I am trying to find a training class in California. I have been riding for a number of years and took an advanced rider class about 5 years ago. I am now looking for some sidecar driving classes but not seeing any in California. Does MSF or anyone else offer one in this state ?
Dwight.
The way funding is set up in California for rider training, If an MSF school wants to offer sidecar training and keep their state funding for the MSF classes the sidecar classes must be completely separate from the MSF class, they can not share an office, phone number or range as such no MSF school offers the S/tep class. There are 3 companies in Washington state that do, these may be the closest for you.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
Thanks for the information.I wonder if Arizona offers sidecsr training classes? It would be closer to home in southern California.
You might check with Vernon Wade at www.adventuresidecars.com. He's at Hood River, OR.
Hi Dwight:
Nevada has/had a Sidecar/trike Education Program. They usually offered training at least once a year. It is a great class. They call it Advanced, as you ride your own rig, and they don't teach the basics of how to turn on your bike, and shift. 🙂 The class was offered in Carson City, and used to cost $50. The instructor was very good. I don't know if they still hold the class, but here is a link for some phone numbers. .. http://www.nevadarider.com/classes/carson-city/ If there is a demand, they may offer the course...
Good Luck -
p.s. The driving practice and test is pretty much the one you will find in the book, "Driving a Sidecar Outfit" aka the Yellow Book. 2nd Edition is preferred as it has some clarification re: Flying the rig. If you don't have the book, you can locate it at: http://www.whitehorsegear.com/driving-a-sidecar-outfit-2nd-edition - (no, I don't work for them, and they don't send me money) ... there are some free info downloads on this site.. books, and links... http://sidecar.com/links3.asp
Gail
Thanks Gail,
I will look into the class in Carson City. It would be a fun ride to go there even if they don't have the class anymore.
Dwight
DeeDee, why do you need lessons? You have been doing sidecars for decades, I'm the newby with only months under my belly. We can take the course in Reno when they offer it.
Insurance discount with renewal of classes.
As an instructor for the S/tep class (no longer active teaching) and some one who helped get the program up and started, I can see no reason why any one even an experienced sidecar / trike ride would not want to take the class. You will learn things that will make you a better safer rider. Just because you have a license does not mean you are as proficient as you could be. As an example, do you ever use your front brake and throttle at the same time? This is covered in the class and really works well. Do you have any idea how many accidents involve the face area? This is also covered in class and why I always ride with a full face helmet. No reason a person should stop trying to learn.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Right on Jay!
I agree, we can always learn something more with classes. Anything that helps you to be a safer better rider can 't hurt and if it gives you a break on insurance so much the better.
Meta Koenig: "You become as old as a cow and you still learn something new every day."
or another saying from Grandma:
"It doesn't matter how long you live, but how intensive."
Rig pushing is a great manner to stay longer time active and young.
I just come back from breakfast with Fernando our Jawa importer.
The 3 years he has his rig now standing in the corner you see on his poor joint movements...
Ne xt thing to do is to get him back pushing his rig.
So coming Saturday I will get him to my farm and have him ride a Ural lesson...
Jawa and Ural are two way different pairs of shoes...
Sven
