Tenchi
Well-known member
Today was the last day of my MSF course. I was doing the course based in Renton, completely confident about it even with the light drizzle we get up here in the PNW, and ready to show those Americans how Australians ride.
Did the classroom on Thursday. Had to be revived after dying from boredom. I forgot how many things I had to learn as a n00b... it was painful watching it all again.
Saturday had the practical learning in the morning. In the afternoon, got to watch a DVD, have a chat with the other people in the room, hear their views and listen to the wise words of the instructor. Sunday got to ride some more on the bikes, did the test and all. Ended with a score of 100% on the theory and 99% on the practical... overshot the mark a little on the quick stop because I braked after the cones. Oh well. I blame drop bears in the brake lines. Everyone was saying the box is very small and hard to do before I was doing the course... it was so freakin huge I only used half of it. They should try the West Australian test. The box is much smaller.
I'm kinda bummed I didn't learn much but it was a pretty fun and easy way to get my endorsement. Playing with someone else's bike that wasn't mine was pretty awesome too. I feel like I was lied to a little by the person that told me the novice class would be best for me; I had specified my riding experience, including my additional training courses, conditions and miles travelled, and the duration of my previous license when signing up. The course was seemed a little too easy, even by beginner standards; the West Australian test and advanced ride day I did were both much harder than the MSF course, and all three courses were targeted at novices and/or complete beginners. It did make me really happy to see that there were people who'd held licenses for years and years coming back to do a refresher, and I have to admit the techniques used to keep people shiny side up when first getting used to the weight of the bike were second to none - truly awesome. Not a single person dropped a bike.
On Tuesday when the DOL and DMV open, I'll be picking up a pre-loved V-Strom DL650 if the bike is everything I expect it to be. The price was right and it's customized with all the accessories that I was looking for (crash cage, custom seat, aftermarket windshield, hand guards and heated grips), minus the bash plate on the bottom. Not quite a FJR but I see this as being a temporary upgrade while I get used to heavier, bigger bikes than Ninja 250's
.
Thanks to everyone that gave me the advice of doing the MSF course, put up with my lame n00b questions when I expressed extreme lack of knowledge about such courses and pushed/shoved/kicked me in the right direction . I really appreciate it. See you all out there!
Keep an eye out for this funny looking guy on the road next week onwards!!
Did the classroom on Thursday. Had to be revived after dying from boredom. I forgot how many things I had to learn as a n00b... it was painful watching it all again.
Saturday had the practical learning in the morning. In the afternoon, got to watch a DVD, have a chat with the other people in the room, hear their views and listen to the wise words of the instructor. Sunday got to ride some more on the bikes, did the test and all. Ended with a score of 100% on the theory and 99% on the practical... overshot the mark a little on the quick stop because I braked after the cones. Oh well. I blame drop bears in the brake lines. Everyone was saying the box is very small and hard to do before I was doing the course... it was so freakin huge I only used half of it. They should try the West Australian test. The box is much smaller.
I'm kinda bummed I didn't learn much but it was a pretty fun and easy way to get my endorsement. Playing with someone else's bike that wasn't mine was pretty awesome too. I feel like I was lied to a little by the person that told me the novice class would be best for me; I had specified my riding experience, including my additional training courses, conditions and miles travelled, and the duration of my previous license when signing up. The course was seemed a little too easy, even by beginner standards; the West Australian test and advanced ride day I did were both much harder than the MSF course, and all three courses were targeted at novices and/or complete beginners. It did make me really happy to see that there were people who'd held licenses for years and years coming back to do a refresher, and I have to admit the techniques used to keep people shiny side up when first getting used to the weight of the bike were second to none - truly awesome. Not a single person dropped a bike.
On Tuesday when the DOL and DMV open, I'll be picking up a pre-loved V-Strom DL650 if the bike is everything I expect it to be. The price was right and it's customized with all the accessories that I was looking for (crash cage, custom seat, aftermarket windshield, hand guards and heated grips), minus the bash plate on the bottom. Not quite a FJR but I see this as being a temporary upgrade while I get used to heavier, bigger bikes than Ninja 250's
.Thanks to everyone that gave me the advice of doing the MSF course, put up with my lame n00b questions when I expressed extreme lack of knowledge about such courses and pushed/shoved/kicked me in the right direction
. I really appreciate it. See you all out there!Keep an eye out for this funny looking guy on the road next week onwards!!
