Topic: RIDER'S COURSES...WHO'S TAKEN 'EM, WHO'S TAUGHT 'EM?

[nickjtc]

I am a million hundred times better.

Isn't that a bazillion!

Anyway, congratulations on your pass.

Does it have to be a Honda? Of course not, as long as she is physically able to cope with the bike........but there are some pretty sweet newbie-friendly old Hondas out there. I'm thinking of any of the smaller twins, like the CB/CL 175/250/350 or the 350/400-4.

Anyone else?

[Klark Kent]

CBJ- right on, the instructors were not just confident but zenlike in their laid back bestowing of wisdom.  I doubt this is just the case in MD.  anyone else notice this about their MSF sinseis?

Nick- Thanks for the advice, and that is basically what i ended up saying.  except because of how well she did this weekend and the fact that she is my same height (5'10'') I thought anything below the 350four wouldn't be enough bike for her too soon.  I might start that thread, but it has occurred to me that I wasn't looking for a specific bike when i found my sohc4cb550k1.  it found me, i found you guys, the rest is now history.  And i think I will have to let her story play out in the same way.  Keeping an eye on my local listings, and researching anything i find.  using ebay as  a barometer and not a crutch.  This method found one nice ride, and i am hoping it finds another.  and I will definately be using this forum for research and info when the time is right.

-KK

[heffay]

my father just completed (2 weekends ago) the MSF instructor course... i'll be taking the experienced rider course soon (hopefully at a discounted price    )

i've always heard the course is a great for beginners and great for avid riders as either one will remind you of aspects of riding you may have forgotten or never learned.

[nickjtc]

I thought anything below the 350four wouldn't be enough bike for her too soon.

Good point. However I think it is much more fun riding a 'smaller' bike because it is much harder to maintain momentum. You have to really hone your skills to be able to get the most out of the bike, especially in the twisties.

Having said that, there is no doubt that a larger capacity bike is more comfortable for the long haul.

[cmorgan47]

I thought anything below the 350four wouldn't be enough bike for her too soon.

Good point. However I think it is much more fun riding a 'smaller' bike because it is much harder to maintain momentum. You have to really hone your skills to be able to get the most out of the bike, especially in the twisties.

Having said that, there is no doubt that a larger capacity bike is more comfortable for the long haul.

which is why i kindof shook my head at the idea of the 400f being a "newbie-friendly" bike.  i mean, i get it, it's small, light, and easy to ride.  but if you want it to perform, you have to really get that tranny.  there's rarely a time when your left foot sits still.

maybe i'm just scoffing at my bike being a newbie bike. 

[nickjtc]

maybe i'm just scoffing at my bike being a newbie bike. 

You are right. I have to get out of my head the 'new wave' thinking that if it ain't a 1500cc it ain't any good. When I started riding I would have given anything to have a 400/4 becuse it was the kind of bike that required care/skill/experience/whatever to ride; and of course it still does.

However the modern newbie has little in the way of choices (new) so it is to the classic stuff that they have to look.

[Klark Kent]

About the 400:  The fact that the bike's true power needs to be unlocked with skill seems to be the essence of newbie-friendly to me.  This gives the new rider a somewhat docile place to start with the promise of practice leading to a faster bike.  As you get better the bike does too?  sounds great.
-KK

[cmorgan47]

About the 400:  The fact that the bike's true power needs to be unlocked with skill seems to be the essence of newbie-friendly to me.  This gives the new rider a somewhat docile place to start with the promise of practice leading to a faster bike.  As you get better the bike does too?  sounds great.
-KK

never thought of it that way.
very true.

i guess i was thinking of what i'd seen when my friends (of varied experience levels) ride mine.  there's only a couple who can unlock it and some of those who can't would have you know they're quite experienced.

[nickjtc]

About the 400:  The fact that the bike's true power needs to be unlocked with skill seems to be the essence of newbie-friendly to me.  This gives the new rider a somewhat docile place to start with the promise of practice leading to a faster bike.  As you get better the bike does too?  sounds great.
-KK

never thought of it that way.
very true.
i guess i was thinking of what i'd seen when my friends (of varied experience levels) ride mine.  there's only a couple who can unlock it and some of those who can't would have you know they're quite experienced.

That's because it's easy to ride a bike which has more power than you'll ever need. Not necessarily riding it well, just riding it fast.

My missis used to have a '90 VTR250 which I rode at every opportunity. When my students saw it they often commented that it was a cop-out to be seen on that because it was just a 'little' bike. Unfortunately they lacked the experience to understand how much more demanding the bike was to ride if you want to get the maximum out of it. And of course it is not a modern learning process to start on a small bike and work your way up from there.

[scott_cb650]

Congratulations on passing the class, both of you, and still being friends.

RE: What kind of bike.  Have you tried "Here babe, you can have mine."? Then go find you a another sweet ride.
However I think she'll want to pick out her own bike that's she's comfortable on. And in some pastel color too.

I do dig biker chicks in leather chaps!

[Klark Kent]

I did see a '77 R100 on ebay going for 2400 and asked her if she would want my bike if i found an old beamer i could afford.   
I amlooking at it like, whatever she gets, i will be the one maintaining it and I will also be riding it so that Iknow it is functioning properly.   Right now i am just focused on finding local bikes that she can test ride to keep her interested and able to ride a bike.  its fun.

-KK

[csendker]

Klark-

Congrats on both passes, and yes, it is way, way, way different on the road than in a parking lot, huh?  I did a whole lot of late-night runs throughout suburbia-Buffalo to practice starting & stopping, and getting comfortable on MY bike before I did much rush-hour driving.  The 550 has a lot more power than the 250 Kymco's in the class, and I kinda like the thought of seeing my kids grow up.  Anyway, to continue your side-track, a '70 SOHC2 CB175 (1/2-SOHC4) came my way and I picked it up for a project bike.  It's physically smaller and lighter than the 550, but still has some pop to it - at least it seemed it the one time I drove it around my block before tearing it apart.  A scooter would be tough in Buffalo, as there are too many roads with higher speed limits; it's just not a compact-enough urban setting.  I look at the 175 as a scooter on steroids, small commuter bike with high milage, but enough power to run when you need it.  I doubt I would take it touring, and there's cc limits for the highway, but that's territory for my 550 anyway.  Keep up the practicing, my biggest complaint with the course was not enough riding time.  I still run paranoid after a year into this, but there's a comfort level now.  Comfort, not complacency; there is an important distinction.

[nickjtc]

Klark-
  a '70 SOHC2 CB175 (1/2-SOHC4) came my way and I picked it up for a project bike. 

You'll really enjoy the 175. It's good for 60mph cruising. I used to go camping, in England, with mine loaded up to the gunnels. Ah, happy memories!

[cbjunkie]

On Topic:

interestingly, of the 13 people in my class, i am one of 2 who have ever piloted a motorcycle or non-cage, motorized vehicle of any kind.

one of the other guys has experience on trail bikes and some of the girls have passenger experience, but far and above, the majority of people are there to actually LEARN HOW TO DRIVE A MOTORCYCLE - FROM SCRATCH.

the upside is that i am something of a hero, and despite my extrememly limited experience it is still several years more than anyone else...not to mention that i have SEEN COMBAT  and lived to tell the story.

does anyone know if this is a typical breakdown of beginner's rider's courses??

[nickjtc]

On Topic:
does anyone know if this is a typical breakdown of beginner's rider's courses??

In a typical class of 30 we would have 50% female. There would always be one old guy who had been riding for 30 years and who decided to now get his licence and be legal, at least two squids, a handful of dirt bike riders now wanting to ride on the road, and a 'born again', usually in his 60's. The majority would be learning from scratch, either by choice or (in the case of many of the females) having been kicked off the back and told to get their own ride. No guesses for which 'clan' they belonged to....!

[cbjunkie]

we have 1less than 50% female...

[firecracker]

Just took the Basic Rider Course this past weekend.

Here's my experience:

1 instructor with 7 students: everything from a 14 year old boy to a 62 year old lady.  Most had no experience.  Or had tried teaching themselves in a field (on a street bike),   THEN decided to take the class...

Cost was $160 in Oklahoma (other classes in the area are $150 - don't know why the difference).

Firday: 6pm - 8pm was classroom time with book/video and told what to wear to the course the next day.
Saturday: 8am - 5pm  On the course until lunch break, in the classroom the rest of the afternoon.  Took the written test at the end of the day.
Sunday: supposed to be 8am - 5pm.  Finished the few exercises we hadn't done yet, then took the bike test.  We actually finished at around 11:30am.  Everyone passed, though some were a little shakier than others.

Four bikes for the seven of us, so three got to watch the others, then switch.  VERY beneficial.  Not only did we get to see them run the course, the instructor pointed out their mistakes, so we wouldn't make the same ones.

I mentioned four bikes.  One was a 125cc.  The other three were all 50cc bikes.  They were easy to manhandle, but it's going to be quite the adjustment going straight from that to a CB750 this weekend (when I get my FIRST bike!!! )

In summary - I've never heard of anyone who has taken the course and recommended against it.  I'm in that group now too.  If you ride, you should take the course.

Kyle   

[nickjtc]

Congratulations, Kyle. And good for you for taking that important and sensible first step of taking training!

Here in BC less that 5% of riders have had any formal training (which does not include being taught by a friend or Uncle Charlie). 10% of riders are un-licenced!

[Klark Kent]

unce charlie's not formal training?!  he's always wearing that tuxedo t-shirt... i just assumed... 

i have already used every skill i learned in my course.  quick stop, tight u turn, swerve, and the 135 degree turning has informed the way i tackle my corners.  the list is not long, but everything they teach you is important.  wish i could say that about ANY other class i have taken.  DO IT.
-KK

[nickjtc]

unce charlie's not formal training?!  he's always wearing that tuxedo t-shirt... i just assumed... 

  Har, har, har de har!

But seriously though, the best intentioned 'unqualified' training can still leave huge gaps in the practical knowledge being passed on.

So, for example, if a 'trainer' has never stopped at an intersection with his left foot down only, the right up on the peg covering the rear brake, and the bike in first gear, how can he be expected to pass that important info. on to you. And so it goes on....

[Slapguts]

I'm looking forward to taking one of these classes. I've got a temporary permit that's due to expire in a couple weeks. Even though I've put 4k miles on the bike since I got it, I know there's a bunch of stuff I don't know.

As far as getting the missus to ride, she's been riding since she was 16. She's a master tech at the local HD dealership, and is going through the process of titling her bike-

[cbjunkie]

home wrecker eatcher heart out!

[Ernie]

I took two courses when I started riding but that was 29 years ago,so I guess i could use a refresher course ;)never had an accident though only droped em doin stupid stuff like wheelies

[cbjunkie]

ernie - my dad was in a similar situation as you - except that he had never taken a course before...but after a lifetime of riding with no accidents his big wreck last year made him rethink his stand.

he took the basic and then the advanced course - he's HOOKED! he's taking a second advanced course this month just because every time he takes one he learns something new and helpful.

[GroovieGhoulie]

For female bikes, I just got the GF a CL360 scrambler (but she doesn't know.  It's still a secret! SHHH!).  It yet since it needs some work (I think it'll be Christmas).  However, I think it'll be perfect.  Light and enough power to not let her get bored.  Her big criteria was it has to be LIGHT and even my 400 is too heavy for her.  She couldn't pick it up.

My course was done on 250cc bikes and was VERY helpful.