Modern Buddy

I started the MSF Basic Ride Course yesterday. Before I went I was sweating about the skills testing, but now I'm more worried about the classroom test. Does anyone know if the actual test is written answers or multiple choice?

I'm taking the skills test on my Buddy, instead of one of their bikes.

I took it a few months ago in Dallas (carrollton) and it was multi choice. Not sure how it will be for your state. It wasn't difficult at all - a quick read through of the book they give will be enough!

When I took the written portion the instructors allowed us to talk it over if we weren't sure about a question. At least I think that's what they said... now that I think about it I may have been the only one talking.

I wrote a pretty in depth review of the whole process for the California course:

viewtopic.php?t=3657

mine was multiple choice, and then we talked over the answers afterwards, so it was pretty "fail proof". it was all pretty simple though, for me the answers were obvious in the choices given. just read the book and answer the questions in the back, you'll be fine.

Oh dont worry about it, just read the stuff in your book, it should be multiple choice. You can only get 2 wrong or else you fail, so theres no sweat But if you fail a few more, they will talk to you and tell you what you did wrong and still let you finish the rest of the course like everyone else.

Study this ...you will pass the written test.

Select appropriate for your state on drop down menu for the 1st two.

http://www.dmv.org/dmv-practice-test.ph ... motorcycle

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/mmsc/latest/ ... d=5&mid=31 (Click on the red motorcycle for each #)

http://www.msf-usa.org/CourseReview/Questionframe.htm

http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?sp ... rse%20Info

http://www.msf-usa.org/CurriculumMateri ... oprint.pdf

http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Scooter_tips-screen.pdf

The way to pass the written test it to study the book they give you. EVery question can be answered by the book they give in on day 1.

In addition to that . . . the questions on the test are those that are bold type on the book. The instructors told us that ahead of time. At least in MN.

A couple of those links are for the MSF Basic Rider Course with Review Questions.

If you can't answer those, I'd say you need to do more studying.

Just pay attention in class, and you will do fine on the written test. There are no trick questions.

FYI: Some of the information found in the pervious postings of this thread is NOT accurate.

Which ones so I can update...or is it a "State" law that is different depending on where you live?

Thanks.

If I were you I would just relax and read the book carefully and I m sure you will do fine.
Here in Ohio ( Troy )they gave us a list of 150 practice questions to look up during the class room course. The answers were all listed in the book as well as on the videos and in the class room discussion. We then had a take home mutiple choice book test to bring back when we took the riding skills part. Again all the answers were in the book or had been discussed by the instructor. This part they were much stricter only allowing you to miss 2 questions. Just relax and enjoy and get a good nights sleep the night before your road skill training.
Mike

piceloni wrote:I started the MSF Basic Ride Course yesterday. Before I went I was sweating about the skills testing, but now I'm more worried about the classroom test. Does anyone know if the actual test is written answers or multiple choice?

I'm taking the skills test on my Buddy, instead of one of their bikes.

BUMMER!

In Mass we're not allowed to use our scoots to take the course. I thought the MSF was the same everywhere, but I guess not.

sotied wrote:

piceloni wrote:I started the MSF Basic Ride Course yesterday. Before I went I was sweating about the skills testing, but now I'm more worried about the classroom test. Does anyone know if the actual test is written answers or multiple choice?

I'm taking the skills test on my Buddy, instead of one of their bikes.

BUMMER!

In Mass we're not allowed to use our scoots to take the course. I thought the MSF was the same everywhere, but I guess not.

it's taken the msf a lot of hard work to put together its good, comprehensive curriculum and it makes sense to have all students on a level playing field with similar machines to learn the basics.

do it their way, they know what they're doing and it works. i wouldn't try to insist they do something they're not ready to do right.

they are changing to cater to scooters but it'll take time to stock thier garages with scooters.

louie wrote:

sotied wrote:
In Mass we're not allowed to use our scoots to take the course. I thought the MSF was the same everywhere, but I guess not.

it's taken the msf a lot of hard work to put together its good, comprehensive curriculum and it makes sense to have all students on a level playing field with similar machines to learn the basics.

do it their way, they know what they're doing and it works. i wouldn't try to insist they do something they're not ready to do right.

I wouldn't say that it is a matter of insisting. It is just true that the use of scooters in the basic course varies from state to state. Some states use school motorcycles only, some states have some school scooters, and some (such as Oregon) allow the use of your own scooter with the permission of the instructor. I expect the ways the MSF treats scooters will continue to evolve.

Leeroy Jenkins wrote:Just pay attention in class, and you will do fine on the written test. There are no trick questions.

FYI: Some of the information found in the pervious postings of this thread is NOT accurate.

that was my experience. I made a 100 on the written and got 11 points on the practical- accumulate 21 points and you fail.

One young kid partied both nights and failed both portion- AND he was one of the few who already had an MC. Just get some sleep, stay hydrated, pay attention and you'll be fine.

louie wrote:

sotied wrote:

piceloni wrote:I started the MSF Basic Ride Course yesterday. Before I went I was sweating about the skills testing, but now I'm more worried about the classroom test. Does anyone know if the actual test is written answers or multiple choice?

I'm taking the skills test on my Buddy, instead of one of their bikes.

BUMMER!

In Mass we're not allowed to use our scoots to take the course. I thought the MSF was the same everywhere, but I guess not.

it's taken the msf a lot of hard work to put together its good, comprehensive curriculum and it makes sense to have all students on a level playing field with similar machines to learn the basics.

do it their way, they know what they're doing and it works. i wouldn't try to insist they do something they're not ready to do right.

they are changing to cater to scooters but it'll take time to stock thier garages with scooters.

Agreed that it will take time, but they already allow scoots to take the test, they allow scoots in the ARC and they allow scoots in other parts of the country for the BRC and Refresher.

I don't have a wooden leg or a missing foot, but I don't ever plan on going BACK to a full-size shifting motorcycle.

I've had my license for 17 years. I've done my riding. I just never took a course and figured it was a smart move to do so.

It would be great if they gave tiered instruction because a scooter can be more nimble and responsive in many situations.

Finally, I'm scared of learning the rear brake by my foot and the clutch by my left hand, then transferring that into a 1/4-MILE long skid when I grab a whole day's worth of rear brake thinking I'm pulling in the clutch the first time I ride the scoot after the class.

Some of this is tongue in cheek, so if you're an MSF honcho don't get angry. The course is the best around and more than 98% of riders I've talked to about the course say "Take it!"

if you're a veteran rider why not take the experinenced rider course. all are given on your bike. i wrote a bit about it last week topic5038.html

about half the class hadn't taken the brc before and all did well.

i think most of the msf sites are just trying to get up to speed on the scooter course needs.

louie wrote:if you're a veteran rider why not take the experinenced rider course. all are given on your bike. i wrote a bit about it last week topic5038.html

about half the class hadn't taken the brc before and all did well.

i think most of the msf sites are just trying to get up to speed on the scooter course needs.

While I ride pretty well, I know there are gaps in my skills that lean more toward foundation level things than up to jumping-buses-and-sheep skillset.

So I'm gonna do the whole 15 hours to build my skills from the ground up. Then next year I'll likely do the advanced course.

MFrost wrote:If I were you I would just relax and read the book carefully and I m sure you will do fine.
Here in Ohio ( Troy )they gave us a list of 150 practice questions to look up during the class room course. The answers were all listed in the book as well as on the videos and in the class room discussion. We then had a take home mutiple choice book test to bring back when we took the riding skills part. Again all the answers were in the book or had been discussed by the instructor. This part they were much stricter only allowing you to miss 2 questions. Just relax and enjoy and get a good nights sleep the night before your road skill training.
Mike

Did you take the Honda class up here in Troy? I've been thinking of going up and taking it rather then just trying to take the test.

We took it from honda rider edu in troy ohio, it's the farther down entrance to the honda plant.

I recommend it, but hopefully if you take it, you dont get Eugene, he's a jerk for a instructor, nit pick on every small mistake you make, always talking sarcastic. But that old lady elane was nice.

jfrost2 wrote:, he's a jerk for a instructor, nit pick on every small mistake you make, always talking sarcastic. .

jerk or not isn't every small mistake you make something you want to know about?

just asking...

i know it's hard to hear that from a jerk but learning from him is what you pay for. sarcasim is just a bonus when you show him you learn from your mistakes.

honestly, it's highly unusual to find someone who can teach and be the perfect gentleman about it. i rather have the jerk who points out mistakes than a sweetie who doesn't critique (not pointing at elane she may have it all).

No I mean he's a jerk because he talks down to people who wanted to ride small motorcycles or scooters. He'd have favorite students and mood swinging attitude, he'd be joking with one person for a second, then when he hears you speak, his face turns upside down.

I can understand picking on small mistakes is helping point out what we did wrong in class, but he talks down to you and isnt very positive, always saying he wasnt sure if people could pass or they couldnt do this or that correctly. He was never supportive. He even personally told me just because I rode a scooter, I'd never be able to learn to shift gears on a bike. In the end, I did and passed the class. But he had a snear on his face when he had to shake my hand and say goodbye to us all.

yeah, jfrost, alas i must agree that does suck.

from all the comments i've read about them, it seems that msf has some sort of be kind and fair policy. so i must ask was that one of their courses and if it was, i think i'd write a little comment letter.

again, just saying.