MSF Basic Riders Course
- Thread starter Crynryan
- Start date
AbsolutEnduser
Throttle Pusher
If he tells you "push with the right hand, it will go to the right", it's really true.
If he tells you to look over your shoulder when doing the figure-8, look hard over your shoulder!
If he tells you to look over your shoulder when doing the figure-8, look hard over your shoulder!
There's no real advice I can give you. The riding class is very structured. Your instructor will tell you exactly what to do and how to do it before you do anything. If you currently own a bike, the best thing you can do is practice your slow-speed maneuvering, but that is the whole point of the class. Relax and have fun!
Another option is to use good throttle control and not use the clutch at all in that exercise. (which is on the second riding day)
AbsolutEnduser
Throttle Pusher
Oh yeah.. and when he tells you never to use the front brake while doing the sharp turns.. DO NOT use it. Just like he says . 
those MSF coaches talking about when not to use the front brake..
As for the motard, I didn't know they have motards. If there is a Nighthawk(standard) or a Rebel(cruiser), whatever--pick any . However the Rebel is for shortER people!!!
those MSF coaches talking about when not to use the front brake..As for the motard, I didn't know they have motards. If there is a Nighthawk(standard) or a Rebel(cruiser), whatever--pick any . However the Rebel is for shortER people!!!
sixtytwo
meh.
When I went two years ago, Alameda had two motards, one rebel, and nine nighthawks. I think the people on the motards had the easiest time, but that might just be because they got skill.
My advice would be to pay close attention to your clutch. I had a problem where I kept stalling the bike. This was because I just wasn't paying attention to the feedback that the bike was giving me whenever I let the clutch out.
Apathybot
Wrench Ninja
Don't look down is the thing I remember most.
I agree on the motard as well, I did mine on some Chinese dual sport with pseudo knobbies and it was a much easier time than my one run on a ninja 250.
I guess trying to stuff 6'3" 205# onto a ninjette was asking too much :teeth
I agree on the motard as well, I did mine on some Chinese dual sport with pseudo knobbies and it was a much easier time than my one run on a ninja 250.
I guess trying to stuff 6'3" 205# onto a ninjette was asking too much :teeth
littlebeast
get it while it's easy
when they tell you to pick a bike, pick the one with the shortest wheelbase. and what karbon said - relax. and listen carefully.
Audacious Nick
Predictably unpredictable
6'4 here, and I found out I can barely even do the DMV circle. My legs were in the way of the bars, so I stood up on the pegs and went around the circle. :laughing
How did it go? I also took the class before and thought it was worth the money .. although sometimes the riding pace was slowed by others in the class :wow
veritasmp
Well-known member
Hope things went well.
My wife just took the course too and thought the info provided in the thread was very helpful.
For any future readers, she wanted to add that she really found the 5 count clutch release really helped her to not stall and that a little bit of speed helps with balance. Momentum is your friend.
My wife just took the course too and thought the info provided in the thread was very helpful.
For any future readers, she wanted to add that she really found the 5 count clutch release really helped her to not stall and that a little bit of speed helps with balance. Momentum is your friend.
fukengruven
Über Bitch
If you did well and enjoyed the class, the test is a piece of cake. It's just going through all the exercises you did over the past two days.
uummmm ..
If you've taken and passed MSF course, you don't need to take a riding test at DMV .. just written.