Passed the MSF today!

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FlyerPhil · #1 Unread post by **FlyerPhil** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:36 pm

Clutch intensive, should preface that I've never driven standard:

I'm very happy and VERY surprised. I did very poorly yesterday, kept stalling and had trouble with most of the low speed-friction zone parts. I was much better with the faster bits. Any exercise that let me get in 2nd gear I did okay on. Did much better today, though the thing I learned most from the MSF is that I need more practice.

I had kind of an unusual class in that most everyone had significant riding experience and most already had bikes.

After yesterday I was sure I wasn't going to pass and went today as an opportunity to learn, I didn't seriously consider that I could pass the rider test, though I knew I'd ace the written.

I did much better today, doing well on turns and stalling much less. Was abysmal on the figure 8 (blew it on the test too), though I did very well on the swerves and maximum effort stops.

#2 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:39 pm

congradulations man, now ya just gotta get a bike and get out on the road

JWF

Randy95 · #3 Unread post by **Randy95** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:40 pm

congrats

#4 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:43 pm

The key to the figure eight is to try to take each corner as wide as you can. Keep your chin up and as soon as you pass one set of pylons look in the direction of the next one. If you cut one corner short it knocks you outta whack for every corner that follows, which basically means you spend the rest of the test fighting to get back into a good position to complete it.
That being said, it's always good to see another rider out there. Keep up the hard work.

Chris8187 · #5 Unread post by **Chris8187** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:18 pm

How many states have the figure eight as part of the test because new jersey doesn't? I know it is good to practice though for ability to control bike. I gues New Jersey's version of this is the cones in a line off-centered, so people have to weave back and forth.

#6 Unread post by **KeithB** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:29 pm

way to go man, good job

chwilson0607 · Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:20 am

Great job. I am in the same position you were in - I believe the other classmates (11 of them) have previous experience and bikes although it ranged quite a bit. At the start, I was feeling a little out of place since I was the only one without any time on a bike.

Again congratulations - now get out there and practice....

Carl

jstark47 · #8 Unread post by **jstark47** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:17 am

Chris8187 wrote:How many states have the figure eight as part of the test because new jersey doesn't? I know it is good to practice though for ability to control bike. I gues New Jersey's version of this is the cones in a line off-centered, so people have to weave back and forth.

Chris,

Jersey has a hard right U turn at the end of the cone weave exercise that's basically half of a figure 8. I practiced this a lot before taking the MSF, so the figure 8 in the MSF was not a problem, it used the same skill. (I messed up the braking instead, but not enough to flunk the MSF!)

Dash Riproc · Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:14 am

Congratulations!...I'm sure your thrilled. I hope to join that club after I take my course this weekend!!

jmillheiser · Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:05 pm

definately practice those figure 8s even after the course too.

you would be suprised how often being able to cut a tight turn like that will come in handy when out on the street. Also spend lots of time getting to know that clutch if your not totally comfortable with it yet. And definately practice swerving and emergency stopping, these two can save your "O Ring".

I have been riding a couple of months now and I still take some time to go find a parking lot and practice figure 8s, swerves and emergency stops.

I have also found a nearly deserted backroad a few miles outside of town that is totally straight and I can practice emergency stopping from highway speeds there (I have learned that my bikes brakes are pretty weak above 50mph)