MSF - List some things learned there
Retired Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,524
Likes: 0
From: Fort Awesome
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
When I took mine, the thing I heard the most was to keep my chin up. I had a tendency to look directly ahead of me instead of up and infront of me. I'll let others chime in, but there is so much good stuff at these classes, after you've gone to one, you wonder why anyone wouldn't spend the duckets! There is another post on here currently. You may check it out.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 732
Likes: 1
From:
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
That Harleys lose nuts and bolts on a ride (our instructor owns one) :P
But seriously,
1> practice of emergency braking (all 4 paws down), especially on turns (try to straighten out before you break)
2> Difference between steering and counter-steering and speeds at which each is applicable (good to know the theory)
3> Looking far into the turn - looking where you want to go
3.5> What should have been taught also: Target Fixation and avoidance
4> Braking to turn-speed and then powering through the turn for max control
5> Discussion with experienced bikers about safety, riding gear, bikes and non-squid behavior
6> Efficiency in getting on and off the bike (through practice) - making sure you put the stand down, put bike in neutral etc...
7> Very basic obstacle avoidance
on and on... everything that you would intuitively do, only better&methodical and then some things that are not intuitive, but essential.
I also took a basic maintenance class that is offered in our area...
But seriously,
1> practice of emergency braking (all 4 paws down), especially on turns (try to straighten out before you break)
2> Difference between steering and counter-steering and speeds at which each is applicable (good to know the theory)
3> Looking far into the turn - looking where you want to go
3.5> What should have been taught also: Target Fixation and avoidance
4> Braking to turn-speed and then powering through the turn for max control
5> Discussion with experienced bikers about safety, riding gear, bikes and non-squid behavior
6> Efficiency in getting on and off the bike (through practice) - making sure you put the stand down, put bike in neutral etc...
7> Very basic obstacle avoidance
on and on... everything that you would intuitively do, only better&methodical and then some things that are not intuitive, but essential.
I also took a basic maintenance class that is offered in our area...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From:
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
haha, I don't think they tell you to power through the turns. I think the correct term is "slight acceleration" to stabilize the suspension. Powering through the turns, happens the day after the course.
ORIGINAL: ampfp
That Harleys lose nuts and bolts on a ride (our instructor owns one) :P
But seriously,
1> practice of emergency braking (all 4 paws down), especially on turns (try to straighten out before you break)
2> Difference between steering and counter-steering and speeds at which each is applicable (good to know the theory)
3> Looking far into the turn - looking where you want to go
3.5> What should have been taught also: Target Fixation and avoidance
4> Braking to turn-speed and then powering through the turn for max control
5> Discussion with experienced bikers about safety, riding gear, bikes and non-squid behavior
6> Efficiency in getting on and off the bike (through practice) - making sure you put the stand down, put bike in neutral etc...
7> Very basic obstacle avoidance
on and on... everything that you would intuitively do, only better&methodical and then some things that are not intuitive, but essential.
I also took a basic maintenance class that is offered in our area...
That Harleys lose nuts and bolts on a ride (our instructor owns one) :P
But seriously,
1> practice of emergency braking (all 4 paws down), especially on turns (try to straighten out before you break)
2> Difference between steering and counter-steering and speeds at which each is applicable (good to know the theory)
3> Looking far into the turn - looking where you want to go
3.5> What should have been taught also: Target Fixation and avoidance
4> Braking to turn-speed and then powering through the turn for max control
5> Discussion with experienced bikers about safety, riding gear, bikes and non-squid behavior
6> Efficiency in getting on and off the bike (through practice) - making sure you put the stand down, put bike in neutral etc...
7> Very basic obstacle avoidance
on and on... everything that you would intuitively do, only better&methodical and then some things that are not intuitive, but essential.
I also took a basic maintenance class that is offered in our area...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington, MD
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
They definately said power through the turn in my class lol. But they meant it in a non MotoGP way of course lol. But the biggest thing they stressed was look where you want to go, keep your chin up, and target fixation, and emergency braking, and and and a lot more lol.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
I'd say the number one thing that I got out of the experienced rider MSF course was confidence. Confidence in your machine, in yourself and the decisions you make (especially in events leading up to and during hazardous situations) and how yourride is going to respond.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington, MD
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
Say you're going around a turn, you see a hazard off to the side, and it catches your eye, and you begin to fixate on that object, you'll start going in the direction of that object.
Or a better example is, say you're following a friend on a bike, and all of a sudden he has to slam on his brakes, and you start fixating on the rear of his bike and end up rear ending him. Which actually happened to me, my friend hit me from behind lol. Those are along the lines of target fixation, you'll go where ever you look, or fixate.
Or a better example is, say you're following a friend on a bike, and all of a sudden he has to slam on his brakes, and you start fixating on the rear of his bike and end up rear ending him. Which actually happened to me, my friend hit me from behind lol. Those are along the lines of target fixation, you'll go where ever you look, or fixate.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington, MD
RE: MSF - List some things learned there
Hmm, I remember they kept telling me to keep my legs in near the tank, I had a tendency to flare them out. And they stressed keeping your head up, or chin up, especially during hard braking, to re-adjust your head position to keep it up.