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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:46 pm
by nightingale
i read "porficient motocycling" before i took the MSF class. With the combo of the book, and the class, i couldn't believe how much more confidence i had when i was riding.
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:02 pm
by Kal
If it absolutely cannot be done I'd suggest you take it real easy.
Try out lots of bikes to find one that is the right height/weight for you. Its best if you can put at least one foot down flat without leaning the bike over.
Get familiar with the controls and how the bike feels unpowered. Then somewhere off the road start practising the MSF drills. Starting the bike and stopping it, low speed maneuvors and finally changing gear and doing the smae drills at slightly faster speeds.
Dont rush yourself to get on the road.
Tale it real easy.
Read the suggest material
Take the MSF course as soon as you can.
Invest in safety gear
If you can ride with someone more experienced - do so.
Have fun and take care
Student Handbook
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:55 am
by Scoutmedic
You can download the MSF student handbook from the PA MSP site listed in my signature. You can also download the first 2 chapters from the MSF-USA site as well as other tips and documents.
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:17 am
by wally hooker
i just took the MSF course so it's pretty fresh in my mind. I would read the book "proficient motorcycing" for sure! Then get to a parking lot as often as possible and practice, practice, practice. Practice hard breaking while looking straight forward. Practice emergency swerving around a barrier of cones or empty soda cans. Practice cornering. Remember, look where you want to go! And never look down! LOL -The instructors love yelling that at you! Master slow turns. The right turn from a stop is crucial. Practice slow u-turns. Above all, read the book and learn to think like a safe rider, ingraining the SEE method, so it becomes automatic. Never get complacent.
Wally
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:08 pm
by PhilD9er
If you live in California, go to the DMV on the weekends and practice on their test course. I found it quite attention-demanding on my 900 when I took the test, a good low-speed challenge.
If you don't live in Ca, but have a parking lot, or even the end of a cul-de sac, to practice on, I could describe the course for you.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:22 pm
by Toyuzu
If you are determined to learn on your own, the best advice I can give is to start with the smallest, lightest bike you can find. If it isn't going to be your primary transportation, you might even consider something under 250cc's. That may sound rediculous, but there is a great advantage to having a bike you can almost literally pick up off the ground if you've never ridden before and intend to teach yourself.
Weight and/or too much power are the biggest enemies to a new rider.