Street Riding Schools

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BlueSprint

New member
Hi all,
A friend of mine's son just bought a motorcycle and she would like to know where she can send him to learn more about riding safely in traffic conditions.

I already know about the MSF courses. I did attend the first level and what you learn although useful is pretty limited (that was 4 years ago though). I do not know about the advanced course. Is it a good course?

Also, are there alternatives? Any school in the Bay area that are really good for a beginner on the road (I believe he has dirt bike experience).

Many thanks in advance.

- Dan
 
antipathy

antipathy

Lurks for the lulz
Your friend's son needs to take the basic MSF; hands down.

The experienced rider course is very good also. I went to the one in Mountain View and learned a lot despite an embarrasing moment or two. :blush

I know experienced riders who have re-taken the basic rider course to refresh their survival instincts and unlearn bad habits. Can't hurt.

-Alicia
 
slackjaw

slackjaw

Well-known member
Yeah, MSF-Basic for sure, and probably the ERC (Experienced Rider Course) to follow later.

Perhaps the most important thing, though, will be to encourage him to hang with a responsible riding crowd. Perhaps his worst enemy, even worse than inexperience with riding in traffic, will be his youth (I am assuming he is young. Teenager?) and peer pressure.

Best bet? Find some female riders. In my experience, female riders have less ego invested in their riding, and make smarter choices. Also, they look better in their leathers! :p
 
I

iloqin

Well-known member
slackjaw said:
Best bet? Find some female riders. In my experience, female riders have less ego invested in their riding, and make smarter choices. Also, they look better in their leathers! :p
Click to expand...

I hate to say it, but that is true. Peer pressure can surely make ya do some stupid stuff on the road.
 
HondaFreak

HondaFreak

Lean with it Rock with it
+1 for MSF Basic
+1 MSF ERC (Experienced Rider Course)
Will save that young mans ass! Saved mine!

HondaFreak
 
B

BlueSprint

New member
Thanks for your replies. I will definitely advise both courses. I personally find that the basic course is not enough.

I got my license in France a few years before I moved to the US and i had to go through some riding in real traffic conditions where my instructor could then comment on my riding and help me make adjustments. I believe that gave me some good "defensive riding" skills as well as to anticipate issues. Of course there was still much to be learned in terms of operating the bike in toher conditions (such as moutains, winding roads, etc...) but that only probably saved my butt several times.

The problem with the MSF basic course in my opinion is the duration - it is basically one day of riding not in traffic conditions if I remember well.

Although it gives a lot of good advice and is a good starting point, I was wondering if there are other courses that will put you in real conditions.

And thanks again for your replies.

- Dan
 
Eldritch

Eldritch

is insensitive
BlueSprint said:
Hi all,
A friend of mine's son just bought a motorcycle and she would like to know where she can send him to learn more about riding safely in traffic conditions.

I already know about the MSF courses. I did attend the first level and what you learn although useful is pretty limited (that was 4 years ago though). I do not know about the advanced course. Is it a good course?

Also, are there alternatives? Any school in the Bay area that are really good for a beginner on the road (I believe he has dirt bike experience).

Many thanks in advance.

- Dan
Click to expand...

Hwy 101.

Worked damn fine for me.
 
F

fubar929

Well-known member
BlueSprint said:
Although it gives a lot of good advice and is a good starting point, I was wondering if there are other courses that will put you in real conditions.
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Nobody is going to take you out and teach you how to ride in rush-hour traffic. Track-based schools will teach you better control of the motorcycle, but they won't teach you to anticipate the cell phone-yammering SUV idiot stopping around a blind corner to jot a few notes into their Palm Pilot.

For street based improvement, your best bets are to read books (e.g. "Proficient Motorcycling" by Hough) and find some decent riding buddies.

Doc Wong's rides aren't a bad place to meet people and learn some skills, but they don't specifically focus on handling traffic and stuff like that, nor are they necessarily focused on beginners.
 
HondaFreak

HondaFreak

Lean with it Rock with it
afm199 said:
After he has taken MSF, CLASS with Reggie Pridmore would be an invaluable tool.
Click to expand...
:confused
Enlighten Please. You've got my attention, hurry it won't last long.:teeth

HondaFreak
 
quasi888

quasi888

Moto babies
HondaFreak said:
:confused
Enlighten Please. You've got my attention, hurry it won't last long.:teeth

HondaFreak
Click to expand...

http://www.classrides.com/

Although it's a track school, its curriculum and target audience are more street-oriented -- you won't typically find aggressive racer wannabees attending CLASS schools. (Not uncommon to see Harley and Goldwing riders here.) The skills learned are highly applicable to the street. Probably the best way to practice important skills in a controlled and structured environment.
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
quasi888 said:
http://www.classrides.com/

Although it's a track school, its curriculum and target audience are more street-oriented -- you won't typically find aggressive racer wannabees attending CLASS schools. (Not uncommon to see Harley and Goldwing riders here.) The skills learned are highly applicable to the street. Probably the best way to practice important skills in a controlled and structured environment.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Reggie's schools are very street rider oriented, he prefers that racers stay away. Any given class will be 90% street riders on street bikes and maybe 10% trackday riders on track only bikes. He gears his curriculum toward teaching safety skills and habits that are designed to make you a better street (and track) rider.
 
Eldritch

Eldritch

is insensitive
Re: Re: Re: Street Riding Schools

planegray said:
Is that the ESSSOL ?

(Eldritch Sink or Swim School of Life)
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No it's EBIYD School.

Eldritch's Bleed If You're Dumb School


If you EBIYD by the rules of the road and ride smart and safe you'll be all kosher.

I'm slow in the corners, but I can split lanes like a ghost at war.
 
spideyfive-o

spideyfive-o

Well-known member
Re: Re: Re: Re: Street Riding Schools

:laughing that's what my friends say about me too. :cry

spidey

Eldritch said:


I'm slow in the corners, but I can split lanes like a ghost at war.
Click to expand...
 
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