Good motorcycle riding class?

[sworobec]

This question was answered before...but I of course forgot the answer.

So...what's a good training class to take that deducts off of your insurance? It would also help a lot if the class counted as your "riding test" that you would normally take at the DMV.

Thanks a bunch!

[TreAdidas]

Motorcycle Safety Foundation... or MSF course. I dont' know anyone wiht their head on straight who thought this was even a remote waste of time... TWO THUMBS UP!

[shichyea]

after the msf, the CLASS (http://www.classrides.com) rides by reg pridmore is great for sportbike riding safety. Dre and I took the class back in April and we were both very stoked on it. It's for all levels. He's very safety consicous, and just a fun guy to chat with. His crew of instructors were all first rate too, no attitudes...
check it out... I wouldn't mind doing the class again.

oh yea, you'll also get a cert that'll count as safety course training for your insurance.

[shichyea]

From Dawn on the SCS board. Some good thoughts....

"CLASS is offered by Reg Pridmore, a most excellent rider and teacher. He likes to see smooth riders. He teaches you how to take the inside line.

I think that everyone should take all classes, learn from as many people as possible, read every book out there, and try to gather/process as much data as possible regarding motorcycling. After all...these skills/experience is what could save your life.

Saying that, I'm not sure if CLASS is something that one takes right after MSF. There is basic MSF and advanced MSF - which is basically the same as basic, just with more drills to practice.

I don't think anything can replace Common Sense, Riding within your abilities, Learning from Truly, Good, and Safe Riders, Experience and Practice.

Many people believe that it's best to go straight to a formal school because it's best to learn right the first time and not develop those bad habits. Although I agree with them...I follow a different path.

I make all the "mistakes" I can think of and learn how to handle them. I learn each "mistake", I learn what I did wrong, how to correct it, and then I don't do it again - but the difference is - now I know how to handle it if it does happen. I think it's good to make those mistake so you know what to expect if that ever does happen. For example...you shouldn't lock your rear wheel....okay, agreed - I won't do it. Now an emergency happens...and the rear wheel locks for a reason not of your fault...what the hell do you do now? Without the experience and knowledge, it could end very badly. The key is to be able to practice things like this without going overboard and just crashing/hurting yourself.

As far as formal classes go, personally, I think that if you have the funds, a good handle on your motorcycling abilities, and you feel you're ready - go for it.

For me though, I try to exhaust all of my own resources first before I'll dish out that $3-400.00 on a formal class. Luckily, SCS is a treasure trove of resources. There are lot of excellent riders on here that have already taken these classes and can pass on a lot to you. I use these formal classes more of a validation and fine tuning sessions.

Remember as well, that there are many different schools of thought on motorcycling and many times it would seem that they would contradict each other. You need to know yourself, your style, and your motorcycle to pick out what works for you.

For example, CLASS (Reg Pridmore) teaches smoothness and inside lines. STAR (Jason Pridmore - Reg's son) teaches more of a racing line and more aggressiveness... Some schools endorse body positioning/lean to turn the bike, some schools endorse countersteering...some say both.... The point is, it can get very confusing, but all you have to remember is that they are all valid points and there is more than one way to skin a cat.

No motorcyclist can say that he/she knows the ONE perfect way to ride a bike, and they have perfected it. We're all learning and improving - and as long as you're doing that, you're on the right path. "

[dre_2k2_f4i]

So Dawn was finally able to post on SCS? :D

Here is my recollection of my track day with CLASS Rides. It was my second track day at the Streets of Willow, and my first track day on my R6.

http://pub105.ezboard.com/fhondacbr600f4frm30.showMessage?topicID=216.topic

Conclusion: CLASS is definitely a great way to get onto the track if you have never been on a track before and are a bit scared of it. Otherwise, it is an expensive track day on which everyone goes slow. I definitely got a lot out of CLASS schools, but mostly out of asking instructors to critique me. The classroom time was mainly reinforcement of tried and true techniques that the average rider knows but may not employ. No, my tires were not shredded at the end of the day, but I achieved what I set out to accomplish: getting pointers on how I can become a smooth rider.

-- BTW --
That certificate of completion didn't work for a discount with AAA. But then again, AAA has low rates to begin with for me (they don't even dock for "professionals" such as law enforcement).

[GPTECHMAN]

OK so does the advanced MSF have a time limit on how long it will lower your insurance and what about the regular MSF as well...is it three years?

also does the advanced take off a bigger discount on your insurance of not?