MSF in one month...

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teabgs · #1 Unread post by **teabgs** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:21 pm

Hey everyone! I'm a total noob when it comes to motorcycles, I've been a passenger once, which I loved, and thats the extent of my experience on a motorcycle. However, I've wanted to learn to ride for a few years and the timing is finally right so I've signed up for a MSF that starts on Jan 4th. I figure it's one hell of a way to start the new year.

I have a ton of questions but I'll try to hold them back until I've gone through this site/forum more and taken the class, because I'm sure many things will be answered there. As long as I like it, as of now I want to be able to ride to/from work everyday since I now live in Los Angeles and have beautiful weather all year 'round.

I'm just excited to be learning to ride soon (not soon enough) and just wanted to say hi and give warning of questions to come, and I'll try not to repost anything already asked.

Peace!
J

BlueBomber · Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:52 pm

Welcome! Make yourself right at home!

I would like to suggest a few books to read to get you ready to get the most out of the MSF course. There's the MSF book titled The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence, The Complete Idiots' Guide to Motorcycles, Proficent Motorycly, More Proficint Motorcycling, A Twist of the Wrist, A Twist of the Wrist II

I own the first two mentioned and I've ready proficent motorcycling. All helped in some way.

\/\/

anarchy · #3 Unread post by **anarchy** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:22 am

welcome teabgs,

sounds like you have the right approach... take the class, ask as many questions as you can... remember, the msf class is a basic rider course - you'll still want (and need) to practice before becoming a daily commuter. as bluebomber suggested, read some books and other materials - you can't learn too much about riding...

great to have you aboard...

Loonette · #4 Unread post by **Loonette** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:53 am

Welcome to your new addiction! Enjoy the forums.

Cheers,
Loonette

teabgs · #5 Unread post by **teabgs** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:51 am

Thanks everyone, I'm looking forward to the new addiction

I'll try and get in as much reading as I can before the class if I have time. I've read the CA DMV's motorcycle book already, which was somewhat helpful but not nearly as helpful as the suggested books I imagine. Some of what I read didn't make as much sense as I think it will once I'm ON a bike and can see/feel how it works. I'm a very hands-on kind of guy.

I know it'll be a while before I can be a daily commuter, especially because I work a lot and will only be able to ride on weekends at first for a few months until I'm more comfortable. I'd like to be riding for my commute a year from now, so there's no rush... I'd rather take my time and not get hurt.

Social Distortion · Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:07 am

welcome aboard teabags
grew up in LA *southbay* and i miss it dearly...still go home now and then to see the folks and i rent a MC when i am in town!
Now that i ride as often as possible, i wish i were back in LA to take advantage of the weather, but all in all, i am happy here in chicago!

Enjoy and be safe

BlueBomber · Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:21 am

teabgs wrote:I'll try and get in as much reading as I can before the class if I have time. I've read the CA DMV's motorcycle book already, which was somewhat helpful but not nearly as helpful as the suggested books I imagine. Some of what I read didn't make as much sense as I think it will once I'm ON a bike and can see/feel how it works. I'm a very hands-on kind of guy.

I suggest you get one of the books I mentioned. the MSF one and Complete Idiot's guide are GREAT for people with NO experience whatsoever. Read the intro chapters where they talk about controls and bike types.

Take that knowledge and go into some bike shops. Make sure it's a shop that let's you sit on a bike...if they don't...LEAVE (and never return I say)

Then look for the controls. play with them a little, get used to where they are and how they work. Lift the kick stand and balance the bike a bit. Bounce a little and get a feel for the suspension. Getting comfortable just sitting on a bike is a good first step.

\/\/

teabgs · #8 Unread post by **teabgs** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:45 pm

BlueBomber: thanks for the recommendations. I got the Complete Idiot's Guide and luckily had a bunch of down time yesterday at work, so I'm about a third of the way through it. I've already learned a lot more from that book than browsing through here, although this site is a great addition.

Things I was reading around here make more sense now, and will likely make a hell of a lot more sense once I finish the book.

I just wish there were pictures to show everything being talked bout with the engines, etc. Well, really I wish I knew someone around here with a bike that could show me. I'm a hands-on visual learner. Well, soon enough....

intotherain · Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:05 pm

I really enjoyed that class. dont worry about the test at the end of the course. Its the easiest thing i have ever taken in my life.

I think the hardest question was like:

What should you do if your friend crashed and is severly injured on the ground. I guess and I got it right even though we never learned it.

It was like, dont touch him and call for help or something.

most of the people in my class were 30-40 and I was the youngest kid (16) there and asian person there.

LOL I finished 20 minutes before anyone else lol.

And that test at the end is super easy too. It doesnt really test your motorcycle skills because we are on a closed course, we never interact with cars or anything and all the tests are basic tests