Tips on bypassing the MSF?

[saramin]

Hey all.

I'm looking to get into motorcycling for the first time and have been looking around local MSF sites, but unfortunately due to my working hours (weekends are busy) and remote living location it's pretty unfeasible right now. I do plan on taking it eventually but in the meantime I'd like to hit the ground running. So for the moment I'm basically sitting on a motorcycle permit and some good leads for local deals on starter bikes. While I've been driving for a few years now, my sole experience with bikes has been a book and just popular knowledge. Is there an alternative to the MSF that would be more informative and safer than just buying a bike and riding from scratch or is my best bet to just take it slowly and wing it? While I could probably buy a bike and then just ride it around the parkinglot for a few hours until I'm comfortable to step gingerly onto the road, I'd rather take a somewhat less suicidal approach. No friends into motorcycling nearby to teach me either.

Any thoughts?

[cb360]

Lots of people learn to ride solo. I'd still highly recommend the MSF. It'll make you a better, safer rider. If it just ain't gonna happen, I'd invest in a copy of Proficient Motorcycling. It takes a long time to break bad habits... that's why it's better off not getting used to them in the first place.

[DivideOverflow]

Yeah, proficient motorcycling. I bought that before I took the MSF, so I already knew most of the skills before I went... I just got to practice them, and had instructors to tell me what I was doing wrong.

[gitarjunky]

yeah, another great book to pick up is "sport riding techniques" by nick ienatsch....don't let the title fool you. this book isn't geared towards speed craving track racers, it gives you excellent tips for riding on the street on any kind of bike, complete with color photos and diagrams. i think it is more concise and easier to read than proficient motorcycling as well (not that proficient motorcycling isn't a great book, i just read them both back to back and found the latter easier to read)...you read a lot when the msf course is only 2 weeks away and you don't quite have the $$ for a bike yet! javascript:emoticon('')

[ronboskz650sr]

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

This site has many useful exercises and also has videos you can order. Low speed practice will make you much more confident as you learn how the bike responds to your inputs. Go there and take a look, even has diagrams you can use to set up your own figure eight and slalom exercises.

[Scoutmedic]

Try finding someone who has been through the MSF and is willing to work with you. Hopefully, they could watch you and run you through the drills. It will provide someone to give you feedback rather than relying on yourself to recognize any mistakes.

[dr_bar]

My advice, since you asked...


DON"T !!!

[Analog]

If you are a smart, careful person, I belive you can learn the basics yourself. (along with a little help from books, magazines and the veterans here at the forums)

I have been doing very well on my first bike that i just got 3 weeks ago.

I ride every day to practice (and for fun), and I simply stay off the freeways and any other situation that is obviously out of my range... Luckily, I am presently staying in a house that is in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, so I have been able to practice my turns, leaning and shifting in a more controlled environment....

When I signed up for my MSF class, the earliest one was 3 weeks away, and there's no way I'm going to sit on my new bike for 3 weeks without riding it , ... so I've just been cautiously teaching myself... I have my permit, and I just completed the in-class portion of the MSF last night, so next week is the on the range for 2 days, then I'm done!

My advice is be careful and practice...

[Scott58]

30 years ago they didn't have all the classes and stuff they do now and we seemed to survive. Take it slow. Find a parking lot and practice. As you get more confident you'll travel farther and farther from that lot. keep your wits about you and good luck.

[dr_bar]

30 years ago they didn't have all the classes and stuff they do now and we seemed to survive.

30+ years ago I took the BC safety council motorcycle course...