Modern Vespa

Hi everyone. I am a new rider and just picked up a used 2008 MP3 500 which was a big upgrade from my Chinese 125cc scoot which I put about 3,500 miles on. Thought I would introduce myself.
My question is... What is your opinions on a basic rider or experienced rider course? There are a few around town but none that will let me use my MP3 and my concern is that taking a class using a motorcycle may not be that useful. The classes also seemed to focus on low speeds. The low speed motorcycle endorsement test seemed very easy but I probably have many issues I am not even aware of.
Another option is to by the "Ride Like a Pro" DVD and see what I learn from that.

The idea of a class came about after my "of course I can do that" thought followed by "what have I got myself into?"
I took a ride up to Park City, UT this weekend to meet some friends. Not a good idea for my first freeway experience. Drivers speed ranged from 30 to 80+MPH and there was a lot of people jumping lanes to get around slower cars. The traffic, along with the wind buffeting, curves, and 6% grade taught me that one should really practice freeway speeds on straight roads before jumping into the fire so to speak.
That said, I had a great time in Park City. There was a Ford Mustang show going on and my MP3 drew as much, if not more, attention than the cars.

As a side note, by myself (155lb) , with a WOT, max speed was about 65MPH (actual per GPS) uphill and since I am around to write this, you can tell that I did not try to max out going downhill.

Learning just one technic from either class, could save ur bacon. Even as an old rider, I learned a few things! Riding slow is a big gain, only concern is the "dry clutch" on the mp3 vs an oil soaked wet clutch on normal bikes; is will heat up fast. Even with two wheels, u have to learn the proceedure, to be better. gratz.

After a month of riding my MP3 I took the basic course on their supplied nighthawk motorcycle and it was very helpful. I recommed taking the class.

YES. take a class, You learn ALOT of techniques , from proper braking to throttle control and swerving. You'll also learn how to see hazards and a bunch of other things as well. The only thing you will learn that does not really apply to a CVT scoot is clutch control and shifting. But still this is still good to learn and if you were ever to get a bike with gears and clutch you good.
Most insurances give a 10% off for completing this class as well.

Yes take the class.

Yes the MSF class could be considered the BEST "SAFTY GEAR" investment a person can make, and very wears out or has to be replaced. The class is a definate worth while investment. I personally think it or something equal to should be required to obtain insurance and/or license.

OOPS "never wears out"

Yep I agree with everyone else. Oh and welcome to MV.

YES, take the class. And take the basic one cause that is the level you are at. The experienced class is much the same but without some classroom portions, but those classroom sections will teach you things you need to know. In truth only a small portion of the class deals with how to use the clutch (though it is one of the first things you learn for obvious reasons). Most of the class will apply directly to riding an MP3

But also buy Ride Like A Pro and go practice what they teach. Also buy the book Proficient Motorcycling. That is the best $20 you will ever spend. And then, once you have been riding for awhile and been practicing all you have learned, go back and take the experienced class to make sure you have not picked up bad habits.

Then, when you've got even more miles under your belt look up even more advanced classes, such as Lee Parks Total Control or similar. See what classes your local schools offer.

There is a thread on this forum talking about the best mod you can make. For me, the best mod you can make is between your ears. You will get more performance out of upgrading that part than any other.

Only my opinion, but anyone who asks if the course is worth it, needs it.

I took mine (basic rider course) after riding for about 35 years and it was worth every penny of the $750.00 I paid.


Dave

Dave is a Canukian and it takes a lot more money to train them The average cost here stateside is about $250 for a weekend.
Is it worth it? Yes. Some states like Texas for example, require the course before you can get a license. I'm really glad I already had it when I got my license here as the wait time to get into one can be awhile. Having to use the motorcycle will actually be a blessing IMHO. Everything you learn will be transferable and you may in fact decide some day to get a motorcycle - very helpful to learn how to use the clutch for control.

Welcome to MV! We're glad to have you and don't be a lurker!

I'll also add my agreement that you absolutely take the class. I don't know how it works in other states, but here in Illinois, since the state sponsors the courses, it only cost me $20 for the MSF Basic class. At the time, all I'd ever ridden was a cheap 50cc Chinese scooter, which had taught me some very poor riding habits. (E.g. always riding wide open, riding in just a t-shirt and shorts, etc.) I had never driven/ridden anything with a manual transmission before. By the end of the class, I was able to handle the bike with ease. I bought my 1450cc Harley a couple months later, once I had my M endorsement courtesy of the pass from taking a state-approved course, and never had any trouble. Well, at least none that I didn't bring on myself... The control taught on the 250cc bikes was enough for me to be comfortable even the first time out on the Hog. It's been 4 years since I took the course and there are some things I still remember from it like it was yesterday. And while you won't use the transmission stuff on the MP3, it's good to know so that you can jump on any bike with confidence. They also drill safe driving procedures into you that may just save your life some day...

Mark

I am glad I took the MSF Basic Rider Course. I had my MP3 and had no intention of riding any motorcycles at all, but if I would have gone to take the North Dakota DMV test, the restriction I would have had on my license was that I was limited to automatic transmissions.

I can't remember if there would have been a limit to riding on 3 wheels either. It's the government after all, some rules don't have to make sense.

I saw this as an opportunity to get an unrestricted license and not put my MP3 on the line during the riding test.

Yes, because being from the frozen north we get winter riding classes too!!

Dave

I've taken both the basic and advanced MSF courses, and spent nearly $1K and 9 months of my life adhering to German law by taking their state-sanctioned motorcycle license training program...all of them were extremely worthwhile and I don't look back lamenting the expenses even a little; in my personal opinion, you can NEVER have enough defensive driving practice and instruction given that even one minor slip up behind the handlebars could so easily cost you your life or mobility.

But my wife JUST (as in, just yesterday) completed the Harley-Davidson "Riders' Edge" course in preparation for her MP3 500 that I'm picking up this afternoon. She showed me her curriculum and there must have been several dozen moments of "oh, I didn't know that," or "oh, I had totally forgotten about that," just within the first few minutes. It it was enough to convince me to take the course myself sometime in the next year or so.

It's a bit expensive to be sure--nearly $300, but the upside is that you get to practice all of this pretty demanding training on someone else's bike (she dumped her Buell twice but managed to keep it from hitting the ground--but she would have been devastated to do that to her new MP3)! And, even though a lot of the training doesn't apply to the scooter (fuel shut-off, clutch, foot brakes, etc.); I'm TOTALLY impressed with the improvement in confidence and ability I saw in her over just the weekend (keep in mind, this was the first time she has EVER been on a motorcycle of any kind) and there's enough similarity and universal application of these principles that I think in the long run she'll be a BETTER scooter rider for having the experience learning on an arguably harder and more complicated machine. Say what you will about Harleys and Harley riders if you buy into the "badass" image, but those guys at the dealers really take motorcycle safety and education VERY seriously; if you can afford it, I encourage you to shoot the wad and try one of their courses.

Worth pointing out the Harley Riders Edge class is a rebranded MSF basic class. I'm not entirely sure what the differences are now but they are small. Biggest difference is they cost more (in most states) than MSF but that means availability is better. You also get an opportunity to buy a t-shirt

the edge class is a MSF curiculm class. Harley just paid to have it branded harley edge. It is only taught at dealerships and steered towards participants buying a harley.

Harley Riders Edge class......bikes too big for true beginners. I will bump an older thread about taking MSF class

Welcome newbie!!

Just for the record; my wife got absolutely NO hard sell or pressure tactics for buying a bike at the dealer--in fact, they were not only intrigued by the MP3 itself, one of the mechanics is a Vespa fan who just returned from getting trained to do some scooter maint. on Piaggios and Vespas; he said he'd LOVE to work on the MP3 after I passed the dealer/warranty period if I was interested. I cannot speak to how similar the Harley class was to the advanced MSF...but I did see quite a few riders at my wife's class who had NEVER ridden before, bought themselves a FatBoy or other grotesquely oversized vehicle, and were struggling to get through the entire curriculum.

I'll check out the bumped post on the MSF courses as I would definitely be interested in refreshing my know-how on the road...

I didn't need a motorcycle license in California to ride my MP3. I first bitched and moaned about the $240 cost. I can assure you that the course is well worth the price if not more. It broke me of bad habits, and gave me the know how to be a better rider. Believe me it is worth it!

That'll teach you! We still take tired huddled masses if you want to ooze on over...

And there you have it - from n00b to experienced riders with many years on the tarmac and not a single nay. You convinced? We sure hope so because we'd like to keep you around.

Wow. Totally convinced me. Overwhelming positive response. I spoke to about 6 different Harley riders here and they all thought the class was a waste of time with a scooter. Of course, none of them had tried taken the class. That led to my post.
I ordered the DVD and the book. Signing up for the class tomorrow.
Thanks to all.

probably wouldn't be cool enough in front of their buddies, whom can't ride worth a crap either.

An excellent and highly recommended book is "Proficient Motorcycling". Even the MSF guys recommend it. It's good as a prep, read after you take the class to practice and learn and read it ever so often to refresh and pick up those little nuggets you missed the first 3 or 4 times.

I did the MSF on base for free. Its required to get a DOD sticker. I was also paid for 3 days to attend as its a job requirement to get base access. DOD also requires a refresher class after 3 years. Did the class on the MP3, or as the instructor called it, a riding lawn mower!

I took the experienced class with a very experienced Harley rider who needed the class to get on a military base. He scraped a lot of chrome off trying to stay with me on the course. No issue of respect from Harley riders at end of class including the instructor who arrived on a police version Harley. At one point the instructor stopped me coming out of a curve. I assumed he had some piece of advice on my technique. He just looked down at my front tires for a minute then commented that I had ridden it leaned way over.

Any that won't let you do it on your vehicle of choice I would tell em where to shove it.

If they feel they can't teach you what you need to know just because you ride an MP3 then they can't be very good.

Or are you saying they have bikes that all their students ride? I wouldn't like that either, to be honest.

For whatever reason, I would keep looking for one you can ride your own vehicle in. You're surely going to get much more out of it that way.

If it's an MSF course, then they spend a lot of time working on shifting. With the CVT on the MP3, you'd spend a lot of the time unable to participate or, at the very least, not getting the most benefit out of the class...

Mark

The MSF has it setup like this: Basic class- teaches someone who has never sat on a m/c to ride, so they use class room supplied bikes
Experienced rider class- Teaches someone with 1-2 years riding experience using their own bike.

The great thing about the basic class using supplied bike is if you dump them no biggee , don't cost a thing, the only time it would matter is in the finally test on the range, If you dump one then well you fail the class and have to take it again from the beginning.

Experienced class if you dump your own bike, it comes out of your pocket to get it fixed and if it is damaged that parts need to be replaced during the class, and you cant't get them or replace them. Your done and come back and start all over from the beginning again.