This review is for the Pasadena location of the MSF:
The DMV has tests that you have to pass to get an M1 license endorsement. When you try for the motorcycle skills test, though, it's not quite like riding in public and a lot more like being part of a circus troop.
You just cannot pass the CA DMV skills test without practicing the skills, and there's nowhere to practice to the level needed to pass the test. If you try to use the DMV's test location for practice while they're closed, well, there's a large sign that promises a large fine if you try to practice there. So they recommend this school to get a waiver for the CA DMV skills test and it costs $250!
At first, I tried the DMV test, dropped my vintage bike and failed. So I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's training course and reluctantly plonked down the $250. I expected nothing much, and was pleasantly surprised.
The classroom was overcrowded, but the pace was fast and the video content was instructive and fun to watch albeit a little reminiscent of cramming for a school test.
At the skills course, we were provided with a 125cc motorcycle (who cares if you scrape that!?), gloves and helmet. All you have to do is wear ankle covering boots and bring long sleeved clothing.
The course was initially very basic and therefore boring, but there were people in the class who had never sat on a bike before, so it was understandable. Later on, as the students progressed, the skills training got harder and faster and by the end of the first day we were all whizzing around the training course almost like pros. The second day was even better! We learned how to do two u-turns inside an incredibly small space, weaving, swerving, stopping, banking, leaning, pausing without putting a foot down. And the course instructors, Sheryl and Tony were awesome, working together to make the course go quickly and efficiently. We all passed, some more handily than others, and we get to skip the DMV skills test, as expected.
I started on this course just for the DMV waiver and ended up appreciating all the practice and training in a controlled environment that was offered. I know I'm a much better, more careful and skilled rider for it, and I'm glad I attended and passed the course. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to get their DMV waiver and also for anyone who might like to gain some better slow speed turning and handling skills. They have higher level education also available for the hard core riders too, and I expect these to be just as informative and useful as the basic skills course that I took. read more
