Motorcycle safety courses available for beginner & experienced riders

Even if you don't know how to ride there is beginner course available where an entry level motorcycle and helmet are provided. The classroom part of the course gives you all the information you need and riding exercises on the closed course teaches you how to ride the bike, safely. Students are given a temporary motorcycle license upon completion that can be brought to DMV to get a permanent one. Some insurance companies offer discounts for completing the MSF course as a beginner or experienced rider.

As a riding season opener, I would take the first Motorcycle Safety Foundation Experienced Rider Course to become one with my bike again after a long winter. Every year MSF seemed to come up with new information and riding exercises that imitate real world situations. Riding coaches are trained to look for any bad habits picked up and talk to the rider about it privately because once aware of it, the bad habit is easily dropped. 

It was a confidence builder every time the riding coach would give me a thumbs up after each exercise. I was a different rider six hours after I arrived, confident in my riding ability and in the new skills I learned. Many riding clubs and organizations like the Gold Wing Road Riders, have their own private Experienced Rider Course every year and I enjoyed taking it with my riding partners.

Situations on the road have come up as related in my magazine articles and I can truly say that the annual MSF training made a huge difference, because the old saying is so true 'if you have to think about what to do, it's too late'. The exercises that are repeated during the safety course become second nature and correct responses are automatic. For more MSF information and to find a Motorcycle Safety Course near you, check out the website. 

The best way to select a motorcycle that is right for you is to test ride it and many motorcycle shops are having spring open house events where demo bikes will be available. The most fantastic way to choose a bike for an experienced rider is at the World's Largest Motorcycle Touring Rally, Americade, held June 7 - 11 in scenic Lake George, New York. 

The major manufacturers have fleets of demo motorcycles available to sign up for during the event. I drove my NightHawk to Americade '86 and tried out all the tourers before I found one, just right for me. As you will see on their website, it was fabulous riding through the most gorgeous scenery on fantastic twisty roads.

In the photo my Gold Wing is shown at The Sagamore, a five star resort on its own romantic island on Lake George. Americade has been described as a Disneyland for motorcyclists and that's an understatement! Ride safe, smart and often.