CA does not at this time require a motorcycle license for Can-Am Spyders. But after 8 months owning and insuring our two Spyders, 10 states and 10,000 plus miles of our ryding, our insurance is requiring we act within 30 days in taking a motorcycle class consisting of 5 hrs of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding instruction at $250.00 each person. No refunds for cancellations, $50.00 to reschedule. Only one company gives these classes within a 200+ mile radius. All classes take 1/2 day each day for 3 days to complete. AND, the riding has to be on a 2 wheeler - which the company will furnish. Take your own lunch or snacks and water.
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FYI: CA Motorcycle Law & Insurance Requirements
- Thread starter Bonniele
- Start date
What insurance carrier is this? I have GMAC, and do not (as of yet) need to fill these requirements.
State Farm Insurance requirements
GMAC insurance...give me more info. Full name of it? May need to check these changes. I do know of another person with another insurance that also received a letter requiring the same. Might be a new thing with the insurance companies in CA?
GMAC insurance...give me more info. Full name of it? May need to check these changes. I do know of another person with another insurance that also received a letter requiring the same. Might be a new thing with the insurance companies in CA?
Course
I do not know where in Ca. You are located for your information Cerritos Junior College offers a course and I understand they are offered at various Junior Colleges. When myself and my wife took these classes were allowed to take them on scooters which they furnished.
I do not know where in Ca. You are located for your information Cerritos Junior College offers a course and I understand they are offered at various Junior Colleges. When myself and my wife took these classes were allowed to take them on scooters which they furnished.
We are about 350 miles north of San Francisco on the coast. McKinleyville is north of Eureka, CA about 18 miles.
Suggest you check with the colleges in Eureka.
MRH
Active member
I took the Motorcycle Safety Course, and would recommend it to anybody who rides. Two wheels are very different than three, but I did really appreciate the chance to get to ride on two and learn some of those skills. My M1 license will also save me on insurance down the line.
Geico does not require this, and for me they had the best rates. It would seem reasonable to me that an insurance carrier can choose to require it for a new term for a policy, and that we have the option of choosing another carrier if we don't like the conditions. Being in Los Angeles, this isn't much of an issue in terms of finding classes, but where you are I can see that it is a much more difficult issue. In the big scheme of things, with what we spend on maintenance and the Spyders themselves, the money doesn't sound like a major issue to me (it costs just a little more than dealing with a burnt out headlight at a dealer).
Those are my thoughts, for whatever value they may have. I think you'll really benefit from the course (well, I did, at least). If you don't want to deal with it, call around to other insurance companies, you may even be able to get a better deal!
Geico does not require this, and for me they had the best rates. It would seem reasonable to me that an insurance carrier can choose to require it for a new term for a policy, and that we have the option of choosing another carrier if we don't like the conditions. Being in Los Angeles, this isn't much of an issue in terms of finding classes, but where you are I can see that it is a much more difficult issue. In the big scheme of things, with what we spend on maintenance and the Spyders themselves, the money doesn't sound like a major issue to me (it costs just a little more than dealing with a burnt out headlight at a dealer).
Those are my thoughts, for whatever value they may have. I think you'll really benefit from the course (well, I did, at least). If you don't want to deal with it, call around to other insurance companies, you may even be able to get a better deal!
Oldmanzues
New member
I do not know who puts courese on in CA. I live in Ohio. Motorcycle Safety foundation coures are very good to attend, but I am very concerned about a trend like this. A special course for sports cars, performance cars, ATVs or anything else.
I would be interested in where the letter came from, home office or a agent and of course the company.
Oldmanzues
I would be interested in where the letter came from, home office or a agent and of course the company.
Oldmanzues
Jeriatric
Thinks out loud
The twist may be that the OP does not currently have a M1 endorsement. (If, I didn't misread the post)
Insured through State Farm, have M1 endorsement, and haven't received a notice to comply.
Yet? :dontknow:
bobnaquin
New member
I took this course when I got my first Spyder as it was my first motorcycle/whatever. It was worth every dime and some of the habits they taught me there are still in place. I would look around and just bet that there are courses closer to you than 200 miles. Ask a few motorcycle shops.I found it worth it no matter what the insurance company wants.
stevedfive
New member
:agree:
I would sell the Spyder before I would take a safety class for a 2 wheeler. I am not against taking a motorcycle safety class, but am against taking a class for a 2 wheeled motorcycle that I will never own or ride.
I would sell the Spyder before I would take a safety class for a 2 wheeler. I am not against taking a motorcycle safety class, but am against taking a class for a 2 wheeled motorcycle that I will never own or ride.
Last edited:
2 Cruysyn
New member
Good point. Seems to me though on page three of the 2013 Motorcycle Handbook under "License Requirements"
NOTE: Class C licensees may operate a motorcycle with a side car attached or a three-wheel motor-cycle.
waves the requirement for an endorsement. Therefore, I wonder if the OP's insurance company requires of their policy holders that all holders of a class C license take a driving course?
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Interesting! I am guessing answers will vary by state.
Here: No course required--but if you do not take a MSF safety course, you must take the driving test on your motorcycle or three wheeler. Pass the MSF course, and you get your endorsement when you have passed the written test.
There is a separate endorsement for three wheels and two wheels. If you have the two wheeled endorsement--you don't need three. If you take the test on a three wheeler, you get the three wheel endorsement and would have to re-take if you wanted a two wheel endorsement.
My insurer is State Farm.
Here: No course required--but if you do not take a MSF safety course, you must take the driving test on your motorcycle or three wheeler. Pass the MSF course, and you get your endorsement when you have passed the written test.
There is a separate endorsement for three wheels and two wheels. If you have the two wheeled endorsement--you don't need three. If you take the test on a three wheeler, you get the three wheel endorsement and would have to re-take if you wanted a two wheel endorsement.
My insurer is State Farm.
bruiser
New member
Wouldn't doubt this from State Farm. I dropped them after 40 years for other reasons, one being they wouldn't insure our first Spyder. Check with www.msf-usa.org. This is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They conduct classes all over the USA. I can't see where the insurance company can tell you where and from whom to take the course. Some MSF courses are offered on trikes.
Jeriatric
Thinks out loud
That's what it sounds like to me. But who knows. Many months after first insuring my spyder with State Farm. They sent me a form to fill out. They wanted a copy of my M1 licence. Which I have, but didn't comply and simply wrote across their request that a motorcycle licence for the Spyder was not required in Ca.. Never heard back from them.
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