Wow... that's cool, good luck! I took my MSF class, and they postponed it as soon as a couple of drops hit the ground, so I'm surprised they would run it for you. I wish they would have though! It took em another month to get the rain dates done and us our licenses. Also, about being 6'3", it shouldn't be a problem on the bikes, I'm just an inch shorter, and I fit just fine on them.
Wrider
MSF course in the rain
I actually ended up taking my test in the snow..in April! You'll do fine, our instructors lowered the minimum speed for some of the parts, just dress well so that your mind is on the riding
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Well, thank you all for the support. I am sorry to say that I failed the Class. I am pretty bummed, but still determined to ride. I am just going to have to get some practice. I had never rode before. I am one of those people that needs more than nine hours of practice to learn the maneuvers correctly.
I didn't sleep well the night before the class and had a terrible case of insomnia (for the third time this week). So the next day the rain was the least of my problems. I was cold and tired, and unable to focus.
The nighthawk I rode gave me nothing but trouble with its touchy trottle and limited pedal space for my big a** feet. The boots I wore the first day were a disaster because they wouldn't fit between the peg and the gear shift. I wore different ones the next day and did much better but still had trouble getting my feet in there to shift without looking.
One of the instructors said that I was "letting the bike control me instead of controlling the bike". I thought I was doing pretty well until he said that.
It was later that I found out that this instructor did not pass the class the first time himself and still had trouble with some of the manuevers. He admitted that was one of the reasons that the other instructor did all of the demonstrations. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he is a bad instructor. Just not a good instructor for me.
I can do a re-test of the riding skills ( I got 98% on the written test). But it would be with the instructor that I am not that comfortable with. And it does not fit into my schedule at work at all. I am undecided about what to do about that. We have 90 days after the class is over to take a re-test. The weather here will limit my time for that as it will be snowing very soon and I also work weekends.
I am not making any excuses or blaming the instructor for failing this class. I know I need more experience. And I did learn to ride, I just need to learn to rider better. So, I thought I would go down to the DMV, take the written test and get my permit and get a cheap bike (preferable one I fit better-any reccomendations?) and practice more, then take the class again next spring.
Sorry for the long post, but I just mostly wanted to thank everyone for their support and let you know how it went.
I didn't sleep well the night before the class and had a terrible case of insomnia (for the third time this week). So the next day the rain was the least of my problems. I was cold and tired, and unable to focus.
The nighthawk I rode gave me nothing but trouble with its touchy trottle and limited pedal space for my big a** feet. The boots I wore the first day were a disaster because they wouldn't fit between the peg and the gear shift. I wore different ones the next day and did much better but still had trouble getting my feet in there to shift without looking.
One of the instructors said that I was "letting the bike control me instead of controlling the bike". I thought I was doing pretty well until he said that.
It was later that I found out that this instructor did not pass the class the first time himself and still had trouble with some of the manuevers. He admitted that was one of the reasons that the other instructor did all of the demonstrations. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he is a bad instructor. Just not a good instructor for me.
I can do a re-test of the riding skills ( I got 98% on the written test). But it would be with the instructor that I am not that comfortable with. And it does not fit into my schedule at work at all. I am undecided about what to do about that. We have 90 days after the class is over to take a re-test. The weather here will limit my time for that as it will be snowing very soon and I also work weekends.
I am not making any excuses or blaming the instructor for failing this class. I know I need more experience. And I did learn to ride, I just need to learn to rider better. So, I thought I would go down to the DMV, take the written test and get my permit and get a cheap bike (preferable one I fit better-any reccomendations?) and practice more, then take the class again next spring.
Sorry for the long post, but I just mostly wanted to thank everyone for their support and let you know how it went.
So sorry to hear you didn't pass the riding portion -- to be honest, it sounds like the deck was a bit stacked against you on this first try, especially given that you were tired going in. It really could have just been a "bad" day for you.
I had problems with the touchy throttle on the supplied bikes as well --- the slow speed manuevers were giving me fits until I tried them in second gear. I also have very large feet for my height (go figure) and have found that bringing my foot in from the side instead of trying to slip it between the footpeg and shifter from the top helps a bit.
Regardless, your excellent attitude and desire to try again will clearly carry the day. I would *definitely* try to take advantage of the extra chance to pass before re-taking the course and if you can get a bike to practice with, all the better. I guess the only concern would be that you would have to take the test on the supplied bike, but maybe on another day things would go smoother.
Were there any particular exercises that gave you a tough time? Maybe someone here will have some different approaches for you to try--- sounds like your instructor was lacking in that regard.
Hang in, it's all worth it in the end!
JT
I had problems with the touchy throttle on the supplied bikes as well --- the slow speed manuevers were giving me fits until I tried them in second gear. I also have very large feet for my height (go figure) and have found that bringing my foot in from the side instead of trying to slip it between the footpeg and shifter from the top helps a bit.
Regardless, your excellent attitude and desire to try again will clearly carry the day. I would *definitely* try to take advantage of the extra chance to pass before re-taking the course and if you can get a bike to practice with, all the better. I guess the only concern would be that you would have to take the test on the supplied bike, but maybe on another day things would go smoother.
Were there any particular exercises that gave you a tough time? Maybe someone here will have some different approaches for you to try--- sounds like your instructor was lacking in that regard.
Hang in, it's all worth it in the end!
JT
2007 H-D XL883 Low
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CajunBass
- Elite
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- Location: Chancelorsville, Virginia
Shoot. You did better than I did. I gave up after the first day on the track and didn't go back. (Almost exactly the same problems, except it wasn't raining.) Keep trying. You'll get there.
[color=red]For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.[/color]
John 3:16 (NKJV)
John 3:16 (NKJV)
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Falkenheld
- Veteran
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- Location: Niagara, Canada
The one problem I had was the clutch. I just couldn't smoothly let go of the clutch and accelerate, I'd always stall. That was partially the reason why I failed my first course, the other was partially blamed on a fall I had (non-serious) which may or may not have discouraged me. My re-test went better and I passed.
I was on a Honda CB250 and something about its clutch seemed weird, since I had zero problems with my own bike when I bought it. I sometimes think they modify the bikes to make sure you're really trying hard.
I was on a Honda CB250 and something about its clutch seemed weird, since I had zero problems with my own bike when I bought it. I sometimes think they modify the bikes to make sure you're really trying hard.
[b]1980 Honda CB400T[/b]