Motorcycle Safety Course information? HELP Please!

slvrlake survivor · March 17th, 2008, 03:16 PM

From what i hear you can obtain your motorcycle license by taking the class, or by passing the road test. Well the class up a delta college is full, so i was thinking i could just take the road test but from what i hear its extremely difficult to pass. I was thinking of taking a $25 safety class on line to prepare me for the road test, but im afraid of wasting money on a test im not going to pass. Anyone that has any Tips, Experience or any information, please help!
Thanks,
Chase

Icemanii · March 17th, 2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slvrlake survivor

I was thinking of taking a $25 safety class on line to prepare me for the road test, but im afraid of wasting money on a test im not going to pass.

Never heard of an online class that will help you learn to ride. I can tell you some information, but will not post it online. Send me a pm and let me know if you are interested.

rustcharger · March 17th, 2008, 04:23 PM

the road test can be tough but its passable if you can sneak out to the test site and practice beforehand. Most guys flunk out during the cone weave or the u-turn in the box. A lot of places around here that test will also rent you a >250cc bike that will pretty much guarantee you a pass if you don't want to take it on a fullsize bike.

Mike Hancho · March 17th, 2008, 04:58 PM

drive down somewhere and take the MSF course...$25 and they supply the bike and give you the road test...money well spent IMHO...but remember the MSF course is very basic, it will not make you a better rider...in fact I disagree with alot of things they teach you

91wrangler · March 17th, 2008, 05:10 PM

depends on where you take the course that it only costs $25, When I got my endorsement I was going to take the course through WCC but when I tried to sign up 3 months ahead of time they already had a huge waiting list for classes till the end of the summer. In order to just take the road test you have to pay the $15 and take the written test to get your permit. Then you can ride for a while and go take the road test.

Michigans laws on the permit are pretty leanyent(sp) the say that you have to me in sight of someone with their endorsement. So I rode with people that had there license and a couple times with my old man following me in his truck.

As far as the road test goes I thought it was pretty easy, passed it with 100%. Before you take it look on line for the riding they have you do. It's basically weaving through cones, stopping without skidding, stopping with skidding, swerving, completing tight turns at low speeds and doing a figure 8. Once you get what they want you to do just go to an empty parking lot and practice.

I do suggest that you ride with others before takeing the road test, tips that you gain from other experienced riders are usually priceless. Some advice I was given "theres only 2 things on the road when you're riding potholes and assholes. Even if it's your mom/ dad/ grandma/ best friend, you still have to consider them as an asshole when on a bike.

Mike Hancho · March 17th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91wrangler

depends on where you take the course that it only costs $25, When I got my endorsement I was going to take the course through WCC but when I tried to sign up 3 months ahead of time they already had a huge waiting list for classes till the end of the summer. In order to just take the road test you have to pay the $15 and take the written test to get your permit. Then you can ride for a while and go take the road test.

Michigans laws on the permit are pretty leanyent(sp) the say that you have to me in sight of someone with their endorsement. So I rode with people that had there license and a couple times with my old man following me in his truck.

As far as the road test goes I thought it was pretty easy, passed it with 100%. Before you take it look on line for the riding they have you do. It's basically weaving through cones, stopping without skidding, stopping with skidding, swerving, completing tight turns at low speeds and doing a figure 8. Once you get what they want you to do just go to an empty parking lot and practice.

I do suggest that you ride with others before takeing the road test, tips that you gain from other experienced riders are usually priceless. Some advice I was given "theres only 2 things on the road when you're riding potholes and assholes. Even if it's your mom/ dad/ grandma/ best friend, you still have to consider them as an asshole when on a bike.

all basic MSF courses are $25...the price is kept that way due to grant money!

chris1044 · March 17th, 2008, 07:09 PM

Not to hijack, but does anyone have any info on a basic rider course (that will substitute in place for a road test) that is open?? I've already got the temp. permit from the SOS, but really don't want to take a road test - i'd much rather a class just because of the fact that they provide the bike (since I don't have a street legal one yet)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icemanii

Never heard of an online class that will help you learn to ride. I can tell you some information, but will not post it online. Send me a pm and let me know if you are interested.

can I take you up on that offer lol....I am in need of my endorsement as well...soon - I want to be able to ride demo's at dealerships prior to purchasing a bike (because I'm interested in a buell, but not so sure about them)....

And on that note, if you've been riding off-road for 18+ years and have more than a fair share of on-road experience you should be alright, right??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hancho

drive down somewhere and take the MSF course...$25 and they supply the bike and give you the road test...money well spent IMHO...but remember the MSF course is very basic, it will not make you a better rider...in fact I disagree with alot of things they teach you

Problem with this is that they're currently all full just about anywhere you look...the courses at FSU, Washtenaw, and delta are full, and I'm almost positive schoolcraft's are full now too

EDIT: Nope, just got done checking on more than a few, they're NOT full.....almost all have them still available.....lol, guess the person I talked to was a moron

Mike Hancho · March 17th, 2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1044

Not to hijack, but does anyone have any info on a basic rider course (that will substitute in place for a road test) that is open??

NO..they give you the road test!!!

chris1044 · March 17th, 2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hancho

NO..they give you the road test!!!

Alright, well, either way that works for me because they provide the bike and it's only 25 bucks

I'm 99% sure I could pass the road test right now, hands down (unless there are hand signals you've got to do - don't know them off the top of my head). I just need an right nowendorsement to ride demo's - after I get it I plan to take an additional course to (hopefully) help lower insurance rates.....

ScOoTeR · March 18th, 2008, 06:45 AM

Not sure about other schools, but Washtenaw has a few Yamaha XT225 Enduros in their lineup - made the class fun and the road test easy.

Motor Slut · March 18th, 2008, 11:55 AM

The test is easy if you can ride and aren't a moron. The people that fail drive their 900lb touring bike to the test course and try to ride slow for the first time.

Borrow a small bike or buy a small bike and take the test. The test is super easy to pass once you have confidence in the bike.

chris1044 · March 18th, 2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motor Slut

The test is easy if you can ride and aren't a moron. The people that fail drive their 900lb touring bike to the test course and try to ride slow for the first time.

Borrow a small bike or buy a small bike and take the test. The test is super easy to pass once you have confidence in the bike.

Pretty much what I figured. I'll be taking it at WCC, so hopefully I'll get one of the XT's

91wrangler · March 18th, 2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hancho

all basic MSF courses are $25...the price is kept that way due to grant money!

So are the MSF courses oly offered at colleges? when i was looking i even cheecked dealerships that provided the courseand it was around $400

Mike Hancho · March 18th, 2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91wrangler

So are the MSF courses oly offered at colleges? when i was looking i even cheecked dealerships that provided the courseand it was around $400

I can't say for sure, but the ones at colleges are funded buy grant money to keep the cost @ $25

slvrlake survivor · March 18th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Does anyone know if you have to have a permit to take your road test? If so how would you obtain that?

chris1044 · March 18th, 2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91wrangler

So are the MSF courses oly offered at colleges? when i was looking i even cheecked dealerships that provided the courseand it was around $400

Ones that are qualified by the SOS are only offered at specific colleges.....see Here.

With that said, I don't think you need your permit to take a road test if you take a SOS approved beginners course.....but to get it you only have to pass a 20 question test administered at the SOS - it's very simple if you've ridden before, took me literally 5 mins when I took it two weeks ago

Motor Slut · March 18th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slvrlake survivor

Does anyone know if you have to have a permit to take your road test? If so how would you obtain that?

Go to the SOS and take the, I think 15 question, test to get your learners permit.

jeeperstrudie · March 18th, 2008, 09:34 PM

Take the class, you will learn a lot from the class and then you don't need to bother with the Secretary of states road test which is tough. If your gonna take the secretary of state test borrow somebodies 250cc, its easier to take the road test with a small bike...

ScOoTeR · March 19th, 2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1044

Pretty much what I figured. I'll be taking it at WCC, so hopefully I'll get one of the XT's

Awesome. When are you taking it? I cannot remember names, but stay away from the grizzly harley rider for the classes - his teaching style may not jibe with your learning style. i.e. he takes himself wayyyyyy too seriously.

The two guys that we had - one rode a goldwing (balding and glasses) and the other rode a Buell - these guys were professional, enjoyed themselves on the course and didn't try to intimidate you. They had a good time and we had a good time.

BTW, if you are signed up for the weekend course, plan on spending all your time there. We were there Friday from 6-10pm, Saturday nearly all day and Sunday nearly all day.
You definitely get your money's worth!

chris1044 · March 19th, 2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScOoTeR

Awesome. When are you taking it?

I'm taking it over the 3rd weekend in May. I contemplated taking it during the weekd, because I don't start my job at milford until June 1st, but figured I'd rather just tough it out over an entire weekend.....It's going to suck in the regard that it's the entire weekend straight, but it shouldn't be that bad.

I'll make a note to stay away from the harley rider....

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