the MSF course, and, buying a bike

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Jiffylube851 · Sat Sep 08, 2007 4:40 pm

I have the 2nd day of the MSF beginner class tomorrow. I'm kind of worried, I kept on stalling the bike today, and my weaving isn't very tight. Shifting is fine, and everything. I had never ridden a bike before - do they really expect you to pass the test on 8 hours of riding?

Anyway, let's say I do pass...

I want to get a KLR 650. I'm very tall, and I plan to use the bike for commuting and would like to access forest service roads. Seems like a perfect match for me. What are your thoughts on this?

Now - I'd be getting a used bike.

a) For a bike in this price range - say $2000-$4000 - is it worth getting a mechanic to inspect it? If so, how do you get one to do it? Do you need to plan an appointment with the mechanic and the owner, or do you just ask the owner to get it checked out, or what? What are the logistics of this?

b) How do I get it home?

Kibagari · #2 Unread post by **Kibagari** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 4:57 pm

Here's a tip that helped me: Ease out the clutch. When you start moving forward, don't release it, hold it there, hit the throttle a bit, and THEN release.

You won't stall as much.

Flesher · #3 Unread post by **Flesher** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:03 pm

+1 on the tip to ease out the clutch. Also try to relax and enjoy the course, it's not all about the test (easier said than done, I know)

You can offer to pay a mechanic to come with you to look at the bike. As for getting it home, you can ask the seller to ride it to your house for you and you give him/her a lift home in your car, or you can rent a trailer and take it home.

DonFree · #4 Unread post by **DonFree** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:09 am

Just passed my MSF yesterday. Also first time rider/ never used a clutch. Liked the comment about finding the friction zone and holding it there. Start walking with the bike until it gets going, then release the clutch and you will be OK. Also, keep your head up and eyes forward, instuctors told me that and it helped a lot.

acritzer · #5 Unread post by **acritzer** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:14 am

I'm also a recent BRC graduate. As for stalling, I'd say ease out slowly on the clutch and don't be afraid to let it pull you forward for a while, once it's in the friction zone. I had never driven a manual car before, but I knew all about being hard on clutches....don't worry about that for range bikes (or bikes in general) it's not nearly as big of a deal.

BMK · #6 Unread post by **BMK** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:48 am

You potentially have a lot of resources right in your MSF clas. The instructors and some of the other riders in the class very well may know a good mechanic to recommend to you in the area.

When I first bought my bike ( new from a dealer) I had my brother-in-laww, a very experienced rider, ride it home for me. I wasn't confident enough to take it on the highways yet. Also, it allowed a knowledgable rider to look, listen and feel how it rode, since I didn't really know what to look for.

Brackstone · Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:22 pm

Where I am in Jersey it's pretty much all highways and very heavily congested commuter areas.

I paid the dealership to deliver my bike and I bought a new one.

I kept putting off getting on the bike because the only road I can get on to exit my Associations is a 40mph!

I forced myself to do it and haven't looked back!

Take your time and have fun!

Derail · #8 Unread post by **Derail** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:33 pm

cheapest way would be to have an experienced rider friend ride it home. No way my Harley born and raised parents getting on my crotch rocket though. So before I bought my bike the owner let me practice on it a few times in a closed parking lot and on slow speed roads. Eventually he brought it to my house but forgot to fill it up. So I was forced to take my first road test before reserve ran out.

Good luck and let us know how the bike is on those roads after you get it! I love my bike but something more offroad comfortable would be nice(I enjoy taking traffic cuts on the way to school.)