Well, today was Day 1 of my 3-day MSF approved beginner/refresher course at our local Harley dealer.
Now that I'm home for the evening I thought I'd share a few observations.
My class is comprised of 5 females, with riding experience ranging from 'never, and don't know where the throttle is' to 'ride daily since 2003 but never got my license'. I sit somewhere in between those two extremes, having 10 years of riding experience...but didn't ride for the past 28 years.
The morning session allowed some chit chat to get to know each other, gave us good valuable safety basics for the course and for always, provided a tour of the dealership, and a review of motorcycle controls and proper riding apparel.
After the lunch break, we met our Buell motorcycles and Bless them, they've had hard lives. I begged a wrench to reposition the clutch lever on mine (oops, I think I wasn't supposed to tell about that lol). The new HD bikes that will be used for these courses were being delivered about that time...the 500 Streets will replace the retiring Buell fleet in the next few weeks once they've had some breakin miles and are outfitted with rider/bike safety bars, etc.
All in all, I must have been doing OK in the instructor's eyes, as she asked me to switch bikes with a less experienced rider because hers was 'too peppy'.
Important things I learned today that I never knew...
--Handlebars must be pointed straight ahead before applying the brakes to avoid falling down
--Apply both brakes together when practicing to establish muscle memory, you'll need it if you need to stop
quickly.
Good Stuff!!! I'll report in again tomorrow. We meet on the course at 7:30 am... :)
Regards, 2beers Bride
Motorcycles do two things the same way...Start and stop in a straight line. Sooo, your taking a rider's edge course... Be aware that it's NOT the same as the MSF Basic RiderCourse...close but not the same. How much did you have to pay for this?
Sounds like you are having fun and learning at the same time! ;D I'll be watching for more reports.
Quote from: Troll on March 26, 2014, 18:36:04 PM
Motorcycles do two things the same way...Start and stop in a straight line. Sooo, your taking a rider's edge course... Be aware that it's NOT the same as the MSF Basic RiderCourse...close but not the same. How much did you have to pay for this?
Hey,Troll! $325 for 3 days, 8-5. I did research the MSF vs Riders Edge course (which now has a new name, but I can't recall it at the moment). Around here, I was told it is the same except for the added dealership tour. Here's my course book...am I missing something? I know you are an instructor and respect your opinion.
2beers Bride
The tour is a pretty obvious attempt at indoctrination. Most of the BRC classes are about 1/2 that much money. With riders edge, you get the blasts, with the other ones, you get all kinds of different bikes to choose from. The curriculum is supposed to be the same, but there are subtle differences. I've heard some pretty strange feedback from students....Enjoy yourself and keep your head up, look where you want to go...you should hear that about every fifteen seconds from your coach! I see they are using the older curriculum, based on the version number of your book...no worries, it works.
Quote from: Troll on March 26, 2014, 20:28:10 PM
The tour is a pretty obvious attempt at indoctrination. Most of the BRC classes are about 1/2 that much money. With riders edge, you get the blasts, with the other ones, you get all kinds of different bikes to choose from. The curriculum is supposed to be the same, but there are subtle differences. I've heard some pretty strange feedback from students....Enjoy yourself and keep your head up, look where you want to go...you should hear that about every fifteen seconds from your coach!
Thanks for the answer, and I'll report again tomorrow. It may be regional, but the price here was less than the alternatives I had and also was located closer to me. There is a less exoensive course offered by the DMV but I heard nothing good about it.
Yes! I have heard that many times today from my coach! And it was great to see that, step step, by the end of the day, all 5 students were riding. We accomplished the first three field exercises, the fourth is scheduled for early morning and it is going to be a chilly 29 degrees in Atlanta!
I took the rider's edge course. They used the MSF book similar to what is in the picture. But I don't remember which version. I thought it was very helpful. A lot has to do with the instructor I'm guessing. The instructor I had was great. Really helped with build confidence while riding. Although I really got tired of riding the box. We rode that a lot.
And yes, those Buell's have seen better days. So much road rash, and those poor clutches.
Years back when I used to teach the Canada Safety Council Motorcycle Safety Course, we had a special course for older people and most were females, we were into the Braking session. So our practice at the time was to show the correct way to brake, then go around come and do a rear wheel lock up to slide and show the distance you would travel, go around come back and do it correctly again.
We had a small rain fall just before the session, I was doing the riding, (privilege of being the Chief Instructor) did the first one everything was good, came around for the improper way. Well then things went down (literally).....I did the rear wheel lock up and was doing a nice slid, the front tire caught the dry spot....and we tumbled, the instructor who was doing the narration, never missed a beat. Got up did it properly.
Best part was afterwards one of the ladies came over after the session, and said, " boy you guys must get sore having to fall like that every course you teach.....lol
I had the DMV MSF course. It's free in my state. The instructor was great, but tough. Not everyone passed our class.
When I went to get new insurance, I got a discount because I took the MSF course, and had my cert card. Make sure you mention that to your agent when getting insurance.
Quote from: DC on March 27, 2014, 12:38:13 PM
When I went to get new insurance, I got a discount because I took the MSF course, and had my cert card. Make sure you mention that to your agent when getting insurance.
This.
Also, taking advanced courses help lower them even more. I plan on taking one if there are ever any offered near my area. Haven't looked in awhile though. Last time there weren't any.
Finally getting around to reporting back about the class :) I was just plain tired after Day 2, and went out to dinner with 2beers to celebrate passing the course after Day 3. Yippee! I'll notify my insurance carrier next week.
The field work in the course was very well organized. Each exercise built upon the last, and each rider was individually coached by our instructor as necessary. I colored outside the lines at first in 'the box', but accomplished it with practice. I found that my Frog Togs really do keep you dry, since Day 3 poured down rain until just after we finished testing. Performing some of the skills, like how to brake while in a curve, swerve and quick stop, on wet pavement, was good experience for all of us.
Class work in discussion form gave everyone a chance to ask questions and share experiences, and I believe it was a format that compliments the course. Our coach informed us about other riding courses that are available at Harley and also at the MSF academy (about an hour away for me), and Bike Bonding was the one recommended to us if we find we'd like additional instruction in the near future.
Personally, I found breaking my worst old bad riding habit was the best benefit to me (the bars straight before braking issue). Also, I've always downplayed how important it is to be able to 'properly' reach the ground...my other bikes were too tall for me and I worked around it when I was younger. That helped me to develop some bad/potentially dangerous riding habits. If I could get one toe on the ground, or stop near a curb, I'd ride it. Now, there's no question that riding is safer and more enjoyable when I can actually put both feet flat on the ground. This may sound like a no-brainer to those of you who haven't experienced the short side of life, but it's new to me!
So, Princess will definitely have her seat shaved (which I was planning, but had wavered about it). 2beers will be able to ride her to the upholsterer this week to order the work. After that, a parking lot day or two with her and I should be venturing out on the road again, feeling more confident and in control than I was before the course. After all, Maggie Valley in August is just around the corner! ;)
Ride Safe, ya'll!!!
--The Bride
good for you and ride safe...thanks for the update.....
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 30, 2014, 20:22:31 PM
good for you and ride safe...thanks for the update.....
Thanks, Ratman, appreciate it. 2beers rode Princess to the upholsterer today and I chose my materials for the new cover. This guy I was referred to does a lot of bike seats, I asked if he thinks we can take an inch out on the shave, and he said I'll gain more than that easily. I'm looking forward to that!
--The Bride
lol when I asked about that he too laughed the dude doing my seat, and it does feel really comfortable, now to get rid of the snow and I can actually try it out.
sitting in front of a flat screen and watching Trolls vids and making vroom vroom noises and trying to lean and move around on the bike while it is on the lift is not a really good test of comfort.....