Helmet or No Helmet, Not a debate! A simple do you wear always or sometimes.

[MSGT-R]

Not just the pass (that was rude enough).. the fact if he wasn't wearing all his gear.

When you become an MSF Instructor, you sign a code of conduct letter. A couple of the items on there are to always ride with all of your gear on, regardless of what state you're in, as well as the conduct you present the public when you're on your bike.

[Scotrod]

So, how could you tell what gear he was (or wasn't) wearing by my post? All I said was I recognized his jacket,,,

[MSGT-R]

No, I said if. The first statement, his behavior, is enough to get him counceled by MSF.. As instructors, we have to set the example, no matter what our past has been.

[Scotrod]

Stop the bus, I want off,,,

[Steve 0080]

I have no desire to kick any one personally who is a MSF instructor..... but I can only laugh that once you pass a course, ( in FL ) after never getting out of second gear qualifies you for a motorcycle license is insane. There are two things that grade your ability to ride a bike... slow speed in a parking lot type area and twisty's. I know a lot of people here in FL. who have over 35 years of experience and have absolutely no ideal how to ride a bike, other than straight down the road, period!. God forbid anything happens in front of them because they can not do anything about it. And having heard of counter steering or evasive maneuvers in a class has almost no value. I just read a story in a bike magazine where a guy came to FL. to ride, found out what a heat index of 115 and 100% humidity feels like and did not ride until the winter. ATGATT is better than MOTGMOTT... but some gear is better than none. I am a true believer that when it is you time , it is your time no matter what!!!

[Scotrod]

Pretty much the same scenario here in TX. MSF course required before getting your MC endorsement.

Geared towards first-timers,,,

We started the riding portion of the class by 'walking' our bikes back and forth across the parking lot a few time. (Sure was nice when we could finally START the engine! LOL!)

Then some 1st-2nd gear parking lot maneuvers. Some 'rapid' stops, cornering stops, 'the box', etc. Nothing very challenging for a few, somewhat challenging for 'new to MC' participants,,,

Not everyone 'passed' either,,, I recall one such participant that claimed she recently acquired a 1200cc sport bike. It was sitting at home while she learned to ride,,, On the course, she was hyper-timid and SLOW as frozen mud,,, Didn't make the cut,,,

[MSGT-R]

Ya' gotta start somewhere, and the Basic Rider Course is exactly that. Much better than a friend saying "here's the clutch, here's the brake now go down the cull-de-sac and back".. Or the dealership launching you out the driveway, directly into traffic for your first ride home.

The lessons get you familar with the sensation of riding a bike and gets the basic skills needed to build experience started from the ground level. If you forgot, your instructor said that these skills are just the beginning. Go out and ride for awhile; please build upon what we have presented here. Consider coming back for the Experienced Rider Course to further your education when you feel comfortable..

The military even has a Military Sportbike Rider Course (MSRC). Civilians are just now getting a version of that called Advanced Rider Course (ARC) and it takes your speeds up to 25 mph with deeper leans and more street oriented skills. There are other schools that can teach you even more advanced stuff on a track and is quite expensive.

One course is never gonna fill you head with everything you need, but it's a starting point.
Not everyone is suited for riding a bike. Better to find that out in an MSF class than on the street.

...now back to helmets.