[Ninja_Wendy]

I think the MSF program is great and all states should encourage training for new riders. A lot of people take the MSF to avoid the DMV test but I think it's a good system. My trainer said an MSF course is equivalent to 6 months of learning on your own. I think a lot of the accidents can be inexperience or new riders on bikes that are too much for their skill level. I also see people popping wheelies on public roads and highways all the time. Those are the people who are going to get themselves into trouble. I've seen a lot of posts here where people say it is ok for a noob to start on a 1000cc bike. I personally think that is nuts. When I was new, I didn't have the best throttle control. You don't want to start off with a throttle control problem on a liter bike. Anyway, I think there are a lot of contributing factors but education and wearing helmets could definitely help the death rates.