Oh boy, what a reality check...
Okay, so I started my BRC and finally got to ride a motorcycle for the first time ever. Let me just say that I didn't realize it was THIS HARD. I guess I have bad coordination. I found it tough to manage the bike while working with the throttle + front brake, rear brake pedal, clutch lever, and gear shifter. I've gained a whole new respect for motorcyclists; I don't know how they manage to do all this, all the while looking out for other traffic and such.
I stalled, front-brake skidded, and even dropped the bike once. :-( I am now seriously doubting my capabilities of riding a motorbike. I know practice would help, but I think it would take a VERY long time before I felt comfortable to ride on a public street.
I do admit that once we got to ride around in an oval, it did feel fun. But maybe bicycling is a better/safer option for me if I just want that wind-in-my-face feeling. Or maybe a scooter since I wouldn't have to worry about shifting gears, but scooters look so wimpy.
*sigh*
I guess I will try to survive the remainder of the course and then make my final decision. Thanks for listening to me rant. This is a great forum.
Don't get too down on
Don't get too down on yourself. Lots of people experience an "Ah Ha" moment and it starts to come together. However if you like the feeling of being on two wheels but continue to be uncomfortable with shifting, there is nothing wimpy about a scooter. Smaller 150cc scooters are practical machines for riding around cities and small towns and maxiscoots like the Burgman can cruise comfortably on the interstates.
Most people end up conquering the clutch, however, thinking back 30+ years when I learned to drive a car, I'm pretty happy that I learned on an automatic, got comfortable behind the wheel without the added step of shifting, before I learned to drive a standard two years later. Though that doesn't seem to be a standard way of learning on two wheels, there's no reason why it couldn't be for you. In fact it worked for me on two wheels as well; I got a scooter, got my endorsement on a scooter, bought a motorcycle and took and passed(though I already had my endorsement) the BRC in that order.
Yeah dont start getting emo
Yeah dont start getting emo just yet. Everyones first day is rough, but you once you get back on it the second day, it will feel more familiar to you and you can focus more on what youre doing. The growth of your progress in the class will be exponential. I had zero riding experience and on the first day, I popped the clutch while giving it throttle and the bike took me for a fun ride straight towards the curb lol luckily I didnt drop it though. But by halfway through the second day, I felt so much more comfortable/confident in myself and the bike. I have no doubt that you will too, just dont let it get you down.
What exactly are you having the most trouble with? I'm sure many people here will be able to give you some pointers. Good luck!
I feel your pain
I took the course twice! The first time I just didn't feel comfortable on the bike and I didn't really trust it to stay up lol. They let me come back and take it a second time for free and it definetly paid off! The second time I was the "star student"! I felt a lot more confident on the bike and just had a much better time. So don't give up just because its difficult. Everyone has to start somewhere and I can tell you from personal experience that it gets better with practice.
My first day every move
My first day every move required thinking about what controls to operate in which manner. It seemed like every skill we did was a struggle because things were happening too fast.
By the second day things started happening without me thinking about them so much and it became much easier.
After a few days of practice I was able to worry more about traffic and the road and less about how to ride.
You just have to build up muscle memory so that operating the motorcycle becomes automatic, just like it already is with your bicycle and car.
Craig
Hi all, Thanks for the
Hi all,
Thanks for the encouragement. It turns out I failed the course on the 2nd day of riding. We had a skills test, and I ended up grabbing the front brake too hard and threw myself off the bike. Dropping the bike = automatic failure. I don't think I can ride safely on public streets with any amount of practice. I just don't have the coordination for this sport.
Actually, I'm not really good with anything physical. On the other hand, I passed the DMV permit test with only one question wrong, and I passed the MSF written test with only one question wrong. I guess I should stick to more nerdy things. :-p
I'm still glad I took the BRC because I got to experience riding a motorcycle on a closed course under supervision, so at least I know what it's like...and it's just not for me.
Thanks again, though.
bet I could teach you !
...if falling off doesn't scare you too much, grassy knoll and a little dirt bike experience.
I'll probably catch it for this one but; contrary to BRC standard recommendation you would of had only one finger on that front brake if I was teaching you.
Hahahahahah. I havnt taken
Hahahahahah. I havnt taken the course yet but i remember the first time i got on my bike i pulled the throttle back and popped the clutch and when i finally got it stopped i had gone fom my back yard to the front of my driveway. It scared the hell out of me! I walked the bike back and parked it and thought what have i got myself into! Then i psyched myself up the next day by reading some riding tips and got back on her and did just fine. It also helped that i had just taken out a $3000 loan so that made me say i gota learn to ride the damn thing. If its something you want to do dont give up. One of my goals in life is to make sure i dont regret anything. Dont regret not learning to ride. Maybe get a cheap dirt bike on craigslist and laern to ride that in your yard or if you have an apartment in the parkin lot. I am signed up for the brc in sept btw
Motorcycle riding skills take
Motorcycle riding skills take time. However once you get the hang of it you will go from feeling like this is impossible to having tons of fun very quickly.
If you really want to ride keep trying. I don't know if you are in a state with free or inexpensive BRC, but if you are just do it again. It will be much easier the second time. Other good options are getting a small inexpensive dirt bike to practice with off road, or a scooter where you can practice riding without the worry of clutch and shifting.
But if its not for you thats OK. Just don't give up because it didn't come easy.
Craig
If you want to ride--chase
If you want to ride--chase it. Take the course again. Learn from your mistakes! If at first you don't succeed...try...try...you know. Bottom line for me: you might just need more time with a coach and THAT is doable.
Seriously, do try again if you really want to ride
It's by no means an easy skill to ride a motorcycle (like you, I was amazed at how difficult it seemed), and sometimes it takes longer to learn than just 2 days. There's nothing wrong with that...I know a few quite good, current riders who had to take the course multiple times before passing. What really matters is becoming a safe, good rider...not passing the course first time out.
A lot of what makes the BRC tough is not knowing what's coming next. It's a lot to try to master the physical skills of riding a motorcycle while at the same time keeping the exercise goals in mind ("which sets of cones was I supposed to go through? Are those them? Red or green?! AHHHHH!")
I bet if you take it again, you'll be more relaxed due to your familiarity with the course, and will be able to really focus on the skill acquisition.
I spent 2 days practicing
I spent 2 days practicing with my father in an empty parking lot from dawn to dusk before taking the BRC. If I didn't do that, I wouldn't have been able to pass it without repeating it.
Well.... I find this a bit
Well.... I find this a bit interesting. Though I would like to see anyone be able to take up motorcycling and be able to enjoy it, the cold reality is it is not for everyone. If you really want to acquire the skill, keep trying. Though at this point I would really push for a piece of advice from up above. Get you a dirt bike and find some local trails to learn on. However I think it is more intelligent of you and very honest of you to recognize your current level of progress and pull back away from it for the time being.
I wonder though if any one has explained the simplicity of the set up of a motorcycle.... things on the left = forward progress....things on the right = stoppage. The only thing that throws that a touch is the throttle. Reason being its more clumsy to try and pull a clutch lever and twist the throttle at the same time. Not that it couldn't be done....heck some do it on hill starts with the front brake and throttle. But for repetition it's not practical.
You keep saying you grabbed too much front brake. Are you getting frazzled enough to forget about the rear brake? Or maybe read too much about sport bike riders using front brakes only.... or heck maybe even misinterpreting the amount that the front brakes do to think its the only clear option of usage?
How much time did the MSF instructors spend with you to identify what you were doing to help correct it? Was braking your only issue?
****Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy Shit....What a ride!!!"****
It sounds like you were
It sounds like you were pretty hard on yourself for not picking things up quickly and I wonder if this contributed to your downfall. I know because I have a tendency to be like that myself. I had to remind myself that nothing depended on me passing the test and that I was there to have to have fun. That seemed to make things go easier for me. But trying to coordinate all four limbs at once did not come easy or naturally.
I expect you are very disappointed just now but maybe after a few days you will take time to reconsider giving it a second go. I have read more than one account of people in your situation (dropping the bike, being asked to leave etc) having a second go and acing next time around. You might be one of those, or it might be this is just not for you. Only you will know but at the very least you gave it a go. Plenty of people don't even go that far.
Oh, and I will echo the folks above who mentioned starting out on a scooter as an option as maxi-scoots are anything but wimpy. The T-Max has the looks of a sport bike, the Burgman is a credible alternative to Gold Wings and my own MP3 is just, well different. I will be posting a ride report soon over in the Pictures forum. Look out for it to see what fun you can have on a scooter.
Only you can evaluate whether
Only you can evaluate whether you want to pursue this or not; it is true that riding is not for everybody. However, if you do have a desire to continue, don't let one little bump in the road get you down.
I'll go back to my original post about a scooter. Taking one factor out of the equation of learning to ride can make it a far easier task. Once you've learned to ride a small, automatic, motorcycle, essentially what a scooter is, learning to ride a motorcycle is a much smaller jump than what you're trying to learn right now(this I know firsthand). Not denigrating the idea of a dirtbike to learn on, just don't have any personal experience, coupled with the fact that a dirtbike is purely for enjoyment, a scooter, depending on where you live, can be used for the practical things, like commuting, that we use our bikes for.
I was concerned...
I have to admit that I was a little concerned when I read your first post to the forums, your seemed really gung-ho and got your gear, or were at least planning on it before you knew if you would like riding or not.
I really congratulate you on being honest with yourself now. Riding is not easy. I assume that you can ride a bicycle fairly well, a motorcycle isn't really anything more than a bicycle, with an engine attached. Well, at least that's how they started.
There is a lot of good advice above, starting with dirt of a scooter would definitely get you used to being on two-wheels. Another suggestion is to find a friend with a 4-wheeler and see if they will let you play on it. Most of the controls are the same, and you don't have to worry about falling over, unless you are going waaaay too fast. Possibly a combination of the above.
If you are good a 'nerdy' things, do the nerdy thing here. Sit back, take a look at where you are, and where you want to be then make a plan, and stick to it.
____________________
Nate
2007 SV650
It's not about getting somewhere, it's about going somewhere.
I would have to respectfully
I would have to respectfully disagree with your suggestion that a 4 wheeler might be something to try. My one stint on a 4 wheeler was a disaster, and if I could give one reason I would say it was because though it may share similar controls to a motorcycle, the skills are in no way similar. Basically because it looked something like a motorcycle I believe that I was trying to use subtle inputs, including countersteering, when to properly ride an ATV your inputs have to be anything but subtle. I was trying to dance with it when I should have been trying to wrestle with it.
It anybody on the board has extensive experience with 4 wheelers and disagrees, they might be right, but from my very limited experience I'd suggest sticking with the previous advice of a dirt bike or a scooter for some experience.
I can understand the idea
I can understand the idea behind it. It gives them a chance to get control of the coordination in gears, throttle and other things without having to be concerned with balance. As far as steering your right they are worlds apart. But if you eliminate parts of the confusion piece by piece and simplify it one step at a time it can make the process easier.
With a 4 Wheeler the steering is very direct but to get more effect not only are you directing it like you would steer a car but in some cases you will need to toss your weight around on turns to gain the needed traction and weight distribution. However if the 4 Wheeler is a manual then the process of going is very similar.
****Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy Shit....What a ride!!!"****
I agree, skip the ATV. First
I agree, skip the ATV.
First most ATVs do not have the same controls. CVT, automatic and push-button electric shifting are all common on ATVs. Only the sport/race bikes seem to still use the traditional clutch and foot shift arrangment on motorcycles.
Second as mentioned riding one is nothing like riding a motorcycle. You have to really manhandle the controls and throw your body around to ride quickly. Or with the more utilitarian models at a sedate pace the controls are like driving a golf cart, with perhaps heavy steering.
If you want to break the learning steps apart, start with a scooter. It atleast is very similar handling characteristics to a motorcyle and the controls are for the most part just simplified from the full motorcycle controls.
Dirt bikes are a good way to learn at a slower pace without traffic and a softer landing. Small dirt bikes are much lighter than road bikes making the process easier.
Craig
Maybe I should have specified....
I've only really had experience on an older honda, and then newer 'sport' models, other than tooling around on a big polaris once. Other than the throttle, the go-and-stop controls are identical to a bike....anyways, I digress. I was just trying to give an alternative, really it is up to him to figure out what will work.
I will echo the dirt bike suggestion again....if you start on dirt, then go to the street on a dual sport then the only thing that changes it what your tires are on.....
____________________
Nate
2007 SV650
It's not about getting somewhere, it's about going somewhere.
Did you know how to drive stick?
Did you know how to drive stick before taking the class? I can't imagine an MSF class being my first encounter with shifting!
Like other folks here, I spent a LOT of time in the parking lot practicing basic skills before going on the street. I also took my MSF class after months of practice (long waiting list to take it). I already knew all the stuff in the class but I was still amazed at the fast pace. They blew through stuff in a few hours that I had spent months on. I couldn't believe any of my classmates were keeping up: many of them had NO previous riding experience! So if you aren't one of those people who just gets it in one day, don't despair.
Do you have any friends who ride? 1on1 parking lot lessons at your own pace can be great! (Be careful what kind of bike you learn on though...)
Muscle memory, trusting the gyroscopic effect of the bike, progressive braking during an emergency stop...these things take time and practice to get right.
Good luck!
ME TOO!!!
I just finished the MSC this week... what an amazing experience. I had a similiar day to yours, but my instructors really coached me through it and by the end I was feeling a little less uneasy. I went home and did some serious soul searching and decided that I really wanted to ride and that, for me, I would need some serious "Parking Lot" time before I feel comfortable on the streets. So, I went ahead and purchased a bike that many here would say is too powerful, but I WANT to do this and have for a long time. The course also made me realize that in part, this a family and most folks that ride have each others backs (as this site can atest to. I tthink that for a lot of people, that is a draw as well.
I have to say, I know how to drive a manual transmission and did some pretty extensive bicycling, including a 5 mile commute on busy roads for a number of years. I'm still a little freaked out, but I figure I am statistically ahead of the game for taking the course. And besides, I know my limits and don't plan to push them any time soon.
I am picking up a bike tomorrow morning and like some others purchased the gear before I fully appreciated the complexity. I have signed up for the ERC later next month because they will allow me to use my own bike, which is over 500cc's.
My first ride will be about a quarter of a mile, on a fairly light thoroughfare to the local wrench who will be doing a safety check for me. Bright & early Sunday I am planning on hitting the parking lot for LOTS of drills & practice before I attempt my first "real" ride/commute. I can tell you, the most valuable part of this has been the advice of the folks here, especially Munch. I was hesitant about purchasing my bike when I started reading the forum but he and others have been a wealth of knowledge.
I guess it is really about what you feel comfortable with and why you want to ride. If this was a piece of cake, they would call it "driving". Best of luck to you, whichever way you decide to go...
And I think scooters are pretty freeking awesome myself!
SS
1984 Virago 700...
A work in progress
first time rider
hey halflife 2, i had a similar experience to yours. it was hard coordinating all the controls. it didn't help that i'm 6' 6" and i had trouble with my long legs and the foot controls (we used a buell blaster). the bumpus harley davidson of memphis ran the BRC and they were wonderful. Unfortunately i crashed and bruised my knee and elbow. My ego took the biggest hit though, because i was slowing everybody down. After the crash i left but will be going back for another workshop, then try to complete the BRC. My instructors were amazing and very supportive.
The crash and difficulties just made me mad at myself and i fully intend to go back and master this motorcycling thing. There is absolutely no quit in me and i still want to ride. This is an amazing website with great forums and all the responses reassure me that I'm not the first person to screw up at a BRC. lucky i live in a quiet part of town and i fully intend to practice, practice, practice till i nail this thing down before i ever venture on the road by myself.
Stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive- "the boss"
dlargest
as for scooters..
you have a couple of options with scooters. when i was first getting into the idea of riding a bike, my mom freaked out at me. i compromised with her and bought a scooter. (of course i only used it for a few weeks, took the BRC, and said screw it i wanna shift gears and bought my yamaha fz6.. my mother dealt with it).
but to my point.. when i was looking around for a scooter, i found an interesting option. there are scooters designed to look like motorcycles, so you get the look you want (i wasnt into the scooter look either). the one i was riding was the CPI GTR-150. It was 150cc's, maxed out at 65mph, and was fully automatic. here is a pic:
http://www.gekgo.com/images/cpi-GTR150BLACK.jpg
also if you want to step it up a notch and get a full size motorcycle, but still want fully automatic ride, you have options. first is the aprilia mana850 (though i'm not sure if i recommend this bike, being that it is 850cc's.. making it very heavy and possibly very powerful, but it looks beautiful and is fully automatic. here is a pic:
http://motoprofi.com/imgs/a/a/n/m/z/aprilia_mana_850_2008_15_lgw.jpg
she's beautiful and full automatic, but they aren't cheap. aprilia is known for that, expect to drop around $10k that bike, being that are difficult to find used far as i know.
lastly is the brand Ridley. They make automatic motorcycles exclusively, and they are an american based company. all of their bikes are cruiser-style from what i can tell, but they have models ranging in different engine sizes, all automatic.
here is their site if you want to check it out: http://www.ridleymotorcycles.com/
maybe seeing that your options aren't limited to a regular foot-well styled scooter will inspire you to give riding another shot. just be gentle on and smooth on those brakes, and be careful.
good luck!
Josh, So glad to hear someone
Josh,
So glad to hear someone else talk about their mom!!! I thought of a conversation I had with mine 20 years ago. Sorry to say 20 years later it didn't change. Yes, I may be older, but mom is still the boss. Glad to hear she got over it... I just picked up my Virago 700 this morning. I may send your post to my mom...
Check out the Aprilia SportCity 250 as well. A friend of mine from Italy turned me on to these when I was first looking at getting a scooter, it is freeway legal in California and I have seen quite a few on the road over the past few months.
http://www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Model/21124/SPORTCITY+250/Overview.aspx
1984 Virago 700...
A work in progress