MSF Day 1:

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
08/08/2020 at 15:48 • Filed to: None

I just completed the first day of my MSF training. It’s been a lot of fun, and i have learn a lot about the ways I can improve on my riding. The teachers in are both very helpful, reasonable, nice guys. I chose a new Honda Rebel 300 as my trusty stead, mostly because it’s completely different from my XT200, and because it’s a bike I’ve considered Eventually purchasing. My biggest complaint about the bike is a lack of throttle response sometimes it feels like the first 1/8th of the throttle does nothing. And due to a recent leg injury, and my height the riding position isn’t super comfortable for me. I think I’d be more comfortable with forward controls. My BIL is on the grey TU250 he seems to be enjoying it.

The first exercise was just going from one side of the lot to the other while riding the clutch not letting it out fully, with both feet on the ground. The lady next to me was on an old Rebel 250, and having a very hard time with it. I honestly believe she had no business being on a motorcycle. For example when the instructor wants you to confirm you’re in neutral they hold up their left and and you do the same.

She could not grasp this concept and kept holding up her right. She made it down to the end of the lot, and about half way back when she lost control of the bike. I heard her rev up, then she panicked and let go of the clutch. I saw the whole thing happen, watched her fingers straighten, and I thought “CLUTCH CLUTCH CLUTCH!” She didn’t grab the clutch, instead she went straight into the side of the school.

She hit pretty hard, but swore she was okay. She did however decide to call it a day. One of the instructors suggested she get a scooter with an automatic transmission. I think that’s a good idea, some people just can’t handle learning to ride two wheels, and handle a manual trans at the same time.

The scary thing is she owns a Sportster 1200. So she panicked riding a small 250 cruiser but thinks she can handle something with 3 times the power and a lot more weight.

Right here is where I’d put a picture of the Rebel’s tire mark on the wall, but I forgot to get one when I was leaving.

DISCUSSION (11)

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 16:31

Hopefully tomorrow you do the reverse drag race, it was my favourite control exercise. You all line up and try to go as slowly as possible in a straight line to the end of the parking lot without: taking over 3s to start moving, stalling the bike, touching the ground, and deviating from your lane.

Also that women sounds like an accident waiting to happen, perhaps she’ll get better but it will take her a lot more seat time . I agree, a scoot would be a good idea if she seems to whisky a 250 .

Beefchips > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 16:33

Those MSF courses are so incredibly useful. Getting the repetition with someone watching over you really helps. The more advanced skills courses are also quite good, where you bring your own bike.

I remember taking my first one, there was a guy not unlike your crashing lady, who just couldn’t handle it. Ended up laying the bike down and was asked not to come back the next day. Sucked for him but I’d say in the end it’s probably better he stay on 4 wheels.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Beefchips
08/08/2020 at 16:37

It’s great what you learn with a much more experienced rider, and a good teacher watching you. I may actually sign up for their more advanced classes.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com
08/08/2020 at 16:43

That reverse drag race does sound fun. We’ve done a similar exercise with slow down zones in a longer coarse where you have to slow down to a near stop then use the clutch to pull you while staying as slow as you can. I think it’s an 18-24” strip you have to stay int. Same idea but without the competition.

Nom De Plume > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 17:32

I feel compelled to post the best skills video on the internet.

TheRealBicycleBuck > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 17:32

My wife very wisely quit the course after the first day. She had issues with the clutch too, but I still can’t understand why. Her daily driver was a Sunbird with a manual transmission . For some reason she couldn’t translate the clutch action from her left foot to her left hand.

I was terribly disappointed at the time, but looking back, it was for the best.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 17:49

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

You should ask if at least your BIL and yourself could give it a whirl at the end of the day. Ask other attendees too. These guys were going pretty fast, I had the Grom stopped a few times when I did it.

Tricks are

G et away clean and get the bike stable upright. If it’s 3 mph, that’s okay. Get it bolt upright and coast down. Trying to go too slow (like 1mph) off the start will have you unstable and fighting too much im balance, you’re likely to stall or drop a foot.

H ave constant reserve power (3k rpm) throughout the run and use the clutch as your “ throttle”.

Most of the time you’ll have the clutch pulled in. Let it out when you feel the bike start to lean and turning isn’t saving it , small bikes pop right back up with like 1 or 2mph . You just have to blip the clutch out and it stands up when you’re slow and stable.

More advanced riders can play with the rear brake, with newer riders usually it’s best if you just coast and concentrate on clutch, throttle and steering. Avoid the front brake.

A lot of riders start putting in more steering towards the end trying to go slower instead of focusing on clutch management to right the bike , this is where they drop a foot.

The further you look ahead, the better processing you have for the balance of the bike.

TheJWT > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 17:51

The only person to drop a bike during my class last year owned a literbike...

TylerJ > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 19:24

My first MSF course is the 21st, but it’s one put on by HD so I’ll be on a Street 500. Initially learned to ride on a Bandit 1200 around 10 years ago, but have been off of one for nearly that long.

kleeBRZ > Nom De Plume
08/08/2020 at 21:38

so much amazing in this video.

onlytwowheels > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2020 at 23:58

In the early 90's, my mom had expressed interest in leaving the passenger pillion of my stepdad’s Goldwing and riding her own motorcycle. I went out and bought her a Rebel 250 while she waited for her MSF training course date.

My stepd ad tried to school her on basic knowled ge of the controls before she went for training. He even “borrowed without asking” my Suz uki GS700E so she could practice a bit in an empty parking lot.

Toward the finish of her first day of MSF training, my mom failed to negotia te a turn at the far end of the course. She rode the bike up a short but steep incline and crashed into a chain link fence. Upon impact, s he grabs the clutch and rides the bike backwards down the hill, and never falls. Somehow she broke her thumb when she hit the fence.

The following, she completed and gra duated the MSF course. She also decided that she no longer had interest in riding her own motorcycle. She toured 38 states and 4 Canadian provinces on the passenger pillion of my stepdad’s Goldwings, back seat driving all the way.