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My MSF Course starts tonight. I've put entirely too much pressure on myself by purchasing a bike and all the gear to ride in any weather ($$$). Hopefully if I can keep cool, pass and I'll be street legal next week.
MSF Course Starting Tonight
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relax and you'll do fine. Remember to Look where you want to go...
Let us know how it turns out!!
Let us know how it turns out!!
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all about throttle control
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I disagree...I think it's all about clutch controlprekarious1 said:
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Clutch does have its merits, but if your turning and pull in the clutch the bike falls over. Smoothly get on the throttle and it steadies out. We all have our own opinionsSuzukiGirl1 said:
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I remember the course really stressing Clutch control.
the whole friction zone and all
the whole friction zone and all
Thats why you need clutch control!
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Thanks for all the words of encouragement, I truly appreciate them!
First night of class went great. I went in very nervous but the instructors are very cool, relaxed and mix humor with the lessons. The group of people there was amazing. Most in the group have never ridden, period. There are several people who have done what I have, bought a bike and have it just sitting in the garage until they pass the course. One lady had pictures of her bike she brought to show everyone. There are also a couple people in the class who have ridden for a long time but are in just to get their license in this state. All in all its even better than I expected, they are very newbie oriented and the atmosphere is fun and relaxing so far. When we were watching the MSF video the motorcyle used in the video to show you were all the controls are was mine! I'm taking that as a good omen.
I'd read alot of MSF horror stories on the net so I asked the instructor how often people fail and he said its pretty rare. Maybe one person every third class or so. He said if you pay attention and take direction well you'll do fine.
The first range session is tomorrow morning and by Sunday night I'll be done!
First night of class went great. I went in very nervous but the instructors are very cool, relaxed and mix humor with the lessons. The group of people there was amazing. Most in the group have never ridden, period. There are several people who have done what I have, bought a bike and have it just sitting in the garage until they pass the course. One lady had pictures of her bike she brought to show everyone. There are also a couple people in the class who have ridden for a long time but are in just to get their license in this state. All in all its even better than I expected, they are very newbie oriented and the atmosphere is fun and relaxing so far. When we were watching the MSF video the motorcyle used in the video to show you were all the controls are was mine! I'm taking that as a good omen.
I'd read alot of MSF horror stories on the net so I asked the instructor how often people fail and he said its pretty rare. Maybe one person every third class or so. He said if you pay attention and take direction well you'll do fine.
The first range session is tomorrow morning and by Sunday night I'll be done!
True, but most new motorcyclists blip the throttle, not the clutch. When you're doing slow tight turns, pulling in the clutch shouldn't make you fall over as long as you're in motion and you maintain your balance, but blipping the throttle can send you into a nearby object.svhooligan said:
So how did it go then?
I took my last range session today.
Was a lot of fun and passed easily.
I was a little dissapointed though that some people in the class would not ride faster. Not that im some speed demon, but what can you learn about swerving, quick stops, running over objects, and turning, while doing 5MPH.
Im not kidding some people in the class almost stopped to run over the 2X4. The swerves were done at the lowest speed posible and thier quick stops were slow enough that i could brake faster by puting my feet down.
Now i can understand riding within your limits, but these people didn't learn much. Its going to be a harsh lesson in reality when they get on the street. I just hope they practice these things lots lots LOTS more in a controlled environment before they get on the street.
A good half of the class got penalized for going too slow on the actual riding evaluation.
I took my last range session today.
Was a lot of fun and passed easily.
I was a little dissapointed though that some people in the class would not ride faster. Not that im some speed demon, but what can you learn about swerving, quick stops, running over objects, and turning, while doing 5MPH.
Im not kidding some people in the class almost stopped to run over the 2X4. The swerves were done at the lowest speed posible and thier quick stops were slow enough that i could brake faster by puting my feet down.
Now i can understand riding within your limits, but these people didn't learn much. Its going to be a harsh lesson in reality when they get on the street. I just hope they practice these things lots lots LOTS more in a controlled environment before they get on the street.
A good half of the class got penalized for going too slow on the actual riding evaluation.
So, St0nkingByte, how did it go? What bike did you buy?
You'll notice that motorcyclists in general are a diverse and opinionated bunch. Look at the debate over what they all feel is the most important.
As a previous Canada Safety Counsel instructor (we taught the Gearing Up course which seems to be very similar to the MSF one) I would say that the one crucial thing to remember is what Sierra Golf One said:
Yes, clutch, throttle and brake control are all important when you're using them. You should be using your eyes every second you're on the bike and it's integral to every function performed on the bike.
From knowing where to look to avoid an obstacle (look at it and you'll hit it - look at the escape path and you'll go through it & around the obstacle) to knowing how NOT to look at other things, (knowing where all the controls, including the fuel petcock are, so that when you need them in a hurry, you don't take your eyes off the road to look for them).
Watch world class racers, when they have their bazillion dollar bikes cranked over, scraping their knee sliders in a turn at a squillion miles an hour, look where their $1000 helmets are aimed - through the apex at the exit of the turn. They're using their eyes (by turning their heads) to control the bike.
Watch trials riders (the MOST skilled riders in the world, in my opinion) - they look where they want to go - or fix on a point ahead when they're stopped. Again, they're using their eyes as the most crucial tool in handling the bike.
Anyway, I'm done blabbing. Stay safe and have fun.
From a guy who scuba dives, has flown airplanes, practices martial arts and has done lots of crazy things over the years, motorcycling is still THE most fun one can have with their clothes on...
Enjoy and stay in touch.
You'll notice that motorcyclists in general are a diverse and opinionated bunch. Look at the debate over what they all feel is the most important.
As a previous Canada Safety Counsel instructor (we taught the Gearing Up course which seems to be very similar to the MSF one) I would say that the one crucial thing to remember is what Sierra Golf One said:
[well...two things...]
Yes, clutch, throttle and brake control are all important when you're using them. You should be using your eyes every second you're on the bike and it's integral to every function performed on the bike.
From knowing where to look to avoid an obstacle (look at it and you'll hit it - look at the escape path and you'll go through it & around the obstacle) to knowing how NOT to look at other things, (knowing where all the controls, including the fuel petcock are, so that when you need them in a hurry, you don't take your eyes off the road to look for them).
Watch world class racers, when they have their bazillion dollar bikes cranked over, scraping their knee sliders in a turn at a squillion miles an hour, look where their $1000 helmets are aimed - through the apex at the exit of the turn. They're using their eyes (by turning their heads) to control the bike.
Watch trials riders (the MOST skilled riders in the world, in my opinion) - they look where they want to go - or fix on a point ahead when they're stopped. Again, they're using their eyes as the most crucial tool in handling the bike.
Anyway, I'm done blabbing. Stay safe and have fun.
From a guy who scuba dives, has flown airplanes, practices martial arts and has done lots of crazy things over the years, motorcycling is still THE most fun one can have with their clothes on...
Enjoy and stay in touch.
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Well today was pretty cool. They said since I was tall I should ride a dual purpose bike. Some sort of Yamaha dirt/street bike thing. The rest of the bikes were little Hondal Rebels and the like, about what you'd expect. I had alot of fun with the Yamaha but it meant alot of extra shifting that the rest of the class wasn't doing. 1st was really really low, dirt bike thing I guess.
I think I did pretty OK. I had some trouble with the full stop thing, I was grabbing the front brake a little to quickly but for the most part I worked through it all. Also I once forgot to turn the fuel flow on, they have you turn it off each time, and the bike died on me. I did get complimented by the instructor for having the precense of mind to indicate to him I was having trouble and pull well off to the side.
After the morning of course we went back for more class and the written test. I got 100% on that. Now I've got all day course work tomorrow with the ridding test at the end. I don't think I'm too nervous.
I think I did pretty OK. I had some trouble with the full stop thing, I was grabbing the front brake a little to quickly but for the most part I worked through it all. Also I once forgot to turn the fuel flow on, they have you turn it off each time, and the bike died on me. I did get complimented by the instructor for having the precense of mind to indicate to him I was having trouble and pull well off to the side.
After the morning of course we went back for more class and the written test. I got 100% on that. Now I've got all day course work tomorrow with the ridding test at the end. I don't think I'm too nervous.
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Course over, I passed. Stay off the sidewalks folks because here I come!
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Now that is just not true... Your clothes can still be on, that is what zippers are forHardware said:So, St0nkingByte, how did it go? What bike did you buy?
You'll notice that motorcyclists in general are a diverse and opinionated bunch. Look at the debate over what they all feel is the most important.
As a previous Canada Safety Counsel instructor (we taught the Gearing Up course which seems to be very similar to the MSF one) I would say that the one crucial thing to remember is what Sierra Golf One said:
[well...two things...]
Yes, clutch, throttle and brake control are all important when you're using them. You should be using your eyes every second you're on the bike and it's integral to every function performed on the bike.
From knowing where to look to avoid an obstacle (look at it and you'll hit it - look at the escape path and you'll go through it & around the obstacle) to knowing how NOT to look at other things, (knowing where all the controls, including the fuel petcock are, so that when you need them in a hurry, you don't take your eyes off the road to look for them).
Watch world class racers, when they have their bazillion dollar bikes cranked over, scraping their knee sliders in a turn at a squillion miles an hour, look where their $1000 helmets are aimed - through the apex at the exit of the turn. They're using their eyes (by turning their heads) to control the bike.
Watch trials riders (the MOST skilled riders in the world, in my opinion) - they look where they want to go - or fix on a point ahead when they're stopped. Again, they're using their eyes as the most crucial tool in handling the bike.
Anyway, I'm done blabbing. Stay safe and have fun.
From a guy who scuba dives, has flown airplanes, practices martial arts and has done lots of crazy things over the years, motorcycling is still THE most fun one can have with their clothes on...
Enjoy and stay in touch.
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