MSF Course BS...

[MAGIC]

My girlfriend went to MSF course starting yesterday. First day were classes, whatever. Today she was there practicing on Honda Rebel. I have to mention that she never rode bike before, not even a car with the stick shift. What happened, she dropped the bike during one of the exercises, nothing crazy - while stopping bike lift the back a bit and leaned to the right and she couldn't handle the weight so she dropped.
After that one of instructors told her that she's not ready yet and told her not to come back tomorrow 'cause it's gonna be harder and she'll not pass the final test and come back in a few months.
So my question is: was it ok for the instructor to insinuate to go home and tell her not to come the next day?

 

[mace25]

No

 

[strmvt]

how else is she gonna learn isn't that what the damn class is for? I'd go over his head though

 

[onelogue]

kinda, i mean if she cant pass day one than most likely she cant pass day 2, however she has the right to practice on day 2

 

[upthemaiden]

They're pretty strict in those classes. I know that if you're late, or either wheel leaves the ground you have to go home. I can't remember if dropping a bike was one of those rules or not. It could be debated as to whether or not they were actually instructing them well enough that she dropped it during an exercise anyway. It's hard to say without actually being there.

 

[anrkizm95]

yes,why lower her confidence more tomorrow?spend some time with her and get her used to a bikes weight and coming to a stop.you can do this by pushing her on your bike.if she keeps going to msf and falling or told she is not ready she might give up.to bad the one she went to dosnt have the trainning wheels.i know it sucks but they cant have people dropping the bikes every 5 mins.she would most likely love your help and guidance to prepare her for next time when she passes

 

[BuddhaBuell]

So my question is: was it ok for the instructor to insinuate to go home and tell her not to come the next day?

hells no! what the hell kinda of instructor is that, constructive critisism is on thing telling someone to just quit is ******** [down]

I'd go over his head though

agree 100%

 

[ArmyMP09]

I'd go well over his head.
When I took my MSF classes, Day 1 we had a few females and 1 male drop bikes, the females were small and just got of balance and couldn't handle the weight of the bike. Out of that group 2 didn't show back up day 2. One did, She dropped the bike once more during practice. She passed the test with flying colors and had one of highest scores of the passing group. So what he did is complete BS. When I used to instructed at Redline Time Attack(road racing cars) I'd never tell a student that, no matter how bad they sucked. Only kicked one student out and he was a safety issue more then anything else. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

 

[Bossanova]

was it ok for the instructor to insinuate to go home and tell her not to come the next day?

No... She has the right to finish the class and take the tests. But.. These MSF Instructors watch the students the entire time to decide if they have what it takes to ride on the open road, IMO a really a tough job. My wife took the class a couple of weeks ago and didn't pass the skills or the knowledge test. I was pissed but to be honest, if she is not ready, I didn’t want her riding. She ended up passing the tests 2 weeks later (with several practice sessions with me and pouring over the questions in the book before hand). MTII down here in South Florida offer re-tests within 30 days free, or the option to re-take the course entirely for around ½ of the original price. I remember while watching her class the first session and seeing a couple of times bikes dropped from a stop. I don’t know if they ended up passing but I think they did. Also when she went for her re-test, they only let her practice for about 10 minutes before joining the group for the skills test. Before she took the course on a Blast, that day they gave her a Suzuki? I think- it had forward controls and that was giving her a hard time so she asked for a Blast and she was good to go from there.

 

[xtremelow]

This is the exact reason I took BuellChick to an industrial park and taught her how to ride. It removes much of the worry of looking stupid from losing balance, the nerves of an instructor basically telling you whether you just wasted tour money, and mostly I was able to show her how to ride on her own bike.

I took a class and thought it was a joke. I do admit some of the stuff they teach is valuable in riding but nothing you can research on the Internet. I also had her sit around while some friends and I talked about some close calls and what we did and didnt do.

Even when I was showing her I made the tests harder thatn needed as she became more comfortable obviously. In the end she is a really good rider and since she rides much more reserved than I do she is actually a better ride in some aspects.

 

[kmp00k]

When I took my classes, there were a lot of women20-49 years old and a older man 70+. the woman was on a Honda shadow, rebel? and she dumped the bike 4 times! on day 1 she could not clutch at all, by Sunday she looked like any other rider. she passed. most of the other girls quit and went home. The old guy popped numerous unintentional wheelies and dumped up on the final test needed to say he failed!
It a leaning experience and if she need extra help then she should get it. The should not of told her to come back! The bikes have insurance and you sign a waiver ! tell her to go back get the experience.
My wife has never been on a motorcycle! I went out and picked up a 1982 Yamaha virago in mint shape for $500 and it nice and low, and I took her for a ride yesterday, for a bout an hour. that was the first time she rode on one. She takes here classes middle of next month, so it sounds like I need to get her practicing! I wanted to get a blast but those are all around $2k and sit to high shes short, my only concern is the yahaha is 1025gvw! so I am hoping she can man handle it.

 

[shining]

To make a long story short, my son and his friend took the course a month ago. A man who had never rid-in, came to a stop, didn't put his foot down and feel over. A young girl, never rid-in before, ran into the person in front of her in riding class, they both passed. WTF?
I wonder how long their going to last on the road?
I hear not all instructors are the same though..you think?

 

[gtp3800]

I hear not all instructors are the same though..you think?

I never took a course, I bought a bike cheap and dropped it and learned from my mistakes. Once I was comfortable on it I took it to the dmv and got my license. My instructor however, NEVER RODE A BIKE!!

So yes all instructors are different, but what i want to know is why is a man who has never rode before teaching people to ride? Its one thing to read the instructions off and tell someone how to do it, but its another when your giving people knowledge based off your own experiences.

MAGIC where did you go? Woodstock?

 

[anrkizm95]

before you go over anyones head you should read the booklet.if you show insufficient skills or pose a risk to yourself or others you will not be allowed to continue.

 

[Arkitek]

This is sad and i'm sorry for you and your girlfriend. When i went through the course a few years ago there were a few people who never rode before and they struggled for the first day but no one gave up on them and they ended up doing a lot better the next day. One of the guys even got a better score then me on the test when it was done. If anything i always tell people that the MSF course would give you confidence on a bike but it sounds like that is robbed from her now... i would definitely complain to the powers at be about that... How else are you supposed to learn?

 

[03xb9er]

When I took my course last year they were very clear up front only positive comments would be provided. They wanted people to learn to ride. Dropping it for some is part of the learning and that was acceptable. Now they also said when it came time for our test if u drop it u fail. We had one older woman who could not handle it at all. She started holding the class back. They talked to her and I think she realized she wasnt ready and bailed. Everyone else passed and honestly its scary some of them could be on 2 wheels on public roads but that's not my decision to make

 

[MAGIC]

MAGIC where did you go? Woodstock?

She went to Elgin.

The purpose of going to the course for her was to learn about the safety and technical stuff of riding and familiarize with the bike and get the idea how everything works NOT on her own bike (to avoid to drop it and pay to fix it). So I was upset when she texted me they send her home. I was like she's there to learn WTF??? Let her learn as much as she can. If she fails the test screw it but at least give her a chance to get something out of it. Even after the course I would still practice with her on the parking lot until I would feel she's ready to hit the streets.

Thanks guys for all your input. After reading this she feels a lot better.

 

[bfletcher]

She very well could've told you they sent her home, to avoid telling you she left. Just a thought. Women have sneaky ways.[up]

 

[Kole_DeWoody]

Well my GF is actually in a course this weekend as well and i kinda feel like its almost a joke. The did not tell here things like to let off when you shift and they have not mentioned anything about counter-steering or how to lean a bike i mean how much can you learn riding in a parking lot never leaving first or second gear. I don't understand how that prepares you for the open road. But o well guess thats the law now glad i did not have to take one.

 

[bfletcher]

they have not mentioned anything about counter-steering

I believe that is for the advanced course.

let off when you shift

They assume that would be common knowledge. Just like a car.