First MSF Class this Weekend

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 2:41 pm

It was the first class of our new season and although I wasn't teaching, I attended Saturday's Range exercises as it's a new range that I helped set up and paint.

One 'new' rider crashed 5 times while I was there, Saturday morning. Shocked

The fifth time, putting his head in to a light pole, requiring EMS attention. Although the rider said he was coming back Sunday to continue and I admired his tenacity................It seems he should consider another form of recreation!!!!!!!!!!! Idea

He seemed to have some sort of gross motor skills issue as every input into the controls was huge. He couldn't modulate the throttle, clutch or brakes. If he opened the throttle, he just about pinned it. Applying front brake? Locked it up. Trying to find the clutches 'friction zone'? He stalled it constantly.

You'd think there's some kind of message for him based on the experience. I'm wondering at what point does common sense take over? Or does it ever take over?

I felt obligated to steer him away from motorcycling but we're not allowed to do so. Very Frustrating. Confused

Mike

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 4:05 pm

It may be a bit harsh to say so but....someone has to volunteer to become a statistic. Sad

Darwin works in funny ways Laughing

CB1100F Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 3189 Location: Phoenix

I am not sure as whether to admire him for sticking with it, or to be scared knowing that he might end up on the road. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 7:21 pm

Solman, from the sound of Mike's description, he probably will end up ON THE ROAD Rolling Eyes

To Quik900f....just stop it! Laughing

To Mike...If he brings a friend with him, maybe you can suggest to the friend that he apparently, doesn't have the right stuff. Wink

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:14 pm

When I took the Beginner's course last October the instructor for my group sent one lady home on the first day. I think she may have put the bike down once; she stalled it several times and was holding the rest of us up. The instructor gently told her she should go home and come back another time.

I think one other woman may have been sent home too. Not sure.

I thought that she must be devastated, but at the same time I think the instructor handled it well.

CB1100F Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 3189 Location: Phoenix

I honestly believe the best way to learn how to ride a bike is to start out on a 4 stroke dirt bike. It is light, learn how to handle slip and slide conditions, and it is a lot more forgiving than asphalt. I learned that way and glad I did, no cars to worry about.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:59 am

solman wrote:

I honestly believe the best way to learn how to ride a bike is to start out on a 4 stroke dirt bike. It is light, learn how to handle slip and slide conditions, and it is a lot more forgiving than asphalt. I learned that way and glad I did, no cars to worry about.

Could not possibly agree more. The skills learned in the dirt all transfer to the street and will make for a better, safer rider. Knowing what it feels like when either tire loses traction is invaluable............Think about what most riders do on the street when they encounter oil, sand, whatever that causes a loss of traction................PANIC! Usually followed by a crash. With dirt experience, you compensate calmly and continue.............

Learning to ride in the dirt has the added benefit of speeding up the process considerably because you can focus on riding w/o the distractions of Mack Trucks changing lanes on you, oil puddles on the off ramps, and aggressive drivers who really don't see you as they argue with their wives on the cell phone.

And the #1 reason for learning in the dirt.................learning to ride a motorcycle invariably involves crashing, which hurts much less in the dirt!

Yup, Dirt Is Cool.

Mr. Green

Mike

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:39 pm

Had a guy like this last year in a course I was that I was an Instructor Candidate. He would not turn his head to go around corners at low speed. It turns out he had two vertebrae fused in his neck.

We failed him after the second time he hit a wall, (we do our range stuff at a local racetrack).

He was quite upset because he had already bought an 883 Sportster, and was planning on riding with his friends the next weekend.

I eventually saw him riding about 4 months later on the street. Oh boy was I glad I was on my 900 and just stayed completely away from him.

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:48 pm

831100F wrote:

I felt obligated to steer him away from motorcycling but we're not allowed to do so.
Mr. Green

Mike

Mike, if they ask how they are doing, can you answer honestly?

I don't mean to be mean, but it seems like an honest answer could save a life. Some people just don't recognize when they are walking the fine line between life and death (or worse).

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 3:03 pm

CB1100F wrote:

831100F wrote:

I felt obligated to steer him away from motorcycling but we're not allowed to do so.
Mr. Green

Mike

Mike, if they ask how they are doing, can you answer honestly?

I don't mean to be mean, but it seems like an honest answer could save a life. Some people just don't recognize when they are walking the fine line between life and death (or worse).

I guess I should clarify that we do advise people when necessary to come back another day, and many times they were just waiting for us to say something. I was not teaching last weekend, just observing and verifying measurements of the new range as this was happening. I'm certain the instructor involved gave him an honest evaluation of his skills, (or lack thereof).

In retrospect, my original post is misleading in that, although we are expected to offer honest, critical evaluations in a gentle, pc kinda way, there are times when you just want to be brutally honest w/o pulling any punches.................

So I guess I should have said we're not allowed to be honest in a hurtful kinda way.................I can't say, "Dude, you really stink at this, forget about riding motorcycles." Even though that's exactly what I'd like to say because it's true and obvious to everyone in attendance.

Sometimes dipolmacy is not the best tact.

Embarassed

Mike

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:18 pm

Well, this past weekend my wife took the MSF Course. There were 9 women and 4 guys in her class. One of the guys dropped his bike is the final exercise for his test and failed. Another guy who was cocky all weekend because he was a Chiropractor, had a new Road King on order, and thought the course was just a formality, parked his bike and walked off Sunday mid-morning. The girls all passed and one even received a perfect score. (Not my wife). But she did very well and I talked with the Instructor about her weaknesses and we are working on those every evening. Now, where is that order form for the single Corbin seat for my 1100's?????

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

When I first learn to ride, on my dads 1965 Honda 150 Dream, it took me 2 days to master the clutch. Confused

Then I spent a month riding around a dirt lot in first gear, before I dared try and shift!! Shocked

I was 14 @ the time and 2 more years of dirt riding. though not very fast, helped me greatly in my coordination. Though I enjoy seeing more women out there, many lack the panic mode skills to survive an unexpected event. Coming in from Sultan last Sunday I followed a small group of Harley riders, one being a gal on an 883. She just didnt look relaxed on that bike. Very stiff and rigid. Every truck that past her seemed to make her stiffen up even more. Oh, she had the basic motorcycle skills alright, in a straight line, but getting up to 55mph on the hwy took her forever and she flinched upon every corner when she had to lean. I just hope she ramps up her skills soon, before that unexpected event happens. I do not feel good about her chances...

An old Dirty Harry saying comes to mind.

"Thats a hell of a price to pay for being fashionable".

Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:14 pm

Blainethemono,

Please urge the 883 rider to steer carefully to the closest vacant parking lot and practice..................

I'm scared just imagining the scenario you described. Shocked

Mike