Does anyone else besides me think they should make the MSF course mandatory for new riders?

I think it is a good point and like the Ideal. Some states make us wear helmets, why not safety course. However I don't like the government passing laws all the time that take a way my freedom of choice. I not a big Helmet law fan at all. I would rather see newbies take the class by choice that have them be told be the government

The MSF course WILL NOT INSTANTLY MAKE YOU A GOOD RIDER!!!!! It is meant to get you started by showing you HOW to ride and to hammer good habits into your head before you go out and do something stupid. Motorcycles are not cars, and the MSF course is designed to get you thinking like a RIDER, not a driver. The differences may seem minor, but they could still kill you. For example, if you get into a corner too fast in a car, you mash your right foot on the brakes to slow down. On a motorcycle, a newbie will go into a corner too fast and instinctively mash their right foot on the brake to slow down. the problem is that on a motorcycle that will lock up the rear wheel, and in a corner the bike is either going down (at best) or the rear whel will suddenly regain traction when the rider is sideways, catapulting him/her into the air before impacting the pavement. The MSF course is there to get you started, not make you a good rider. That takes practice and time, and that's up to the rider. For more drills and information, try two books: Proficient Motorcycling and Sportbike Riding Techniques. They have loads of information that can save your bacon.

Mandatory? No.

That would be the same as requiring Driver's Ed before getting an auto license. That's still optional as well.

As noted above, each and every one of us who currently has a license passed a test to get it. Some of us took a course, some the permit route. But we all took the same proficiency test. Perhaps the testing is at fault. I also would be more in favor of a graduated licensing program. I don't think I can agree on the course saving a lot of lives, Driver's Ed programs don't turn out safe drivers either. Look at all the questions asked straight out of the training books.............

Ride safe, they're all out there.

Should everyone take an MSF course?

YES, without question.

Should it be mandatory?

HELL NO!

People are ultimately responsible for their own actions, and Darwinism makes a point of showing how the weak and stupid are quickly eliminated from the gene pool.

Those that think they are above the MSF course are simply there to "cull the herd" as it were. Go ahead and play Zip 'n Splat, young padawan, but when (not if) you get in way over your head and have no idea how to correct your mistake, you will die.

And I don't feel sorry for them one bit.

NO! The last thing this country needs is the government passing more regulations to protect us from ourselves. People need to take personal responsibility instead thinking we can legislate our way to Nirvana. Protecting us from our own, and others, stupidity is not the governments mandate. Free choice. I've had enough of politically correct, insurance company driven regulations. I'll do my own behavior modification, thank you. You would be creating a cottage government industry. Trainers who instruct the instructors. Transportation engineers who get grants to do traffic studies. Regional and state managers who oversee. CPA's to keep track of the revenues generated. Jacked up insurance rates for any biker with 30 years experience who doesn't have the course etc. I think around 50% of the people in the U.S. are already being supported by public money being paid in the form of taxes and fees by the other 50%. Enough! Why are we even discussing this question? Who says there is even a problem that requires discussing to start with? Of course if more people ride more will get in accidents. If more people walked there would be more pedestrian accidents. If you are worried about gas prices driving the number of bikers, and the number of bikers driving motorcycle accidents, your efforts to aid society would be better focused if one could figure out how to lower the price of fuel instead of imposing more regulations intended to resolve a problem that exists as a "feeling." In my opinion.

Not only should there be a mandatory MSF course but also a person should not be able to ride on a big fast bike to start with. In some country's they must start small and learn their way up. Like Australia or Japan, I think they are called L Platters down there

While I would ALWAYS recommend a new rider take an MSF course I am loathe to make it mandatory. I hate being told I HAVE to do something because it is mandatory. It is currently required to take both a written and riding test by the DMV to obtain a license, that to me is enough for most riders.

you are already tested for competency before being licensed... that's kinda why they do it, you can't just go in and buy a license.

seems redundant to have to do it over and over again

and i agree with rcmp, i learned on a dirt bike from the age of 6 or 7 or so, been riding since, i'd be pretty pissed if some govt agency told me i have more hoops to jump through and fees to pay after i've been riding for 30 years, even if i was new to being licensed

With no prior riding experience, hell yes.

I'm a range aide at my DMV for the MSF riding course.

The scariest thing is people who no expereince riding without a license. But if you make it mandatory, then you might see more of this, due to the costs. In my state, $110 for the course, $30 for the new license.

Doubtful. Although as an ex-MSF instructor, I'll be glad to sing it's praises, it's a lot like boating.

Older (and richer) folks don't want or need the government's support to get their "toys". So if you make it harder to get a license, there will just be more unlicensed drivers.

It really needs to be about informed choice, and we need to elevate the beginner course methodology to appeal to older more affluent riders so that they will continue to enjoy and complete the course, but also to encourage them and others to partake in it.