No previous motorcycle experience.....

[SpyderGirl]

While I agree with the Motorcycle safety courses being a great thing to do, the Spyder comes with an excellent demo CD with great safety tips and practice layouts and along with the State available Motorcycle Operators Manual should be more than enough for most people to master with a little practice around the neighborhood.

While this will certainly help with the basic operation and function of the Spyder and explain it's safety systems it surely cannot teach you the fundamentals of staying safe while riding on an open-air vehicle, the proper techniques to make yourself visible to cagers, and the proper riding attire to help keep you safe if you do crash. Ride defensively, not offensively and always wear all the gear all the time. :thumbup:

 

[woodz428]

The riders course here is on a big parking lot on the U of I campus. There's plenty of room to set up a course here. I imagine some areas may have limited area, but that's not the case here.
I imagine they could even set a course up from the DVD that BRP supplies. I'm not sure how it is elsewhere,but the bikes are supplied for the course, each local dealer contributes a few each year for their use.
You supply your own in the advanced course, but even a basic course for RT's would probably require owner supplied bikes ..at least initially.

 

[aerialdall]

Here is a link to the MSF booklet for 3 wheelers that was just released in October this year. It has some great tips & even has some illustrations of the Spyder. When this 1st came out they originally said they were not going to print this so I don't know if it's available other than online.
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/3w_tips.pdf

 

[PCBeachBum]

After 32 years out of motorcycling, I found the Basic MSF course to be very imformative in learning to keep your head up and turning your head when making turns. Also doing head checks when changing lanes. I also found the course to be fun and that's what all instructors want. They want you to learn to relax, especially if you haven't riden before or in years as was my case.

It's well worth the money and in FL, I didn't have to take a test at the licensing office. The same afternoon after taking the skills test, my instructor emailed the licensing office, that I passed both the written and skills test, with my scores.

Learning to ride the Spyder, I watched the CD and practiced on the side streets around my house, before heading out in traffic and putting the skills that I learned at the basic MSF, course to work.:thumbup:

 

[SpyderGirl]

After 32 years out of motorcycling, I found the Basic MSF course to be very imformative in learning to keep your head up and turning your head when making turns. Also doing head checks when changing lanes. I also found the course to be fun and that's what all instructors want. They want you to learn to relax, especially if you haven't riden before or in years as was my case.

It's well worth the money and in FL, I didn't have to take a test at the licensing office. The same afternoon after taking the skills test, my instructor emailed the licensing office, that I passed both the written and skills test, with my scores.

Learning to ride the Spyder, I watched the CD and practiced on the side streets around my house, before heading out in traffic and putting the skills that I learned at the basic MSF, course to work.:thumbup:

:agree: I got my M1 endorsement the same way here in CA. I didn't have to take the DMV motorcycle course, just the MSF class with proof of a passing score and the written DMV test.

 

[PCBeachBum]

:agree: I got my M1 endorsement the same way here in CA. I didn't have to take the DMV motorcycle course, just the MSF class with proof of a passing score and the written DMV test.

SpyderGirl, here in FL all instructors are MSF state certified and the course is MSF state approved. FL as far as I know doesn't have a DMV course. In my class were two cops, that I often see patrolling the beach and a couple retired fighter pilots getting their endorsements, as they still have that "Need For Speed". Their not happy unless they are going mach 1, with their hair on fire.

 

[Campverdefela]

While this will certainly help with the basic operation and function of the Spyder and explain it's safety systems it surely cannot teach you the fundamentals of staying safe while riding on an open-air vehicle, the proper techniques to make yourself visible to cagers, and the proper riding attire to help keep you safe if you do crash. Ride defensively, not offensively and always wear all the gear all the time. :thumbup:

The latest Motorcycle Operators Manuals most certainly does address proper techniques, riding attire, def. and off. maneuvers and all safety issues related to operating 2 and 3 wheel vehicles. The BRP CD does address this also and tells you to practice a set of maneuvers specific to safety and handling in an empty parking lot as I did with a friend observing. Again I am not saying the the Safety Course is not a good deal, just not necessary for all.

 

[SpyderGirl]

SpyderGirl, here in FL all instructors are MSF state certified and the course is MSF state approved. FL as far as I know doesn't have a DMV course. In my class were two cops, that I often see patrolling the beach and a couple retired fighter pilots getting their endorsements, as they still have that "Need For Speed". Their not happy unless they are going mach 1, with their hair on fire.

:roflblack: That's funny.

 

[SpyderGirl]

The latest Motorcycle Operators Manuals most certainly does address proper techniques, riding attire, def. and off. maneuvers and all safety issues related to operating 2 and 3 wheel vehicles. The BRP CD does address this also and tells you to practice a set of maneuvers specific to safety and handling in an empty parking lot as I did with a friend observing. Again I am not saying the the Safety Course is not a good deal, just not necessary for all.

Maybe you're right, not all... but MOST. :lecturef_smilie:

 

[Dragonrider]

By all means, take the safety course, and get the endorsement. Oregon will impound the bike, if they catch you with out an endorsement - AND all motorcycle regulations cover the Spyder here (including helmets and insurance).

I would also recommend taking an ATV safety course too - a trike course is a waste of time and money for a Spyder (I have also taken that one)....

 

[retread]

Another good reason to take the MSF course, you get a break on insurance cost.

john