My MSF Course starts... TOMORROW!!

[ZerO]

well after waiting for close to a month now, the much anticipated MSF course is upon me. tomorrow marks the start to the first of four diff classes (2 lectures, 2 ranges).

i must admit, i am extremely excited, but at the same time, very nervous.

for those who have taken the class, any last minute suggestions on how i can prepare? i hate going into a task unprepared (reminds me of my freshman year in college, philosophy 101 - went to the first class not having the reading/hwk done, and my professor simply asked me to leave his class ).

its been a while since ive last stepped foot into a classroom; should i bring in an apple for the instructor?

[noche_caliente]

you're going to be just fine - it's not that tough to be in the classroom portion

[kkim]

yeah, just pay attention to what's being taught. this is not the time to be the class fool.

it's all basic, common sense stuff, but you need to be in "receive" mode for it to sink.

gl...

[Mo1981]

I was way nervous as well. The range part will be just fine. They don't just toss you the keys, lol. There will be gradual progression. It will feel fluid pretty quick. Trust me. I trashed my buddy's bike a year before I took the course. Hadn't been on a bike since then until the course. My butterflies were out of control. After a cpl minutes on the bike, you'll be just fine.
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[emt250]

make sure you bring headlight fluid to the class. They wont let you ride a bike without headlight fluid.


Advice? Get some sleep, keep your ears open and if you don't understand something make sure you throw that hand in the air and ask a question.

[littlemike]

don't show up to the class in t-shirt/shorts. Be fully covered and bring any extra piece of clothes if its rain. If your have your own helmet, I would suggest you bring it. Also don't take any medicine that can make you drowsy.

[kkim]

oh yeah, forgot... don't be late. In fact, show up early.

[ZerO]

thanks for all the tips, guys!

feels like the night before the first day of school all over again.. im WIDE awake!

after reading over the confirmation email from MSF, they've advised students to bring snacks to class - granola bars and sugar free redbull. check!

then theres the gear...

do they require you to wear/bring gear to the lecture portion of the course, or is this only for the range?

[emt250]

I wore the boots, long pants and a long sleeve t-shirt to the lecture part and left the gloves in the car just to be safe, but I didn't need it.

[ZerO]

Originally Posted by emt250

make sure you bring headlight fluid to the class. They wont let you ride a bike without headlight fluid.

and what is this headlight fluid you speak of??

[OldGuy]

You are going to do fine. Most MSF courses require a long-sleeved shirt, pants, helmet (yours or theirs but I'd have your own), eye protection if the helmet doesn't have a shield, gloves of some kind (a good pair of leather work gloves will work if you haven't gotten cycle specific yet), and foot wear that goes above the ankle (covers the ankle bone).

Like others have said keep your ears and eyes open and mouth closed unless you need to ask a question.

Enjoy and learn.

[komohana]

z, you'll do fine, ya gots some god advice already. try to apply what you'll be taught throughout the course and you'll be fine.

don't sweat the headlight fluid, if enuff people DONT have it they wont even mention it...
good luck

[RedNinja09]

I just took the class 3 months ago. I have never ridden a motorcycle in my life. It was a great experience. Not stressful or scary at all. I never felt like I was doing something out of my skill level. I would also say bring the gear they tell you too... ex: boots, long sleeve shirt, helmet, glasses and jeans.

[revstriker]

Originally Posted by emt250

make sure you bring headlight fluid to the class. They wont let you ride a bike without headlight fluid.


Advice? Get some sleep, keep your ears open and if you don't understand something make sure you throw that hand in the air and ask a question.

Yeah, they sent one girl home because she showed up at the range without any headlight fluid.

[revstriker]

Originally Posted by komohana

don't sweat the headlight fluid, if enuff people DONT have it they wont even mention it...
good luck

They say you can substitute turn signal lube, but I would think that would be too thick.

[revstriker]

Good luck on the class. It will be fun. As long as you remember to bring the gear necessary to ride, you'll be fine. The course I took had helmets for you (I had my own), but you had to wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, eye protection (sun glasses would work) and shoes that covered your ankle (Chuck Taylors would not work, hiking shoes would). When I took the course, the temps were between 98 and 101 so hydration was important. I had a cooler with water and Gatorade. Snacks are also a good idea for the range.

[Ryosen11]

Make sure you wear boots and long sleeve shirt/jacket. My instructor was very strict about them. No pressure. Just be on time and enjoy! I'm very glad I took the course. Good luck!

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by revstriker

They say you can substitute turn signal lube, but I would think that would be too thick.

I was told to bring a left-handed smoke shifter and a bucket of steam.....

You'll get a better grade if you wear your helmet the whole time while in the classroom, BTW.

Don't be nervous. This ain't rocket surgery.

But DO pay attention and THINK. Some of the questions are designed to trick you, but it's not hard at all.


Oh, and for the range course... you need long sleeves, boots that cover the ankle and gloves, and if you don't show up prepared you're going home. None of this needs to be bike gear. Work gloves are fine, ordinary work boots are fine, and a long-sleeved shirt is fine. They'll provide a helmet if you don't have one.

If you already own gear and it makes you happy you can wear it, but to be honest it's overkill especially on the first day. Most of the drills are done at very, very low speed (you never ever get going faster than about 20-25 mph, and that's only for a couple of exercises). You also spend a lot of time NOT moving, so heat can be an issue if you gear up.

[minuslars]

lol one guy showed up in a full riding suit... but then again so did the president of the company teaching the course.

[empire00]

[Sailariel]

Sean, What a fantastic poster! You should send it to The American Motorcyclist Association---Bet they would publish it. Definitely a grabber.

[talldrink]

ZerO, are you taking the class that is at the Navy Yard? The first two classes consist of just reading thru the book that they give you. You also watch a couple of short movies and answer the questions from the book to prepare you for the test. Have fun. No gear required until the riding portion (classs 3 & 4).

Have fun!

[ZerO]

Originally Posted by talldrink

ZerO, are you taking the class that is at the Navy Yard?

I AM!! talk about adding to the level of intimidation!

from what i've been told, they're rather strict when it comes to entering the base and security. in fact, i have to go to the notary after work to get an affidavit notarized with my father bc my car is registered in his name. They wont allow entry unless the registration matches my name or I provide a notarized affidavit.

so to sum up:

- show up early
- bring headlight fluid
- wear my helmet during the entire duration of lecture (mirror shield down)
- ask questions
- retain info

... got it!

so... t-minus 4 hours and 15 mins till the start of class. Thanks again for all the advice, fellow kawi riders! i will report back later on tonight...

[talldrink]

ZerO, they were just waving cars through when I went for my classes. There were NO security checks at all; may have been because they knew the classes were going on.

RELAX!!! (and have fun)

[backinthesaddleagain]

i had 2 guys come in late the first day, one was 1.5 hour and blasted the instructor as she said we couldn't wait for him to catch up. She even offered to help him fill out form for another class. Other guy was 4 hours late, he didn't blast the instructor when she told him he was late.

One range instructor was a bit of a jerk though. This guy comes to the range about 1/2 hour after we started and the instructor gets all over him for being late. Then he says he isn't here for the range, just watching on his way to classroom which doesn't start for another 1/2 hour. Instructor was semi embarrased when guy told him he is a firefighter at the same station as instructor's cousin.

Don't be late!! Have fun.

[Tigress]

A lady wore full gear including pants both days. It was in May and wasn't too bad, but the instructors told her if it was July the only way they would allow her to wear all that gear is if they could totally wet her down to prevent heat exhaustion. She said that would be fine because she refused to get on any bike without all of it.

And am I missing something about "head light fluid"? What is it and why do you have to take it to class? Or where you guys just kidding?

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by Tigress

A lady wore full gear including pants both days. It was in May and wasn't too bad, but the instructors told her if it was July the only way they would allow her to wear all that gear is if they could totally wet her down to prevent heat exhaustion. She said that would be fine because she refused to get on any bike without all of it.

And am I missing something about "head light fluid"? What is it and why do you have to take it to class? Or where you guys just kidding?

where else would you take it?

this is like telling someone that once their blackbelt test is done they have to go to the police station and register themselves as deadly weapons. that would be a fun thing to see.

[edwinmcq]

Good luck!

[Sailariel]

I like the light blue headlight fluid---gives the lights a nice crisp beam like HID

[adouglas]

Headlight fluid is so early 21st century.

I prefer plasma. Though I'm thinking about a matter-antimatter upgrade.

[emt250]

I like the clear headlight fluid to be honest. What do you think is more important to bike and car maintenance: Quality headlight fluid, or making sure to keep that stale air out of your tires?

[adouglas]

Air? Where you been?

Don't you know that helium reduces unsprung weight as well as rotational inertia? Gives your bike a noticeable increase in performance!

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Air? Where you been?

Don't you know that helium reduces unsprung weight as well as rotational inertia? Gives your bike a noticeable increase in performance!

There is always Hydrogen---just think of the dramatic burn outs you could do.

[Buffalony]

Your going to have a blast...period
welcome to our world, theres no turning back now.
Wave or go to hell. lol
congrats im sure you'll pass as its not that stressful. just keep up with, and pay all of your attention to whats being taught. And dont worry about what you look like to other riders. they look silly too. Ha haaa. If theres any cuties there. ignore em or fail.

BTW, green headlight fluid shines faster.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Buffalony

If theres any cuties there. ignore em or fail.

You said it!

When I took it the second time this year (was away from bikes for several years and a refresher was cheap insurance), there were two... a lovely young Latina and a more mature M**F.

Sitting behind them in line on range day was very pleasant indeed. And distracting. There's something about a woman straddling a bike....

[Buffalony]

Originally Posted by adouglas

You said it!

When I took it the second time this year (was away from bikes for several years and a refresher was cheap insurance), there were two... a lovely young Latina and a more mature M**F.

Sitting behind them in line on range day was very pleasant indeed. And distracting. There's something about a woman straddling a bike....

Oh there is very something about a woman straddling a bike....and they know it it. heheheh

[revstriker]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

I like the light blue headlight fluid---gives the lights a nice crisp beam like HID

I prefer the bubbly imported stuff. Makes driving at night kind of fun.

[DarkNinja52]

Originally Posted by emt250

make sure you bring headlight fluid to the class. They wont let you ride a bike without headlight fluid.

red vs blue reference or coincidence? just wondering.

as for the OP:
show up early, bring pen, highlighter, water, snack for the class room.
riding section requires proper gear and i recommend lots of water if its supposed to be hot, show up early as well.
dont be afraid to ask questions, especial in the riding part. the instructor wont fail you because you asked too many questions, but if he does atleast you can say that it wasn't because you caused a 6 bike collision because you werent sure which way he wanted you to go. it can get confusing during the riding part because you can't always hear the instructor through the helmets and with the bikes on.

good luck

[emt250]

Originally Posted by DarkNinja52

red vs blue reference or coincidence? just wondering.

good luck

I have seen red vs blue actually, but its just a common joke/prank to pull on people who don't know anything about cars.

[untdavid]

My class was early in the morning, so get a good nights rest the day before. Don't be late and wear the proper attire. They sent home a girl during the range portion of my MSF because she refused to wear ankle high shoes. My instructor was fairly nice, though he would yell if you didn't listen. So PAY ATTENTION.

david