MSF Summary (IT WAS FUN!!)

[Daniely]

Ok, well i took the MSF course this weekend, and i figured i would do a writeup in case anyone wondered what went on....

First off, it is a three day class here in cali, my buddy Tony took it in Minnesota and it was 4 days so i guess it depends on the location. Anyways, so I get to class friday after work all set to ride (but we didnt). Instead we filled out some necissary liability papers and info and we recieved our study booklets. It started out with a cool intro video on motorcycles and some of the steps for safety. Then we started talking about the proper inspection procedure for pre-start. Checking the cables, lights, clutch and brake levers, and learning about the fuel valve. Then we learned more about standard starting procedures and more about the bike. After we answered some questions on the reading as a group (really easy to do, and quite fun if you have a good class). Then we started learning about more and more safety which was excellent. BTW our instructer was a guy that was in the navy, and was stationed at the base near town, and the riding coach was a REALLY hot chick that was like 23 at most.....just wow, easy to follow her directions.

The next day we showed up at "The Range" ready to ride. We did the pre-ride inspection and then the start up procedure. The main thing we did first was learn the friction zone on the clutch and how to power walk it. We started out walking it across a gap, then on to power walk (walking it while letting the clutch out to gain speed and balance) and eventually riding it across the gap. We then learned alot about braking, and using both brakes firmly but not enough to slide. And then on to standard steering, push and lean, push and lean, really fun to drive those bike. THE BIKES, yes i almost forgot, i was riding a CB125, there was also some Honda Nighthawks, and Kawi Eliminators. The first day after a couple exercises they had to ask one lady to leave because she could not keep the bike under control even after an hour of coaching so they deemed her a safety risk. After we learned braking and steering we went to cornering (and if your like me this is the best thing you will learn). We did standard slopes, u turns, swerves (third day mainly), and my personal favorite, weaving. The offset cones were so much fun, ive never ridden a street bike before AND I WAS SCRAPING THE PEGS!

And the third and final day we practiced more turning, braking and U-turns. One gentleman laid down one of the Kawi's goin to slow into the S-turn, but was not asked to leave which im glad (unfortunetly he failed anyways). The exam was EASY (but 3 did not pass unfortunetly). BTW!! The written test is REALLY easy, if you pay attention in class (dont even have to take all the notes) you will do fine, i got a 49 out of 50. Anyways the riding exam is easy like i said. It consists of 4 portions (SO PAY ATTENTION!!) The first was a U-turn (which is suprisingly difficult), you enter a box, U-turn around and U-turn around again (figure 8 ) back out of the box and then you have to gain speed to make the swerve (second of the four parts). However if you did not do fast enough between the exit of the box and the entrance to the swerving obstical you need to do it again (like me). However i did find in the u turn so i just had to build speed and do the swerve. A couple people locked up the front and rear tires on the swerve and it wasnt pretty (no one was injured and no bikes went down). Then after you successfully completed that you went and got in line for the braking section, in this, you have to build up about 18 MPH in second gear. Then as soona s your front tire passes a set of cones you need to brake with both brakes and shift all the way down to first and stop safetly which was easy. Unfortunetly the gentleman i mentioned above (layed down the kawi) didnt do to well at braking and was one of the people that didnt pass. Finally the last exercise was cornering, going into a corner and watching your exit, and scanning for hazards. Thats where i messed up, i can turn left like no problem but the exam is right and i cant figure out why right is so hard for me. I slowed down in the curve (not brakes just rolled off the throttle) and my time wasnt fast enough. Once you do that they have you park the bikes and go wait for them to finish scoring. AND I PASSED!

All in all i think it was an excellent course, if i could i would go back right now and practice all the stuff we learned i would in a heartbeat. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone taking this class, weather or not you are getting your license, have your license and just taking it to brush up. It was a great experience, and im already looking for the advanced classes, but that will have to wait until i get my GS. Anyways, sorry for the long read and i hope this helps anyone who has any questions on MSF. If you have any suggestions/questions feel free to post em. Had a good experience yourself? Post it. Any advice for people takin the MSF course? Post it. ENJOY!!

-Dan

[pantablo]

I took it 2 years ago and really enjoyed it. had several not pass and 4 got in on stand-by! My only problem was the max stop distance test. I couldnt stop the bike in the 15ft max...Oh well, otherwise I did great and highly recommend it for any newbie.

[geekonabike]

That's pretty much what mine was like except he passed everybody.  There was a lady who was pretty iffy especially in the confidence department, but she had great balance--had to as she was S-L-O-W--but he said "she knows her limitations and won't do anything stupid."  This was a private guy who did his own course but was somehow MSF certified.  I was on the big bike, the 125 something Yamaha.  I wonder how "badly" the folks did who didn't pass the course you took, or the lady asked to leave.  

The mistake I made a couple times was pulling back on the throttle when trying use the front brake.  Maybe she did something similar but worse.  I have enough grip that the brake won, but it was interesting.  I still did it once or twice shortly after the class, but learned to avoid that and it hasn't happened since.  It helped me in the course that I had ridden a scooter a few times.  Yes it was an automatic, but the motorcycles are so much more stable, with their more gyroscopic tires.  And once you figure out what your hands and feet are supposed to do you have so much more control.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.  --Mike D.

[Daniely]

The lady that was asked to leave had no control, she was swerving at "idle" after letting the clutch out to power walk. When we had to drive accross in the beginning she was having ALOT of trouble, she would pop wheelies from clutch/throttle movement, wouldnt pick her feet up, just not safe. And the other guy that didnt pass (that i know of) was anticipating the "emergency stop" would stop short, grab the clutch accidentally rail the trottle bouncing off the rev limiter, let the clutch out and wheelie (same guy that laid the kawi down). But beyond that it was GREAT, made alot of good friends.

I also saw a guy that couldnt have been more than 17 roll up on a RR TO TAKE THE CLASS TO GET HIS LICENSE...whats with that? Anyways, yea it was great!

-Dan

[pantablo]

I also saw a guy that couldnt have been more than 17 roll up on a RR TO TAKE THE CLASS TO GET HIS LICENSE...whats with that? Anyways, yea it was great!

-Dan

Tell me about it. So many newbies on the 600rr forum its pathetic. They just decided to add a forum for crashes and drops for chrissake! My MSf class had one young guy, under 20, riding his gixxer to class. he'd been riding with only  a permit for 3 years.

[Daniely]

Tell me about it. So many newbies on the 600rr forum its pathetic. They just decided to add a forum for crashes and drops for chrissake! My MSf class had one young guy, under 20, riding his gixxer to class. he'd been riding with only  a permit for 3 years.

Yea, i saw it and was like....well it was bad, lol.

[ghettorigged]

COOL!  

I'm glad you had such a great experience. I too had a good time and got to see some scarey folks fail the course.

We had one of those squids show up who already owned a Gixxer. He didn't do as well as he 'knew' he would do and actually learned a few things.

[Daniely]

COOL!  

I'm glad you had such a great experience. I too had a good time and got to see some scarey folks fail the course.

We had one of those squids show up who already owned a Gixxer. He didn't do as well as he 'knew' he would do and actually learned a few things.

I think anyone who took this course would learn something, it was ALOT of fun, i would gladly do it over and recommend it to everyone. Once i get my bike and some more ride time under my belt i plan on going to an advanced class as well.

[ghettorigged]

Just a thought here...

Since the MSF class gets me an insurance discount for 3 years, I am holding off on the advanced class for another year or so.

Reasoning? For starters, I will be quite comfortable on a road bike by then and probably be ready for some advanced instruction. Secondly, it will extend my insurance discount another year!  

just something to think about  :mrgreen: [/i]

[Daniely]

Good POINT! i forgot about the insurance brakes. hmm...lol.

[the_ted]

I also saw a guy that couldnt have been more than 17 roll up on a RR TO TAKE THE CLASS TO GET HIS LICENSE...whats with that? Anyways, yea it was great!

what, is there one in every class??? i had one in mine, but he was like 19... another guy w/an R6 who was riding for 2 months, and *someone* but I don't know who, came in on a 'busa.

a friend of mine was taking the MSF at about the same time as I did (he started a week later), and crashed his brand new R6... because he braked in a turn... the week before he learned cornering and braking in the class    I really wasn't surprised, since he's had some form of accident in every vehicle he's ever owned... stupid kids... some people just don't need to be riding