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Message started by weracerc on 04/26/11 at 11:17:03

Title: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by weracerc on 04/26/11 at 11:17:03

Ok all ofyou who have done the MSF beginner course I need to know what to expect - what was difficult how did you get thru it etc. I am going to take the class May 6-8 and i have read the curiculum book already - as far as the hands on goes what do i need to prepair for?

Had one co-worker who took the course and said for her the figure 8 insdie two parking spaces was her biggest challenge.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by OE on 04/26/11 at 11:33:10

0F00455740575153585507360 wrote:

Had one co-worker who took the course and said for her the figure 8 insdie two parking spaces was her biggest challenge.

I concur, the figure 8 was the hardest for me. After riding for many years I had to take the course when I moved to Florida. They didn't recognize the MC endorsement on my previous license. I'm getting old and my sense of balance isn't as it once was. I only had to put my foot down once but it only cost me 5 points. I swear, that space was a lot smaller than 2 parking spaces.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by Oldfeller on 04/26/11 at 11:52:26

Yup, they ain't making getting into riding a bike any easier. Coursework and tests are much more complete than they were in years past as well.

They are putting some $$ and time barriers up to new riders, IMHO.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by babyhog on 04/26/11 at 12:59:27

Yea the figure 8 was probably hardest. Trick is to not slow down too much. Keep clutching in and out, steady speed cause you'll touch your foot down if you get going too slow. I think going over the line is less points than touching a foot down, but don't quote me on that.

The other thing I hated was the quick-stop in a curve! Still bugs me to come around a curve and a car be stopped in front of me.

You being a bigger guy might want to practice some straight quick-stops. They make you get going to a set speed, say 20 mph, then raise a flag and you have to stop by a certain distance. And you can't start braking until they throw the flag.

But as long as you've been riding, you should do fine. Just be open to all their techniques and suggestions. And have fun!!! Best of luck!

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by weracerc on 04/26/11 at 13:21:00

when i get off the throttle and on both brakes the 650 stops pretty darn quick from say 40 or less......I'll practice though - curve stopping hummmm interesting.....if all the bikes they have are midget mobiles i wonder if they will let ride my own since I have the forward controls and feel more at ease on my own bike????

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by mick on 04/26/11 at 14:12:28

babyhog is right on about the figure 8 just keep the throttle steady and slip the cluch as needed.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by Demin on 04/26/11 at 14:17:07

Listen to your instructors,and trust them.We have a curriculum we have to follow that has been proven to work.You also have to trust yourself.Relax and have fun. ;)

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/26/11 at 14:28:06

+1 demin

The hardess part will be learning to crawl cause you all ready know how to run. So don't roll yer eyes when they say to do baby steps.

yes hardess skill is figure 8, we don't do that every day.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by Ed L. on 04/26/11 at 15:51:56

The figure 8 is tough and the emergency stop from 20 mph can be a challange, they made us downshift to first gear while stopping,it didn't seem hard till it started to rain. Stopping a DR 90 with bald tires in the rain was not any fun. Get as much time on the bike as possible so you are comfortable with it.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by topgunz1 on 04/26/11 at 16:22:48

Just keep an open mind, pay attention, and try your best and you will do fine. My wife and I completed it handily with zero motorcycle experience.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by LostArtist on 04/26/11 at 16:30:19

I hated it. learned a lot. still hated it. I think it's my personality though.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by mick on 04/26/11 at 16:35:11

273C2334263D2962530 wrote:

Just keep an open mind, pay attention, and try your best and you will do fine. My wife and I completed it handily with zero motorcycle experience.

Perhaps that's what it takes, us old pro's are a little set in our ways.
Lets hope you can put the old adage away "it's not if you fall off,it's when"

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by Stimpy - FSO on 04/27/11 at 07:36:58

MSF beginner course - what to expect?

...dehydration

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by topgunz1 on 04/27/11 at 11:41:08

55726F6B767F060 wrote:

MSF beginner course - what to expect?

...dehydration

Forgot about that! We did it in July in S. Louisiana, pants, boots, gloves, long sleeves, and full helmet get MISERABLE when your only going parking lot speed. Bring lots of water, instructors should give you breaks.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by weracerc on 04/27/11 at 12:06:01

Early May in NC probably in the low 70's and low humidity - I hope! fat boy might loose a few lbs during the process though if it gets much over 70F.....hell i get hot setting still in sub-zero temps who am i kidding!

will take a water jug thanks for pointing that out.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/27/11 at 12:08:15

A spray bottle is handy to cool off.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/27/11 at 12:13:06

When I took the course it was over a hundred.
A cooler full of drinks and a sweat shirt for totalling immersing in water.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by KristenAnn on 04/27/11 at 12:13:17

Ifound that having a water bottle or gatorade bottle filled half way and frozen helped me on the 2 days that i took my class in the am at 70 degrees humid and getting hotter as the morning went on. You can also get a neck cooler to keep you cool they work great.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by runwyrlph on 04/27/11 at 15:29:00

the figure 8 is kinda hard at first , but a little practice makes it easy-

keep your head and eyes looking where you want to go, not at the ground,

counter balance- lean your body to the outside,

slip the clutch to keep moving slow

just find an empty lot to practice - i know you feel like a dork, but with a FF helmet you're safely anonymous ;)

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by kimchris1 on 04/27/11 at 20:20:46

Practice your turns and stay cool.
Take cool drinks as well as keep
an open mind. Listen to the instructors
advice. Like someone else said, follow
your eyes, look to where you want to go.
When I took my course, it was 2 days, 1/2
days of class and 1/2 days of riding and
practicing. It had been cool and of course
day of my test, 80 and full sun all day. Be
prepared for anything.
In my class anyone that dropped their bike,
failed the class. No one dropped during the
testing process. We had a guy drop his crotch
rocket during practice though. Glad it wasn't
during the actual test.
Relax and your going to do well.
:-* :-* for good luck,, kim

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by weracerc on 04/28/11 at 09:02:44

well there will be no hiding from the instructors for me - i have to wear long sleeves (which i do not own!).....so i just bought myself 2 Hi-Vis LS t-shirts from the manstoreonline.com 5-gi-freakin-normous-XL - cant hide in the hi-vis.....got it more for mid range weather so i can ditch the hi-vis dork vest.....summertime will be short sleeves - i aint roasting!

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 04/28/11 at 13:44:57

I took the course 3 years ago after a 40 year layoff from riding. In Ohio, we weren't allowed to use our own bikes; we had to use what they provided. Actually I was glad, the little Honda Rebel was easier to handle. Sure, an S40 isn't much bigger, but that figure 8 was easier on the Rebel.

If they allow 3/4 open face helmets, try to borrow one to stay cooler. Full face isn't needed for parking lot riding. Same for the gloves - our course allowed any, and I used my bicycle gloves to stay cooler, since they are basically a mesh glove. I tried to get them to let me wear a bicycling helmet, since you're going about the same speed as a cyclist goes, but they wouldn't let me do that. That would make sense, but when did sense have anytihng to do with the requirements of some state program?

Head up is the key to all of the maneuvers - don't look at the ground, look where you want to go, just like riding a bicycle - look thru the curves and you'll go where you're looking.

I did learn a lot and am glad I took the course.

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by topgunz1 on 04/28/11 at 14:04:39

Don't forget to check with your insurance company after you complete the course to see if it qualifies you for a discount!

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by Driller on 04/28/11 at 15:44:43

Keep in mind this is a learning experience first. The instructors are there to teach you essential skills for safe riding. Be open minded and absorb all you can. They will certainly test your skills, but usually only when they think you are ready. You already have a leg up over many riders in the classes and should not feel intimidated.
Good luck and show them how that S40 shines!

Title: Re: MSF beginner course - what to expect?
Post by John_D FSO on 04/28/11 at 17:10:28

48514A5057464D424D4D230 wrote:

Great advice, I do that all the time. And if you wrap something around it, like a (clean!) sock to insulate it, it'll stay cool longer. :)

Great advice from everyone. About the only things I can add is: bring sunscreen, especially if you're wearing an open face helmet. I crisped my nose the first day of mine. :-[ And yeah, the figure 8 is one of the hardest parts, for me anyway, but if you can find an empty parking lot, back-street or road, preferably one-way, you can just go drive in loops for a while. :D As to using your own bike, the WA classes don't let you until the more advanced courses.