Just aced my MSF BRC course

[Neon01]

Wasn't too bad, although I'll admit a bit tougher than I was expecting.  I bought my GS in early July and have been riding it once a week (the first few weeks receiving a bit of training from a friend who's been riding for years) since.  

Overall I thought the course was not terribly informative, but it REALLY drills into the important aspects of riding - risk mitigation, anticipating the unthinkable, having a strategy for how to address a problem.  Then again, I've been reading these forums and basic knowledge primers online for quite some time, so going into the class I'd consider myself more educated about riding than the average newbie.  For most it was probably a very useful course.  

The practice we received riding was invaluable in teaching me aspects of riding that I hadn't encountered on the road to date: slow speed manuevering, panic stopping, slowing in a turn.  

A very good course and highly recommended to all "on the fence" about taking it.  I'm going to recommend my friend take the BRCII class.  He's got his license but has never been properly trained.  

That card they give you doesn't hurt for insurance reduction purposes either!  

[TarzanBoy]

BRC2?  Is that the experienced rider class? (ERC) ?

[Neon01]

From what my instructor told me, the BRC II is still a basic course taught to individuals seeking a motorcycle license, but have been riding for some time and know the essentials of a bike.  Its a single day as opposed to two, and they skip lessons such as clutch and throttle familiarization.

[GeeP]

Glad to hear you aced your test.  Now go practice in a parking lot, because you still don't know shaZam! about riding.  

Just like the MSF guys say:  When you leave  you're certified to practice, not go tooling down the highway at 95.  

Enjoy the new GS!    :lol:

[Neon01]

Glad to hear you aced your test.  Now go practice in a parking lot, because you still don't know shaZam! about riding.  

Just like the MSF guys say:  When you leave  you're certified to practice, not go tooling down the highway at 95.  

Enjoy the new GS!    :lol:

Did I say I was planning on "tooling down the highway at 95"?    No need to be a duck here, it was a simple post on my thoughts about the course.  Your condescending attitude immediately discredits you.

[roguegeek]

Uh oh. Sensing hostility. We're all peace, love, butterflies, and taffy! DAMNIT!!!

GeeP actually is correct. I knew absolutely duck after I went through the MSF course. After you get more experience under your belt, you'll see. As for the classroom exercises, I actually thought they were just as helpful, if not more helpful than the hands on part of the course. The things they taught in the classroom are skills you can apply to driving in a car as well as riding a bike. Have fun.

[Narcissus]

GeeP was just being sarcastic lol, no need to take offense  :mrgreen:  Your big words confuse me though lol... I agree though the course is good at teaching clutch control and low speed manouvers but thats about it, I just went out on the highway a couple days ago with my GS, even though I've had it for over a month. Thats not to say I haven't done 100+ km/h before... just without traffic.

[GeeP]

Did I say I was planning on "tooling down the highway at 95"?    No need to be a duck here, it was a simple post on my thoughts about the course.  Your condescending attitude immediately discredits you.

Dear sweet mother of safety valves.  You'll soon learn not to take much seriously on this BB.  :lol:    

Peace, love, butterflies, and umm...  Taffy.  Yeah....  :kiss:

How many smiley faces do I have to use in a post to convey humor anyhow?

                   
                   
                   
                     
                   

IS THIS BETTER?

On another subject, I agree completely with your assessment of the MSF course.  Which is why I made the off-color remark.   :dunno:

[Neon01]

My mistake, must have misinterpreted.  I know I'm a beginner, and I do ride accordingly.  I'll learn the ways of the board soon enough  

[88gta]

Congrats on passing the course, I enjoyed it myself. Am considering taking it again with my wife next spring just to show her support.

[pandy]

Congrats on passing the course, I enjoyed it myself. Am considering taking it again with my wife next spring just to show her support.

Yes, congrats on passing, Neon01, and 88gta, YOU RAWK for wanting to do this to support your wife!!!!!  

[Phaedrus]

GSTWINS PRIMER 101

A Skit

Newbie 1: "Hey, I would like to learn about motorcycle riding. Where do I start?"

Group (in unison): "Take the MSF course!! It will teach you extremely important stuff, and only squids skip the course!!"

Newbie 2: "Hey, I took, past, and aced the MSF course!"

Group (in unison): You still don't know anything about riding, squid! Go riding in a parking lot!

Newbie 1: So if I go riding in a parking lot, will that teach me about riding?

Group: (in unison): No, that would make you a squid! Go take the MSF course!! and wear your gear!!

GStwins.com is an excellent, EXCELLENT forum for sure. It is definitely my favorite. And the members here are all wonderful and helpful in their own way...you just gotta learn how to interpret it

Good job on your pursuit of knowledge and on doing so well on the course.  

[pandy]

GStwins.com is an excellent, EXCELLENT forum for sure. It is definitely my favorite. And the members here are all wonderful and helpful in their own way...you just gotta learn how to interpret it

I'm sensing some negative energy from you today, Phaedrus.

:lol:

[Phaedrus]

Hah, ya, I'm grumpy today. I'm on an 8 day stretch of working and it's making me easily irritable.  :x

I'm usually sweet, fun loving, and eatin' taffy.  

[pandy]

I'm usually sweet, fun loving, and eatin' taffy.  

You and Srinath.

How much longer to you have to go 'til you get a break???

[maxwellf]

I also took the MSF course, passed, took the DMV written, and got a license.  In no way did I feel like I was ready for the road.  After researching, it seemed the GS500 was a great bike to begin with.  I found a private instructor, and went out multiple times prior to hitting the road.  I've gotten a lot more comfortable, but I've got a long way to go. I highly suggest finding a trainer to help you get more time on the basics.

[Alphamazing]

You may feel as if you're fairly confident, but you have only begun to scratch the surface. There is much much more that you can learn, much of it unable to be put into words. Experience plays a big part in it. There are some things you just need to learn with time.

There is always more to learn.

[maxwellf]

I totally agree, I would compare it to golf.  It takes a long time to master the game, and only a few very talented people really excel.  The more I ride, the more I admire those who are so skilled.

[Neon01]

I also took the MSF course, passed, took the DMV written, and got a license.  In no way did I feel like I was ready for the road.  After researching, it seemed the GS500 was a great bike to begin with.  I found a private instructor, and went out multiple times prior to hitting the road.  I've gotten a lot more comfortable, but I've got a long way to go. I highly suggest finding a trainer to help you get more time on the basics.

I'm getting the impression not everyone read the entirety of my initial post.  I've actually been riding for about 3 months now, so I think I do have the basics pretty well in hand.  Before I get even more people telling me how little I actually know, I will concede that you are all correct - 3 months isn't much time to gain solid experience, especially when I received proper training only recently.  So please, just give the newbie a rest.  I have a thorough respect for the bike and the road, thanks, and I still ride every time as if it's my first.

[pandy]

I've actually been riding for about 3 months now, so I think I do have the basics pretty well in hand.  Before I get even more people telling me how little I actually know,

Well, HECK! Time to get a 'busa!