's advice and take a hands-off approach and let your wife do her thing, everything will go smoothly. :teeth

 

[GearChic]

ditto everything Enchanter said.

he is right on all points.

There are no 'women specific' or 'women friendly' MSF classes. Every class is friendly to EVERYONE!

If you are looking for a class where there may be more women present, SF does tend to have more women riders. But there really is no need to find a 'women friendly' msf class. When teaching this class, everyone is treated equally, period.

I gained extreme confidence in riding after having a 50cc scooter for a year.

I bought a scooter, passed the Dmv test on it (soo much easier on a scooter!) and then took the msf class a year later. Of course you can take our class to ride your scooter too!

This is just one way to go about it.

I would encourage your wife to take the msf class in any location.

:teeth

 

[CHICKenstrip]

Just a thought, but I knew that until I had the gumption to schedule and go to the MSF on my own, I wasn't anywhere near ready to ride. Had my guy friend at the time made a big deal out of it, I probably would have seen it as unneeded pressure and would have been miserable taking the course. Absolutely no way could I have maintained if he had actually been present to see me possibly embarrass myself somehow. And I would have been doing it more for him than myself. I agree with Enchanter. I took the course in Vallejo, there was a female instructor during the riding portion, didn't catch her name. The ones listed in the thread would be great, but also Deeter and crazeedude, I would definitely have been comfortable with either of them.

 

[slydrite]

This would be one situation I'm trying to avoid.

look at it this way......if she can't handle the stress of an instructor supposedly "yelling" and being stern while trying to teach her something beneficial, how can she handle all the stressful s**t that happens during any and all rides on real roads!?!?!?!

 

[slackjaw]

Having friends and SO's together in class is very annoying.

These are the people whispering to each other during class and distracting those who are there to learn. They cause the instructor to repeat themselves because they don't hear what is going on in class.

Yeah, this would be annoying, but I guess I am assuming that we are talking about ADULTS here. Experiencing something together with your SO does not equate to giggling, whispering, and "passing notes in class". At least, not since 5th grade.

You also won't have any time to cry, console, or offer support to another participant while on the course either. You are either watching the instructor demostrating an excercise or are actually performing that exercise. If you are handholding your partner, you aren't learning the material to pass the course.

True enough. On the course, you are on your own. However, this is an oversimplified view. There are frequent breaks, and ample time to review and discuss the previous session with your friend or SO, if they are there. Also, the classroom portion can be enhanced with a friend/SO. Aside from the fact that there is something to be said for sharing experiences with a friend or SO, having a partner means having somebody to "study" with and can provide a source of motivation.

I can't even imagine how cheerleading on the sideline is helping someone pass the class.

If you are paying instructors who are trained to instruct you, why not let them do their job rather then trying to nursemaid your SO through the course?

Yeah, I don't see what "cheerleading" can do, aside from provide moral support.

Enchanter and others make a good point in that, when taking the course, you are a student, and not a second instructor or gaurdian angel for your SO. Sure, experience the course together, learn and discuss together, but don't lose sight of the fact that the instructors are the ones there to instruct.

 

[280SQUAGGLER]

The thing about couples is that one always looks to the other for support. Resulting in themselves doing badly. I find that the woman does better than the guy( boyfriend,husband)

Enchanter hit everythng right on the nose...Sometimes its better to do this alone than to have someone there. That way your not always looking for reasureance.
If your really nervous about her ..have her take it with one of her girlfriends.

I've had classes where it was one female in the class, and then i've had classes where it was 9 females and 3 guys. Every class is different

 

[highlander]

OH OH I see Skyway's wife heading for her own IBA plate in the future ! She's not happy being a IBA pillion !!

 

[Janna]

I know nothing was meant by it, but I have a visceral reaction to the phrase "the ladies" -- particularly when talking about motorcycles. Grrr. I am a woman. I might need gear designed for women, but not for "the ladies."

Why such a reaction? "Hey, there, little lady." "Ladies first." "Act like a lady." Ugh. I am a motorcyclist with the genetic structure and bits 'n pieces associated with being female. I have been socialized to behave in certain ways because of my gender, and I like it just fine that way. But I don't like to lumped into any "ladies" category. I find the term to be restrictive and (often completely unintentionally) condescending. That's just me, and I don't claim to speak for all women, though.

Besides, why should the term "ladies" still be used when no one uses the term "gentlemen?" "Here we have Serge Vitesse making his debut in Gentlemens Motorcycle Racing..." "First Gear's Speed Gentlemen's Street Textile Jacket features CE-approved armor...."

Anyway, I took non-gender-segregated MSF classes (beginning and advanced), and survived quite nicely. No one made me cry, or called me a tomboy, or treated me as anything less than an equal. I don't believe that either gender needs their own riding class. There were male and female instructors for both the beginner and advanced course that I took, and the most skilled rider by far was an instructor (female) in the Advanced Rider Course. Man, could she weave through those off-set cones with her left hand in the air! Truly impressive riding, and it showed that motorcycling is for everyone.

Finally, the most important thing is that you're encouraging your wife to ride her own! No matter how it's phrased, that's a great and wonderful thing.

 

[HellFyre]

Why such a reaction? "Hey, there, little lady." "Ladies first." "Act like a lady." Ugh. I am a motorcyclist with the genetic structure and bits 'n pieces associated with being female. I have been socialized to behave in certain ways because of my gender, and I like it just fine that way. But I don't like to lumped into any "ladies" category. I find the term to be restrictive and (often completely unintentionally) condescending. That's just me, and I don't claim to speak for all women, though.

Besides, why should the term "ladies" still be used when no one uses the term "gentlemen?" "Here we have Serge Vitesse making his debut in Gentlemens Motorcycle Racing..." "First Gear's Speed Gentlemen's Street Textile Jacket features CE-approved armor...."

Jeez, anybody can call me a gentleman any time they'd like and I'll take it as a compliment. Although I don't expect it to happen anytime soon. :laughing

 

[elbacalao]

I can't remember for sure but I would say atleast 45% of my class were females. That was for the classroom portion. i think the majority of the females were on the morn ride class, and I took the afternoon. One of my best friends, a female, took the class with me. One of my instructors was a female too, and frankly I liked her alot. mrtnz, crazeedude and Deeter are all cool people, and would all be great instructors for your GF.

 

[Janna]

Jeez, anybody can call me a gentleman any time they'd like and I'll take it as a compliment. Although I don't expect it to happen anytime soon. :laughing

Spoken like a true gentleman.

 

[CoorsLight]

Skyway, have you taken the MSF course yourself?

If so did you think that it was actually more harsh towards women or this is some anecdote you heard from someone who did not have a good time?

Is there any concern over the nubile young men who might be taking the class alongside your lady?

:later

 

[grandmastershake]

MSF IN S.S.F.


the wifey and another barfette are scheduled for class' this next week i believe.

 

[antipathy]

Janna,
Speaking from personal experience, you will enjoy this website much more if you desensitize yourself to much of the language used here. Over time, there will be other words and posts that will offend you much more than any of the above small potatoes.
Apply one or more coats of teflon as needed. Learn from my mistakes, fellow rider! :laughing
Enjoy & :newbie
Alicia

Edit to say: :thumbup Hilarious sigline, btw!

I know nothing was meant by it, but I have a visceral reaction to the phrase "the ladies" -- particularly when talking about motorcycles. Grrr. I am a woman. I might need gear designed for women, but not for "the ladies."

Why such a reaction? "Hey, there, little lady." "Ladies first." "Act like a lady." Ugh. I am a motorcyclist with the genetic structure and bits 'n pieces associated with being female. I have been socialized to behave in certain ways because of my gender, and I like it just fine that way. But I don't like to lumped into any "ladies" category. I find the term to be restrictive and (often completely unintentionally) condescending. That's just me, and I don't claim to speak for all women, though.