Motorcycle Safety Course Tomorrow!

PaviSays · June 07, 2009, 03:53:59 PM

w00t! I'm pumped, any suggestions for the first day?

jserio · June 07, 2009, 03:56:26 PM

don't eat cold bean burritos for breakfast before you go....

PaviSays · June 07, 2009, 03:58:31 PM

Now, is this suggestion coming from experience here? Or is this just one of those general proverbs?

jserio · June 07, 2009, 04:00:40 PM

general proverb. it's well known that when you are in the least likely place to be able to take a massive dump, you will suddenly be hit with the urge to fill your drawers.

back on topic, best of luck to you. listen, and don't be afraid to ask questions. but i'm guessing you allready knew that.

XealotX · June 07, 2009, 04:54:12 PM

Pay attention to their instruction about TARGET FIXATION. Learning how to look at where you WANT to go instead of where you are CURRENTLY HEADING has saved my hide a few times. If you want to go around a curve but your entry speed is a little higher than anticipated make sure you look down the road and not at the ditch or you will head for the ditch.

DoD#i · June 07, 2009, 06:24:01 PM

Listen. Practice. Listen. Don't be a smart-ass. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Toogoofy317 · June 07, 2009, 09:27:18 PM

I don't know how hot it is up there yet. But, I took mine in August in Florida so DRINK, DRINK DRINK! and not this

bad mmmmkay before an MSF! It was very very hard to concentrate when you don't have enough water. Also, have fun!

Mary

PaviSays · June 08, 2009, 10:54:18 AM

Hooray! Back from five hours of Day 1 to report all good news.

Today was all the classroom work. Boooo! We covered the entire book, watched all the clips, and took the written exam. 100%

Haha well anyway, I'm definitely the youngest in my class, the only one under eighteen. We had an awesome older teacher named 'Mad Dog' who wore a florescent orange Harley Davidson sweatshirt and had a great sense of humor. He kept the class moving along with probably four breaks throughout the day, which I'd say probably the better half of the people used to smoke out back, including Mad Dog. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

I met some interesting people as well. The guy next to me, probably only a few years older, I'd guess the second youngest, told me how he wanted to get a new Ninja 650r after the course and drive it out of the dealership himself. Eh, after listening to some of his answers during the class, and considering he has no experience, I think he should probably go with a used one.

All-in-all, a very enjoyable day, and I'm looking forward to some actual riding tomorrow!

brickerenator · June 08, 2009, 11:54:46 AM

Lucky you

jserio · June 08, 2009, 12:01:32 PM

congrats on a successful first day.

PaviSays · June 08, 2009, 12:27:07 PM

Thanks!

I've been riding for about a month now, and I really thought I had the basics down, but I did learn a few things. First off, something which I've never really thought about, is leaving the bike in first gear when you get off and leave it somewhere that's not your garage. I felt kind of dumb for not thinking of this before, but it makes a lot of sense. Locking the forks in place and leaving the bike in first gear pretty much makes sure that the bike won't go too far from where you've parked it. Another thing I learned is the press and lean. Up until now, I've just been leaning with my upper body to get the bike to go which way I want it to go in curves, but if you press and lean, it makes a ton of a difference. Taking the class is definitely worth the money (free for all PA residents.

).

Porkchop · June 08, 2009, 06:07:51 PM

First, congrats on aceing the written!

QuoteI've been riding for about a month now, and I really thought I had the basics down, but I did learn a few things.

Us military riders have to take a motorcycle safety course every three years. I learn something new everytime.

-Porkchop

PaviSays · June 08, 2009, 06:25:13 PM

Quote from: Porkchop on June 08, 2009, 06:07:51 PM
First, congrats on aceing the written!

Us military riders have to take a motorcycle safety course every three years. I learn something new everytime.

-Porkchop

The written's always the easiest part, haha. I think I'm probably going to take the course again in September, since I'm ineligible for a license right now anyway. Argh. Should have applied for the permit earlier.

Toogoofy317 · June 08, 2009, 07:36:26 PM

Yea, the book part was well the book part! Wanna hear a funny story? You're gonna hear it anyway. Paco was the name of our instructor and the day we got out on the course he lined us up and asked us what we wanted to ride. I already had Flick signed and sealed I just had to deliver him. So, I told him. "Great first bike you are smart" "then the hispanic lady next to me couldn't even hit 5' on a good day I'm 5'8" was like david and goliath. So, Paco asks her what do you want to ride " I wanna ride a busa" in that sassy latin accent. " You wanna ride a what?" "A Busa that's the bike for me it's beautiful" Paco" You do know that's like an 1100cc bike at minimum. You really should start on something smaller" " My husband has already bought it it is waiting for me when I get home! It matches my nails and she flashes these long arse acrylics with the Puerto Rican Flag and stuff" Paco just shakes his head and goes on to the other people who wanted Harley's and such. As we are riding our little Latin Lady dropped the Honda Rebel so many times Paco pulled out the little red scooter that said "Chic" on it and she still dropped that three times. I really don't know how she passed the class but she did. I hope I never encounter her on the road with her Busa! I love my life!

Btw I did ride Flick home from the dealer the next day. Did I about wet my pants a couple of times? Yes! Could you wipe the grin off my face? Hell no!

Mary

PaviSays · June 08, 2009, 07:50:36 PM

Hahah not to seem creepy here, Mary, but I read a slightly less detailed version of your story somewhere else on the forum. And that grin, oh I can relate. When I bought my bike, my dad had to drive it home for me because I had no clue how to even start a bike, let along drive it on the highway, at that point. The guy lived probably 45 minutes away, and I followed my dad home in the Buick absolutely beaming the entire way. That beaming continued for probably the next three hours until I forgot to pull the clutch in when coming to a stop. The guy had already scratch that side up though, so the beaming returned, a much more careful, attentive beaming.

Toogoofy317 · June 08, 2009, 07:59:34 PM

Holy Batman someone knows how to use the search function! I'm so used to having to repeat everything a million times. Esp with things like tank bags, helmets, and other gear related stuff. I asked for a separate area so I could do a detailed review once and not have to keep going over and over and over it but hey it is what it is!

Glad you're using the board to it's full potential!

Mary

GeeP · June 08, 2009, 09:00:27 PM

Glad to hear you're enjoying it and doing well!

PaviSays · June 09, 2009, 08:32:35 PM

Well we had the first five hours of actual bike riding today. Sadly, I'm now the youngest there by probably ten-twelve years or so. *sigh* But it's alright. The weather was sweltering up here. The sun was out all day with all that gear, but luckily I followed Mary's advice and brought lots of fluids.

We didn't have any falls! I was kind of surprised, but proud of everyone at the same time. I'm doing well I believe; I'm definitely getting more comfortable leaning the bike in slow moving situations. The cornering exercise was probably my favorite. Leaning is starting to feel much more natural.

So far my only complaint is the fact that we're using... Suzuki GZ250s! ARGH!

After getting used to having the pedal actually accessible and under my feet on my GS, they pull this cruiser-style shenanigans on me! UGH. I abhor it. I am never going cruiser. I feel like I'm just throwing my legs out in front of me. I feel awkward and vulnerable. And the tank doesn't have indentions on it! Well I mean, I know that'd not common on cruisers, but it's so uncomfortable. Oh well, just have to get used to it I suppose.

Weird part is, after five hours of class, I came home and hopped on the GS and went out for more riding, haha. After some basketball, I came home, showered, and went out again for probably the longest ride I've ever been on. The weather up was perfect in the evening.

Woo, just one more class Thursday! Too bad I can't get my license yet.

PaviSays · June 11, 2009, 11:05:18 AM

**Double Post**

So the class is already over! I passed my test with 5 points! Wooo! But I still don't have my license.

Stupid age laws. I can return, however, and retest with the same gentlemen for only the test portion of the class! Hooray!

I'd just like to say I met some pretty awesome people, both students and instructors and the course was a great all around experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone!

Porkchop · June 11, 2009, 11:47:36 AM

Congrats,

Keep practicing to keep your skills up until you can take the test. Everything you learned is perishable so use it or lose it.

-Porkchop

News:

Motorcycle Safety Course Tomorrow!