Limit riding until MSF?
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: SC
Limit riding until MSF?
First time rider. Bought an 883 about a month ago and have been cruising along some country roads. Schedule at work hasn't allowed a fulll weekend to take the MSF. Should I limit my riding until able to take the course? I don't plan on riding freeway at all even after MSF or in a very limited fashion. I have my permit and feel comfortable riding but I know I will definitely be better after the course. I just don't want to continue to ride if there is some crucial lesson I must learn before hitting the streets. I've done a ton of research online and watched safety video after video. Just want to do everything I can to mitigate my risk. Thoughts?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: Elm City, NC
The only thing I'd consider crucial is to understand counter steering (push left, go left). If you've got that figured out, don't ride beyond your comfort level. I'm not saying that you shouldn't take the MSF course, you absolutely should.
I rode 20k miles before taking the course; counter steering is the one thing I'd like to have known about before getting on the bike.
I rode 20k miles before taking the course; counter steering is the one thing I'd like to have known about before getting on the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
A biggie to know about is "braking". Find and learn the theories about front and rear brake relationships, why you should never "lock" em, what happens if you do and how to react if you do. Its different for front vs rear.
There are great "counter-steering" demos on YouTube.
Highways aren't the worst places BTW. Its inner city traffic IMHO.
Good luck and take that course asap.
There are great "counter-steering" demos on YouTube.
Highways aren't the worst places BTW. Its inner city traffic IMHO.
Good luck and take that course asap.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: SC
Agree about both counter steering and braking. I practice both pretty much each time I ride. Every time I brake I focus on using both rear and front. Also have frequently been 'practicing' emergency braking although the more I ride the more I realize there isn't any good way to really practice this bc you never know what situation you will encounter. I've been getting up to 30-40mph and identifying a spot that could be a potential hazard and using front and rear to slow down to 0-5mph. I realize more and more practice is key because I was riding the other day on a back road and two dogs ran out in front of me and despite the practice I still grabbed front brake slightly harder than the rear. Luckily stayed up but directly afterward I realized it could have gone much more differently. Muscle memory isn't there yet I guess... thanks for the responses
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 299
From: SC
Welcome! And it's nice to see another SC rider on here. I'm in the Upstate myself, where are you from?
As far as the riding goes, ride as much as you want (or can) and don't worry about whether it's too much riding before taking the MSF.
Also, object avoidance is a huge one to practice. The counter-steering really comes into play here. Learn to turn sharply to get around obstacles. Find a wide-open, empty parking lot and practice till you run out of gas.....or leave a little to get back home.
Above all, be ALERT, and don't over-reach your skill set, accident avoidance begins when you first straddle your bike.
You learned to ride a bike the same way so have at it, and take the MSF as soon as you get the chance.
As far as the riding goes, ride as much as you want (or can) and don't worry about whether it's too much riding before taking the MSF.
Also, object avoidance is a huge one to practice. The counter-steering really comes into play here. Learn to turn sharply to get around obstacles. Find a wide-open, empty parking lot and practice till you run out of gas.....or leave a little to get back home.
Above all, be ALERT, and don't over-reach your skill set, accident avoidance begins when you first straddle your bike.
You learned to ride a bike the same way so have at it, and take the MSF as soon as you get the chance.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,193
From: Maryland
The more riding you do, the more you learn. The sooner you get to it, the sooner you learn and develop your skills. Just keep in mind your current skill level and try not to over extend yourself. When you get a chance, take the MSF class. Until then, ride the thing.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 195
Likes: 42
From: SoCal
Welcome from the other coast!
+1 object avoidance.
I myself started riding a few months ago and ride almost daily. I took the course first BUT, since I hit the streets I feel a lot better/confident as a rider. In the course they had us practicing swerving for emergency situations and about a month later it literally saved me and my bike having no time to brake. A car turned left in front of me and stopped. I had to swerve around his front end. It was almost like he came from nowhere. "I'm so glad I took the course and now I stay hyper vigilant!" I've learned a heck of a lot in the streets, but still have a long way to go.
"And yeah, inner city traffic's a ...! I'm in central L.A.!"
+1 object avoidance.
I myself started riding a few months ago and ride almost daily. I took the course first BUT, since I hit the streets I feel a lot better/confident as a rider. In the course they had us practicing swerving for emergency situations and about a month later it literally saved me and my bike having no time to brake. A car turned left in front of me and stopped. I had to swerve around his front end. It was almost like he came from nowhere. "I'm so glad I took the course and now I stay hyper vigilant!" I've learned a heck of a lot in the streets, but still have a long way to go.
"And yeah, inner city traffic's a ...! I'm in central L.A.!"
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
I don't think it's ever too late to take the MSF course; however, I believe it is best to take the course BEFORE you get too complacent.
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