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Wow. Four free ‘Experienced Rider’ MSF classes are being offered in Irvine, CA next weekend. Heck, as a lifelong self-taught everything, I’d even go if it were free and offered in Arizona. The link is from Roadracing World and they source the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I searched around on their site and did not find any further specific details. No big deal because most everything you need is below:

Free Motorcycle Training: The Motorcycle Safety Foundation will offer free five-hour Experienced RiderCourses to licensed motorcyclists who bring their own riding gear and bike, as part of National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The sessions, designed to sharpen riding skills and street strategies, will include off-bike instruction as well as practice time on a special riding range. Certified MSF RiderCoaches will lead the classes on May 6 and May 7. On both days, classes are available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and also from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine near the intersection of the I-5 and 405 freeways at 8808 Irvine Center Drive. Riders must call to reserve space. (877) 743-3411.

So any of you SoCal’ers that want to brush up on your skills or are still fairly new to the sport and meet the following minimum criteria from the MSF site of at least six months or 3000 miles of recent saddle time. The course outline is found here but as a public service, I’ll save you the time:

Experienced RiderCourses

• One day course
• Use your own motorcycle and helmet
• Qualifies graduates for insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers.

Even if you’ve been riding for some time, there’s always something new to learn. Increasing numbers of seasoned riders are flocking to the seven-hour Experienced RiderCourse to hone their skills and fine-tune the mental skills needed for survival in traffic.

In the classroom you’ll discuss with your peers how to balance the mental and physical aspects of safe riding, manage risk, increase visibility and optimize your lane position. The ‘Experienced RiderCourse’ also covers protective gear, rider responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding, and an optional skill evaluation and knowledge test.

Using your own motorcycle, you’ll put into practice the techniques of managing traction, controlling rear-wheel skids, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.

Note this part: Qualifies graduates for insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers. I hate giving money to The Man and wish everyone low rates. I have great rates right now and they do not discount the premiums based on receiving instruction. But, if they did, and especially if I was younger in age (below that magic 25-years old in some states), I’d be there.