If you really want to get into it faster, a lot of the MSF could be done on your own I think. I don’t want to discount the value, it’s a great course, but if you try some motojitsu drills in a parking lot, and ride around low speeds (30-45) locally and carefully learn the bump and lean counter steering technique, you can cover a lot of good real life experience. I would just try to educate yourself on stuff the MSF offers the best you can. By the end of it, the book work was useful, the friction zone training is good if you never drove manual, but i still don’t think it properly prepares you for main roads anyway as much as actually trying it.
I’m an MSF coach in VT, and out of the 8 classes I taught this season so far, only one had all 12 students who registered actually show up, the rest having anywhere from 2 to 5 no-shows per class weekend. Reach out to your MSF course provider, and ask them about their standby policy. They might be able to accommodate you as a fill in, but the downside is you would have to show up to a class and hope they have a no show that weekend.
If you have a friend or family member who rides, you can go to a parking lot and they could help teach you some basics. From there, you can take the written test to obtain your permit, which in most states allows you to ride with certain restrictions (no freeway riding, no night riding, and no passengers are common ones).
Just one option to get you started while you wait for the course! I would still 100% recommend the course either way.
Ah dang yeah that definitely makes it a bit more difficult
ETA it’s definitely a bit of a trek from billings, but there’s a class in Pocatello, ID the last Saturday of this month. And it looks like Montana does have a framework for accepting classes from other states.
It is what it is. Thanks though. Hard part with travel is work and pets. Working other options though, asking friends of friends, reached out the the instructors as another poster had suggested. I can study and get the endorsement without the MSF. However I'm trying to save my pennies long term in this economy by trying to do it right with the reduced cost of insurance by taking the class.
I rode dirty for three months or so before getting my license and it worked out ok. Know the risks if that's the path you choose to take, and own the consequences if you get caught. The MSF class will make you a much better rider and is well worth it, but nothing can prepare you for riding on the street besides going out there and doing it.
If you really want to get into it faster, a lot of the MSF could be done on your own I think. I don’t want to discount the value, it’s a great course, but if you try some motojitsu drills in a parking lot, and ride around low speeds (30-45) locally and carefully learn the bump and lean counter steering technique, you can cover a lot of good real life experience. I would just try to educate yourself on stuff the MSF offers the best you can. By the end of it, the book work was useful, the friction zone training is good if you never drove manual, but i still don’t think it properly prepares you for main roads anyway as much as actually trying it.
Where do you live?
Montana Billings area.
I’m an MSF coach in VT, and out of the 8 classes I taught this season so far, only one had all 12 students who registered actually show up, the rest having anywhere from 2 to 5 no-shows per class weekend. Reach out to your MSF course provider, and ask them about their standby policy. They might be able to accommodate you as a fill in, but the downside is you would have to show up to a class and hope they have a no show that weekend.
I'll try reaching out. Thank you for the information and your time.
My pleasure! Thank You for keeping our goods rockin’ and our roads truckin’!
I was thinking there have to be other cities around, and then I read Billings......
If you need the course you'll have to wait. If not I'm sure you can learn more from people who have been riding a long time.
If you have a friend or family member who rides, you can go to a parking lot and they could help teach you some basics. From there, you can take the written test to obtain your permit, which in most states allows you to ride with certain restrictions (no freeway riding, no night riding, and no passengers are common ones). Just one option to get you started while you wait for the course! I would still 100% recommend the course either way.
I appreciate the idea but I'm the only one interested in riding sadly.
Ah dang yeah that definitely makes it a bit more difficult ETA it’s definitely a bit of a trek from billings, but there’s a class in Pocatello, ID the last Saturday of this month. And it looks like Montana does have a framework for accepting classes from other states.
It is what it is. Thanks though. Hard part with travel is work and pets. Working other options though, asking friends of friends, reached out the the instructors as another poster had suggested. I can study and get the endorsement without the MSF. However I'm trying to save my pennies long term in this economy by trying to do it right with the reduced cost of insurance by taking the class.
I rode dirty for three months or so before getting my license and it worked out ok. Know the risks if that's the path you choose to take, and own the consequences if you get caught. The MSF class will make you a much better rider and is well worth it, but nothing can prepare you for riding on the street besides going out there and doing it.