[Jammer]

Glad you nailed it this time around, SafetyFirst! Congratulations.

I haven’t been as good as far as updating the thread with my experiences thus far (sorry about that), but I’m proud to report that I also passed the BRC this weekend. Thanks to all of you who participate in this community – I learned some great stuff before ever getting on a bike just by reading these boards.

As with most (all?) MSF basic riding tests, accumulating 21 points on the riding skills test results in a failure. I got 13 – 3 for putting one foot down while inside the box on the right U-turn, 5 for not taking the turn quite fast enough and 5 for decelerating in the turn during the cornering test. I know that doesn’t sound great, but of all the things to miss on the test, those are okay by me. I think that those are the kinds of things that I’ll be able to resolve on my own, especially if I get my own bike and become familiar with it. Our class was all riding Nighthawk 250s – OLD ones, so it was hard to tell how much of the clutch trouble I was having was my fault and how much was the bike. The one I was riding physically wouldn’t go into neutral while the engine was running – I’d blame that on my own stupidity except that the instructor concurred that it was the bike’s fault.

Anyway, the course was a great learning experience, and I’m glad to have made it through. Sounds like you are too, Safety!

Thanks for all of your help and encouragement, everyone. Let’s ride!

[Jammer]

Awesome! Way to get back in there and go for it. My first try is this weekend as well – meet you back here on Sunday night/Monday to talk about how it went?

Good luck – you’ve got it this time.

[Jammer]

Wise words, both of you – and thanks for the advice. I agree with you – everyone does tend toward the belief that drivers in their town suck worst I’m sure Nashville’s not the only city of its kind in this regard.

Just like you said, eon – if I do get a bike, I’m already planning on not hitting the freeways until I feel really confident in my ability to ride, but I was glad to hear you say that it wouldn’t stop you from riding. I feel like if I take it VERY slow and don’t hit the rush hour traffic until I’m beyond ready, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t go for it

Thanks, fellas!

[Jammer]

Hey Paul,

I’m in about the same boat as you – I’m taking our local MSF course this weekend, and, like a lot of other new-riders-to-be, I have my eye on the Ninja 250R. Post back and let us know how it all goes.

Good luck, and have fun!
Ben

[Author]

Posts