- This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 7 months ago by smokeizfire.
I failed at the MSF class
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August 29, 2008 at 7:58 am #1992381724Participant
I passed the written part very easy. Day 2 My first time on a bike.
We walked up and down in Neutral EZ. 2ed we walked the bike in 1st gear with some throttle I had a bit of trouble with stalling about 10-15 times – the clutch and gas part got me, third we rode up and back I stalled 3 times and had trouble keeping the bike balanced. Not that it was heavy but It takes me a while to get used to a bike. Sadly then im dismissed for being a danger to myselfSo I get the safety part and knew what to do per instructions but had trouble executing them. Should I give up (Won’t be the end of the world for me just for fun) or buy a bike practice safely then retake the class?
August 29, 2008 at 8:39 am #11362BoOZe P-ti MotardParticipantNo don’t give up, yet but persevere. What you said shows that you lack experience and skills. If you own a bike, practice and ride as often as you can. Well I had a 100cc bike and rode it often and I had this old friend who was, how do we call it? patrol officer on bike ;P i asked him jokingly when will i get to try his 750cbx.. he said why not now? dang that pushed my heart out of the bottom hole so anyways since a citizen is not allowed to ride a government/police bike, he took it to a private road… the road is not that good, lots of potholes and rough. The bike had a problem; when throttle up, to 3rpm, it would remain there a sec or so then back to idle. I stalled the bike only once and i was out flying on this bike doing 120km/h on this kind of road, not that i was a rodeo kamikaze but i have ridden on that road many times before and the bike was not an issue though it was my first time… there were many bikes not in a good state but i was able to ride…
if the bike is stalling, the problem is also with you; means give in more gas but revise your clutch manoeuvre… learn from your mistakes, it’s not the end of the world… other’s will encourage you as well…ey guys?!BoOZe
Solomolo RiderAugust 29, 2008 at 1:28 pm #11372AndrewParticipantThe guys who ran my MSF class were laid back and just helped people with issues rather than dismissing them. I had problems with stalls on the first 2 ride days (class was 5 evenings). The stalling is an issue with giving the bike a little more gas but also in letting out the clutch slowly without dropping it. I have small hands and the friction zone was away from the grip so I was still in the friction zone when my hand was fully open. Initially I was dropping the clutch at that point rather than just continuing to slowly release and changing my hand position if needed. The balance issue will be the same thing. You just need to practice the basics over and over to get them drilled in.
Did you drop the bike a lot before they dismissed you? Just stalling the bike wouldn’t have gotten you dismissed.
August 29, 2008 at 3:49 pm #11375JimParticipantKeep trying, seems harsh to dismiss you without some more coaching. Will they let you take it again for free or a reduced price? Maybe try a different bike, which might have a clutch adjusted differently. If you have never driven a manual transmission car I can see how it could be daunting. At least in a car you don’t have to worry about falling over, just stalling. I think the suggestion of getting some practice operating a clutch in a car is a good idea, to get used to the friction point without worrying about falling over.
August 29, 2008 at 5:47 pm #11385BoOZe P-ti MotardParticipantyea you see, i told you the guys will help ye out… conclusion, practice a lot…then when you master it, you’ll see the fun of riding… i first started learning on an automatic 50cc… on a bike uh… after years and years later when i went to school driving lessons, i found how ‘difficult’ it was to drive, compared to riding. all your body parts are just ready on the basic controls like brakes clutch and etc whereas in a car… you know it… gah nevertheless, i practiced a lot and tried many bikes till at present… well i’ll be moving to uk, where msf classes are available.. will take it asa my pocket permits me and will send feedbacks ‘coz that’s when m gana really know what’s msf made of… ;S
BoOZe
Solomolo RiderAugust 29, 2008 at 6:41 pm #11393sarcParticipantDefinitely don’t go out and buy a new bike. Probably the easiest way to start getting used to riding a bike is to start on a manual transmission car. Find a friend with an old beater, and get the hang of using a clutch on a car.
Just remember that cars have a dry clutch, so you don’t really want to ride the friction zone on a car the same way you do a bike. However, the basic principals are the same and you can start wiring your brain to handle a manual (car or bike). There really isn’t that much time to debate about what to do…give it more gas, squeeze in the clutch, both, none, etc. Its not a hard process, its just something you have to get used to doing.
Once you get to the point where is instinctual, and that little vibration in the car is corrected without thinking, then try and tackle a bike. Once you get the hang of that, transitioning to a bike is much easier. I remember when I went through the MSF class, you could really tell who drove a stick shift and who had an automatic for the last 20 or so years. Learning to work the clutch properly and riding in the friction zone is probably the most important thing that you will learn (except maybe looking through turns, not at the divider or car).
After that, its all down hill. A little muscle memory (duck / power walk it a bunch) and you won’t have to think about working the clutch / gas with your hands instead of your feet. No need to look down, just focus on the horizon and watch your balance improve. Starting off will be smoother, making balance even easier, and the sooner you can get up to speed, the sooner the bike will steady and you can concentrate on all the other details they will throw your way.
Sarc
August 29, 2008 at 8:21 pm #11398RupmiscParticipantYou might also consider asking the school if any of the instructors would be willing to give you some private instruction on a school bike. I did that even after I passed the test. A couple of hours on the asphalt with an instructor there, and you will feel more confident when you repeat.
August 29, 2008 at 8:56 pm #11400smokeizfireParticipantI agree ! Driving a manual transmission on a car will help a lot. It will give you the whole concept of how the clutch works with the gas(or throttle), and gearing. I haven’t taken my course yet but I have been practicing the clutch action on a bike. Not a problem since I’ve been driving manual transmissions since I was “still wet”. Nobody actually showed me when I first bought my bike(2 weeks ago). I just used what I learned in driving a manual shift in a car, then applied it to a bike. I’m not riding on the street. Just up and down my driveway to get a concept of riding a motorcycle. Don’t give up though. Well, if you’re still young that is. Practice makes perfect.
HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS
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