Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I was in the same boat, the only one with NO (zero) experience and about half the class rolled up on their bikes. I thought 'this sucks, I'm going to look like such a chump'. It wasn't bad though, they start off slow and build on the skills. I held my own for the most part, a couple of screw ups but nothing too bad. The only one that dropped a bike was the guy that came in to class the second day on his 1200. He braked while turning. Every one in my class passed.

Just focus on the fact that you are there to learn and don't worry about the others. Good luck and safe riding.

Not only was I the only absolute beginner in my class...I was the only woman. The guys in the class were ok, but the instructor was a "O-ring".

Like everyone else said...you're there to learn...those other experienced people...they were once beginners, too.

Have some fun with it and don't worry about the others.

I took some kayaking lessons for beginners once. I was the only beginner. The others all had experience. The instructor made a point of...we only go as fast as the slowest person...that would have been me...
We all had a good time...even after I rolled into the water...I was still smiling.
You will find it the same in the motorcycle lessons. Some of the people who signed up are there probably only so they can get their license. You're their to learn a new skill.

Just enjoy the experience.

lots of good advice from everyone here superfly! I'm still a noob - took my msf in June and it was my first time on a bike.

some of the ppl in the class were great, some weren't, but it was much more about me, my bike, and the instructor than anyone else!

'enjoy the ride' is oft-spoken, but take it to heart - those classes were the most fun I'd had in YEARS!

I loved every minute on the bike, even when I struggled. Enjoy the ride!!

Day 1 down. I'm exhausted I haven't slept since 1pm yesterday when i woke up. And it's been about 5 hours in the last 36. Anyways 5 hour energy is quite good.

Now on to more pressing matters.

We learned on GZ250's pretty decent little motorcycle to learn on. No drops today. However, I'm having quite some problems with shifting (I never drove a manual car and first time on a motorbike.)

So to start the day off, I must have stalled the bike 15 times before the instructor helped me get going. I'm having the most trouble starting from a stop. I'm having trouble with:

A) Friction zone and know how much gas to put on an how much clutch to leave out.
B) When Upshifting to 2/3 I'm shifting extremely hard and getting lunged forward. How do I correct this? I guess I'm having trouble leaving out "slow"
C) When downshifting, specifically during the quick stop routine, The bike is going into neutral instead of 1st. I feel i'm really pressing down on it more then a half click.


Overall, I think I did okay with the turning exercises. Some Should have been done at higher speeds they said. But overall it's been good. In the end I learned more at the end of the day then the beginning.

Also they have us shifting while turning. It doesn't feel quite safe too me, especially considering I'm shifting so hard. Help plz!

Oh, and alot of the older guys who haven't ridden in awhile or taught themselves how to ride were really nice and told me to keep at it. The younger guys didn't have much to say, was pretty awkward.

You will get used to the clutch/throttle control. Being tired does not help. The next time you go, you will probably be better than you were today.

Your brain will funtion better when it is rested. Also, make sure you eat and keep hydrated. When you are running on empty, everything is more challenging.

Also...most people stall a lot when they first begin.

Superfly3176 wrote:So I started it last night, it goes through sunday (Sat & sun riding). I know some of you are MSF or similar trainers, but I feel so out of place. Out of twelve people in the class I'm the only one who's never ridden a motorcycle. The instructor says that I'll be the easiest to teach and we're there to improve our own skills not compete with others. I can't help but think I'm going to stall out a bunch of times a look like an idiot.


Anyway, the other thing I don't get is that it seems like a natural progression before you start riding to take this course, am I wrong in thinking this?

I had no riding experience before taking the MSF. A lot of other people in the class had lots of experience - some of it sliding across the ground.

Definitely, take the course before riding. At the very least it'll teach you how the clutch works and about the friction zone on a bike - that isn't yours!

Try and keep contact information with some of the people you meet in the course. Might be nice to catch up with them later on - or ride with them!

RhadamYgg

Oh man, do I ever hate it when I stall my bike. I haven't done it in a little while now.

One of the times I rode in to work, stuck in stop and go traffic approaching the GWB and this guy in a pick up asks 'Hey what kind of bike is that?'

I answer - with my full face helmet closed, so I open it and answer again... While manipulating the clutch and I accidentally let it all the way out with no throttle...

Ughhh embarrasing.

RhadamYgg

I had no experience before taking the MSF BRC either. I was in a good class, with a good mix of ages, and everyone was very supportive of each other. We all wanted to see each other succeed.

I stalled my bike during the BRC, more than once, and I had manual transmission experience before the course. I've stalled once or twice since then, but I am learning.

I also had some problems with getting OFF the throttle while coming to a stop. To be fair, a little was the bike; you could remove your hand from the grip and it was still racing. They adjusted it, and that helped.

Superfly3176 wrote: So to start the day off, I must have stalled the bike 15 times before the instructor helped me get going. I'm having the most trouble starting from a stop. I'm having trouble with:

A) Friction zone and know how much gas to put on an how much clutch to leave out.\

i found that whenever i was waiting during the brc, which was often - i repeated the first friction zone exercise - letting the clutch out slowly until the bike rolled just enough for my feet to be flat, then rocked back, did it again. that REALLY helped me work out how to feather the clutch - that exercise was one of the most effective in the course for helping me learn to control the bike.... try it

-Z

It went awesome today. I only stalled out like 2 times. Everyone from my class passed the test! I even thought I did better then a few people when it came to the figure 8.

When I got my license everyone was like wow if someone who never road a bike before can do it!

We did have one drop today. The first person who did a stop in a turn where you are supposed to straighten the bike up, ended up dumping it. Looked like he didn't get it straight. All in all, I still have lots to work on with the clutch but I'm really happy!


Thanks for the advice and support guys and gals.