I passed the MSF course today!

[angrypeppers]

Yep, passed it. I was a bit nervous, but did OK. Ended up with nine penalty points, three each for: dabbed my foot in the Uturns, went over a line in the Uturns, and didn't stop short enough. I knew the Uturn would cause me problems, since I just hadn't practiced that enough. But the stopping distance penalty shouldn't have happened. I got going too fast, so it was my own fault.

So now, I really have to start seriously shopping for a bike!

Thx!
CC

[Ninja Geoff]

Congrats!

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who nailed the u-turns at the MSF class i keed, i keed.

But yeah, i got 4 points on the stopping part myself. I blame it on the dual drum brakes

Was it fun or what? And on the u-turns, practice practice! And trust the bike and steady throttle and you'll nail them no prob.

[angrypeppers]

Only one out of the 12 in the class didn't get points in the Uturns, so I guess I don't feel too bad, but I still wish I did better! The class was a lot of fun! We had two great instructors, which made the weekend even better. None of the drills were boring, and the other people in the class were great. I was kinda surprised that we had six females and six males...I would have thought that there would be more guys. Made the class even more interesting!

I can't blame the brakes. I was on a Suzuki GZ250, which has a disc front. I was surprised at the Nighthawks though. Some in the class had a lot of trouble finding neutral with them.

For the bikes in our class, we had Honda Rebels, Kawasaki Eliminators, Nighthawks, and Suzukis...no dual sports, though there was one Yamaha in another class. Wish I had used my own helmet.

Chris

[Ninja Geoff]

Don't let the u-turns get you down! Once you get a bike, practice them! A lot. Eventually, you'll get good enough at slow speed maneuvers that you can ride with a knee on the saddle and turn at the same time (yes, I've practiced this on my dirtbike ). Though by saying that, i don't mean be a squid, but really lern to ride the bike at all speeds. Am I right by assuming the one person who nailed the u-turns was one of them young punks with a dirtbike?

My favorite was the fast turn/slow look lean roll exersice. I just nailed the throttle and didn't slow down for the turn . The instructor made me do it again cause i was faster coming out of the turn then going in and he wanted to make sure i knew to use both brakes if need to slow.

The slalom was fun as well.

[BigChickenStrips]

congrats! i just passed a few weeks ago. went out and bought a BRAND NEW 2006 kawi ninja 250R and within 2 hours of owning it, i already used a technique they taught me to keep from dumping the bike. see my thread called "how i got my moneys worth from the MSF" here in the new to bikers forum. also, i dont know what kind of bikes you looking at/ your buget but i am having a blast on my ninja 250. (and im 6'2" and 240lbs so im not even a small guy to be riding that bike)

good luck and have fun.

[Npeart]

Congrats! I just got my license last Sunday. I had never been on a motorcycle before. It was quite the experience. I actually struggled on the 250cc. My legs are long and shifting and rear braking were a real problem. I hope I have better luck on the 1100cc I just bought.

Good luck and be safe.

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Congrats on passing and good luck with the bike shopping!

[jstark47]

......didn't stop short enough. I knew the Uturn would cause me problems, since I just hadn't practiced that enough. But the stopping distance penalty shouldn't have happened. I got going too fast, so it was my own fault.

Congratulations on passing, good luck with your bike search!

The only points I lost on the MSF were braking. I was so concerned about not anticipating the line where you start braking, I went too far before I started braking. I think I was going at a pretty good clip, too.

Now I ride a Triumph new Bonneville, which in stock form has no appreciable braking power anyway, (you stop it with engine braking) so I just don't worry about braking!!!

[SuperRookie]

......didn't stop short enough. I knew the Uturn would cause me problems, since I just hadn't practiced that enough. But the stopping distance penalty shouldn't have happened. I got going too fast, so it was my own fault.

Now I ride a Triumph new Bonneville, which in stock form has no appreciable braking power anyway, (you stop it with engine braking) so I just don't worry about braking!!!

Your instructors should have explained as well that 'u-turns', while handy, can help you to save face by not dumping your ride in front of others. Low speed maneuvers require practice, which builds skill and confidence. Braking, however, is more of a 'life-saving' maneuver and you would do well to worry about knowing how to brake. Much more important than u-turns will ever be. Sure, sure...stopping from 20mph is no big deal. The problem I find is, who has an area where they can practice balls-out, front-brake-howling-on-the-verge-of-lock-up panic stops from highway speeds of 70mph? Floyd Bennet Field anyone??

[bok]

congrats and watch out for the Texas yahoos on the 25 when you get your new baby