Advanced MSF course

[Indred]

OK I have over 1400 miles on my 06' Honda Shadow VLX 600 and I'm in the Army. I'm required to take the MSF but I get it for free because they make me take it. They enroled me in the advanced course as I already have my endorcement for my bike and have so many miles but not having taken the Basic course is there any thing I should study or pratice prior to taking it this wed morning. This is my first bike though I do have some experance on my friends dirt bike and even more and recient experance on my friends 4wheeler. I'm 25yo (26 in sep) and 5'9 130lbs and I consider my self pretty safety oriented. I know it is going to be a challange as it should but will it be with in my limits? I know that it is at my own pace and the worst that can happen is i blow a corner and go past a cone or some thing. (notice i'm not saying laying it down because i don't want to jinkx my self LOL). Advice please!!!

[Gadjet]

Grab your motorcycle training manual and practice all the low speed lot maneuvers:

Figure 8
U-turn in a box

That sort of thing.

[sharpmagna]

From what I hear, the ERC (Experienced Riders Course) is pretty much the BRC (Basic Riders Course) but on your own bike. Also they do things at a faster speed. So like what was said, practice your low speed maneuvers like the figure 8, slalom, emergency swerves, quick stops etc.

[Indred]

Thanks for your comments, I will do that. I just hope work doesn't hold me to much so i can pratice some tommrow and tue when i get off work. Any idea of the size that the box is? I live in Tx if that helps. I feel ok doing some of thoes things now. When i first got my bike i praticed on my street doing the slalom and other few things haven't done the figure 8 yet but i'm not stressing too much about it. I don't know may be I should. LOL thanks again

[Wrider]

Not sure about TX, but I just took the basic rider course this weekend here in CO. The box is 20 ft. wide by about 40 ft. long. (And just to let you know, one of the instructors showed us how to do it with his 1800 cc Goldwing showoff! lol) If you have any experience you should be fine. I had no experience, and did it on the advanced part my 3rd time. Anyway, good luck!
Wrider

[Indred]

thanks

[Indred]

any other thoughts to be able to pass the advanced course????

[Lion_Lady]

The ERC is done with a bigger box. (Forget how much bigger)... so folks can do it on their Wide Glide's etc.

Expect to learn a LOT regardless of how much you know. Many of the folks in my MC club re-take the ERC every 2-3 years to keep their skills tuned up.

The MSF teaches a bunch of the basics of "how NOT to die on the road" - including braking in curve, emergency swerving and 'panic braking' among others.

P

[isnowbrd]

Don't worry at all. You don't need to practice, prepare, or study anything in advance. Just show up and have fun.

The advanced rider's course is like a big party compared to the beginners. And you aren't required to do anything that you aren't comfortable with.

[Lion_Lady]

Don't worry at all. You don't need to practice, prepare, or study anything in advance. Just show up and have fun.

The advanced rider's course is like a big party compared to the beginners. And you aren't required to do anything that you aren't comfortable with.

That may be true, but part of the reason for taking the ERC is getting outside your comfort zone under supervision and guidance.

At the end of the course, you take the same riding test that is given for the BRC (using the bigger u-turn box). But you don't have to worry about NOT getting your "M" if you 'fail' because you've already got it (they won't take it away).

Yeah, the class is much lower key than the BRC but you can't help feeling a little bit of pressure to do well and complete all the excercises. Especially when you're riding with other folks who can ride.

P