[ForbidInjustice]

I just took my MSF course the past couple of days in the beautiful Texas 103° weather.. and got my license today. I have taken my Gixxer out on the road a couple of times.. but in the course I rode a Yamaha XT [125cc?] dirtbike. It took me a bit to get used to it, but I was so scared to lean the bike, because of fear of falling over. Once I got comfortable, I realized that if I give it gas, it will stabilize and not fall.. which brings me to my paranoia.

GRAVEL. The RiderCoach said, as plain as day, that turning on gravel will cause a fall. Is this completely true? I'm already a bit shaky about leaning the bike, which sucks, because that's the only way to turn.. but now I'm looking at the road for gravel, and if I see loose rocks.. even just a few, I'm scared of the turn.

Can somebody ease my worry?

 

[Superbird]

Man it took me a long time to get over the fear that im going to crash that im going to die what the hell did i get my self in to mood. That has saved me more then one time. WHen you took the MSF they told you that when the bike is at a lean angle you have more of a contact patch then when the bike is just riding str8 up.

I read a bood it was called twist of the wrist 2 it is the best thing that i have ever read i recomend that you read it to it was written by Keith Code. When you painc you will go down there was times that i hit gravel before on a corner and my rear wheele started sliding out on me i did exactly what he said rolled on the gas harder and push in harder it worked every time for me.... If you think your going to crash you are going to crash.

Ride every day.... every time you go out and ride try to fix one thing that you know that your doing worng. Dont lOok down, Look as far as you can in to the turn dont look at the girl in the car next to you. Dont stunt.

Motorcycle riding is all about faith... well thats what i belive... I have faith that my tires will grip in the turn and that my breaks will work when i press on them. If you know you can do something its easy to do. Being scared is good but if your terrifed your going to crash. Its all between the ears.

 

[trini0]

dont look at the girl in the car next to you

 

[ForbidInjustice]

Good response.. I understand what you're saying.. I had a hard time "looking through" the turn in the MSF course.. they kept correcting me on that. I kept saying.. "well, how can i see where i'm going if my head is turned and i'm looking all the way to the right?" I still think that. In a curve.. if my head is staring at the horizon "through the turn", what if there is something in the road that I need to swerve around, and I don't see it, since I'm not looking at it..

 

[Superbird]

your in the army?

 

[ForbidInjustice]

negative.. I have lived here for 14 years.. I work for the federal government.. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

I am looking into getting a copy of that Keith Code book.. but they say that it's a Road Racer's handbook. I'm a new rider.. would it benefit me just the same, even though I am not going to race?

 

[JRW_Assassin]

Good response.. I understand what you're saying.. I had a hard time "looking through" the turn in the MSF course.. they kept correcting me on that. I kept saying.. "well, how can i see where i'm going if my head is turned and i'm looking all the way to the right?" I still think that. In a curve.. if my head is staring at the horizon "through the turn", what if there is something in the road that I need to swerve around, and I don't see it, since I'm not looking at it..

you may not see it, but at the speed you are going, you probably wont want to. anything that you can see, and focus directly on is probably already something that you will hit or miss anyway. Ideally you should be setup for the corner before you hit it. changes while cornering can cause major dramas!
finally, in an accident/tricky situation, you will hit whatever you are more likely to hit what you are looking at, then anywhere you conciously want to go/ dont want to go. what does this all mean? Keep focussed on where you want to go... not on the powerpole that you are going to miss by 1".

 

[Superbird]

It is a road racing book but it teaches all of the skills needed for street riding

 

[Gixxerdale]

Remember and apply the MSF training, take your time. You don't become an experienced rider from a course or a book. I'm still learning more about riding everyday, and I've been at it since 1972! :roll:

 

[oldgeezer]

Find some good curved roads down your way that are free of gravel and traffic and practice taking the curves, gradually gaining speed. There should be some good farm roads taking off the interstate where you can practice.

Like Dale said, experience is the best teacher and you can get it slowly and safely.

 

[axel_2078]

I am looking into getting a copy of that Keith Code book.. but they say that it's a Road Racer's handbook. I'm a new rider.. would it benefit me just the same, even though I am not going to race?

Rather than a "skills" book built around road racing, most of the older, experienced riders adamantly recommend a book called "Proficient Motorcycling." I believe there's a sequel called "Proficient Motorcycling II" that's said to be just as good. I haven't had a chance to read either of them yet, but the ones in the forum who have swear by them. I would definitely recommend them over a racing "skills" book.

 

[Trapper]

Rather than a "skills" book built around road racing, most of the older, experienced riders adamantly recommend a book called "Proficient Motorcycling." I believe there's a sequel called "Proficient Motorcycling II" that's said to be just as good. I haven't had a chance to read either of them yet, but the ones in the forum who have swear by them. I would definitely recommend them over a racing "skills" book.

+1

You will see any road debris while scanning 8-12 seconds ahead of you. You don't need to be looking right in front of the bike.

 

[Gixxerdale]

+1

You will see any road debris while scanning 8-12 seconds ahead of you. You don't need to be looking right in front of the bike.

Definitely never ride by your front tire. Look where you want to go, not where you are!

 

[Trapper]

I find it quite amazing that I can sneak between two pot holes etc. that I looked at 100 feet or more ago. Trust the force, Luke.

 

[rappidrabbit]

+1 been there.... done that....had the same feelings.....look ahead, turn your head

 

[ForbidInjustice]

Thanks for the help! I do feel better about it, but I guess now all I have to do is get on the bike and put all the training, tips, and advice to use! I'll be ordering both those books mentioned above.. the more the better.

 

[stevie c]

Get out on the roads, its all about experience experience experience.........
We all worried about one thing or another when we first started, even if we won't admit it!

 

[finch20th]

it will be ok like superbird.... just becareful!!

 

[Clint]

First, you oughtta consider a better learner's bike. What schmuck told you it was a good idea to buy a racebike as green as you are?

Then, read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough, front to back. It's fantastic, and I found it quite interesting, too.

Code's book, on the other hand, is junked up with pointless definitions and a coded format that just cluttered the read for me. His writing leaves something to be desired.

 

[ChicsterMG]

All this is good advice. Notice everyone is telling stuff we learned in MSF? I am teaching my wife to ride and she took the MSF with me. She is having the same issue with looking through the turns.

Like everyone said, "get out there." I found the best way to get over the is to get experience. I found I would rather take the chance with a rock or two or a pot hole rather than crossing the lines on either side and possibly taking on a car, truck, or the guard rail.