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Well I made it through the MSF BRC course today. I few weeks ago I bought a 750 (Honda Shadow) with the intent of hopping on it and teaching myself. After finding this forum and reading the advise of many I decided to park the bike and wait to take the course. That was probably the best thing I ever did. I passed the course but more importantly got a lot of confidence. I came home and hopped on the bike and rode around the neighborhood and one busy street. I plan on gradually riding more and more until I don't have to think about what to do. To me that is the key to being able to ride with a chance of making it out with out trouble. Be able to react to situations without thinking. I figure about 2 more weeks of peddling around should help. Even to folks in my class that already had a bike seemed to struggle. That made me think of all the folks out there riding that never took any training and are just winging it. It drizzled most of the day but it was manageable. The 3 points I missed was due to timing of the last test. I took it slower because of the wet pavement. Should have done it in 3 seconds and I took 3.4. The instructors were great. One old school Sarge type but he meant well and was looking out after all of our safety.....

bclinton wrote:I plan on gradually riding more and more until I don't have to think about what to do.

You always have to think about what you do...but I know what you mean. Congrats on passing the BRC That was one of the most fun things I've ever done, though I never did master that U turn box I kind of want to retake it some day, just to nail that sucker...

Congrats!

I goofed up the "box" myself -- stuck my foot down one time -- and lost a few points but got the license anyway. My wife passed with a perfect 100%, which she'll never let me forget. I practice the box every once in a while in an empty parking lot, just to tell myself I've still got it. The practice came in handy today when the group I was riding with hit an unanticipated gravel road and had to make a U-turn.

Enjoy, take your time, and keep the shiny side up!

Congrats on passing the class! As others have said, it is a blast. I get the biggest kick going back to the riding school on weekends and watching the "kids" and their progression across the 2 days.

That U-turn can be a beast. There are two ways to get through that one without getting points on that (or any) exercise: luck and skill. I sure as heck nailed it with luck. We did three passes and if the instructor had 'graded' any pass but the one he did, I would have had points.

Of course, as the instructor said, "Being able to U-turn in a box isn't a life-saving thing. It's just fun to show off to your friends... if you're friends are the kind of people that are impressed by that kind of thing, that is."