Just a different perspective on the MSF course:

As a person with little motorcycling experience, I found the course very helpful. The largest benefit, to me, was that the course sets the tone for how you view motorcycling. They stress safety, but without a preachy tone, from the first minute on through, be it the classroom sessions or the field training. Not coincidentally, that is how I now approach motorcylcing. A lot of the good advice you hear on this forum, I heard for the first time there. All of the instuctors I had were experienced riders giving back to the motorcyling community (I mean 30 - 40 years). You don't want access to that kind of wisdom/experience? BTW, had a guy in my class who had been riding over 30 years, but the state made him take the course b/c of a drunk driving offense: He said he learned things he didn't know (and I hear this happens a lot).

Moreover, you compact in a short amount of time a lot of things people say they will do, but never get around to actually doing (read, watch instructional video clips, practice safe techniques, etc.). If I do things the "right" way, and I think I do (ATTGATT, T-CLOCK checks, know my and the bike's limits, scan ahead as I ride, counter steer, etc.), the MSF course was an instrumental step in getting me there.

You're young and impatient, and like most of us at your age, you probably think you know more than you actually do. Not judging you. Been there, done that. I guess the most impressive thing I could tell you about this topic is that I have daughters almost your age and both have expressed interest in learning how to ride: I will insist both take the MSF course. I understand money is an issue, but owning a motocycle is almost like owning a boat: you will spend more money than you think. If there is any way for you to find the money for this, well, how much is your life worth? Think of it that way.

Keith

Whatever your decision, ride safe and have fun!