anyone here took the MSF course?

[jdmbuilt]

is it true they make u start off in 2nd gear instead of first?

[Roadstergal]

No, nobody here took it.  And they make you start in 5th.

Why are you asking?


(They teach you to ride, which involves starting in first.)

[jdmbuilt]

WTF kind of question is "why are you asking?" i'm just asking a question.

[pandy]

No, nobody here took it.  And they make you start in 5th.Why are you asking? (They teach you to ride, which involves starting in first.)

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bike again today.    :lol:

jdm: Many of us took the MSF course. When I took it, they never had us start off from second gear. It is possible, however, to do so on the GS500....one just doesn't get as GRACEFUL a start as one normally might.  :lol:  :mrgreen:

[pandy]

WTF kind of question is "why are you asking?" i'm just asking a question.

And welcome to the nuthouse.    

[snowhownd]

They didn't make me start in first...

[calamari]

another forum going downhill again.


sad

[jdmbuilt]

thanks pandy for the info.  i just bought a purple GS too.

[Roadstergal]

WTF kind of question is "why are you asking?"

The kind of question that will get you information that is actually helpful.  If you say you're asking because you heard that starting from second gear is smoother, than we can tailor our answer better.  If you're asking because you lost first gear on your bike and you want to know if it's possible to ride it until you fix it, we can tailor our answer better.  If you're asking because you like to be tied up by someone in leather and told to start from a gear other than first, Dave has some numbers he can forward on to you.

[Thor S Magic Bathtub]

They didn't make me start in first...

I'm confused... they made you start in another gear besides 1st, snowhound?

Anyway, when I took it we started in 1st.

[jdmbuilt]

WTF kind of question is "why are you asking?"

The kind of question that will get you information that is actually helpful.  If you say you're asking because you heard that starting from second gear is smoother, than we can tailor our answer better.  If you're asking because you lost first gear on your bike and you want to know if it's possible to ride it until you fix it, we can tailor our answer better.  If you're asking because you like to be tied up by someone in leather and told to start from a gear other than first, Dave has some numbers he can forward on to you.

sure, whatever u say.  simple question turned into that.  

[calamari]

WTF kind of question is "why are you asking?"

The kind of question that will get you information that is actually helpful.  If you say you're asking because you heard that starting from second gear is smoother, than we can tailor our answer better.  If you're asking because you lost first gear on your bike and you want to know if it's possible to ride it until you fix it, we can tailor our answer better.  If you're asking because you like to be tied up by someone in leather and told to start from a gear other than first, Dave has some numbers he can forward on to you.

sure, whatever u say.  simple question turned into that.  

didn't you know that the higher your postcount, the more you are right on anything you say no matter what? (works for any other forum btw   )

and now that I remember: i took msf, and no, they make you start in 1st gear all the time (since they must teach you how to shift to second while riding).

[Roadstergal]

simple question turned into that.  

I answered your question and gave you an opportunity to get more info, and you bitched about it.    

[jdmbuilt]

didn't you know that the higher your postcount, the more you are right on anything you say no matter what? (works for any other forum btw   )

and now that I remember: i took msf, and no, they make you start in 1st gear all the time (since they must teach you how to shift to second while riding).

yeah, i noticed that.  

thanks for the info about the 1st gear.  i keep hearing different stories.  some people say yes, some say no.   :dunno:

[starwalt]

Actually they made us start out in less than first.  

The 'ole Neutral duckwalk across the range and back again. Heck, our butts were sweaty before we even started the engine. Actually it was very functional. It gave us a feel for the weight of the bike, the response to the handlebars and grips, and several other sadistic things while in long sleeves, boots, jeans, helmet and gloves in the heat of August in the South Carolina foothills.

By god, by the time we were through, 3rd gear seemed like MotoGP speeds.
I fell in love my Shoei RF-1000 vents. :kiss:

[Badger]

The 'ole Neutral duckwalk across the range and back again. Heck, our butts were sweaty before we even started the engine. Actually it was very functional. It gave us a feel for the weight of the bike, the response to the handlebars and grips, and several other sadistic things while in long sleeves, boots, jeans, helmet and gloves in the heat of August in the South Carolina foothills.

The only neutral pushing we did was to get the bikes from where they were initially lined up to the lanes where we were going to be doing the Friction Zone Dance...maybe 25 meters, tops (and only for the poor bastard lined up at the front).  Across the range and back by Flintstone power?  Yikes.  I'd think you'd be much more likely to drop it if you've got to muscle it around at low speed when you haven't got the weight managed yet.

And yes, we always started in 1st gear.   You'll spend most of the time in 2nd, except for the low speed exercises...I think we made it into 3rd in only one exercise.  At the time, 20mph felt like rocket racing.  

[dbNnc]

I started off in and used second gear in the figure-8 box so I could adjust my speed using just the clutch without having to worry about the throttle.

[Jace009gs]

mmm duck walking...that was fun on a 250...anything else and it's a workout :lol:  espicaly up a little little 1* incline...

I took the MSF basic class 4years ago before I pass my car test... Took the advanced class later that summer on a stand by opening..this spring I graduated and pass their instructor training class. I had the pleasure to impose upon new motorcyclist the joys of safe riding and techniques. Now granted I live in the middle of no where and the classes arn't usually full unless some of the DC/ metropoliam people travel out this way. N-E-ways back to the subject...

In the Basic class I remember winding out that nighthawk in 3ard gear =30ish mph....The instructor called me speed demon...Funny I pass their skills test w/ no subtractions and no comments, perfect score...Any hoot now that I've got alot of miles under me I feel that the MSF bikes probably have rev limiters on them, have been de-jetted, and reduced performance in every aspect possible "for your safety and others" kinda clause/idea. I would be hardpress to actualaty think that you can start out in 2and...It would take some beginner tallent and clutch control...even then it's a maybe and a long shot.

Ya I was "speed demon" but class average was was like 5 mph. Bikes are very sensitive at low speeds and some people just couldn't comprehend that...Maybe they did after 4 of the 8 class members drop the bike They still could not master counter balance in the box and for the life of some people I've had to teach you have to lean and push the bike to steer it...One or the other just dosn't cut it through the cones weeves. My personal favorite is a "class member" who just did not want to put his feet on the pegs for anything......I still don't know why he didn't....he had to come back later and improve his skills...never did find out what happened but ya MSF is good safe clean fun on how to operate a motorcycle.

[Badger]

I started off in and used second gear in the figure-8 box so I could adjust my speed using just the clutch without having to worry about the throttle.

I was watching the people in front of me very closely, and it looked like most just held the clutch full in while they did each loop of the figure-8.  In hindsight, I suspect that would have been easier than trying to regulate with the clutch, provided you start at the right speed.  I had a couple shaky moments in the box that a bit more speed would have smoothed right out.

[NightRyder]

I started off in and used second gear in the figure-8 box so I could adjust my speed using just the clutch without having to worry about the throttle.

I was watching the people in front of me very closely, and it looked like most just held the clutch full in while they did each loop of the figure-8.  In hindsight, I suspect that would have been easier than trying to regulate with the clutch, provided you start at the right speed.  I had a couple shaky moments in the box that a bit more speed would have smoothed right out.

No way, no power would make it much harder. The best is to turn the motor way up, and just apply enough power to accelerate you a tiny bit. If you start to fall, let more power out. That and shift your ass over. It makes it tons easier. I know, I was one of 4 of 12 that passed my BRC. Over half failed the box. No power, foot down, don't turn, or lean, or look where you want to go, or counterweight, tons of reasons they all messed it up. I went really slow, with lots of rpm's and it was tight and smooth. (the u-turns..)

In my class, we also duck walked the bikes several times, and then idled across many more. It was probably 10+ crosses before we put power to the bikes. Although, they were running the whole time.