Started MSF this weekend

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deedee1 · #1 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:26 am

I started my msf this weekend and it was great until the cones. I could do eveything else just fine. But those stupid cones. In a staight line I can weave though em like nothing. But when they offset them I could not do but maybe the first couple. I was so frustated.

Any one have any suggetions on getting though them. It seems no matter how much I look or lean i can't do em maybe I am not looking enough or leaning enough? I don't know but now it is a quest with me to get those stupid things down. I will be practicing until my next class and hope that I get them down.

Another thing lol. I went on a longer ride with hubby yesterday. We went all the way into town. Which is about a 20 or 30 minute ride from our house. IT WAS AWESOME. I just needed to ride after doing all the exercises saturday. I did not get nervous once. Which for me is a small miracle with all the cars and then going into the stop lights in town. Which I have not had to do out where I live no stop lights or major intersections. Boy did it feel great.

but any way I am rambling. If any one has any suggestions on the cones please send em my way. Thanks.

Have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

#2 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:29 am

A lady in our MSF class had trouble with them too (and I'll admit I did too). What we both ended up doing is taking the first a little wide, to give ourself room to swerve for the next few, then you can do the last few with no problem, at least in my experience... Also might want to go out with your hubby and have him help you practice.

deedee1 · #3 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:37 am

Hubby and I are definitely going to go out and practice them. I am just so aggravated that I can't do them. Everything else was so easy. But those cones were enough to make me want to throw my hands up and scream.
I will try taking the first a little wider and see if that helps. thanks for the tip.

Have a geat one and ride safe
Deedee

dzervit · #4 Unread post by **dzervit** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:54 am

I'd venture to guess its all in your eyes. Look ahead and keep looking ahead... if your looking at the cone directly in front of you your screwed.

jstark47 · #5 Unread post by **jstark47** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:52 am

+1 to dzervit. Keep your visual horizon way up beyond the last cone in the line -- the cones aren't moving, you don't need to look at them, your body "knows" where they are.

Also, it **might** help to take the cones in 2nd gear and use the clutch to control your speed. Unless you have one of the rare bikes with a dry clutch, motorcycle clutches can be slipped without damage. Just a suggestion, it doesn't work for every rider and bike.

What are you riding?

deedee1 · #6 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:00 am

At home I ride a ninja 250. The course I am riding their suzuki gsx 250. I hate that bike lol. I have to lift my foot up and over for the rear brake and I have to amost completely slide my foot off the peg to shift. Its aggravating. But at least its theirs and not mine if I go down

I know I am looking at least one ahead. They said we have to do it in second gear which I was in but still seemed like I was either going to fast or gonna drop the bike grrrrrrr.

Maybe if i fail em I will still pas the class ha..

have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

Flipper · #7 Unread post by **Flipper** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:06 am

Never look at the cones. Your peripheral vision will be all you need to detect them.

As you approch each cone look ahead of it and above it , never look at the ground.
Also, don't be afraid to lean the bike.

Good Luck

Flipper

deedee1 · #8 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:32 am

Yeah I know thats one of my problems i am looking at the cones and not ahead. Bit it seems when I rectify that I have other issues like not leaning the bike enough. I need to practice and maybe I will be able to do it by the next time I go to class.

thanks again

Have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

Baltimore Newbie · Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:42 am

What has always worked for me in this type of slow speed maneuver, is dragging the rear brake a little. If you drag the rear brake a little, while keeping the bike pulling forward with the throttle, it might make it a little easier for you. Or if you don't want to give it any throttle, you could just slip the clutch in the friction zone like someone else mentioned. Not a lot of rear brake is needed. Just a light touch to kind of stabilize the bike a little while you're in second gear. It's the same technique I use in making slow tight u-turns. Hope this helps a little bit.

Shorts · #10 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:41 pm

Good thoughts above. Here's the revelations I've had about cones, they're the usual:

- look ahead and don't focus on cone in front.

- give a little gas (to steady yourself) as you exit a cone to swing out before turning to the next.

- swing out around wide so your rear will clear andyou don't split cones. it almost reminds me of skiing, how you just hop/swing back and forth, it almost seems dizzying, but that's the technique.

- trust the bike and your body to swing/sway. *this has go to be one of the toughest things to start doing, when you feel the bike swinging around, but move with it, let the bike work. During practice let the bike swa so you can feel it, and if you go out of the cones and cannot make it back, that's ok, you need to feel the bike move. If you get out of rhythm, no worries, just ease out of it and go around again. The best part is that you now know how the bike feels when its swings and you can work on the cones instead of how the bike feels.

- sit a hint upright if you can and place the front balls of your feet on the pegs that way you can move the bike and your lower body easier.

Don't let this drill poke your nerves. The smallest adjustment can make a world of difference. You know you know how to ride, you just have to figure out how to do that drill. You'll do fine, just stay relaxed