GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Quote from: SlavikWhere can I get some material with exercises that would teach you how to gain more control of the bike.

I was going to suggest that you start with the Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual, but I was disappointed to find that the "usual" MSF-based skill exercises are largely missing.  (See pages 42-44.)  I checked Utah's manual, but it has even less!

The Motorcycle Skill Test Practice Guide is available from MSF for $1 (plus whatever shipping/handling they stick you for).  I bought a few copies a couple years ago.  It does a fair job of refreshing what you learned in the MSF course.  Just take it to a parking lot along with 6 empty pop cans (I use bright yellow Squirt cans, but I should switch to something that contrasts better with the painted lines) and a liter of water (to pour in the cans so they don't blow over and roll away  :x ).

While you're at the MSF store anyway, you might want to pick up a few more trinkets to make it worth the shipping.  :)

(Cool!  They even sell orange and green "mini cones"!  I wonder if you have to be an MSF Trainer to buy them....  :dunno: )

I have yet to take the MSF course (07/08).......but I was kind of looking for any kind of exersises that would make you a better rider not just allow you pass the test......

There's lots more stuff in that pamphlet than what they test you on.  Granted, most of it is lower-speed drills.  (But what else would one practice in a parking lot?)

Are you looking for higher-speed stuff?  I guess I'm not sure what you're after.  :dunno:

sorry for not being clear.....I am mostly after the low-speed stuff, I want to be a little bit more comfortable on a bike, and I don't think that riding on local little streets is doing the trick.......I think riding in a straight line is pretty easy (therefore I feel that I am not learning much), but I don't want to practice my braking and evasive maneuvers only at times when some one cuts me off or pulls out in front of me..........Maybe it will just come to me as I get more experienced and I am being too careful  :dunno:

thats the kind of things I am looking for.......

http://ridemyown.com/articles/safety/BTB-avoidobstacles.shtml

I think it's a great idea to practice under controlled circumstances.  :thumb:

BTW, when I said

Quote from: kerryThe Motorcycle Skill Test Practice Guide [...] does a fair job of refreshing what you learned in the MSF course.

you could also read that as "it does a fair job of previewing what you will learn in the MSF course".  It's just a few bucks either way, but it's entirely up to you.

Just for kicks, you may want to check out some of the Master Strategy Group articles.  You never know when one little tidbit could end up saving your skin or your bike or your life....

Thank you for the links....when you first mentioned  the MSF book for whatever reason I though you are talking about that little book that u read before taking a written test....

Thanks again!

I think practicing the skills they teach in MSF would be great.  Especially quick stops and swerving.  If you can't take the course, that is too bad.  They really do teach you good habits (turning your head, etc).

i am taking the course at the beginning of the next month,,,,looking forward to it too :)

Here's another good link my wife stumbled onto :

http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp

I don't agree with everything (http://www.msgroup.org/TIP053.html), but there are some good articles and how-to's.

Good luck!

When I finished the course, I got a booklet with lots of different practice exercises that showed you how to set up little cones, just like they do at the course, to practice the drills.   I went with my boyfriend to a parking lot and did most of them the day I got my GS. He acted as my coach and watched to make sure I was doing everything correctly.  It was really helpful.  


Good for you for wanting to start off slow, that's smart. :thumb:

Quote from: Slavik.............................
Where can I get some material with exercises that would teach you how to gain more control of the bike. ...................

Here is Ohio's Skills Test Layout with dimensions:

Those test run diagrams match the ones on the Illinois manual pages I mentioned in my first post.  But check out the Illinois pages anyway - the diagrams use directional arrows along the routes in place of the dots, and the "exercise" descriptions have a little more detail ... and tell you the real-world riding skill that they're testing for.

I practice emergency stopping, slow speed turning and generally limber up my skills every spring.  The local hospital parking lot is my preferred location (just in case I have to drag my sorry a$$ to Admitting in case of a failed exercise).  :)

My offering for practice exercises comes from the Arizona Motorcycle Skill Test Practice Guide (http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/driver/mcmanual/pguide.asp).  Simple exercises, but they cover the basics.

Quote from: RedShiftMy offering for practice exercises comes from the Arizona Motorcycle Skill Test Practice Guide.

Yep, that's pretty much the same as the booklet I bought from the MSF store.  I was able to dig it out of an overflowing box of ... stuff ... and did a quick comparison.  Here are the slight differences I noticed in the booklet:

* They have you bring 6 objects to use as markers rather than 5.   (Which is odd, because the "Turning and Cornering" exercise in the online version shows 6 markers.  :dunno: )

* The booklet has 3 additional turning exercises: "Normal Turns", Normal Stop on a Curve" and "Quick Stop on a Curve".

* The booklet has a more involved version of the "Obstacle Swerve" exercise.  (See images below.)[/list:u]

Good things to practice are, as others have said, emergency stops, hill starts and very slow speed "U" turns, full lock-rear brake-clutch-slipping to keep up the revs combination. Just riding for the joy of it is very good too.

the two by four, can't forget that one.

Hey, if you're searching for markers, the best I've found is that sleeve of old tennis balls in the garage.  Cut'em in half, spread'em around and go practicing. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/redshift/Ride.gif)

Tennis balls - great idea!