$#@!&^% Figure Eight!

[waylander]

I would love to be able to use the MSF scoring system as I nailed EVERYTHING else but of course didn't get the figure 8.

Here in Alberta you must pass all 8 individual tests to receive your licence. You get a maximum of three tries to complete each trial and a total of twelve tries overall.

Oh well, If I didn't pass this time I am sure I will next time. I would rather know my skills are there before hitting the road anyway.

Waylander
P.S. next test scheduled is July 3rd. I'll keep you all posted

[Lion_Lady]

All that's left is the test. I'm good on almost everything except for the dreaded figure eight. I know, I know, keep your head up and look where you want to go. Sounds simple right? WRONG. My problem always starts half way through when I have to switch directions I always end up going wide and can't recover.

...Wish me luck.
Waylander

Sorry I didn't see this until Wednesday evening...

Anyhow, just in case. One thing I notice about the figure eight (I'm an MSF instructor) is that folks tend to do one of two things: A. Fail to use the ENTIRE "box" >> beginning the LEFT turn about halfway down the length of the box. OR Fail to use the full width of the rectangle before beginning the right turn - you need to cross to nearly your entry point before beginning the RIGHT turn. B. Looking at the painted line... which practically guarantees that you'll cross it.

P

[Lion_Lady]

You can still pass the course if you fail the figure eight, so no need to spend money on bribes unless you plan on failing the rest of it.

+1. MSF riding test is scored on a points-loss system. You start with 100. Storysunfolding or LionLady will have to confirm, but I think 80 is passing, and the figure eight is worth 8. IOW you can totally blow the figure eight, and still have a 12 point margin before you fail.

Ummm. Actually you get "penalty points." A specific # for various "infractions" > foot touch or line cross in "The Box," going too slowly for the swerve or the cornering exercise, hitting the "obstacle" in the swerve exercise, braking beyond the standard for the quick stop - based on your speed, etc.

I'm trying to remember how many points is "no pass" for the MSF standard - I think 19 is the limit. In MD, however, the pass/fail limit is different (15 penalty points max - overall). You cannot receive more than 8 points in the Box. 10 penalty points in any of the other evaluation skills and you are an automatic fail.

P

[RhadamYgg]

You can still pass the course if you fail the figure eight, so no need to spend money on bribes unless you plan on failing the rest of it.

+1. MSF riding test is scored on a points-loss system. You start with 100. Storysunfolding or LionLady will have to confirm, but I think 80 is passing, and the figure eight is worth 8. IOW you can totally blow the figure eight, and still have a 12 point margin before you fail.

Ummm. Actually you get "penalty points." A specific # for various "infractions" > foot touch or line cross in "The Box," going too slowly for the swerve or the cornering exercise, hitting the "obstacle" in the swerve exercise, braking beyond the standard for the quick stop - based on your speed, etc.

I'm trying to remember how many points is "no pass" for the MSF standard - I think 19 is the limit. In MD, however, the pass/fail limit is different (15 penalty points max - overall). You cannot receive more than 8 points in the Box. 10 penalty points in any of the other evaluation skills and you are an automatic fail.

P

Yes, this is exactly what we had in my course. I got 15 points. Probably got the max in the figure 8.

RhadamYgg

[bearcat]

In Florida, where I took my course, if you got 20 points you failed. I got 3. Was going to slow in the curve.

[HYPERR]

When I bought my CBR600RR, Honda gave me a complimentary choice of either the BRC or the ERC from MSF. Since I had been riding for 18 years at the time(2004), I obviously opted for the ERC.

Now I'm sure that the figure 8s and the U-turns in the box are tighter in the ERC than the BRC but I was amazed that some of these guys(all on cruisers) that could not perform it without touching their foot down!
Maybe these guys should take the BRC course too.

[dean owens]

When I bought my CBR600RR, Honda gave me a complimentary choice of either the BRC or the ERC from MSF. Since I had been riding for 18 years at the time(2004), I obviously opted for the ERC.

Now I'm sure that the figure 8s and the U-turns in the box are tighter in the ERC than the BRC but I was amazed that some of these guys(all on cruisers) that could not perform it without touching their foot down!
Maybe these guys should take the BRC course too.

i think i would be one of those. i took the brc last year and got three points off in the box (went out one time). i keep practicing my u-turns and i want to take a course again next year. i've thought about taking the brc again so i could use their bike in the box. but i think i fall into the group that should take the erc. but i know i would struggle to do the box with my bike. not just struggle, i don't think i can do it. at least not yet. i keep hoping with more and more practice i'l get it.

[HYPERR]

When I bought my CBR600RR, Honda gave me a complimentary choice of either the BRC or the ERC from MSF. Since I had been riding for 18 years at the time(2004), I obviously opted for the ERC.

Now I'm sure that the figure 8s and the U-turns in the box are tighter in the ERC than the BRC but I was amazed that some of these guys(all on cruisers) that could not perform it without touching their foot down!
Maybe these guys should take the BRC course too.

i think i would be one of those. i took the brc last year and got three points off in the box (went out one time). i keep practicing my u-turns and i want to take a course again next year. i've thought about taking the brc again so i could use their bike in the box. but i think i fall into the group that should take the erc. but i know i would struggle to do the box with my bike. not just struggle, i don't think i can do it. at least not yet. i keep hoping with more and more practice i'l get it.

During the lunch break and throughout the down time, I got to know a lot of these guys and they were all pretty much guys that just took the BRC course recently. They all told me they are learning a lot from the ERC.

I think you should take the ERC. To take the BRC again would be a waste of time for you. You know the basics and you need to sharpen your skills. From my one time experience with the ERC, more people fall in your skill/experience level than not, so nothing to worry about it.

[bearcat]

Since my Suzuki is not running at the moment I've been riding my scooter. I try to practice my U's and 8's every day. The more I practice the easier it gets.

[Kibagari]

In Florida, where I took my course, if you got 20 points you failed. I got 3. Was going to slow in the curve.

What do you know, I got the same score for the same reason.