Kinda failed MSF course - need help
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I am a Ride Like A Pro fan. That being said I started with Christine's Kickstart which is designed for beginners. http://www.ckskickstart.com
I am a firm believer in parking lot practice. You cannot get enough it especially when you are new. I disagree with Sarg. It is too soon to know whether you belong on a motorcycle. If you do not have a motorcycle purchase a cheap one on Craigslist or at a pawn shop. Make sure it runs but otherwise its only purpose is getting you to the bike of your dreams. Hang in there and PRACTICE!!! You can do this. Good luck!
I am a firm believer in parking lot practice. You cannot get enough it especially when you are new. I disagree with Sarg. It is too soon to know whether you belong on a motorcycle. If you do not have a motorcycle purchase a cheap one on Craigslist or at a pawn shop. Make sure it runs but otherwise its only purpose is getting you to the bike of your dreams. Hang in there and PRACTICE!!! You can do this. Good luck!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Kinda failed? Is that what you meant to say? Kinda failed could translate to kinda got killed on a bike.
To those that are knocking the posts saying maybe he shouldn't ride I'd like to give some real life experience.
I have a son that is a master on the bike. Dirt or street. He takes to it like a fish to water.
I have another son that will never ride a bike. He just doesn't have the ability. He plays a piano like you wouldn't believe. He taught himself how to write music when he was 10. He learned sign language on his own. He's very intelligent but will never be a biker. It just isn't in his nature. And we did try. He won't do it. Can't do it.
Some have got it naturally. First son. A lot can learn it. I'm sure that describes many here on the forum. Some will not and should not ever throw a leg over a bike. Second son.
To the OP. Go back to your instructor and have a heart to heart talk with him about your abilities. He should be able to give you the best answer as to whether you should continue riding or not.
To those that are knocking the posts saying maybe he shouldn't ride I'd like to give some real life experience.
I have a son that is a master on the bike. Dirt or street. He takes to it like a fish to water.
I have another son that will never ride a bike. He just doesn't have the ability. He plays a piano like you wouldn't believe. He taught himself how to write music when he was 10. He learned sign language on his own. He's very intelligent but will never be a biker. It just isn't in his nature. And we did try. He won't do it. Can't do it.
Some have got it naturally. First son. A lot can learn it. I'm sure that describes many here on the forum. Some will not and should not ever throw a leg over a bike. Second son.
To the OP. Go back to your instructor and have a heart to heart talk with him about your abilities. He should be able to give you the best answer as to whether you should continue riding or not.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Richland, WA
I'm an ex-MSF instructor and taught for 5 years actively - I passed a lot of students and failed a few. Motorcycling isn't for everybody but the course is a good way to find out. I have had students fail and shouldn't have and had students who knew how to take a test but shouldn't be riding. Nonetheless, the tests serve a purpose and is the best way to evaluate a student as long as the instructor doesn't rig the score! I've seen that happen too. Just like riders, there are instructors who don't belong out there (rare). Practice? You can practice the wrong technique and build bad habits quickly. It's best to take the class again under the guidance of a good instructor. Motorcycling is using fine motor skills and isn't easy for everyone; unfortunately the time constraints don't allow for individual learning paces and some will need to take the class again - it's cheap! I have had students come back and I would say about 99% of them passed and became way better riders because of it. FZ - gotta learn the PAUSE - a lot of power in that. You don't always have to release the clutch fully when doing very slow speeds. Clutch adjustments can determine early or late clutch engagement; you should be able to deal with either. These can be adjusted quickly on MSF bikes by the instructor.
Originally Posted by Other Sheep 
Kinda failed? Is that what you meant to say? Kinda failed could translate to kinda got killed on a bike.
To those that are knocking the posts saying maybe he shouldn't ride I'd like to give some real life experience.
I have a son that is a master on the bike. Dirt or street. He takes to it like a fish to water.
I have another son that will never ride a bike. He just doesn't have the ability. He plays a piano like you wouldn't believe. He taught himself how to write music when he was 10. He learned sign language on his own. He's very intelligent but will never be a biker. It just isn't in his nature. And we did try. He won't do it. Can't do it.
Some have got it naturally. First son. A lot can learn it. I'm sure that describes many here on the forum. Some will not and should not ever throw a leg over a bike. Second son.
To the OP. Go back to your instructor and have a heart to heart talk with him about your abilities. He should be able to give you the best answer as to whether you should continue riding or not.
Kinda failed? Is that what you meant to say? Kinda failed could translate to kinda got killed on a bike.
To those that are knocking the posts saying maybe he shouldn't ride I'd like to give some real life experience.
I have a son that is a master on the bike. Dirt or street. He takes to it like a fish to water.
I have another son that will never ride a bike. He just doesn't have the ability. He plays a piano like you wouldn't believe. He taught himself how to write music when he was 10. He learned sign language on his own. He's very intelligent but will never be a biker. It just isn't in his nature. And we did try. He won't do it. Can't do it.
Some have got it naturally. First son. A lot can learn it. I'm sure that describes many here on the forum. Some will not and should not ever throw a leg over a bike. Second son.
To the OP. Go back to your instructor and have a heart to heart talk with him about your abilities. He should be able to give you the best answer as to whether you should continue riding or not.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I've got real life examples for you. I play many instruments; piano, drums, bass guitar, sax, trombone, tuba...they did NOT come naturally to me. I did a whole lot of asking questions to people that are proficient and going and trying what they told me. Some guided and some not. Never an actual lesson, but now, I have no problems getting with a group and performing. I have even performed solo - it definitely took me a good while to learn, and even longer to get "good" but I did, and the OP can too.
Ride on, ride on.
For prictice I think a dirt bike isthe best method if available. More forgiving and hurts a lot less if you fall.
But if you pass the test and get your license, riding your bike is the easy part, the difficult part is avoiding the obsticles and the idiots trying to kill us.
But if you pass the test and get your license, riding your bike is the easy part, the difficult part is avoiding the obsticles and the idiots trying to kill us.
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg, Va
I said it before in this thread, and will say it now. Some people just aren't meant to ride a motorcycle. I am in complete agreement with Othersheep. The MSF course I took several years ago bears witness to this fact. Everyone passed, but there were three out of ten that had no business throwing a leg over a bike. No way, no how. And I have ridden with others on the road that fit that description as well.
Just wishing it so, does not make it so......
Shakey
Just wishing it so, does not make it so......
Shakey
I said it before in this thread, and will say it now. Some people just aren't meant to ride a motorcycle. I am in complete agreement with Othersheep. The MSF course I took several years ago bears witness to this fact. Everyone passed, but there were three out of ten that had no business throwing a leg over a bike. No way, no how. And I have ridden with others on the road that fit that description as well.
Just wishing it so, does not make it so......
Shakey
Just wishing it so, does not make it so......
Shakey