Total Motorcycle Community Forums

ragin cajun wrote:I'm getting very anxious for my class this weekend. The butterflies are killing me. I'll probably quit sleeping on Thursday.

I went by a bike shop the other day and was flatout stunned by how big the bikes looked (in real life) compared to surfing the internet and looking at bikes there. I guess that's contributing to my nervousness. Glad to hear that it wasn't as tough as I'm thinking.

Nerves are what will kill you in the course, especially the road test. It's hard only if you don't pay attention and practice when you can. They put you on smaller bikes - 125's and 250's, so don't sweat it. You'll do fine!

Those 125s are TINY. Don't sorry about the size someone who is 5' can flat foot those bikes.

ragin cajun wrote:I went by a bike shop the other day and was flatout stunned by how big the bikes looked (in real life) compared to surfing the internet and looking at bikes there.

Looks can be misleading. When you're ready to buy, go to a dealership and ask to sit on some bikes. You might be surprised what "feels" big and what doesn't.

Bubba & Cam are right, the MSF bikes are small. For a big guy like me, the trouble was finding a bike big enough (so the handlebar didn't bang my knees) at MSF.

jstark47 wrote:Bubba & Cam are right, the MSF bikes are small. For a big guy like me, the trouble was finding a bike big enough (so the handlebar didn't bang my knees) at MSF.

I had the same problem as Stark - kept settin my foot down cuz the bike I was on was too small and I would swing my knee out. An instructor noticed the problem I was having an hour before the exam and had me switch bikes - with an hour of practice on a new bike I passed.

Im glad I didn't get thrown on a cruiser when I took the MSF, I was on a dual sport and had an easier time on certain exercises like the figure 8. I was the only person in my MSF cousre to go into the course with zero riding experience and did better than a lot of the people who did have riding experience.

jmillheiser wrote:Im glad I didn't get thrown on a cruiser when I took the MSF, I was on a dual sport and had an easier time on certain exercises like the figure 8.

Yeah, they had 2 TW200's in my course, and me and one other big guy got them. Everyone else had GZ250's, except for one Nighthawk. I agree with Millheiser, I'm very glad I pulled the TW200, it made the slow speed turns ridiculously easy.

TW200 wheelbase is 5 inches less than GZ250, seating position is straight-up standard, and it weighs 40 lbs less than the GZ. Goofy-looking bike, but a blessing in disguise for the figure 8.

looks like most of the MSF MD people passed. that's cool. gonna check out some dealerships this weekend. I went to dmv today and got endorsment put on my license. don't forget to get your MSF card back