Posted: 12/23/2010 7:34:10 AM EDT
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Can someone give me the Cliff's notes on the licensing process for motorcycles? I heard from a girl at work that she went to a weekend course to bypass the road test for the license. I asked if it was the MSF course and she basically went, "  what's MSF?"So how does a newbie to motorcycles get the proper training and the proper license? |
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A lot of different places offer a class, usually a weekend. Harley dealers usually have the Rider's Edge, sometimes you can find them through Community Education. I took mine through Ferris State. You take the class and they give you the road test at the end of the class. Then you go to Sec. State and get your endorsement on the license. |
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Him Can Do It!
Last time I took a class (about 3 years ago) it was only $25. Seriously, you'll be hard pressed to find so much training for so little! Pass the Basic Rider class get your endorsement. Simple! |
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The only "training" that is "required" to get a cycle endorsement if for those that fail the rider skills test twice or those under 18.
To legally ride a motorcycle on Michigan roads, you must have a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement designation of "CY." Complete the following three steps to get your CY endorsement: 1. Visit a Secretary of State office to take the vision and written knowledge tests. 2. Pass a skills test from a rider skills testing organization OR successfully complete a certified motorcycle safety course. 3. Present your completion certificate at a Secretary of State office. The MI SOS website including a list of testing facilities by county or safety courses if you prefer... |
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A lot of different places offer a class, usually a weekend. Harley dealers usually have the Rider's Edge, sometimes you can find them through Community Education. I took mine through Ferris State. You take the class and they give you the road test at the end of the class. Then you go to Sec. State and get your endorsement on the license. +1 I took the course there too. Get in early... |
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I would highly suggest taking a Safety Course. Riding a motorcycle on the streets is not something to take lightly. You do realize these $25 classes are pretty much a joke, right? They are basically there so people can take the skills test and the paper test to get a pass on the skills test from the SOS and so they only have to take the short test at the SOS when they apply for their endorsement. They should not be looked at as a substitute for real training. They are about the equivalent of a "CCW class" - i.e. not really "training". I have helped out at a few over the years and they do not prepare you for riding on the streets - they simply train you to pass the basic skills test, just as a CCW class doesn't train you to carry and use a gun - it just gets you the license to do so... |
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I had been riding for a while without an endorsement. My insurance co, called me and told me I had to either get a learners permit or get an endorsement or they would drop my cycle insurance. My agent also told me that if I took a motorcycle safety course they would lower my insurance. So I spent a Saturday at Alpha Training Center in Lansing and took a safety class, got my endorsement, and saved more on the insurance then the class cost me.
If you're in the Lansing area I'd reccomend them,. Nice people and they have a great facility. |
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I had been riding for a while without an endorsement. My insurance co, called me and told me I had to either get a learners permit or get an endorsement or they would drop my cycle insurance. My agent also told me that if I took a motorcycle safety course they would lower my insurance. So I spent a Saturday at Alpha Training Center in Lansing and took a safety class, got my endorsement, and saved more on the insurance then the class cost me. If you're in the Lansing area I'd reccomend them,. Nice people and they have a great facility. So your insurance co wrote you insurance and knew you were driving without a license "for a while"? All the ones I have dealt with over the last 20 years always required me to prove the insured driver on the policy had a CY endorsement or all they would write was comp (fire/theft) coverage only - not enough to get a plate and drive it on the street. I'm surprised any agent or underwriter would take on the liability of writing a policy for someone that they knew was violating the law by driving without the proper licensing... 
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I did the same thing for a while. You have to have a plated and insured cycle before you can practice and take a road test. After a set amount of time they mailed the requirement.
A couple of days in Flint on two wheels changed my mind about cycles :-( Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quoted:
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I had been riding for a while without an endorsement. My insurance co, called me and told me I had to either get a learners permit or get an endorsement or they would drop my cycle insurance. My agent also told me that if I took a motorcycle safety course they would lower my insurance. So I spent a Saturday at Alpha Training Center in Lansing and took a safety class, got my endorsement, and saved more on the insurance then the class cost me.o If you're in the Lansing area I'd reccomend them,. Nice people and they have a great facility. So your insurance co wrote you insurance and knew you were driving without a license "for a while"? All the ones I have dealt with over the last 20 years always required me to prove the insured driver on the policy had a CY endorsement or all they would write was comp (fire/theft) coverage only - not enough to get a plate and drive it on the street. I'm surprised any agent or underwriter would take on the liability of writing a policy for someone that they knew was violating the law by driving without the proper licensing...
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I found it through a local college. $25, BRC, ERC, and Performance Based. I have a Snell M00 motorcycle helmet I bought for drag racing, do you think this complies with their requirement for a "DOT Approved" Motorcycle Helmet? Yes. Any Snell rated helmet is above DOT standards. What do you race? I've got a stock wheelbase '08 CBR 1000 and have run a best of 9.86 @142 so far. |
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Things sure have changed since back in the 1990's. I came to the state with my endorsement in my sweaty 18 year old palms but at the time they tested you at the SoS poarking lot IIRC. I took my CY drivers test in the 70s. I had to provide a car and driver for the road test. Dad drove the car and the examiner told me where to go beforehand. I was gone and back before they even got out of the driveway. He had me rt out of the driveway lft at the light and turn around in a business and return. Dad couldn't get a break in traffic. I laughed the whole way. 
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