Did the Motorcycle Safety Course This weekend.

[drdubb]

Broke down and took the course this weekend. It was a good thing, as I've often said, you can always learn something new. Created some awareness on my part of a few bad habits, good for low speed maneuvering and practice on braking. (can' do enough) Mix of folks, two three like me, returning to riding, a couple of young bucks, a few older females. Felt bad for one lady, she just couldn't get the hang of it. Dropped her bike twice that I saw. The rest did pretty well. Glad I did it, will it help, I don't know. I will get a discount on my insurance.

[hockeyhawk]

Nice job drdubb, that course is priceless. 

[drdubb]

By the way....the bikes were POS. Suzuki GZ 250's. I thought a connecting rod was going to come between legs any minute. When you roll on throttle, it was like an on-off switch, but you didn't know when. I learned to keep the engine revved and slip the clutch to look like I was riding smooth.

[ariwhiteboy]

Glad you enjoyed the course doc, those Suzuki 250s are rough...a female friend of mine learned to ride on one.  At least it was someone else's clutch that you were abusing.

[happycommuter]

Dropped her bike twice that I saw.

Back in the day, you dropped a bike and you got sent home empty-handed. Standards have dropped.

The higher level courses let you ride your own bike (unless it leaks a bunch of oil, which is a hindrance for some of us).

[drdubb]

I think she was dropped. Didn't take the written test. I could've used my bike, but it seemed easier on theirs. There were 2 NH250's in the shed, but they weren't brought out to ride. I would've preferred the standard position over the cruiser style. I kept reaching for pegs in the wrong places and for rear breaking it was difficult to be smooth and precise.

Interesting point, one instructor rides a fat boy, the other a bandit 1250.

Sad note, a student was killed today at the community college in the next county, riding to his safety class.

[Burgi]

Two women in my course dropped the same Suzi 250. They claimed it was a problem with the bike but the instructors couldn't replicate it so they both failed.
I'm considering taking the experienced rider course this fall, not quite sure yet.

[Baileyman]

I too have been thinking about taking the experienced rider course.  I had my MSF course about 9 years ago, rode for a year, was away from bikes for about 5 years, been riding daily for about 2 1/2 or 3 years now.  I feel pretty confident, but sure I could learn some more, and sure I've forgotten some key things from my earlier course.

[drdubb]

I've heard that some folks take it every few years. I will probably do that with the advanced course. Now that I know where the range is...I might check it out from time to time. Especially the braking part.

[SirSeanSean]

When I took the course I too used a Suzuki GZ250. I hated the clutch on that thing; It would either not grab or it would slip into neutral. When I would ride it the instructors kept telling me, "Remember you got to make sure your nice and smooth when shifting." I knew it was the bike because I had ridden mine in a parking lot twice before and didn't have a problem shifting it.

[Burgi]

Signed up to take the ERC next month. Not worried about the course but if I drop my bike I'm gonna be kicking myself. Down side of being the first owner of any vehicle.....that first scratch. 

[drdubb]

Signed up to take the ERC next month. Not worried about the course but if I drop my bike I'm gonna be kicking myself. Down side of being the first owner of any vehicle.....that first scratch. 

As I've read in many threads on this forum, take it out in the yard and kick it over to get the first drop over with.

I don't think you'll have any problems, except maybe the U-Turn box.

[SirSeanSean]

Signed up to take the ERC next month. Not worried about the course but if I drop my bike I'm gonna be kicking myself. Down side of being the first owner of any vehicle.....that first scratch. 

As I've read in many threads on this forum, take it out in the yard and kick it over to get the first drop over with.

I don't think you'll have any problems, except maybe the U-Turn box.

Ugh I hated the U-Turn box. I think I need to take my bike to a parking lot and do some low-speed tight turns for some practice.

[Bumblebee]

Ugh I hated the U-Turn box. I think I need to take my bike to a parking lot and do some low-speed tight turns for some practice.

Teach yourself to do figure 8's from steering stop to steering stop. After that, the u-turn box is about the size of Wyoming.

[hppants]

More experienced riders on this site have inspired me to do some parking lot practice around once per month.  I have learned that riding slow is harder than riding fast.

[michaeld1]

When I took the course I too used a Suzuki GZ250. I hated the clutch on that thing; It would either not grab or it would slip into neutral. When I would ride it the instructors kept telling me, "Remember you got to make sure your nice and smooth when shifting." I knew it was the bike because I had ridden mine in a parking lot twice before and didn't have a problem shifting it.

I rode the same thing in my class and the throttle on it was touchy.  It had two settings on and off it seemed like.  My throttle on my bike now is way smoother and much easier to use.

[Bumblebee]

More experienced riders on this site have inspired me to do some parking lot practice around once per month.  I have learned that riding slow is harder than riding fast.

 

Any monkey straight from the forest could ride fast. Well, actually you don't even need the monkey. Just take out the throttle return spring, open the throttle and the motorcycle will go fast in a straight line by itself.

Turning and seriously slow though, THAT is where the difference is between a motorcycle driver and motorcycle rider. Be a rider in control of your machine.

[librarydude]

Did mine last weekend, got my "M" on monday and go to pick up my bike this morning. Then its country roads and parking lots for a few weeks to acclimate myself to the new bike....have dirtbike experience but the road is a different kinda beast.

[Soupskin]

Did mine last weekend, got my "M" on monday and go to pick up my bike this morning. Then its country roads and parking lots for a few weeks to acclimate myself to the new bike....have dirtbike experience but the road is a different kinda beast.

Congrats and Welcome! 

 

Got any pics of your new ride?  Feel free to jump in the "Your Honda Nighthawk" forum and show it off!

[cjbear11]

I think I'm going to take the advanced rider course next year. I wanted to this year,  but they apparently only offer it two or three times and it's already full.

[Burgi]

I think I'm going to take the advanced rider course next year. I wanted to this year,  but they apparently only offer it two or three times and it's already full.

I did the ERP last year and am signed up to take a course at a track next month. It isn't a track school but they rent out a closed track that is set up like a mountain road so it is about cornering at speed. Gotta get a new rear tire first....I need a less expensive hobby. 

[injuredcyclist]

Passed mine a couple weeks ago.  It was a mix of older guys renewing their skills, and guys with slightly more riding experience than me (which is to say none before I took the class).

They actually passed a law in Oregon requiring that everyone take a course in order to get your MC endorsement.  Its being phased in over I think five years.  Right now if you're under 31 years old you need the course, with ten year age bumps until everyone is covered.  Passing the course counts as both the written test and the on-course skills test at the DMV.

http://teamoregon.orst.edu/to_web/index.shtml