Opinions on MSF Scooter School?

[jmazza]

I did a search and found an old thread where some people talked about MSF Scooter School but didn't find any opinions from anyone who'd taken it.

All of the MSF Basic courses in my area conflict with my work schedule and though I'm leaning towards taking some time off to do the BRC, I'm intrigued by Scooter School, which fits into my schedule easily.

For those unfamiliar, the MSF Scooter School is a 4-hour course specifically designed for scooterists. It DOES NOT waive the motor vehicle driving test (however the instructors in my area offer the test at the end for an additional fee).

I guess my main concern with it is basically, "How useful can it be if it's only FOUR HOURS!?"

I've been doing a lot of reading and practicing, and like I said, I might still just take time off to do the full BRC. But has anyone here done Scooter School and can you comment on how useful it was?

Oh, in addition to not waving the DMV driving test, there is no certificate of completion for an insurance discount. But I'm not super concerned about that.

[Bethers]

I'm not familiar with the scooter course - but I would never ride a scoot or motorcycle without having taken the MSF course - it was more than worth the time and effort on my part.

I learned so much - and even though I had to take it on a motorcycle - changing gears and everything - I now feel like I could ride either if I so desired - and riding the scoot is a breeze in comparison.

But - just learning all the safety issues - wow - knowing how to look around you - what to see - where the biggest danger points are - the class is well worth it.

Here where I am - it doesn't mean no driver's test - but it has given me an insurance discount.

Several of the people in my MSF class had been riding motorcycles for years - and came away saying it was very worthwhile - and got them to change some bad habits.

The Scoot class might be worthwhile - but I can't imagine 4 hours can cover nearly what the MSF class covers.

[Ed Hit]

I did take it here in IL. No BRC until March April time for us Illinois types, and I do plan on taking the BRC as soon as it is available.

I would say that if you cannot take the BRC for whatever reason, then this is worthwhile. I am new to motorized 2 wheeling, and the scooter safety school helped me a great deal. But I would also say that there was a fair amount of very basic stuff, like how to start the scooter, and powerwalking the scoot, which took away time from what I see as the real benefit, having someone trained to observe you as you do various maneuvers like quick stops and swerves. The time is just really too short.

So I plan on being in the first available BRC in the spring. In the meantime the Scooter safety helped, but does not sound like the equivalent of BRC.

[jmazza]

I did take it here in IL. No BRC until March April time for us Illinois types, and I do plan on taking the BRC as soon as it is available.

I would say that if you cannot take the BRC for whatever reason, then this is worthwhile. I am new to motorized 2 wheeling, and the scooter safety school helped me a great deal. But I would also say that there was a fair amount of very basic stuff, like how to start the scooter, and powerwalking the scoot, which took away time from what I see as the real benefit, having someone trained to observe you as you do various maneuvers like quick stops and swerves. The time is just really too short.

So I plan on being in the first available BRC in the spring. In the meantime the Scooter safety helped, but does not sound like the equivalent of BRC.

Thanks- that's kind of what I figured.

[healingpath]

I second everything bethers said.

Matthew

[BuddyRaton]

My wife took the MSF scooter school class a few weekends ago. She has no desire to ride a MC or manual shift scoot. (The Vespa is all mine! ) She learned alot and did take the test for the waiver. It especially helped to build her confidence!

[jmazza]

My wife took the MSF scooter school class a few weekends ago. She has no desire to ride a MC or manual shift scoot. (The Vespa is all mine! ) She learned alot and did take the test for the waiver. It especially helped to build her confidence!

BuddyRaton-

Did she take the one at mtii.com?

They are the one most people have recommended but there's another place down here that offers it- http://www.motorcyclesafetyfl.com/index.htm

I haven't heard any word either way on them, but their schedule is a bit better for me (for the BRC).

Also- on a side note, how hard is the Florida motorcycle driving test? If I only do Scooter School for now, I'd love to avoid the extra $$$ just to do the test...

[ericalm]

You can, in some states, ride a scooter for the MSF Basic Rider Course. I did, though I now wish I'd ridden one of their course motorcycles. I already had my license and about 10K miles under my belt on the scooter. I'd have liked to learn to ride a MC—haven't been on one in years.

[redding]

I took the MSF basic course on one of their motorcycles. I am planning on taking it again this spring on my scooter as a refresher. I can't recommend it enough -- I use what I learned there riding everyday.

If you're not planning on riding a motorcycle and can take it on your scooter, then a recommend that. I didn't yet have a scooter when I took it, and have no desire to ride motorcycles, so the toe shifting wasn't very helpful.

[scooterdyke]

I took the course last year, and definitely would recommend it to anyone who rides on 2 wheels. Here in Ohio, you can write a letter to the State asking for an exemption to ride your scooter in the class. Most of these requests get granted. However, my girlfriend and I both decided to learn on motorcycles and we were both glad that we did. It made both of us better scooter riders, and everyone in our class passed! The class concentrates most of "safety" aspects of riding, not necessarily the actual mechanics of two wheel riding. I have to admit, I felt that the gear shifting was much easier than I expected, and I loved it!

[ericalm]

I took the course last year, and definitely would recommend it to anyone who rides on 2 wheels. Here in Ohio, you can write a letter to the State asking for an exemption to ride your scooter in the class. Most of these requests get granted. However, my girlfriend and I both decided to learn on motorcycles and we were both glad that we did. It made both of us better scooter riders, and everyone in our class passed! The class concentrates most of "safety" aspects of riding, not necessarily the actual mechanics of two wheel riding. I have to admit, I felt that the gear shifting was much easier than I expected, and I loved it!

A lot of new scooterists seem to be hesitant when it comes to riding a shifting motorcycle—I know I did, which is one of the reasons I got a modern automatic scoot. It is a little complex and daunting after you've grown accustomed to just twisting and going. While it's not a necessary skill to learn, I don't think most riders are any better off taking the course on a scooter. It's just easier. But the fundamental lessons are the same for each and you can easily take that skill and knowledge and use it every day on a scooter.

Hm, wonder if they'd let me re-take just the riding portion? For $50, maybe? (MSF is over $200 in CA, bah!)

[lobsterman]

FWIW, I took the MSF on my scooter because I specifically wanted the additional experience and learning to be on the actual bike I would ride every day. A shifting motorcycle with tall wheels handles a little differently than a Buddy 125. Are the concepts the same? Yes of course. Are there subtle differences in response in real life? You bet. The Buddy will jump off the line when you blip the throttle in a way the practice motorcycles do not, for example. Your Buddy will have different responses to how you lean, etc. I wanted to be training my mind and my reflexes to ride my scooter better, not getting used to the practice bike and then transferring the concepts to how it feels on the scooter.

I would like to have the experience and knowledge of shifting motorcycles, but the primary issue for me taking the MSF was to become a better rider of my '06 Genuine Buddy 125... after all that's what I ride every day.

[SERIES ITALIA RIDER]

i agree with all that everyone has stated... one thing i would say though for jmazza is do not just take the little 4 hour course for scoots, take the msf course even if you cant take it right away... if you do take the scoots 4 hour thing you should still take the full msf class even if you use your scoot instead of their motorcycle on the course... the full msf will teach you much more than the scoot class plus it will give you the option to get your motorcycle license and discounts on insurance... i used the scooter offered by the msf school but as stated in previous threads if you never plan to ride a motorcycle using a scoot for the class will get you way more familiar with the leaning, turning and all other functions of the scoot that will make you a much better and safer scooter rider.... i do suggest the full msf school though for sure.... i'd been a motorcycle rider since i was a kid but using my scoot to take the msf scooling was "i think" the best way to go....

[jmazza]

OK- I'm convinced to make a way to fit the full Basic Rider Course into my schedule.

You've all confirmed what simple logic told me- there's no way a 4-hour course can compare with an 18-hour course!!

As for taking it on the Buddy or a motorcycle, I'll figure that out later. It might be nice to take it on the Buddy for the reasons lobsterman said. But it also wouldn't be so bad to get on another machine either. I'm not too worried about shifting as I've ridden some motorcycles in the past and I regularly drive a stick car so it's not an entirely foreign concept.

Thanks for all the replies!

[ericalm]

For what it's worth, when we took the MSF on our scoots, a lot of the other students were really impressed by them. I should have brought business cards for our dealer! On our scoots—which maneuver much better than their course MCs—we had the highest scores of the class on the riding test. Mine was perfect (more so than my humility, heh) and the wife missed a couple points for looking down during a turn or some such thing. The dreaded figure eights were a breeze for us.

[SERIES ITALIA RIDER]

exactyl my experience ericalm.... i was the only person out of 8 to use a scoot and i was the only one to score 100 on both the written and course tests... and 3 of the people were going to look at buying a scooter after our class was over too....

[EP_scoot]

I also made the decision of taking the MSF (once the snow melts) and have been reading books and websites about techniques and safety issues.
This is one that shows you some of the excercises: http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Mo ... l#Practice

The more I read about motorcycle/scooter riding the more convinced I am about taking the full MSF.

[louie]

call the school to find out if they offer the course on a weekday, if that's what you need. in alabama they offer a couple for those who work weekends.