Obligatory 1st day of the MSF thread

Message

teabgs · #1 Unread post by **teabgs** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 5:58 pm

You guessed it, today was the first day of riding. I've never riden before and it was better than I'd imagined it would be. I feel like I've learned so much since hours ago I didn't know how to start a bike, but I'm far from ready to drive in traffic.

Everything seemed pretty easy (more or less) except the damn offset weave that everyone always dogs about. I'd read it here many times, but at first I still looked at the cones

But I did get the hang of it at the end... sort of. It's still kinda hard and I can't imagine what it'd be like on the bike I'm getting.

Every other exercise was a ton of fun! I wish it'd been warmer though...I feel a little under from the cold. I'll dress with another layer tomorrow.

So, everything so far seems fine with the little MSF bike, but I'm getting a Honda Shadow Aero. I wonder how different a 520 Lb 750cc motorcycle is going to be when I want to practice these drills after the course. I know I'll find out soon, but I can't imagine how different it'll be. I do know that I'm excited and I can't wait to go buy my gear and get ready to ride for real (once I'm comfortable enough to get out of a parking lot!)

sharpmagna · Sat Jan 13, 2007 6:18 pm

Oh it is quite different! My bike is about the specs of the aero and it was a jump from the Honda Rebel I rode on the MSF course. It took a bit of time before I was comfortable on it, but I was cruising along on the highway after a few days.

Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:13 pm

Me, too. I went from a little 250cc lesson bike to my 500 pound cruiser. At first it felt heavy and I had a hard time with the cornering from a stop. But I got over that quite soon.
Now it feels nimble to me.

Just be gentle on your throttle when you first get on your bigger bike.

teabgs · #4 Unread post by **teabgs** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:15 pm

passed the course! THe offset weave was actually easy on day 2. I thought the cones had been set farther apart, but apparently not.

I did lock up the front wheel when doing the quick stops. On the plus side I stopped REALLY quickly

I'm alright though and so is the bike. I learned not to do that again!

Should be getting my bike in 2 days maybe...and hopefully go get my gear and license on saturday.

Does anyone know where I can get plans for setting up the MSF exercises on my own? I just need to distances for cones because I'd like to practice more before heading out on the road.

jstark47 · #5 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:30 pm

Congrats on passing your course!

Don't know the MSF course specs, but any "obstacle" course you make up and practice on will enhance your skills. In real life, obstacles don't conform to standard specs....

Shorts · #6 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:49 pm

Way to go!

Same idea as jstark said, you don't need specific measurements (you already passed!), you just need to get some exercises setup to keep yourself moving. It's a great time to experiement and run your own drills. You're limited by your imagination....err, maybe some other things too, but if you got markers and a parking lot - get to it

teabgs · #7 Unread post by **teabgs** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:38 pm

good point! I just figured the MSF specs were the way they are for a reason. I just don't want to make it too easy or too hard on myself. But yeah, I guess making it more random is better for sharpening my skills anyway.

Looks like I'll have the bike on thursday, not sure when I'll get the certificate to take to the DMV though. Next week I should be all good.

Locopez · #8 Unread post by **Locopez** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:46 am

jstark47 wrote:Congrats on passing your course!

Don't know the MSF course specs, but any "obstacle" course you make up and practice on will enhance your skills. In real life, obstacles don't conform to standard specs....

+1 for Jstark & +1 for shorts....

man...you can not plan for the things that happen on the road. If you can practice in a parking lot...then go to Target etc...and go to the sporting goods section....around the soccer items...they have those little orange cones...that are flat to the ground...just toss those around...if you miss you can roll over them.

Congrats on passing....ride safe!!!

qwerty · #9 Unread post by **qwerty** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:25 pm

Welcome to the family.

Did you not receive a BRC practice book when you finished the course? I did, and it describes all the exercises, but not necessarily the measurements.

Where I took the BRC, the stripes for the turns, weaves, etc. are all painted on the pavement. Dots signify cone locations for the various exercises. I go there when class is not in session and practice.

When I'm riding down a road with a dotted center stripe, and no traffic, it becomes a high-speed weave. Scares the heck out of the road turtles.

teabgs · #10 Unread post by **teabgs** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:57 pm

qwerty wrote:Welcome to the family.

Did you not receive a BRC practice book when you finished the course? I did, and it describes all the exercises, but not necessarily the measurements.

Where I took the BRC, the stripes for the turns, weaves, etc. are all painted on the pavement. Dots signify cone locations for the various exercises. I go there when class is not in session and practice.

When I'm riding down a road with a dotted center stripe, and no traffic, it becomes a high-speed weave. Scares the heck out of the road turtles.

No I didn't get a practice book, but I did get a reflective sticker!

I'll figure out a way to practice... At least I remember the exercises that we did in the class, so I can just try to recreate them on my own. I thought about going to the same parking lot to practice, but it's far from home and theres a nice parking lot diagonally across the street from me.