Old dog, new tricks

[ChiefK]

Well, I've been riding for over 30 years now. Sunday I'm going to take my FIRST motorcycle training. I'm signed up for the Basic Rider's Course 2 (formerly known as the experienced rider's course) of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I don't know what to expect....whether it will be a waste of time, or if I'll ride away safer. We'll see. Either way, I'm anxious to go!

[Top Cat]

Be careful, there is a thread on here by a guy who fried his clutch taking courses like that.
http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34089

[Rasta]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Be careful, there is a thread on here by a guy who fried his clutch taking courses like that.
http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34089

I was just thinking the same thing TC when I started reading this!!

[smbke]

The MSF course is taught on the local community college campus here in Vegas. The course costs $100 and they provide the motorcycles! No fear of wearing out your clutch. The MSF 2 course is basically a refresher of the beginner course with some advanced traffic tactics. You do have to have your own motorcycle for the MSF 2. Take it! You may be surprised at how many bad habits you have picked up!

[schoeney]

Originally Posted by smbke

The MSF course is taught on the local community college campus here in Vegas. The course costs $100 and they provide the motorcycles! No fear of wearing out your clutch. The MSF 2 course is basically a refresher of the beginner course with some advanced traffic tactics. You do have to have your own motorcycle for the MSF 2. Take it! You may be surprised at how many bad habits you have picked up!

+1

I took mine on my Nomad. I was first up doing the figure 8's in the small box.

Luckily I aced it but the guy right behind me dumped his brand new VStrom 1000 (automatic failure). He broke his mirror and bent his gear shifter but the worst part is the instructor made the poor guy wait (for paperwork) on the sideline while the rest of the group (about a dozen bikes) finished their tests and received their paperwork. Took about an hour. Humiliating.

Everybody felt bad as we all knew it could have easily been one of us.

I still refer to some of the lessons learned. i.e. keep your head/eyes pointed to your destination (where you want to go-especially in turns- not at the road right in front of the tire), proper stance and position when stopped at a light, how to trip newer stop lights (hit your starter while engine is running on some bikes-it worked on the Nomad), how the chances of getting in an accident skyrocket with just one drink, that a very small % (like 4%) of MC wrecks happen from behind, etc.

I rode a lot of dirt and street bikes growing up so of course I thought I knew it all, but obviously I didn't. A worthwhile course. Good luck.

[ChiefK]

Lots of good info. I'm in the military, so taking the course is not optional....we have to take it. Report card to follow after this weekend!

[ChiefK]

Well, Sunday came and so did the rain. I almost always avoid riding in the rain, but the course was given "rain or shine" so I rode the 75 miles to the training location. It poured all day. We did the tight figure 8's, the quick stops, the obstacle avoidance swerves, you name it.....all in the rain. It was GREAT! I overcame my hesitance to ride in the rain, boosted my confidence, and made me enjoy my bike much more!
Nobody dumped their bikes or destroyed their clutches. If any clutch gets destroyed during this training, its because the bike needed maintenance or the rider didn't know how to operate his machine.

I highly encourage all riders to go to the BRC2!

[Old Bear]

Riding in the rain is the best way to get a bath. I hear that we should try to have one about once a month or so ...