Signed up for MSF, now nervous!

[Shorts]

I'm scheduled for the Aug 12-13 class here on base, incidently the ONLY one signed up at this time. I got a great deal = free. So that's nice. Hopefully I'll have my bike by the 17th of this month so I can practice. If I'm not ready for this class I'm going to bump it backto the Sept BRC.

Does anyone know the riding drills? I really need to ace those. I know I know, some might reply, "oh its totally easy". And that's fine, but I need to go in there handling the bike very comfortably through those drills. I've been told by our Navy MSF instructor that the AF side of this is going to flip out when (not if) they find out I'm only riding with one arm. The Navy instructor loved the fact I was coming in. He and his wife (who also rides) were actually pretty excited and very supportive. He said he would definitely work with me to make sure I got through properly. And that kinda support from an MSF instructor I'm so grateful to have. Unfortunately, like I said, the AF will not like it. And they will find out. They inspect each bike for safety before anyone rides (since we supply our own bikes for the course). So, unless the AF MSF instructor is blind, someone might question why I have the brake and clutch on the same side. And unfortunately since this is an air base, the AF runs things. They're real hecklers about everything.

Anyhow, I have mixed feelings about my MSF course coming up. I'm nervous because I want to get through it. I get nervous for any challenge (it's a sign I can still get excited and mentally prepped for competition), and I usually do well. But I'm also concerned about the AF throwing up disapproving roadblocks just because I'm only riding with one good arm. Now, they can treat me mean, not give me tips, or just be plain rude, I can handle that. But what I won't be able to handle, is if I DO perform and pass with flying colors, that they deny my certificate of completion simply because of one arm.

So, you see my need and desire to perform like the shiznit when I do take the class?? I want to leave no doubt that I can handle my motorcycle.

Hmm, I made this post long, sorry yall. Any input on the MSF riding skills I'd really appreciate. As soon as I get my bike and get the controls setup, I'm going to get out as much as I can to practice 'til I can ride in my sleep.

Any thoughts?

[VermilionX]

my advice is just relax.

but since it's the army... they'll probably shout profanities if you do something they don't like.

anyway... im sure you'll do fine.

[LJTurtle]

Are you doing the class in the states?

I just passed my MSF here in Washington state two weeks ago, and it was very easy for me. To graduate, you had to do four excercises: do two consecutive U-turns (basically a figure-8 without having to cross it at the end in a 20 ft. wide area, do a swerve in one direction, do a quick stop, and one turn. You go through every one of the excercises during the class, and if you have good control of your bike and confidence in yourself, it should be a piece of cake. Riding with only one arm adds a degree of difficulty, since you'll have to get used to push AND pull the handlebar with your arm, depending on the direction of the turn. Also, stability may be harder to attain.

I'm interested to know how your controls are configured. Can you activate the clutch and break simultaneously easily? If you can and are reasonably well coordinated, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

I really don't have a clue as to how hard it is to ride a motorcycle using one arm, but if you can practice with a properly configured bike and be able to initiate turns in both directions and stop comfortably, you'll have no problem with an MSF course.



~LJ

[Shorts]

Verm, its the Navy

LJTurtle, congrats on passing your course. Thank for the info on the course. DH completed his in WA as well. We are not in the States, rather Japan. To tell you how much a pain the AF has been, DH has been M licensed for 2 years, it's on his TX DL. But when he went in to get his bike registered, the AF completely ignored his license until he completed the motorcycle mentor program (even though he's Navy, Navy doesn't require it, motorcycle mentor program is an AF thing), and he's also required to take the ERC within a certain amount of time.

Anyhow, they like to play these reindeer games.

You are correct about needing to push and pull on the handlebar in order to steer since I can't with the left arm. I'm actually hoping to be wearing an arm brace which will hold my elbow static so I can lean on that left side (we shall see). Strapping on my gear when its riding time will definitely be a give away 'somethin ain't right'

As for the clutch and brake, they'll just be sorta in tandem there on the right. So, coordination will take a little to get use to, but I should be able to get that down alright. I'll also need to scoot a switch or two to the right, so, I'll have to look at the bike to see how exactly I'll do that.

[MikeyDude]

My suggestion is to just relax. The more stressed you are about it, the tougher it'll be. There's nothing you can't handle there, and they take things at a smooth pace and you have time to practice these things.

...do two consecutive U-turns (basically a figure-8 without having to cross it at the end in a 20 ft. wide area,

~LJ

20 Ft wide? Too easy Drill Seargent! At my MSF this weekend it was 14 feet wide.

[Loonette]

Since you have to provide your own bike, the most "practice" you should need is to get used to how your new bike feels to you. And I wouldn't explain anything more to the instructor than that which is absolutely necessary. Pretend like you're on the witness stand. If he asks "why" about the controls, just give the most simplistic and brief response as possible. If he asks a yes-or-no type question, just answer "yes" or "no". He may be curious as to the differences that you'll have, but if you seem settled and assured with your situation, then hopefully he will be as well.

Good luck!! Stay positive, and keep us informed.

Cheers,
Loonette

[roscowgo]

my advice is just relax.

but since it's the army... they'll probably shout profanities if you do something they don't like.

anyway... im sure you'll do fine.

Heck V, that aint got nothin go to do with the military.... Just find a really crochety old geezer and get him to teach you to do something. Them old timers can Really let loose.


Of course i come from a place where you will fairly often hear the question, " you ever tried groundhog?" Maybe its different here.

[1will]

the test at the brc conducted by maryland mva consisted of

1. the figure 8 box

2. a swerve through a cone box/imaginary obstacle that they set up, with a minimum approaching speed. they told us it was supposed to be a school bus we were avoiding. heh.

3. quick stop, with maximum permissible stopping distance calculated based on approaching speed.

4. finally was the cornering evaluation. we were required to maintain a certain speed through a curve painted on the pavement. this was the most stressful, honestly. the penalty for crossing the boundaries was not enough to automatically fail you from the class but would preclude you from getting the license waiver-- 10 pts.

dropping the bike results in an automatic fail, as does an "intentional unsafe act." other than that there are various mistakes you accrue points for in each of the evals. there is a maximum number of points you are allowed while still passing the course.

stopping in a curve was the only real "theme" that was taught and practiced but not tested.

the two range days are a lot of riding various configurations of circles, stop and goes, cone weaves, low speed straight line riding, and of course each of the items on the test was taught as a lesson and practiced before the test itself.

this site is a good read if you've not seen it already:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/N ... /BAmsf.asp

best of luck! but you won't need it, you'll do just fine.

[Shorts]

Thanks for the support yall. Things can get to me now and again how hard I often have to fight (dammit! I didn't always have one arm!) You're all right about relaxing and just going out and riding.

I talked to DH about it last night. Made me feel better too. Loonette, I think you're spot on about not volunteering info and that's how I'm going to play it. There's no way I can hide it, heck, just the way I put on gear (slowly and one-handed lol) is a dead give away. And if I'm wearing an elbow brace outside my jacket....hmmmm

DH said some magic words that put my stress of 'hiding' my challenge at ease. He says "sweetie, if they want to play the game of not letting you because the AF rules don't specifically say 'You can ride a motorcycle with one arm', then we bring in the big guns, the Admiral and the COS. They trump anyone here". Funny thing, the Admiral and his sons ride MotoX and we often talk bikes when we get together at functions. And the COS will put his foot down as well (there are a lot of 'territory wars' here). Hearing that has taken a bit of the weight off my shoulders. The Navy works in the way that if the rules don't say 'you can't', then that is acceptable.

Anyhow, thanks again. I'll keep yall updated on the progress. I'm eager to get the bike home so I can get to work on it while its still rainy outside.