Kinda failed MSF course - need help
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Really?! I know folks who have never driven a stick shift. It takes practice and coordinaiton; that's all. Took me a few tries to learn a clutch in a car. A shame one poster has no faith in his #2 son. Of course I don't have the patience to teach my younger son to drive a stick; not because he ain't capable, he just don't listen. Anyone that is determined can learn to ride as long as they're not afraid of the bike. If the OP ain't afraid, he just needs practice. Pick up a second hand Sporty and practice...in a safe open area/parking lot. If you've never driven a stick, find one of those and learn to drive it first.
Keep it up tron2, you'll get there.
Keep it up tron2, you'll get there.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
When I took the MSF class many years ago, we had 2 students that after day one, we felt would not be able to pass. Student 1 had trouble keeping the bike running, releasing the clutch too quickly and simply learning the controls AND the friction zone (He had never driven a stick). Student 2, has a tall guy on our buells and was constantly putting his feet to the ground, yet had ridden for many years on larger bikes.
After day one, our instructor took student 1 aside, and suggested the "Dry Run" method of practicing the hand movements to gain muscle memory.
He gave student 2 the suggestion to simply imagine that he was on his bigger bike, and to seriously consider taking a different class where he could use his own bike ( he could not authorize him to bring his own bike to class)
On day two, student 1 came in and stated that he had sat in his chair the previous evening, being laughed at by his wife, as he practiced the movements. after the first exercise of the day, we were all amazed at how well he had picked it up. Never stalling and the friction zone seemed to come to him with ease. Of course, this student passed with ease.
Student 2 came in with an attitude that said he didn't feel he needed to class, but it was required to get his license, He kept putting his feet down, and failed the class. His reasoning was that the bike was too small, and he was too large for the bike.
My point is simple. IF you want to learn, You WILL learn. if you go in with an attitude of failure, you WILL fail.
In your case, I seriously feel the class should have been postponed due to the heat. You can't concentrate on learning something new when extreme heat is a factor. Yes, we ride in the heat, BUT, we already know how to ride, and the controls are natural and automatic to use due to our individual experiences with riding.
Don't be discouraged, go take the class again, and I am certain you will do fine. Practice, might help, but if unable to do so, consider the muscle memory trick, and that will help tremendously. Keep you mind on the goal and you will be riding in no time.
Good Luck, keep your positive attitude, and when you get the class mastered, and get your own ride, let us know and I will be happy to ride with you if you are in my area.
After day one, our instructor took student 1 aside, and suggested the "Dry Run" method of practicing the hand movements to gain muscle memory.
He gave student 2 the suggestion to simply imagine that he was on his bigger bike, and to seriously consider taking a different class where he could use his own bike ( he could not authorize him to bring his own bike to class)
On day two, student 1 came in and stated that he had sat in his chair the previous evening, being laughed at by his wife, as he practiced the movements. after the first exercise of the day, we were all amazed at how well he had picked it up. Never stalling and the friction zone seemed to come to him with ease. Of course, this student passed with ease.
Student 2 came in with an attitude that said he didn't feel he needed to class, but it was required to get his license, He kept putting his feet down, and failed the class. His reasoning was that the bike was too small, and he was too large for the bike.
My point is simple. IF you want to learn, You WILL learn. if you go in with an attitude of failure, you WILL fail.
In your case, I seriously feel the class should have been postponed due to the heat. You can't concentrate on learning something new when extreme heat is a factor. Yes, we ride in the heat, BUT, we already know how to ride, and the controls are natural and automatic to use due to our individual experiences with riding.
Don't be discouraged, go take the class again, and I am certain you will do fine. Practice, might help, but if unable to do so, consider the muscle memory trick, and that will help tremendously. Keep you mind on the goal and you will be riding in no time.
Good Luck, keep your positive attitude, and when you get the class mastered, and get your own ride, let us know and I will be happy to ride with you if you are in my area.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Order the DVD Ride like the Pro's. This DVD will go over everything they teach you in the MSF Course....I believe Joe Palidino was the founder of the MSF Course.
http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Find a parking lot and just practice.
Karsten
http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Find a parking lot and just practice.
Karsten
There have been some very honest answers here so far...some people are not meant to ride. Not trying to be mean, it's just the way it is...To prove my point, I'd like to be a surgeon....Do you need your appendix removed?
I know someone else who decided he wanted a bike...he bought one and went to the DOT and got his license (pre MSF course requirement) Turns out he didn't really like to ride that much...his road name became "5 mile"
because that's the furthest he would ride.
OP...go buy one of those little scooters that I call a deweybike (DUIbike)
if you find that you want to ride it everywhere, THEN invest more money into one on one training for a motorcycle. Some Harley dealers will give you a free course if you buy your bike from them, just negotiate it..
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 248
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Hi,
I was very excited to ride a bike at the MSF course today (I even passed the written exam easily)...but during the day's training, near the end, I just could not keep up with the controls (temp was brutal - 104 F...kept drinking lot of water, but my clothes were drenched in sweat).
I didn't realize how tough this is...my Instructor was awesome, and he gave an honest assessment about my performance.
I can't get to ride the bike properly using 'Friction Zone' (riding in first gear is tough initially, and got my bike engine shut off so many times). Changing gears was definitely an issue...but more importantly - I keep using the front brakes, and not enabling foot brake with front brake together.
The heat was definitely killing me...but what can I do to prepare myself before I retake the MSF course again?
I am based in Arlington, VA -
Help, tips, advice are greatly appreciated....I do not want to fail next time. I can't give up
I was very excited to ride a bike at the MSF course today (I even passed the written exam easily)...but during the day's training, near the end, I just could not keep up with the controls (temp was brutal - 104 F...kept drinking lot of water, but my clothes were drenched in sweat).
I didn't realize how tough this is...my Instructor was awesome, and he gave an honest assessment about my performance.
I can't get to ride the bike properly using 'Friction Zone' (riding in first gear is tough initially, and got my bike engine shut off so many times). Changing gears was definitely an issue...but more importantly - I keep using the front brakes, and not enabling foot brake with front brake together.
The heat was definitely killing me...but what can I do to prepare myself before I retake the MSF course again?
I am based in Arlington, VA -
Help, tips, advice are greatly appreciated....I do not want to fail next time. I can't give up
Anyway, I've put off the re-test until next week so I could practice. Try and do the same if you can. I never rode a motorcycle before and I'm an old coot who hasn't even rode a reg. bike in 45 years so learning comes slower at my age but like you I not ready to give up yet.
I wish you all the luck and I know how devastating it was when they told you that you didn't pass. Notice i didn't say FAILED, because you only fail when you stop trying.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Sir, I am not trying to berate you or put you down in anyway,[[/B] but if you cannot complete the MSF course you should not be riding on the street with a motorcycle. The course is in itself the easiest course to pass and is BASIC motorcycle handling. You need to practice off road or in parking lots. Again I am not trying to demean you in any way, I just don't want to see you get injured. I have taught many people to ride to include being a Police Motorcycle Instructor and some people just are not able to gain the ability to ride a Motor Cycle safely. Please look at it with an objective mind. Try the course again and if you still cannot get through it, consider getting another hobby and live another day.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Maybe Yes - Maybe No
I too took the MSF course a few years back. In NJ it bypasses the need to take the practical riding test, going directly from written to riding. I found the MSF course was well thought out and got a lot of practical information from it, but, virtually everyone passed the course leaving me to believe that there were a few fatalities in the group, waiting to happen. That being said -
If you truely want to ride, IT IS A SKILL THAT CAN BE LEARNED WITH PRACTICE! The fact that you recognize that you have a problem is good. Continue to practice, possibly get private instruction but keep trying. You will know when you are ready, or not!
If you truely want to ride, IT IS A SKILL THAT CAN BE LEARNED WITH PRACTICE! The fact that you recognize that you have a problem is good. Continue to practice, possibly get private instruction but keep trying. You will know when you are ready, or not!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg, Va
but, virtually everyone passed the course leaving me to believe that there were a few fatalities in the group, waiting to happen.
Shakey
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
While I am not intending to jump you about you opinion I would dare say you come off a bit harsh.
We don't know a lot about matters other than it was extremely hot. Then toss in peer pressure to perform, we do not know if it was his/her bike or a MSF bike.
A lot can be done in an empty parking lot for practice and having a friend there with some experience would be even better. However, the choice of a friend to learn with would be very important so you aren't expected to ride to Their Expectations ....I.E. Sarg would send you home after 30 minutes and have you take up golf.
Think positive, get out and practice and it will all fall in place. Sit on your bike (or a friends) and learn the clutch, Hand brake, foot brake, shifter, turn signals, horn ect....Like above you can do it in a chair. It is called muscle memory, after time your muscles just know what to do, where to squeeze, what to push.
Again, get the Ride like a Pro DVD and watch it over and over. If you mention the HD forum just used to cut $5.00 off the price too.
Karsten
We don't know a lot about matters other than it was extremely hot. Then toss in peer pressure to perform, we do not know if it was his/her bike or a MSF bike.
A lot can be done in an empty parking lot for practice and having a friend there with some experience would be even better. However, the choice of a friend to learn with would be very important so you aren't expected to ride to Their Expectations ....I.E. Sarg would send you home after 30 minutes and have you take up golf.
Think positive, get out and practice and it will all fall in place. Sit on your bike (or a friends) and learn the clutch, Hand brake, foot brake, shifter, turn signals, horn ect....Like above you can do it in a chair. It is called muscle memory, after time your muscles just know what to do, where to squeeze, what to push.
Again, get the Ride like a Pro DVD and watch it over and over. If you mention the HD forum just used to cut $5.00 off the price too.
Karsten
