You never really shift higher than 2nd gear for your MSF, and you don't go out of 1st for most of the 1st day of riding. You'll do it so many times that you won't even think about it, even after a couple days. The pain-in-the-ass stuff for most people is the low speed maneuvering anyway, so put shifting in the back of your mind.

 

the MSF is super fun, I might take it again when my GF takes it later this summer

 

Same here! My gf is completely fearful of riding the MC. She categorizes it with running around in a pit of Lions
Anyway, I'm just "considering it". It costs about $200 here in CA to take the MSF. And to just toss $200 for something I've already gone through, I'm not sure I want to do it.... yet.

awwww...my cruelty knows no bounds...$75...ERC is $40.
State subsidizes the rest through registration fees and such...

Sigh. Thanks. LOL.

Wow!
Ask Crash how much registration is

 

Shifting is really not as hard as it seems. I thought it was going to be really difficult too, but I picked it up immediately. It's almost easier than shifting a car, if you can believe that.

 

It really is easier than shifting a car. More forgiving too.

 

Relax and let it happen. Don't over think it! You'll be fine!



(Clutch is your buddy!)

 

From the ride like a pro series and your vids cap...FRICTION ZONE! The clutch will be my best friend

They also explain how to use a little rear brake to help stabilize the machine in low speed maneuvers.

 

First part of the class is over...we have to report back tomorrow morning to finish. Don't know why its spanning 2 days, thought it was all done in one night but whatever.

Word of advice to my fellow noobs...get Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. There is everything included in the classroom and then some. I was even able to school the instructor just a bit (without coming off like a tool). So far so good. All we really did was watch some video, and answer questions in the back of the book they give you as a group. Nothing major. I do feel it goes a bit fast and you don't get to really read the book, its all pretty much here's the question now find the answer. If you read Proficient Motorcycling you'll have what you need to get going and keep up with the fast pace of the classroom.

Tomorrow I get to ride a motorcycle for the first time ever. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

Enjoy it. Just relax, and enjoy it.

I am going to retake the class when my wife goes through as well. Would like to get some of the low speed stuff on my bike vs the class bike I used the first go a round.

 

At the place I took it at, we HAD to use the facilities bikes. But for the intermediate and advanced classes you HAVE to use your own.

 

Team Oregon is a pretty solid set up. I'll have to check to see if they will let me bring my own to the Basic. If not, only 600 more miles before I can take the intermediate.

 

any update on the second day?

 

Sorry I didn't update yesterday guys, I got home SHOT and basically ate and went to bed.

Finished the class yesterday morning. Seriously, get the book I mentioned and you'll have 0 problems with the class. VERY easy. Now on to the riding!

Having never ridden before I was surprised how fast I picked it up. Even the shifting which I thought was going to be a problem for me turned out to be really easy once I got the hang of it. Handling the machine proved fairly easy as well, even on some of the slow tight turns and faster offset weaves. Even the instructors were impressed and at times used me as an example of what to do on certain exercises. That felt good but was a bit embarrassing admittedly. We had a good group though, the guys were really cool. OMG I had SOOOO much fun! Both days were awesome! The only thing I really need to work on is my U turns...I kinda flubbed the box by breaking the lines but the rest of the road test was cake. PASSED!!!

Honestly, I don't know how anyone who hasn't ridden just gets on a bike and goes. I learned SO much just from the 2 days we had and I know I have so much more to learn yet. The class was amazing, and WELL worth the money spent. Seriously, everyone who rides will get something out of this class and if you have never ridden I would say it's a MUST!

Can't wait to join the rider ranks...tax return can't come fast enough!

 

I should add what happened with my class...

Classroom was supposed to be friday night with riding all day sat and sun. Didn't happen that way. We did half the classroom friday night, didn't get to the range till 130 saturday and stopped at like 7. Sunday we got there 7am but had to finish by like 1. I thought you were supposed to get two FULL days on the range. Wish I had more time to do the box, that's where I had the most trouble and as far as I'm concerned the only place I got points off in the test. I say as far as I'm concerned because when we were practicing curves, I got the bike down far enough to scrape (wasn't that far, and wasn't long. Thankfully I watched Ride like a Pro and knew when I scraped to not panic and just ride with it.) and was told to slow down. He took points off in the test part because I went too slow. WTF?!?

 

glad to hear class is going well for you,
it is pretty easy to learn with practice,common sense a willingness to learn.

 

My instructor at the course told me to go slower on some of the exercises.

 

Same here. The problem is when it came time for the road test, and I was timed, I lost points for going TOO slow. Whatever, its over and done with. Now I can concentrate on honing my skills using the exercises I saw in ride like a pro V.

 

Congratulations on passing the course.

When I took the course last year, the rider coach would challenge some of us that were doing really good. In the Box Rider coach told me and 1 other person we were doing so well that he wanted us to use only half of the box for the rest of the practice. when it came to the test that box felt like it was a football field because I got to use the entire box again.

 

I kinda wish they would just test us without telling us. I was able to get better in the box the more we practiced. Soon as we knew it was official I got all nervous.

 

I signed up for my class but I have to see what week I get.
the class is 2 1/2 days long friday 5- 10 pm sat 7-5 and sun 7-5
cost is $75 includes a refundable $25 member ship in the ABATE.
From what I here it is one of the cheapest classes around and pass the class and you get a waver your motorcycle licence.
first and second choice dates are 2nd & 3rd week of may
these were to earliness ones available.

 

Wow, I spent 190 on mine. In CA it was $250

 

$350 here...you all suck LOL.

 

We don't suck The prices they charge you is what sucks.

 

I don't know, I might if you paid me $350...............................actually it might cost significantly more

 

Congrats! Yup. Training can be costly but it's an investment. Money well spent.

I won't tell you the cost in Idaho 'cause you'll hate me too much.

 

Absolutely money well spent...no argument here.

Yea something tells me I don't want to know LOL.

 

The class is free in PA. I live in KY where it is $150

 

awwww...my cruelty knows no bounds...$75...ERC is $40.

State subsidizes the rest through registration fees and such...

 

Sigh. Thanks. LOL.

 

C'mon guys, it was a joke.















Realistically, though, we are looking at at least 6 figures. (not including the decimal points.) There is a lot of things I could buy for 5 minutes of hell.

 

C'mon guys, it was a joke.

Realistically, though, we are looking at at least 6 figures. (not including the decimal points.) There is a lot of things I could buy for 5 minutes of hell.

Realistically, every man has his price including me so I can get what you're saying. I need a house LOL.

 

Wow, $350, $250, $190?!?! In Illinois its $25.
But honestly I would have been willing to pay upwards of what you guys have to, it's definitely worth it.
Here we go 4 days for 6 hours each, I'm only halfway through right now, going saturday and sunday.
We actually got a ton of snow up here the morning we were supposed to start riding, so the instructors went out and shoveled for a good 4 hours before the class.
If that's not dedication to the class I don't know what is.
Having never ridden before I was extremely nervous, but the way they teach you, it's impossible to not get it down pat by the end of the first day.

 

The class was worth every dime I spent. Now if I can just get the **** paperwork and my tax return I can finally buy a M50!