Quote from: cucamongaDitto on the MSF,

MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  MSF!  

DO IT!!!!!  

It's $240 in WA, but it's TOTALLY worth it...  Need more convincing?

Quote from: The Hurt Report24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

MSF Free in PA!  Woot woo!  :O)

Got my 04 GS500F 1 month ago....the parking lot of my apt complex away from cars was the best way to learn for about 2 weeks.....esp like balance and 1st gear into 2nd.  from a stop you can try going into 1st etc...you will stall alot, but you will get it down.  I then took small baby rides around a 1 block loop for 1 week.  Scary at first, but you get more comfortable if there arent many cars around (avoid rush hour times etc).  and yes, as everyone else....MSF course is def the first step along with a good jacket, helmet and gloves.  Pants are worth it too, but the get the first 3 things...

And the 04 F fairings are cake to get off.  Like maybe 5 allen bolts on each side....lil tricky with the bottom piece bc there is a conceter that snaps, but you can fiddle with it and take it off within 15 minutes.


-Hops

Quote from: hoppers69MSF Free in PA!  Woot woo!  :O)

Got my 04 GS500F 1 month ago....the parking lot of my apt complex away from cars was the best way to learn for about 2 weeks.....esp like balance and 1st gear into 2nd.  from a stop you can try going into 1st etc...you will stall alot, but you will get it down.  I then took small baby rides around a 1 block loop for 1 week.  Scary at first, but you get more comfortable if there arent many cars around (avoid rush hour times etc).  and yes, as everyone else....MSF course is def the first step along with a good jacket, helmet and gloves.  Pants are worth it too, but the get the first 3 things...

And the 04 F fairings are cake to get off.  Like maybe 5 allen bolts on each side....lil tricky with the bottom piece bc there is a conceter that snaps, but you can fiddle with it and take it off within 15 minutes.


-Hops

its $25 here in Ohio, or free if you under 18.  but man its booked for months ahead.

sly,
if you're really itching to take the course and get riding (i know i was), check the surrounding towns for courses, especially towns that have community colleges or the like.  i was able to get into a course three months sooner by going an hour and a half away.  inconvenient, yes, but better that than starting to ride because you simply can't wait for the course.  ahem.  i never did that...really!

Quote from: RVertigoMSF!  

DO IT!!!!!  

It's $240 in WA, but it's TOTALLY worth it...  Need more convincing?

Not to be too picky, but WA doesn't have MSF; the Evergreen Safety Council has a Motorcycle Safety program that uses some of the MSF materials, but isn't overseen by MSF.  This is relevant because the school is contracted out.  I signed up for the Grays Harbor school because the Seattle one was so booked; the guy who is contracted to run that school is an utter duck (doesn't even ride).  DON'T go to that one.  I did the Seattle one in midwinter, and it was very cool.  I recommend that one.  There are a limited number of subsidized spots for $100, and more unsubsidized ones for $240 as said.  You get the same insurance discount and automatic license.

a side note, OR does not recognize MSF as a governing safety body, and therefore does not recognize a msf course as a acceptable safety course, I found this out when I was still in NC, and still had a oregon licence and was trying to get a endorsement, I ended up having to get a nc permit and a nc licence and then a oregon endorcement, 300 bucks in dmv fees later I had a OR motorcycle endorsement.

Quote from: splattsly,
if you're really itching to take the course and get riding (i know i was), check the surrounding towns for courses, especially towns that have community colleges or the like.  i was able to get into a course three months sooner by going an hour and a half away.  inconvenient, yes, but better that than starting to ride because you simply can't wait for the course.  ahem.  i never did that...really!

i was thinking about doing that too, but i dont have to wait that long. i'll get in msf class at the end of june or very early july.  that class is 30min away.  i dont feel like driving farther than that.

Well guys... They just delivered it and i took it out for a spin on my street.

The guy who delivered it was very nice to explain pretty much all buttons, lights, knobs, keys, settings.

Anyways,  i must of driven total of 1 mile.  thats like my street 4 times back and forth.   i was going 25-30mph and never went higher than 3rd gear.  i didnt risk making turns at the end of the street, so i slowed down a lot and held the clutch in and pretty much walked my bike in the turn part as i was sitting on it.

So i didnt fall and i didnt drop my bike.   I have no problem shifting gears once i'm moving in first.

I need some detailed tips on how to start moving,  i guess i'm trying to figure out an easy way of letting clutch go and giving it some throttle.  i did stall a couple of times here.

That's the kind of stuff the class will cover.  In the meantime - forget about the throttle.  Spend some time finding the clutch engagement point.  The clutch is not an on/off switch; it has some slip.  Warm up the bike, go to a parking lot, and then shift into first with the clutch in and practice getting the bike moving from a stop without stalling using only your clutch.  You'll want a flat surface without an upwards cant, and keep your feet down for this exercise.    Do this until you feel comfy with it.

Quote from: slytekI need some detailed tips on how to start moving,  i guess i'm trying to figure out an easy way of letting clutch go and giving it some throttle.  i did stall a couple of times here.

To start off easy, I blip the throttle to about 3k and then start to let the clutch out. When I feel the clutch start to grab, increase the gas but not the rpms. They will stay about the same. As you start moving continue to let the clutch out slowly and increase the throttle. After some time you will get the feel of where the clutch grabs, all bikes are different. It is good to practice just letting the clutch out and feel the "bump" where it engages.

If you start going too fast pull the clutch first instead of decreasing the throttle. This should lessen the stalling.