Has anyone failed Motorcycle Safety Course?

chris410 · 05-11-2012, 12:13 PM

If you pay attention and do what you are told you will not fail. Honestly, if you fail the class you are probably not ready to ride a bike on the street. So, if that happens take it as a warning.

I started out on an R6 and never had an issue, the key is to take your time and try not to ride over your head.

jofro6 · 05-11-2012, 04:11 PM

yeah at 5'9 you should have no problem sitting on any of the bikes. And you need the gear to take the course. Long sleeve shirt or jacket, gloves, helmet, boots that cover the ankle, helmet and jeans.

Motorcycle gloves will only cost you 40 bucks for a decent leather pair to protect your palms and fingers. As for jeans, pretty much everyone rides on the street in them not leather pants unless racing around on an early morning. Just dont be that squid in shorts and sandals lol But definately get a leather jacket, worth it even in the heat... dont skimp on the helmet, your head is worth $600 for a good brand.

Jasonle · 05-11-2012, 05:05 PM

I got all my gears Last weekend. Craigslist had a lot of motorcycle jackets.. I bought a Suzuki gsxr jacket for a good price.. same with these cortech gloves. I bought my helmet and boots at the motorcycle shop brand New...hjc helmet for $150.. hope this one is OK?

I joined the gsxr forum.. they have a thread for beginners and they advise not to start off with a gsx-r600 instead go with a 250 and learn it that way before upgrading to a 600 or so hmmm.

Armonster · 05-11-2012, 05:17 PM

You'll have just as much fun on a 250, honestly. Unless you plan on doing a lot of highway riding, where the 250 will be totally wound out and revving like crazy at cruising speed. It'll be a lot cheaper too.

But even on the track, a skilled rider can hand bigger bikes their asses: Ninja 250 vs. the big bikes at Laguna Seca - YouTube

Jasonle · 05-11-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armonster

You'll have just as much fun on a 250, honestly. Unless you plan on doing a lot of highway riding, where the 250 will be totally wound out and revving like crazy at cruising speed. It'll be a lot cheaper too.

But even on the track, a skilled rider can hand bigger bikes their asses: Ninja 250 vs. the big bikes at Laguna Seca - YouTube

I was quoted $4,300 today.. out the door for a Honda CBR250R and its fuel injected. Its a tough decision tho if i end up getting a 250.. Kawasaki ninja 250r carburetor or Honda cbr250r

MarkeZ · 05-11-2012, 08:20 PM

250cc is a good starting point. That's probably what you're going to be riding in the class. In my experience, most of my friends that started out with a 250 or less, ended up trading/selling their 250cc's after 6 months so they can move up. Most moved up to 600's but a lot of them went to 1000cc's or more. Almost all of them thought they wasted money on their 250's.

There's nothing wrong with starting out in a 250 but if you do, try to buy a cheap used one.

Armonster · 05-12-2012, 08:50 AM

I agree with markez that you should try to find a used one. Get one with a few thousand miles on it and save a grand or two. I bet you can find someone who bought it new as a starter bike and is ready to upgrade. Craigslist is a good place to start looking.

As far as choosing between the honda and the kawasaki, that's a tough one! From what I've seen/heard, the honda has more midrange power and the kawi has more top end power. So if you plan on doing trackdays or just generally bombing around town at or near the redline all day, the kawasaki would be the way to go. If you just plan on casually cruising around with the occasional "sprited" riding (like most people do), I'd say go for the honda. The fuel injection is a nice touch too.

Personally, I would look for a clean, slightly used bike and take whichever one I could find a better deal on. If both were available for a good price, I'd take the honda. But that's just me.

Jasonle · 05-12-2012, 09:14 AM

I found a lot of used gsx-r600 and gsx-r750 on craigslist for a price of a 250 lol but yeah Honda sounds like the better choice as for the 250. Ill keep you guys posted what I end up getting.. most likely ill get a used gsx-r600 tho..

I got my permit last week but I'ma wait till I take the course first before buying a bike.

When the time comes.. Is there Anything I need to look for or watch out for when buying a used gsxr? I found some that's 15-25k miles on them.. how many miles on a bike are they good for before having problems?

frost · 05-12-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

Did the course back in Ontario in 2004. It was straight forward and a lot of fun really. All very basic stuff but useful. One lady failed off the course, but she had no reason to be there... no clue how to handle a bike.
If you drove before, you should be fine. Just don't pull any crap on the instructor or stunt....

pretty much sums up my experience

jofro6 · 05-13-2012, 04:35 PM

When you are ready to buy after the course let me know... if buying new or used i can help a bit with what to look for or how not to get screwed if you buy from a dealer. One of my best friends is a sales rep for a bike dealer and has ran their finance dept lol Def buy a used 250 though if you are going to get a 250. Youll last tops a year on it before trading up. As far as honda or kawi goes in a 250, you wont notice a huge difference between the one with a stronger midrange and one with a stronger top end since both are not made for huge acceleration anyway.

Snakes709 · 05-14-2012, 08:27 PM

well i guess i jinxed myself on here by saying i never crashed.... Took a on ramp yesterday, hit some sand, rear wheel kicked out, i got it straight but couldnt make the turn and went flying off the ramp.

delusional · 05-14-2012, 09:17 PM

^ ouch. hope you're all right though.

op: i am also looking to take the MSF course. i think i'll decide after the course whether to get a 250 or 650. my friend said he got bored of the 250 after taking the MSF course.

frost · 05-14-2012, 10:15 PM

double ouch.

Like they say, it's not if you go down, but when. Glad you're ok.

Snakes709 · 05-14-2012, 10:34 PM

yea, abit sore and got some rash some how, not sure how i got rash with my leathers on. Last time i went for a flight like that was on my safety course, haha.

frost · 05-14-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakes709

Last time i went for a flight like that was on my safety course, haha.

05-11-2012, 12:13 PM	#31 (permalink)
chris410 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 345 Drives: 10' GT500 Rep Power: 15	If you pay attention and do what you are told you will not fail. Honestly, if you fail the class you are probably not ready to ride a bike on the street. So, if that happens take it as a warning. I started out on an R6 and never had an issue, the key is to take your time and try not to ride over your head. __________________ Chris Current: 2014 WRX Stage I + SPT / 2013 Hayabusa 202HP Former:09 370Z 7-AT PW/Ark Type 2 exhaust/Evo R lip/TSW Nurburgring carbon

05-11-2012, 04:11 PM	#32 (permalink)
jofro6 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 603 Drives: 2012 370Z Touring Rep Power: 14	yeah at 5'9 you should have no problem sitting on any of the bikes. And you need the gear to take the course. Long sleeve shirt or jacket, gloves, helmet, boots that cover the ankle, helmet and jeans. Motorcycle gloves will only cost you 40 bucks for a decent leather pair to protect your palms and fingers. As for jeans, pretty much everyone rides on the street in them not leather pants unless racing around on an early morning. Just dont be that squid in shorts and sandals lol But definately get a leather jacket, worth it even in the heat... dont skimp on the helmet, your head is worth $600 for a good brand. __________________ 2012 Red 6Spd Touring/Nav.. FI CF NonRes CBE and Res TP #682 Fly1 RS1 CF Fenders

05-11-2012, 05:05 PM	#33 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 25	I got all my gears Last weekend. Craigslist had a lot of motorcycle jackets.. I bought a Suzuki gsxr jacket for a good price.. same with these cortech gloves. I bought my helmet and boots at the motorcycle shop brand New...hjc helmet for $150.. hope this one is OK? I joined the gsxr forum.. they have a thread for beginners and they advise not to start off with a gsx-r600 instead go with a 250 and learn it that way before upgrading to a 600 or so hmmm. __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

05-12-2012, 09:14 AM	#38 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 25	I found a lot of used gsx-r600 and gsx-r750 on craigslist for a price of a 250 lol but yeah Honda sounds like the better choice as for the 250. Ill keep you guys posted what I end up getting.. most likely ill get a used gsx-r600 tho.. I got my permit last week but I'ma wait till I take the course first before buying a bike. When the time comes.. Is there Anything I need to look for or watch out for when buying a used gsxr? I found some that's 15-25k miles on them.. how many miles on a bike are they good for before having problems? __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast Last edited by Jasonle; 05-12-2012 at 09:34 AM.

05-13-2012, 04:35 PM	#40 (permalink)
jofro6 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 603 Drives: 2012 370Z Touring Rep Power: 14	When you are ready to buy after the course let me know... if buying new or used i can help a bit with what to look for or how not to get screwed if you buy from a dealer. One of my best friends is a sales rep for a bike dealer and has ran their finance dept lol Def buy a used 250 though if you are going to get a 250. Youll last tops a year on it before trading up. As far as honda or kawi goes in a 250, you wont notice a huge difference between the one with a stronger midrange and one with a stronger top end since both are not made for huge acceleration anyway. __________________ 2012 Red 6Spd Touring/Nav.. FI CF NonRes CBE and Res TP #682 Fly1 RS1 CF Fenders

05-11-2012, 05:17 PM	#34 (permalink)
Armonster Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 270 Drives: 2010 370z t/sp/6mt Rep Power: 14	You'll have just as much fun on a 250, honestly. Unless you plan on doing a lot of highway riding, where the 250 will be totally wound out and revving like crazy at cruising speed. It'll be a lot cheaper too. But even on the track, a skilled rider can hand bigger bikes their asses: Ninja 250 vs. the big bikes at Laguna Seca - YouTube

05-11-2012, 08:20 PM	#36 (permalink)
MarkeZ Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 135 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Black Rep Power: 15	250cc is a good starting point. That's probably what you're going to be riding in the class. In my experience, most of my friends that started out with a 250 or less, ended up trading/selling their 250cc's after 6 months so they can move up. Most moved up to 600's but a lot of them went to 1000cc's or more. Almost all of them thought they wasted money on their 250's. There's nothing wrong with starting out in a 250 but if you do, try to buy a cheap used one.

05-12-2012, 08:50 AM	#37 (permalink)
Armonster Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 270 Drives: 2010 370z t/sp/6mt Rep Power: 14	I agree with markez that you should try to find a used one. Get one with a few thousand miles on it and save a grand or two. I bet you can find someone who bought it new as a starter bike and is ready to upgrade. Craigslist is a good place to start looking. As far as choosing between the honda and the kawasaki, that's a tough one! From what I've seen/heard, the honda has more midrange power and the kawi has more top end power. So if you plan on doing trackdays or just generally bombing around town at or near the redline all day, the kawasaki would be the way to go. If you just plan on casually cruising around with the occasional "sprited" riding (like most people do), I'd say go for the honda. The fuel injection is a nice touch too. Personally, I would look for a clean, slightly used bike and take whichever one I could find a better deal on. If both were available for a good price, I'd take the honda. But that's just me.

05-14-2012, 08:27 PM	#41 (permalink)
Snakes709 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,205 Drives: 2011 Evo-X GSR Rep Power: 17	well i guess i jinxed myself on here by saying i never crashed.... Took a on ramp yesterday, hit some sand, rear wheel kicked out, i got it straight but couldnt make the turn and went flying off the ramp. __________________ 2011 Evo-GSR AMS 2.4 stroker/ bore, FP Black build in progress. Sponsor: DSG Performance

05-14-2012, 09:17 PM	#42 (permalink)
delusional Track Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NewYork Posts: 968 Drives: 09 PG T/S/N 7AT Rep Power: 15	^ ouch. hope you're all right though. op: i am also looking to take the MSF course. i think i'll decide after the course whether to get a 250 or 650. my friend said he got bored of the 250 after taking the MSF course. __________________ 2009 Platinum Graphite Touring [ Sport Package ¦¦ Navigation ¦¦ 7 Speed Automatic ] [ Berk ¦ H&R ¦ ONEighty ¦ K&N ¦ Stillen ¦ Eibach ¦ Cobb ¦ Ichiba ¦ Hankook ]

05-14-2012, 10:34 PM	#44 (permalink)
Snakes709 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,205 Drives: 2011 Evo-X GSR Rep Power: 17	yea, abit sore and got some rash some how, not sure how i got rash with my leathers on. Last time i went for a flight like that was on my safety course, haha. __________________ 2011 Evo-GSR AMS 2.4 stroker/ bore, FP Black build in progress. Sponsor: DSG Performance

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