Need some tips on basic riding techniques
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
ORIGINAL: coldmcrider
Cal - The MSF began in 1973 so it wasn't around when you started in '66. I also started back in '68 with Yucks method in a field. Took a long time to become proficient. I 've been teaching MSF classes since 1999 and after two days on the range my studentsare alot better rider than I was after several years of being self taught. They are still beginners though and need alot of time on the street to gain experience.
Cal - The MSF began in 1973 so it wasn't around when you started in '66. I also started back in '68 with Yucks method in a field. Took a long time to become proficient. I 've been teaching MSF classes since 1999 and after two days on the range my studentsare alot better rider than I was after several years of being self taught. They are still beginners though and need alot of time on the street to gain experience.
All one has to do (other than just observing the riders on the road)to verify this is to read these boards. There isn't a week goes by that you can't read on at least 1 of the more popular board about some new rider crashing.
Sorry, but a new diploma and a few hours out in a parking lot doesn't get it done.
Flame away. I'm wearing kevlar chaps.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,138
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
ORIGINAL: EricVonZipper
well, it must depend a lot on the instructor, then. Because, quite frankly, I see a lot, and I mean a whole lot, of new riders (it's obvious) out there, that have no clue, and look to be a danger to themselves, and anybody else riding with them.
All one has to do (other than just observing the riders on the road)to verify this is to read these boards. There isn't a week goes by that you can't read on at least 1 of the more popular board about some new rider crashing.
Sorry, but a new diploma and a few hours out in a parking lot doesn't get it done.
Flame away. I'm wearing kevlar chaps.
ORIGINAL: coldmcrider
Cal - The MSF began in 1973 so it wasn't around when you started in '66. I also started back in '68 with Yucks method in a field. Took a long time to become proficient. I 've been teaching MSF classes since 1999 and after two days on the range my studentsare alot better rider than I was after several years of being self taught. They are still beginners though and need alot of time on the street to gain experience.
Cal - The MSF began in 1973 so it wasn't around when you started in '66. I also started back in '68 with Yucks method in a field. Took a long time to become proficient. I 've been teaching MSF classes since 1999 and after two days on the range my studentsare alot better rider than I was after several years of being self taught. They are still beginners though and need alot of time on the street to gain experience.
All one has to do (other than just observing the riders on the road)to verify this is to read these boards. There isn't a week goes by that you can't read on at least 1 of the more popular board about some new rider crashing.
Sorry, but a new diploma and a few hours out in a parking lot doesn't get it done.
Flame away. I'm wearing kevlar chaps.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Central PA & DC Metro
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
I purchased a brand new bike in late June and let it sit in the garage until I passed the MSF course ("graduated" two weeks ago). I don't know about your previous experience, but I had zero...zilch...nothin'! Never even had a manual transmission car! Anyway, I resisted the temptation to "practice" and am all the better for it. Going in with a "clean slate," I was able to more easily absorb everything the instructors were teaching me. Now, of course, there's much more practicing to be done, but, believe me, you'll learn loads of information--from basic operating techniques to potentially life-saving maneuvers. Bottom line--it's worth the wait!!!
Good luck. I think I'm pretty much in the same boat as you UC, probably with a lot of the sameconcerns. While this forum is definitely your best bet for advice in the meantime, your more than welcome tomessage me--a newbie"kindred spirit"--with any beginner's questions you might have.
Good luck. I think I'm pretty much in the same boat as you UC, probably with a lot of the sameconcerns. While this forum is definitely your best bet for advice in the meantime, your more than welcome tomessage me--a newbie"kindred spirit"--with any beginner's questions you might have.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
unfortunately, there is so much more traffic now, than when a lot of us learned (I also learned in the mid 60s, out in the countryside), that it's much more dangerous.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 0
From: Palmer Alaska
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
ORIGINAL: EricVonZipper
well, it must depend a lot on the instructor, then. Because, quite frankly, I see a lot, and I mean a whole lot, of new riders (it's obvious) out there, that have no clue, and look to be a danger to themselves, and anybody else riding with them.
All one has to do (other than just observing the riders on the road)to verify this is to read these boards. There isn't a week goes by that you can't read on at least 1 of the more popular board about some new rider crashing.
Sorry, but a new diploma and a few hours out in a parking lot doesn't get it done.
Flame away. I'm wearing kevlar chaps.
ORIGINAL: coldmcrider
Cal - The MSF began in 1973 so it wasn't around when you started in '66. I also started back in '68 with Yucks method in a field. Took a long time to become proficient. I 've been teaching MSF classes since 1999 and after two days on the range my studentsare alot better rider than I was after several years of being self taught. They are still beginners though and need alot of time on the street to gain experience.
Cal - The MSF began in 1973 so it wasn't around when you started in '66. I also started back in '68 with Yucks method in a field. Took a long time to become proficient. I 've been teaching MSF classes since 1999 and after two days on the range my studentsare alot better rider than I was after several years of being self taught. They are still beginners though and need alot of time on the street to gain experience.
All one has to do (other than just observing the riders on the road)to verify this is to read these boards. There isn't a week goes by that you can't read on at least 1 of the more popular board about some new rider crashing.
Sorry, but a new diploma and a few hours out in a parking lot doesn't get it done.
Flame away. I'm wearing kevlar chaps.
I personally recomend an MSF, or the equivalent, to new riders
, JMO........ that, and an empty parking lot
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
There are two kinds of "experience"; the experience of practicing the wrong techniques and the experience of practicing the right techniques. The MSF course simply gives you the necessary tools to practice using the right techniques.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 0
From: Palmer Alaska
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
ORIGINAL: jca_54
There are two kinds of "experience"; the experience of practicing the wrong techniques and the experience of practicing the right techniques. The MSF course simply gives you the necessary tools to practice using the right techniques.
There are two kinds of "experience"; the experience of practicing the wrong techniques and the experience of practicing the right techniques. The MSF course simply gives you the necessary tools to practice using the right techniques.
, what better ones to practice , and learn to apply in practical experience on the road. LG
With a whoppin' 3 season's of experience, I still practice my skills............. EVERY TIME I RIDE!!
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
Thanks Ladyglide. As an MSF (and Rider's Edge) instructor here in the Houston area, it gets a little frustrating when people refer to an MSFclass as "parking lot" instruction. Whatwouldpeople suggestwe do? Take the students out on Interstate 10 and make them practice passing 18 wheelers? If our sons/daughters were learning how to ride, where would we want them to practice? On a parking lot of course. It's really a very simple concept. Learn and practice the techniques in the "parking lot" (class) and apply them on the road (real life).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Need some tips on basic riding techniques
ORIGINAL: Calwoodbutcher
Hey Whaap, what year did they start MSF courses? I started riding in 1966 and did not know about any courses. Back then we used Yuck's method.
Hey Whaap, what year did they start MSF courses? I started riding in 1966 and did not know about any courses. Back then we used Yuck's method.