Took The Plunge

[cheesy]

And signed up for the MSF Advanced Rider Course.:tup: After almost fifty years of on and off riding, I may have gained some experience. I will soon see if I really know as much as I think I do.

[Killerbracing]

So you are looking to school the instructors?:clap:

[Weldangrind]

A very humble and excellent idea. I intend to take a similar course with Son of Weldangrind.

[FastDoc]

Good idea. Ill be interested to get your feedback. I never took a motorcycle class. My buddy Tom 100 years ago put me on his CB400 said here's the clutch one down four up see you later. I did take racing classes at Laguna Seca but little real world application.

[Killerbracing]

Sorry if I come off sounding like a smart ass. My grandfather used to ride (he's 89 now). My dad rides and I've ridden since I was 12. About the only thing you can learn is some chick on a cell phone wants to kill you!

[cheesy]

Good idea. Ill be interested to get your feedback. I never took a motorcycle class. My buddy Tom 100 years ago put me on his CB400 said here's the clutch one down four up see you later. I did take racing classes at Laguna Seca but little real world application.

That sounds about like the training I got in 1966 on that Ducati Falcon 50, Doc. When I got my license in 1979, courses were few and far between. And after a couple decades off, it can't hurt.

Killerbracing-From personal experience, I found it to be teenage boys in Lancer Evos. Still have the scars.

[katoranger]

For Doc it was a chick on a phone.

If I ever ride on the street again I think I will go take a course.

[Weldangrind]

Despite having a bike license for 30 years, I'm sure that I can benefit from a course. In the old days, common knowledge was that several vehicles only had a left side mirror, and a rearview mirror was not mandatory. That, coupled with the oil slick in the middle of the lane, was why we rode in the left tire track.

Every vehicle on the road has two side mirrors now, with the exception of the odd vintage vehicle. I'm curious to learn about what has changed with respect to lane position, etc. When I ride with others, we stagger lane positions, with the lead rider in the left tire track; that prevents a pile-up in the event of hard braking.

[tpar1220]

any training has got to be a good thing. i bben riding since i was a wee lad and will be 50 this year! :wtf: i sometimes think of taking that class as well.

and i bought an ol beater 87 honda civic wagon 4x4 bout 3 years ago. it doesn't have a pass side mirror, when i asked the guy about it he said that was an option back then? i have never heard of that but it is annoying as i am forever trying to check that mirror.. :doh:

[FastDoc]

Despite having a bike license for 30 years, I'm sure that I can benefit from a course. In the old days, common knowledge was that several vehicles only had a left side mirror, and a rearview mirror was not mandatory. That, coupled with the oil slick in the middle of the lane, was why we rode in the left tire track.

Every vehicle on the road has two side mirrors now, with the exception of the odd vintage vehicle. I'm curious to learn about what has changed with respect to lane position, etc. When I ride with others, we stagger lane positions, with the lead rider in the left tire track; that prevents a pile-up in the event of hard braking.

The problem is cage drivers are no brighter now than they were before.

Maybe even less so now, as they are more dependant on automatic transmissions, cruise control, lane warning devices, back up cameras, airbags, ABS, traction control etc. Add in cell phones, quiet interiors, texting, TV screens, GPS's, powerful stereos etc etc etc.

All stuff designed to help protect the cage driver from their own inadequacies. Not to protect to poor rider they 'Just didn't see'.

[cheesy]

The problem is cage drivers are no brighter now than they were before.

Maybe even less so now, as they are more dependant on automatic transmissions, cruise control, lane warning devices, back up cameras, airbags, ABS, traction control etc. Add in cell phones, quiet interiors, texting, TV screens, GPS's, powerful stereos etc etc etc.

All stuff designed to help protect the cage driver from their own inadequacies. Not to protect to poor rider they 'Just didn't see'.

I had this same argument with my neighbor a while back. He was going on and on about how much safer cars are now and all I could say was "That may be, but the loose nut behind the wheel is still the loose nut behind the wheel."

Where are the improvements in the operators skills to actually drive the thing?

[FastDoc]

Ever see the original 'Wrath Of Khan'? episode?

To paraphrase:

'Technology has improved, but the man is the same'.

[SpudRider]

I started riding motorcycles in 1979. I used to teach motorcycle rider safety for the state of Idaho. I highly recommend the MSF safety course, and all rider safety courses. No matter how much one thinks he knows, he will certainly learn more from taking a safety course. ;)

[Killerbracing]

I had this same argument with my neighbor a while back. He was going on and on about how much safer cars are now and all I could say was "That may be, but the loose nut behind the wheel is still the loose nut behind the wheel."

Where are the improvements in the operators skills to actually drive the thing?

There are no improvements in cage drivers. Here in Missouri driver's ed is extinct. They just get cut loose with a limited liscence at 15.

[Weldangrind]

I'm pleased that things have gone the other way in BC. We have a graduated license program with several restrictions, and you aren't eligible for a full license until you're 19. No amount of alcohol is tolerated during that period.

[katoranger]

They have a restricted system in Kansas too. Full license at 17. They can get farm permits at 14 though.

[Killerbracing]

We have enough Mennonites here that will kill you if you are driving a cage.

[cheesy]

Holy sore muscles, Batman. That course was a hoot. I never thought I'd ever lean my top heavy beast over as far as I did. When I started the exercises, I couldn't keep up with the sport bikes and was barely faster than the baggers. Towards the end of the day I was keeping up with the sport bikes and doing quick stops better than most. Never locked up the rear tire.

Besides having the oldest bike, I was the oldest guy there. I'm going to take a nap now.:zzz:

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the good report, Cheesy. I knew you would enjoy the class. :)

[Weldangrind]

Was it worth it? Aside from having a good time, did you learn new skills?

[cheesy]

Was it worth it? Aside from having a good time, did you learn new skills?

Was it worth it? Yes, much more than I paid for the course.

New skills? Maybe, but more like breaking some bad habits I've picked up over the years. However, I never thought I could make that old pig lean like a CBR in a decreasing radius turn.

I did have one scary bit in a 'swerve exercise' where I came in a bit too hot and had the rear tire break loose in the swerve. I managed to correct it pretty quick and the instructor yelled to me, "Great save". I did a big exhale and just kept riding.

[pchitti]

Since we have to have one in the great state of Tejas, and eventually I want to be legal on the road. Im prob going to do the riders edge through harley. Wonder if they still use buell blasts.

[cheesy]

Since we have to have one in the great state of Tejas, and eventually I want to be legal on the road. Im prob going to do the riders edge through harley. Wonder if they still use buell blasts.

I think Harley, in their infinite wisdom, crushed the final run of Blasts. I read rumors that they may use the new 500 twins.:shrug:

[FastDoc]

Sounds like a great experience!

It's all about the rider. The machine is a secondary player in performance. Very few people ride (or should ride) their bikes to the level the machine is capable of.

[pchitti]

I wouldnt mind breaking a couple 500 twins. Wish they would have continued the blasts. I liked them, fun bikes.

[FastDoc]

I liked the Blasts also. Never rode one but I like the concept of a simple pushrod 500cc Single streetbike. Just enough power, and I'm sure the Blasts were a blast to ride.

I think they are becoming a bit of a cult bike too. I see them on CL for some pretty high prices.

The 500's and 750's are made in India.

[cheesy]

We were doing some multiple decreasing radius turns, along with swerves and quick stops, from opposite directions. It was a fun exercise and I was close to dragging a knee a few times. We finished up and the instructors did a bit of debriefing. One of them asked if we noticed how tapping the rear brake helped move the bike vertical between exiting the curve and entering the swerve. I said "We were supposed to use brakes?":hehe:

A few pics.

The venue, the north parking lot at NIU Huskies stadium. There were two separate classes going on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/2014-05-24153055_zpse0e3eaca.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bikamper/media/2014-05-24153055_zpse0e3eaca.jpg.html)

My group. The CX sure looks small.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/2014-05-24142808_zps5dab32b0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bikamper/media/2014-05-24142808_zps5dab32b0.jpg.html)

We got an hour break for lunch and rode out to the main drag for a bite.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/2014-05-24120450_zpsba856ed0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bikamper/media/2014-05-24120450_zpsba856ed0.jpg.html)

That black Victory was a beast and a handful for the owner on some of the tight turns.

[2LZ]

Great news cheesy! Mrs 2LZ said it was informative....and also, she said it was a good refresher on the basics as well.
Strange about the Victory. I've test-ridden a Victory Vision (thinking of trading my TC at one time) and I found it to be surprisingly nimble at parking lot speed, even with the tour pack on back. Probably just the newer design and lower center of gravity over my older TC, I'd imagine.

[FastDoc]

It may be all about the wheelbase.

I can handle my Wing just fine but I would have a hard time with the slow speed cones.

[cheesy]

I'm thinking the Victory was a bit more than the owner was comfortable with. It was pretty in garish art deco sort of way. The wood grain on the instrument panel was a bit much, though.

[pchitti]

I can barely imagine trying to get a sportster around the course, much less one of those.