Hi Mike,
No I have not my wife keeps pushing me towards me taking one but after reading and applying what i read on the manuals to training below the 35 mphs around the neighborhood I feel pretty comfortable. I just have to practice on my turns because I feel that my rear tire is going to slide over and make me fall if i lean too much. My wife took the MSF and she loved it.
Sir there is much to know...
I implore you to take the course if you have no experience on motor bikes of any nature... Like a dirt bike... if your 100% new to Riding on the streets, and bikes in general you need to have guidance - that you can only get by taking that course - Sorry man I'm siding with your wife on this one.
There are a few things you can do to help improve you skillz - in the mean time.... find an empty parking lot, no cars about - and practice figure 8's wide and slow for like 10 laps then 10 laps of controlled and smooth distance breaking laps in a strait line. try reducing your distance coming to a stop 12 feet in front of a bottle or other movable object.
Repeat this several times reducing the size of the figure 8's till you nailed it without putting your foot down going very slow in a tight circle, and your target stopping point is dead on... then increase your speed a little at a time staying in your comfort zone. be very careful and go very slow on the figure 8s, a sudden stop can tip the bike. costing hundreds in repairs, make you mad as heck...
Anyone can drive a bike in a strait line, knowing your in control is a different ball game, and takes time... Take a class sir.... Please.
Last but not least - you are right about how far you can lean the bike..... A large majority of bike wrecks are due to cornering errors. Take the class.
Its can and will help you - and give you some confidence, point out mistakes to avoid and so much more.
Can you do this on your own - Absolutly... But you learn so much faster if you take the course first. its a smart thing to do.