Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Thanks everyone for all your tips and advice. I passed and now I just need to go pick up my lisence!

I was really nervous because it started raining the next day which made doing the emergecny stop much more nerve racking.

But I passed and I had a great time doing it.

I was dissapointed with my score, I was 2 points away from failing. The thing that I really wanted to be good at the was emergency stop, and they said I was 6 feet over average.

I'm going to keep practicing but I can't wait to get on the road!

Look at it this way...there are two ways of messing up the emergency stop. Not braking fast enough and going too far...and braking too fast, locking your wheels, and possibly dropping your bike.

Plus that's the easiest thing to practice in a parking lot. A bit hard to bring the blue box with you everywhere.

You passed! That's what matters. You can keep practicing any weak areas in your riding on any day of the week. Go get your license!

Brackstone wrote:I was really nervous because it started raining the next day which made doing the emergecny stop much more nerve racking.

I was dissapointed with my score, I was 2 points away from failing. The thing that I really wanted to be good at the was emergency stop, and they said I was 6 feet over average.

Okay. It looks like you didn't apply enough brake. Not hard enough, OR you might have skidded. The scoring for the "Quick Stop" is based on your (timed) SPEED. You lost 6 points because you stopped 6 feet BEYOND what you should have been able to do, based on how fast you were moving.

6 feet is NOT a small number. This is a SERIOUS problem, that could get you killed. Do you understand what you could have done differently?

P

Way to go on passing! I just passed today too and hear just what you're saying about being excited to have passed, but disappointed in your performance in a section.

Lion_Lady wrote:6 feet is NOT a small number. This is a SERIOUS problem, that could get you killed. Do you understand what you could have done differently?

P

CONGRATULATIONS...... on passing the MSF.

SERIOUS safety problem .... maybe. Use of caps ...... RUDE. Something to work on and continue learning. Absolutely. Do you perform every maneuver perfectly every time. You are only graded on 1 stop. Yes it may be the stop that saves your life ..... but skills are developed over time.

While I applaud your question ... and asking ....do you understand what you could have done differently .... the tone is what sends the message.

I never drove a motorcycle much less ridden on one before the course. I too had a problem with the quick stop. Yes I know it is an issue .... but I also realize that I am going out to do three things ....... practice, practice and then practice some more. 2 days on an unknown bike with absolutely no experience ..... and if it was anything like the one I had for the MSF .... will not make you an expert.

I applaud you ... you indicated that you did do as well as you wanted ... and realize where you had problems .... you know (I am sure) that you need to get your bike and practice. This is what is important.

AGAIN --- Congratulations on passing the MSF. Go out, be safe, have a good time.... and practice.

Diecast-

Pam is an instructor and she's used to looking out for the welfare of others. I don't think the response was rude, just given with her instructor hat on. In that light it reads well and mirrors how I would have liked to respond.

Brackstone

First off- Congratulations! Now you're ready for days of riding unsupervised in a parking lot! Before you know it, you'll be on the road.

In regards to braking, you'll definitely want to work on that before considering hitting a major road. Obstacles are everywhere and that's one of your best weapons in not hitting them.

When you're practicing braking remember it's a progressive squeeze. By the time you come to a stop you want to be pulling that lever as far as you can towards the handlebar.

Start with slow stops so you don't make the mistake of "grabbing" all that brake at once. Take your time but practice having the lever all the way in by the time you come to a stop. Then pick it up.

Give yourself a marker to aim for like in the course so you have a reference point from where you started to stop. Once you've come to a complete stop, squeeze the brake lever and see if you have any brake left. If you did, ask yourself what that braking power does for you at a stop. Wash, rinse repeat.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a can of tennis balls, cut them in half to make 6 bright weather/wind resistant cones and then start ~page 58 of this manual in a parking lot. Practice Exercises

Once you've mastered those exercises try to make them harder (smaller areas, cones further offset in weaves and/or closer together etc). You want to become proficient at these until your bike feels more of an extension of your body. Eventually once you find a nice quiet street you'll want to practice some quick stops and swerves at higher speeds to get a feel for it.

Remember, like everything else start small and slowly work your way up.

I like to practice my parking lot exercises at least once a month outside of teaching classes. Mine are much harder than MSF exercises but I've taken the time to reach that level.

If you have any questions or need help with anything I'm sure your MSF instructors would love to help you. If you can't reach them, feel free to use this site and myself as a resource

Best Regards,
Ste

Storysunfolding --

Thanks for the info --- as well as the location of the practice exercises doc. I was wondering where to find such a doc.

Its easy to read into intent when someone is speaking directly with you ... with only the written word .... you can't read body language or tone..... other than how it is written ..... so for someone like me who does not know "PAM" from "Adam" -- or possibly another newbie reader -- the response looks highly critical rather than helpful.

Your response -- in my opinion ... is much more genial, helpful, mentoring and instructive. It was stated like the instructors that taught my MSF would have stated it .... extremely firm but mentoring/coaching.

PAM -- please don't be offended ..... I just think you need to to realize that when you respond to newbies in this section .... the tone of the note is equally important as the message.

I think that this board is great ..... and my thanks to both of you for your contributions!!!! Everytime I read a new post --- I continue to learn.

Lion_Lady wrote:

Brackstone wrote:I was really nervous because it started raining the next day which made doing the emergecny stop much more nerve racking.

I was dissapointed with my score, I was 2 points away from failing. The thing that I really wanted to be good at the was emergency stop, and they said I was 6 feet over average.

Okay. It looks like you didn't apply enough brake. Not hard enough, OR you might have skidded. The scoring for the "Quick Stop" is based on your (timed) SPEED. You lost 6 points because you stopped 6 feet BEYOND what you should have been able to do, based on how fast you were moving.

6 feet is NOT a small number. This is a SERIOUS problem, that could get you killed. Do you understand what you could have done differently?

P

Hi Lion,

Well on the practices I did the emergency stop right a bunch of times, they told me I was doing a good job. One time I skidded cause I locked the brakes up too hard but I still came to a complete stop within the limits but when the bike stopped it stopped hard and I had to put my foot down. The instructor said "If I wasn't as strong as I was he'd have to pick me up" So I think that scared me a bit and then after that I was probably not braking hard enough.

The parking lot was wet and some dirt was floating around at this point. I'm not sure if that interfered with my ability or I psyched myself out a bit.

Brackstone wrote:The parking lot was wet and some dirt was floating around at this point. SOI psyched myself out a bit.

Sorry- that's how I read it.

You just need more practice. It might also be worth taking out a friend and stopping when he/she gives you the signal. Get up to speed 12-15 mph and MAINTAIN it until they give you a predetermined stop signal. See if you stop as well as when you use cones.

If not, practice practice practice.