MSF Basic Rider’s Motorcycle Training Course a Must!

The motorcycle riding season is finally here! I've already been out a few times on my bike, and I'm loving every minute and every mile. But if you're thinking about learning how to ride, you had best find a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider's Course (BRC) and take it seriously.

I've only been riding a few years and have ridden thousands of miles, and I can tell you that a motorcycle rider can easily be overlooked on the road. I've been cutoff and swerved into; I've dodged flicked cigarette butts and dislodged hubcaps; I've had near misses with birds and had small rocks bounce off my windshield and helmet face-shield; I've had bugs splatter on my face and once had to panic stop on Union Street when a young, pregnant woman suddenly ran into moving traffic. And I'm sure my ordeals on the road are far from over, but these are similar things that happen when driving an automobile, right? The difference is that you have two-wheels instead of four, and you have no cage around you like a car to protect you. So you really need to develop proper riding skills before heading out on the road for the first time, and then practice by riding a lot and getting confident in your abilities and the bike you're riding. And make sure you are wearing all the gear all the time when you're on the bike: proper fitting helmet, leather or armored motorcycle jacket, gloves, pants/chaps, boots (over ankle). A good helmet that is DOT or Snell rated, or both, can save your life. The better the gear, the more comfortable and confident you'll be on the bike.

One of the things you'll learn in the MSF textbook and from a qualified instructor is the acronym S.E.E.. It means Search-Evaluate-Execute. You should always be looking far enough ahead searching for potential problems, evaluate them, and then be ready to execute a move that might potentially save you and others. You'll learn about the space cushion you should be riding in, and the place on the road that has the greatest potential for conflict.

Riding is so much fun, and it's my main means of transportation from April to November. I don't want to dissuade you from riding by sharing the scary things you might encounter, but I don't want to lie to you by telling you otherwise or not telling you at all. Find a course!

United Bikers of Maine came up with a list of MSF courses here in Maine: Click Here

For the MSF Basic Rider's Course Student Handbook: Click Here (PDF file)