August 30th, 2010, 05:49 PM | #1 |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
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Passed It!!! (MSF)
Well, I passed my MSF course and all I can say is that I'm glad it's over! Wasn't really that fun to me....could be multiple reasons....
1. My instructor was in a hurry, he had to be somewhere...so what was supposed to be a 5hr. class the first day was shortened to 4hrs. 2. The bike I started with the first day, some girl took mine 1/2 way through the class so I had to learn a different bike 1/2 way through and the clutch was in need of SERIOUS adjusting! 3. Was HOT AS HELL! 4. Sucked at the U-turn...specially on that bike! That was just the first day of riding....I seriously went home and cried....I thought there was no way I could do it! I was good at all the 2nd gear maneuvers but not the clutch control...(friction zone) exercises. Next day came and I was terrified....got a different bike than that POS...that was good....instructor wasn't in "such" a hurry....tho we did get done before the scheduled time. But I did pass. I'm glad cause I honestly felt like I was on a military base boot camp! It was hot and he was relentless on us. But....I made it and that was the important thing. But honestly did not have fun doing it! Not at all...it was HIGH stress and exhausting.
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August 30th, 2010, 06:11 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Scott
Location: DFW TX
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja zx6r Posts: 609
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Congrats on passing. The U-turn stuff isn't that important to master (at least not as much as the other stuff). But I would recommend practicing every now and then.
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August 30th, 2010, 06:12 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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Congrats..i knew you could do it
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August 30th, 2010, 06:13 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
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Congrats
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August 30th, 2010, 06:13 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Rose
Location: San Diego
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 650
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I'm sorry it wasn't a good experience for you
I guess it all depends on what instructor you get. Mine were super awesome and we had tons of fun with them, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable. Just focus on the important thing: you passed! CONGRATS!! |
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August 30th, 2010, 06:23 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Lee
Location: Naugatuck, CT
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Blue Posts: 150
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U turns definitely sucked.
My course was fun but we had the Bike Nazis for instructors and everyone barely passed. Only person who failed was because he didnt bother to show up on time for day 2.
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August 30th, 2010, 06:29 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: dawn
Location: portland, or
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good job! if i had to do it again, i would have used my own bike....during practice, instructors said my quick stops were almost perfect, then during the test, i braked fine, went to put my foot down, and my pant leg got caught on the foot peg...my leg was stuck to the bike, and we both went down... thankfully they saw what happened, and i passed...still felt really awesome
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August 30th, 2010, 06:36 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Cindy
Location: Wethersfield, CT
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 691
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Yaay congrats!!
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August 30th, 2010, 06:41 PM | #9 |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
Blog Entries: 3
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Yea...no shizzz.....I thought so too...
Thanks all! I'm really glad I passed...now I just need to build the nerve to hit the road.
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August 30th, 2010, 06:56 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Josh
Location: Richmond VA
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627
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Sorry to hear that, I had a blast at my class! They told us afterwords that it's impossible to fail the skills test short of dropping the bike.
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'08 Bonneville Black sold->'08 Ninja 250R | OES Swingarm Spools | EBC HH brake pads | reflector delete | no-cut brake light modulator | DIY fender eliminator |
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August 30th, 2010, 06:56 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Congrats, Michelle.
I would strongly encourage you to forward this thread to the head MSF office and see if they can do something about the quality of the instructors in your area. your introduction to motorcycles should be a positive, enjoyable one. |
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August 30th, 2010, 06:59 PM | #12 | |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
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Quote:
Well, you couldn't miss more than 15pts. or you failed....and you could retake it 1 more time....later. 1 guy in my group had 14pts. so he was borderline.....I know if you drop the bike or did anything dangerous you would fail.
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August 30th, 2010, 07:00 PM | #13 |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
Blog Entries: 3
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Thanks! Yea...it was nerve wrecking! To say the least.....but, I made it through it and got my license...now I have to just get over the way I felt those couple days and be ready to get back on the bike.
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August 30th, 2010, 07:15 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Scott
Location: DFW TX
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja zx6r Posts: 609
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I agree with kkim. But first I would ask if you thought the instructor was good, other than trying to rush that first day. Not saying that this should be an excusable action (after all, you probably paid good money for the course), but it's possible that this instructor just needs to be spoken to rather than replaced.
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August 30th, 2010, 07:43 PM | #15 | |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
Blog Entries: 3
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Quote:
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August 30th, 2010, 07:47 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
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way to go!
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August 30th, 2010, 07:56 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Cuong
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If I remember correctly, isn't there a survey they give you after the course where you mail it in? I remember my instructors saying anything negative gets back to them that same week (they took the surveys seriously).
I'm sorry you had a poor experience but congrats on passing |
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August 30th, 2010, 08:02 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
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/moved to riding skills
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August 30th, 2010, 08:41 PM | #19 |
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Name: Liz
Location: CoLoRaDo
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Suzuki GSXr 750 Posts: 60
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Congrats!! Have fun out there on your new bike!
Sorry you had a bad course experience. It's def high stress because everyone in the group is obviously learning at different paces and the instructor has to accommodate everyone so I understand how ****** that can be. BUT, the good news is you did pass and now you can go and learn at your own pace the things you REALLY want and need to learn! It's all a learning all the time on a motorcycle...but you got this. You go girl!
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August 30th, 2010, 08:56 PM | #20 | |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
Blog Entries: 3
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Quote:
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August 30th, 2010, 09:10 PM | #21 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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baby steps.
do no more than you are comfortable doing at the moment. don't fool yourself... a deserted parking lot is an excellent venue to become familiar with the bike. once you start getting into the groove, you can work yourself up to longer rides. you need to work on building your skills and becoming comfortable with your bike at your own pace. have fun, ride safe. |
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August 31st, 2010, 05:11 AM | #22 | |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
Location: Athens, GA
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Quote:
YAY Michelle! Congrats! Read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. One of the BEST books for people just starting out and deals mainly with everyday street riding skills.
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August 31st, 2010, 06:27 AM | #23 |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
Blog Entries: 3
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Alright, I'll look into that. Thanks!
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August 31st, 2010, 09:03 AM | #24 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: David
Location: Burlington, MA
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Practice, practice and practice. But if you are looking for at least some road time, take a route that you are familiar with and ride at really off times when there won't be too much traffic to worry about. I'm sure others can chime in about it too, but you want to make sure controls are almost second nature to you so you don't have to worry about it when on the street. A parking lot is a good place to become comfortable with shifting, braking and just getting to know the bike.
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August 31st, 2010, 09:20 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paulette
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congrats Michelle!!!! I knew you could do it.
Its unfortunate you didn't enjoy the experiance though. They have you fill out a survey, so you might want to mention your experiance in the survey. Its very important that all new riders have a good experiance. take it easy though...take your time so you don't drop it like i did. if you have any residential streets around your house that don't have a lot of traffic, use them to practice. Parking lots are great, but you need the real road with its inpurities to really learn...in my opinion. A parking lot has smooth ground, where as an actual road has bumps and pot holes and slow moving cars. so it helps a lot. |
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August 31st, 2010, 09:31 AM | #26 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Brian
Location: Washington DC metro
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Ninja EX250 Posts: 9
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Congrats. The main point is that you passed. I had two good instructors. Signed up for the morning class anticipating the afternoon heat of July a couple of months ago. One guy dropped the bike at the skills test and was out. Everyone felt bad for him. I am so glad I passed. Now I can ride whenever I want to. We lived in East Lansing years ago.
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August 31st, 2010, 07:01 PM | #27 |
Dude, Where's My Car?
Name: Michelle
Location: Jackson, MI
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R "Passion Red" Posts: 114
Blog Entries: 3
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Yea....I'm glad I passed and I agree that parking lots are NOTHING like roads....I have been in a parking lot....I need to get on the road and practice. Even if I just drive to the parking lot. lol
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August 31st, 2010, 08:30 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Craig
Location: jackson
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I was more than pissed when I came home after her 2nd day. Meesh was very upset and when I heard the instructer cut the class early I was soooo close to call them the next morning but didnt want any retalation towards her. But Im calling them tomorrow and sending the servey asap.
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August 31st, 2010, 08:40 PM | #29 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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September 1st, 2010, 05:00 AM | #30 |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
Location: Athens, GA
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That was my first ever road ride! :-) lol!
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September 1st, 2010, 09:22 AM | #31 |
Giggity Giggity
Name: Ryam
Location: San Diego
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Congrats, now the addiction to ride will just keep getting stronger and stronger the more comfortable you become in the saddle.
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September 1st, 2010, 09:29 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: Tampa
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Posts: 230
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I didn't particularly enjoy my MSF class either. I mean, it was ok, but everything seemed very rushed. I also thought the exercises emphasized low-speed parking lot type maneuvers too much. I guess that's partially due to the limitations of teaching in a parking-lot type environment. Someone actually did fail our class, because she didn't maintain the minimum speed in the exercises.
Just look at it as a good way to get some of the basics, but now your learning really begins. Don't rush yourself and you'll be fine.
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September 1st, 2010, 10:14 AM | #33 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paulette
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if interested, they have an advanced course where you can actually take your own bike, they teach you more things at higher speeds and even take you out to the freeway, i'm planning on doing this. My precious bf doesn't have the patience to really teach me every detail.
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September 1st, 2010, 10:28 AM | #34 |
ninjette.org member
Name: sho
Location: SoCal
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): CBR600RR Ninja 250R(sold) Posts: 144
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Congratulations!
I spent so many hours at a nearby mall parking lot. I got to know couple security guards there. One of them was a rider(he told me he had a gixxer600) and was giving me encouragement lol. I remember I was soooooo nervous to cross one and only intersection to get there. I still go there occasionally when I feel I need to get back to the basics. I feel so comfortable being there lol |
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September 1st, 2010, 10:29 AM | #35 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Quote:
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September 1st, 2010, 10:30 AM | #36 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Travis
Location: Warwick, RI
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I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but at least you did it and you have learned some things from it. Keep practicing and stay safe.
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September 1st, 2010, 10:55 AM | #37 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Samuel
Location: CA
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Green 'ja 250 Posts: 15
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thats too bad, i had a terrible experience with my MSF class too. the instructor was kinda a low talker, we couldn't hear him at all, especially over the motorcycles. he would tell us to do something, and all of us students would just look at each other and shrug, then we would just guess what we think he wanted us to do. the times i could hear him, he made a lot of snyde/awkward jokes about new riders and noob mistakes. and we never really knew whether to laugh or whether he made a mean comment, b/c we either didn't hear the whole joke, or couldn't tell if it was joke from his facial expression/body language. a few times he would come over to me and try to tell me how to fix some of my mistakes, but i just couldn't hear him, so i would just nod and try several different things, until i figured out how to do a figure 8 in a box, for example. it was really frustrating and just an awful experience overall.
i did talk to him after the class, and he turned out to be a really nice guy and gave me a lot of more advanced pointers and his experiences on the road etc. we ended up talking for over an hour, so turns out he wasn't as grumpy, 'i know better than you' pompous jerk we had thought. he was very helpful and knowledgable outside the 'class' enviorment, but just an terrible 'in class' instructor. |
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September 1st, 2010, 12:57 PM | #38 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Rose
Location: San Diego
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 650
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Quote:
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September 1st, 2010, 04:34 PM | #39 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paulette
Location: .
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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ya i'm in the same boat as you Rosie...I did a search to see which classes offer the advanced course and it seems the only ones are in Chula vista and Camp Pendleton. grrrr....too far for me
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September 1st, 2010, 05:32 PM | #40 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Scott
Location: DFW TX
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja zx6r Posts: 609
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Quote:
When I first learned to ride, it was a friend showing me how to use the clutch, and how to shift. Then I was off on my own, and learned the rest on the street. Nobody ever told me to not brake in corners. I sort of learned that the hard way (not by crashing though). I wish I had taken this class 25 years ago. |
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