Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Like the title says, I just registered for BRC course held by the WV MSP.
Its on the weekend of April 24th.


At first there was only 1 spot open on Mother's Day weekend, so I couldn't do that one. The earlier 2 classes were already full.

So I've been checking everyday to see if someone withdrew and finally someone did.

I'm already excited!

When I took the MSF the instructor said

"This is a question I always ask because it's fun, how many of you told your mother that you were coming here"

Only 1 person raised their hand.

Lol I've told my dad about it.
He rode alot when he was young and I think up untill the time I was born.

Good Luck and have fun!

I know I still have a month to go before my class, but I can't seem to get a grip on the "Look where you want to go" concept.

I hear people say that if you look at the curb in a turn you'll likely hit it.

Does that concept really only apply when you're out in the open. Meaning that doesn't happen when you're driving a car does it?

When I was younger, before I was old enough to get my license, I would ride bicycle with my pals almost 203 miles everyday. Maybe I just got used to it then and don't realize it now?

Thanks guys, this board is really great and the knowledge held here is incredible!

You'd be surprised, it does happen in a car too! Especially in the snow and reduced traction situations.

When driving a car you are usually physically 'fixed' in one position. Turning your head does not typically cause much, if any, change in body alignment. In addition, the turning radius of a car is measured in YARDS. A U-turn on a residential street is an impossibility. We have to do three point turns...

Bikes are capable of significantly tighter turns. The turning radius of many bikes in but a few feet. The little Rebels, GZ250's and others used in the MSF class can be turned in as little as 10 or 12 feet (rather than the 35-45 feet of a car). This requires MUCH greater head turn. (Fear not. You will NOT be asked to turn that tightly in class! ).

In addition a nice big head turn frequently causes some twisting of the upper body. This can help the turn.

There are two 'issues' regarding head turns and looking. One is target fixation. Stare at the curb, hit the curb. Stare at the huge gaping pot hole, hit the huge gaping pothole. It's best to train yourself to look not at the threat but at the escape route. The bike has a tendency to want to go where you look (for a whole host of reasons).

Secondly, if you want to turn left but look ahead, how can you evaluate the road conditions to the left???

There are many things about motorcycling that don't seem to make sense, or are at least somewhat difficult to explain. The head turn is one of them. There is no need to understand why (the physics of motorcycles can be mind boggling). Just do it! Set your speed up, turn your whole head to face your intended direction -even if that means twisting around to look over your shoulder. It helps a LOT on tight turns...

Thanks for the insight guys!

Have fun and good luck!

2 days ago I signed up to take the MSF course at a local community college. I'm going this weekend. Booyah!