Grumblings from a soon to be rider

[Kyna]

I suddenly find myself with free time now, but I couldn't get into a MSF course until mid/late June.  In the mean time I was considering reading the course book just so I'm not going in completely blind.  I am also planning to check out some of the books from the recommended reading thread. (http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=857.0) I've got all the gear except for pants, but I'm working on that.  Here is my question to all of you: is there anything else I can do to prepare for riding for the first time?

[dolci]

I got my license in October.  Even with all the reading and everything else, you need to get on the bike and practice to get comfortable.  And if you are using their bike for your course, don't count on it being a snap to get on your own. Everyone is different and while the basics are the same....practice, practice, practice.  At least that's how it went for me.

[somegirl]

I agree with dolci, practice is the key.

You've got your gear, have you looked into your starter bike yet?  Now is the most popular time to buy a used one, so it may take a little while to find one.  It would be good to have something ready to practice on as soon as you finish MSF.   

Also, some skills can transfer over from bicycling and from driving a stick shift, so practicing those would be useful in the interim.

Good luck!

[TiNi]

I agree with dolci, practice is the key.

You've got your gear, have you looked into your starter bike yet?  Now is the most popular time to buy a used one, so it may take a little while to find one.  It would be good to have something ready to practice on as soon as you finish MSF.   

Also, some skills can transfer over from bicycling and from driving a stick shift, so practicing those would be useful in the interim.

Good luck!

great advice from dolci and msinc  wt:

i don't know how strong you are, but you could also workout your core so you won't fatigue as quickly once your ridin'

good luck on the msf

[Taz Duc]

I would start reading to pass your state's motorcycling riding test, the written part of it.

Gook luck and welcome!  :wine

[mbalmer]

How far are you located from the class? Can you go to the upcoming classes and join in if there is a cancellation?? Lots of people do that here.

I found it helpful to ride my bicycle up some hilly road and practice counter steering on the downhill (actually, I still do that when I ride my bicycle).

mbalmer

[Kyna]

Thanks for all the well wishes.  I can't wait to take the MSF and get to practicing.  mo:t:  I bet I come up with all sorts of entertaining questions for you all along the way.

I'm about 30 miles from where I'll be taking the course.  It's hard to get in touch with the people who host the course as it's through the local Tech college...and the voicemail box is full.  I'm going to stop in after work next week and see if there have been any cancellations.

I'm plan on starting out on a loaner bike from a friend.  It's an old nighthawk, and if that doesn't work out then I have another friend who has a Ninja that I can probably borrow as she never seems to ride anymore.

I'm glad knowing how to drive a manual transmission will help some, at least I have that going for me.  I think I will start studying for the written portion of the exam as well.  I want to head straight to the DMV when I pass the class.
 

[TiNi]

i got in the msf because someone cancelled, it does happen  wt:

i had to wait a day to get my M... dmv is closed on monday

[somegirl]

i had to wait a day to get my M... dmv is closed on monday

I had to wait a few days...in CA they mail the MSF paperwork to you.

[TiNi]

I had to wait a few days...in CA they mail the MSF paperwork to you.

sometimes.... it's better living in a small state 

[Betty Rage]

Your situation may be different, but when I first got my ninja, my bf put it on rear and front stands for me, and I practiced shifting in the garage. That way, once I got onto the street (er, parking lot actually) I had the basic idea down already. It really made things a lot easier for me to focus on the technique rather than worrying about shifting correctly.

If you know anyone who can do this for you, it gets both wheels off the ground so you can run the bike and practice shifting.

FWIW, I still haven't taken the MSF yet and have been riding about a year. I strongly recommend it, but it's not like you won't ever learn if you don't take it. Sometimes a knowledgeable and patient riding friend teaching you in a parking lot goes a long way...

But again, you should take it, regardless of whether you learn ahead of time.

[empress duc]

practice practice practice practice practice 
i can't say it enough

take that test written test over and over.  there's one online and i
took it everyday for at least a month.  it makes taking the written
exam much simpler; i aced it (and i hate tests)

it's all about saddle time.  neenjah made a great suggestion if you
have access to front and rear stands.  having driven a stick helped
me a great deal.  do drills in the parking lot so you can practice the
fundamentals. your body starts to remember with repetition. then
when you're ready, hit the street, just riding around the block over
and over.  then maybe a short trip on a road with traffic lights.

traffic was the biggest challenge for me.  i just played keep-away
with all other vehicles on the road.  the more you practice, the
easier it gets. 

you're lucky your training is so early.  i was sweating it out on the
black-top in august.  that was nuts!

best wishes, much success,
  ~ empress ~

[mcgalinmd]

Kyna,

what state are you in?  in my state (MD) you can go as a standby....heck at our range you can often just walk in if you hit it right.  Practice is the key, nerves are much more a key - you have to keep them in check and be very calm when riding.  Anxiety often gets the best of many people on our range.

if you have any questions feel free to PM or email; I am a certified MSF instructor in MD and I might be able to answer some of your questions.

[ro-monster]

Get a copy of David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling book and read it. It covers much of the same material as the MSF course, and the explanations of how the techniques work are excellent and more detailed than the limited time in your MSF course will allow.

I'm afraid I don't know any good preparation for the riding part of the course though, other than making sure you bring plenty of snacks and drinks with you, and sunscreen, sunglasses and all that. Be patient with yourself and don't get flustered if you don't get it right at first. I already had a license and 5000 miles experience when I took it, and it was still fairly challenging for me.

[Kyna]

Kyna,

what state are you in?  in my state (MD) you can go as a standby....heck at our range you can often just walk in if you hit it right.  Practice is the key, nerves are much more a key - you have to keep them in check and be very calm when riding.  Anxiety often gets the best of many people on our range.

if you have any questions feel free to PM or email; I am a certified MSF instructor in MD and I might be able to answer some of your questions.

I'm in WI - and I called the people who are conducting the MSF course I will be taking...they haven't had a cancellation in over 3 years.  My class starts on June 17th. 

Thanks for the offer, I may PM in a week or so when I've had some time to look over more of the material.

I'm a little nervous about the riding portion.  I am pretty confident about the written portion.  Studying I'm good at...but until I start the course I don't really feel like I can practice very much.  I've sat on the bike that I'll be practicing on for the rest of the summer, but the BF hasn't had time to show me anything in the last few weeks.