- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 11 months ago by Overtime.
New rider in southern NH
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May 3, 2010 at 5:41 pm #3922OvertimeParticipant
Hola! This site was a great resource researching my first ride – an ’08 ninja 650r.
I now have my riders permit, I’m in a very long line for the MSF class, and I practice the licensing skills tests in the DMV parking lot a few hours a week. I’m also reading “proficient motorcycling” and have watched dozens of hours of youtube videos about safety, skills, crashes, gear, maintenance, etc. I recommend checking out the youtube channel for “captain crash idaho.” The 60 second lessons are REALLY helpful. Stupid things like how to park, good U-turn methods, etc.
I was also lucky to find the perfect back road near my house. It’s wide, well marked and maintained, and has a high speed limit due to those factors plus there are very few side streets – and those are along straightaways with good visibility. It seems to be an unused back-way to get to a nearby state highway. It has plenty of great twists and turns and a lovely “winding through the forest” feel. This is where I plan to do most of my cornering practice!
I’d be happy to share my experiences picking out a bike or gear, the first month or so of basic skills work, etc. This site is great, and I hope I can make a positive contribution!
Cheers,
JoeMay 3, 2010 at 9:40 pm #26148owlieParticipantWelcome to the forum and congrats on the new bike!
Sometimes you can get into the MSF classes more quickly by either a) getting on a wait-list or b) just showing up every week until they have a no-show. If you take option b) be sure to have cash in hand for the fee.
I’ll leave the others to lecture you on the evils of learning to ride your bike on your own – even with lots of extra research and precaution on the side.
Post up some pics of the new bike!
May 4, 2010 at 3:20 am #26150eonParticipantSounds like you are using a lot of the resources I did when starting out. All good resources but you need to be able to go to your class with an open mind. One of the harder parts of a trainers job is to get people to unlearn their bad habits. You may be developing some bad habits that you are not aware of (such as wrist positioning). It’s hard to unlearn things. Just a FYI.
I did not have that problem starting out as the first thing I did was take the class but I’m taking a more advanced class next month and I’m going to be in the same boat. Gotta unlearn all my crappy habits.
May 4, 2010 at 4:17 am #26153OvertimeParticipantThanks! Yeah the MSF class is weird, since I’m already on the wait list and have already paid…just haven’t heard when my class will be. I even opted to take the weekday ones at locations far from my home (despite living next door to one). I’m serious about taking the class, but it may not be until later this season.
You make a good point about bad habits. The plus side (or not*), is that I have a TON of friends who ride who have all taken the MSF class. My early instruction from them was their best effort of recreating the class. I also did much of the bookwork for it when I got my riders permit. (In NH you can get a one-shot 30 day daytime riding permit if you take a written test…seems like basically the written half of the motorcycle certification).
I’ve been studious in building good basics (and not so basics), but like you say, it’s the stuff I don’t realize I’m doing wrong that will hurt me. And of course there’s no replacement for actual road time and experience physically building the habits that I know in my head.
*According to the Hurt Report, riders reporting “taught by friends/family” had a significantly higher accident rate than “self taught.”
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