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Safety Home
Video: how cars see/don't see riders Motorcycle Operator Manual: PDF format Measurements for BRC exercises: from a course instructor! Motorcycle Skills Test Practice Guide 50 Ways to Save Your Life: August 2006 article in Motorcyclist
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2006 (May through July)Monday, May 1 Hi Petra, Dear Sara, Friday, May 5 Hey Mama, Two weeks ago my husband said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT" . . . today we both go to take the MSF course and I think he's more excited than I am. Thanks for all the good advice. I am honored to be in your thoughts and will continue to root on any woman who wants to live out her dream of freedom of spirit. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the support. Cindy, aka Breaking the Chains Dear Cindy, Hi VTwin Mama, I've been dreaming of a motorcycle for quite a few years now. Finally, last week I decided that if I'm going to do it, it's going to have to be now. Soooo, I signed up for the MSF class at the end of June. I'm so excited but extremely nervous at the same time. Mainly because I haven't ever been able to learn to drive a manual transmission in a car. How am I going to learn on a motorcycle when the MSF classes only spend about 30 minutes on that aspect? Is that possible? All I can do is try and I'm determined to learn come hell or high water! I have my eyes on a Honda Rebel so I plan to get that either right before class or soon after. I just want to start out on something that's light-weight and easy to maneuver while learning. Wish me luck! Again, thanks for the website. Tina Dear Tina, Some people do better if they have a visual of all of this, so you might consider getting the Ride Like a Pro: Learn To Ride The Easy Way DVD. You could watch this over and over while sitting on a kitchen chair and working your own hands/feet so that your brain learns (without hesitation!) where things are! This alone would allow you to enter that class and not be fumbling at the controls trying to remember which does what in what order! Mention that you heard about it on the VTwin Mama site and get $5 off the shipping/handling cost! I DO wish you the best in your class experience . . .
and remember, many riders need to take the class more than once . . . it's
all about learning, and that's a good thing under the watchful eye of an
instructor.
Mama For Tina is concerned about her ability to handle a riding course: Make sure that you speak personally to the instructor
and , if possible, find other people (preferably of the female persuasion)
that have taken the course with the instructor. Ask how many people are in
the class. If you are short, what are the seat heights of the bikes
that they have will one fit me? (Im only 51 and I couldnt
reach the ground well on any of them even the Rebels). Definitely let
him/her know just how much experience youve had, and how much
difficulty youve had with learning to drive an automobile with a
clutch. (I had never even tried!) I was in the same boat as you but the
instructor assured me I could do it. I told him straight up that Id
never driven a standard vehicle. When I got to class there were 24 people
taking it. The instructor seemed to be a little woman/bike biased, as he
pulled me aside and ask me if, A man was pressuring me into doing
this? grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . . He had a couple of helpers, but there
wasnt enough time for them to assist, as we all had to get through the
exercises. He was ex-military, and was barking orders. I left in
tears before lunch the second day (and I hate that I cry when I get
mad!!!!!!) He didnt mention that there was a beginner,
beginner, class that cost half of what that class did before I went to that
one. The number of bikes they left us half the practice time, and that
time was too quick for me. I was the only one in the class that didnt
have a motorcycle, or access to one. (I could complain more, but I
wont) What worked for me? that 30 minutes of frustration during that general instruction and my anger. I am lucky in that I live in a rural area and there is a large flat field near by. I purchased a 1987 old running bike for $650 that was low enough for me to touch the ground (had someone I knew that knew about bikes look at it before I purchased it) and I read a lot of vtwinmama. (Not enough, but it definitely got me started in a more positive way!) I went to the DMV and got a temporary license. (No riding, just the written part no cost) Im signing up for another class in mid June too, but Im going in with more confidence, and Ive talked to the instructor, asking the right questions before I agreed to pay the money for the course. I took my bike in to be serviced and to be
dressed with new tires this past week Ive actually missed my bike!
(Rust and dings and all!) O yeah, I think Ive got it bad! Lol Im
having a ball learning. Its thrilling, and challenging, and puts the
wind up my skirt! Good Luck Tina! Friday, May 19 For Jana who offered her views on taking a riding course and jitter handling: Thanks VTwin Mama for your response and a special thank you to Jana for posting her story. Wow Jana, that sounds just like my concerns! I've decided that this weekend (hopefully) I'm going up to the Honda dealership and buying a Rebel. I think the courses here use exclusively Rebels. I sat on one at the dealership last weekend and it felt very comfortable and I wasn't intimidated by it. I want to take it over to the school parking lot (it's huge) behind my house and just practice using the gears, clutch, throttle and brakes. Maybe then I'll go into this feeling less overwhelmed. Jana, I'd love to know how your course goes in June! Please keep me posted! Tina (note from Mama: yes, pre-practice is wonderful when possible! Go for it!) Monday, May 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Here in the UK I have the necessary documents and paper work to ride a bike of 250cc. So my question to you is. To ride bikes of the same power or similar in California will I have to take another test owing to different traffic rules and regulations? Or can I just go and buy a bike and start riding? I thought I would ask these questions so I would have some idea of what was expected before I arrive. Well, I am looking forward to arriving in California at the end of July, so if there are any Californian lady bikers who use the coast roads in that area I'll give you a wave. Any help or info on the above will be most gratefully received, and I thank you in advance for it. Regards to all, Amanda Dear Amanda, According to this California DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) page, if you take a job in CA, you have 10 days to get a standard (car) driver's license. Because you have a license from a foreign country, you will be required to take a driving test. Although not spelled out, that would mean you would need to take the separate written and riding tests for a motorcycle. So, buy a bike, get it insured, get it registered and then take the written and riding tests. On this page you'll find the car and motorcycle driver handbooks to get ready for the written test. And yes, to operate a motorcycle, you need to have your car license. Welcome to the US a bit in advance!
Mama Monday, May 22 Dear VTwin Mama, I've been riding for about 10 years, but I've only put about 12,000 miles on the two bikes I've owned (first was a Suzuki Savage, now I have a V-Star which I LOVE!). I took the MSF Experienced Rider course Saturday and it was well worth my time and $$. The course instructors were excellent and very knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. Prior to taking this course, my major malfunction was u-turns. I just couldn't seem to trust my bike and turn my head to look where I was going, and that always resulted in really wide u-turns (although I'm sure it saved my life once, but that's a whole other story!). I was amazed at what I could do just by turning my head and looking at the horizon (they pounded that horizon thing in our heads all day!). Clutch control was helpful too. One thing they did not talk about was feathering the back brake during a u-turn, like I've heard mentioned before. Any opinion on that? Among other things that we did, they had us deliberately ride over a 2 x 4, which I managed to not freak out about! It was actually easier than I thought. Granted, going 10mph over a 2 x 4 in a controlled environment is very different than doing it at 65mph + on the freeway, but at least I know it can be done. Anyway, I recommend the MSF Experienced Rider course to anyone out there who's been riding for a while to keep their skills up and be safer out there. Keep up the great work, Mama! I appreciate all you do! Rose in CA Dear Rose, U-turns can be accomplished without rear brake feathering if
one has a bit of speed and room. If you need to do one that's tighter and
slower, rear brake feathering (that's light application) helps keep the bike
upright through the turn. If you go back to a practice zone and try tightening
up your turns, you'll find a turn where you feel that "instance of ick
feeling" of the bike wanting to take a nap . . . that's where rear brake
feathering helps. Try it!
Mama Wednesday, May 24 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear John, Thursday, May 25 For Anon who has the new rider jitter fears on leaving the neighborhood: It has taken me a whole year to try and get the fear of my driveway out of my system and that fear is in me every time I leave it still. I think going at your own pace is good -- no matter how long it takes. It took me two months to get on the freeway. I have a friend who rides and has been riding for almost 3 years and she still has a fear of the freeway and we ride about town instead. It's worth it to find someone who is going to enjoy the ride the way you do, help you along the path of riding and accept your limits until you accomplish them. I have been blessed with meeting woman riders who give me just that. Hope all works out for you . . . we all (I really truly believe this) -- have the "barfy's" sometimes cause of the fear of a certain situation -- I think it's normal. I still hate inclines, but I get through it now and it took me a long time to get through that number too. Mama, your courage reflection yesterday was great [Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. Ambrose Redmoon]. That is going to help me even through my "barfy's" going up my driveway from hell. Thanks, and "Anon," remember what Mama always says: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Happy Trails, Kathy H. (note from Mama: thanks for sharing your support for Anon. I'm truly happy in that Anon's husband wrote in after reading the posting, checking on how best to assist, and asking for a practice zone layout so that skill polishing on the new bike can follow Anon's original course work. He's soooo excited about his wife becoming a solo rider and mindful that she needs to chart her own learning curve timeline.) I started out really slow. I call it taking baby steps. The first time I went around the block, I made my husband ride his motorcycle in front of me to set the pace. I needed this in order to get a feel for coming to a stop sign and then making a right turn, etc. I rode around the "small" block in my subdivision, then rode the reverse, then moved to the "big" block in my subdivision and rode it in reverse, may times and many days. Then I rode the same blocks at night (night is so different). My next baby step was to set small goals. Ride from my house to the subdivision entrance, turn around and back to the house. etc. Then we went for the road. I was so scared I only went to the gas station, about 1/4 of a mile from the house and sat there for a long time to get the courage to go back home. I made it! I felt proud of each of my small accomplishments. I skipped baby steps, but you get the idea . . . BABY STEPS. Lonnie (note from Mama: it's encouraging to read how you crafted your learning baby steps so that you were in control of the process. I know that some people might think it odd that you rested at the gas station, but I think it was a super-wise thing to do . . . YOU knew what you needed and proceeded accordingly. How very VTwin Mama sister smart!) My name is Rebecca and I just purchased a new 2005 Suzuki Boulevard C50 (before I even knew how to ride). I have been reading your site and am glad to have found a place to share my experience (or lack their of) and to get great advice. I was very nervous and not quite grasping it when I was practicing in my cul-de-sac. So my husband rode it down to the college when the parking lot was empty and it was great. I felt confident enough to ride on the street the next day. We both bought bikes so we rode through town and on the coast hwy (the cross wind was scary) but was all in all a great short run. I hope this helps Anonymous. Thank you, Rebecca HB, CA (note from Mama: yes, every personal first-hand input helps! I am so proud of you for taking a step back and identifying a safe practice zone so you could work on skills with more confidence. Not every new rider will graduate so quickly to a road run, but the point is that when you practice in a safe zone, you will be in much better position to know when you are ready!) Dear VTwin Mama, Took the bike home by trailer. First ride out CRASHED. Come to find out the foot brake was hitting the front bar and NO back brake. The front brake was not in position for my hand, thus when moved hand forward to reach the front brake opened the throttle. Called the dealership about the bars and no brake,etc. He stated that "aftermarket" bars didn't always work the way they should. Told him he was the one who installed them and he should have checked them out or told me the brake didn't work. He did state "bring it back I'll take a look at it." He stated the fault was mine for not checking before I rode the bike. I told him I was a first time biker, never ridden a bike before, and that as a salesman he should have been there to help me. So, any other new bikers, please drive the bike at the dealership, make sure you have front and back brakes, nothing hitting your bars, etc. Yes, I will continue to ride and learn something on every ride as soon as I get my bike adjusted to me and bars that fit my bike. Anonymous Dear Anon, Sorry if I sound a bit harsh, but honestly, I can't imagine how the dealership was supposed to know that you were just going to hop on and go. Their job is to sell you a bike. I agree that a monumental mistake was made with the installation of the highway bar and that the rear foot brake pedal couldn't work. It baffles me how they could install this and not see the problem. I'm still scratching my head over this one. However, the dealer's job is not to anticipate what a new rider needs. The front brake and grabbing of a handful of throttle instead is a classic new rider challenge. Yes, a reposition will help, but it's also a function of practice. And there were a number of ways to bring this bike under control, including pulling in the clutch lever to remove power to the drive system and coasting to a stop. You could have revved on the throttle all you wanted and the bike wouldn't have gone anywhere. And where was your head on using the kill switch? Still, 75% of the motorcycle's braking capability is with the front brake and this is what you use when stopping in a straight line. So why were you trying to use the back brake which can put the rear wheel in a skid if it's hit too hard and another classic new rider mistake? Ok, now I'm going to soften my tone of voice. It's not like you're the first person who ever got on a motorcycle and learned on their own. I too did the same thing (on a KZ 750) and had no training materials other than the owner's manual. These days, with the advent of the Internet, there are lots of online sources of information and easy ways to order training books and DVDs, which can be found on my Education Center page. But I did get that bike to a big empty lot with no obstacles on early Sunday mornings for practice. And then I babied myself and the bike and took itsy bitsy steps. I did this for weeks before I ventured out onto the road, and again, only on early Sunday mornings. So please, do yourself a favor and once that bike is fixed, have some training materials handy, review them, and have someone get it to a safe practice zone so that you can learn the basic handling characteristics without adding obstacles, traffic and other distractions. Alternatively, consider taking a motorcycle riding course. Like many new riders, the early lessons are learned the hard
way. These oopsies are a sign that more learning is needed. Take heart and
know that I believe 100% that YOU CAN DO IT. Go back to the drawing board and
plan this out carefully and I think you'll have a much better experience in
the future.
Mama Thursday, June 1 For Anon, a new rider whose learning curve started with a crash for many reasons: I just wanted to chime in and say whether you are a beginner or seasoned biker, take the time to look over your new bike BEFORE getting on to ride. Make sure all the bolts and nuts are tight! I was shocked after putting the first 50 miles on my brand new HD to find out the dealership had not tightened down the handlebars. The bike had been shipped from the factory and put together at the dealership, evidently they did a sloppy job. Had they come loose while on the road...well, you know the rest. Monica (note from Mama: me too, brought the bike in for service and the rear brake bolts weren't tightened down, first clue was the scraping noise on the rim . . . let's all learn from this!) Anon, I can't tell you how many sad stories I've heard like yours. I agree with Mama and can't stress enough the benefits of taking the beginner rider course. I teach this course and hear at the end of every session how helpful it was for new (and experienced) riders. Its a fantastic program. You'll receive the kind of instruction you just don't get from friends or the internet and in a safe, supportive environment. Another helpful source - check out Gasper Trama's Freedom of the Open Road DVD. Patti (note from Mama: thanks for strengthening the message on taking a course and sharing another visual training source!) Gotta back you on this one, Petra! Reading that letter reminded me of a recent news item. A brand new rider here in FL bought a sportbike, hopped on it and rode away from the dealer. Three miles down the road, he lost control and crashed. Unfortunately, he didn't survive to tell anyone about it. Some people criticized the dealership for selling such a powerful bike to an inexperienced rider, but that is not the dealer's responsibility. And whether you're a brand new rider or have years on the road, DON'T EVER RIDE WITHOUT DOING A SAFETY CHECK!!! If you aren't sure what to look for, get a more experienced friend to show you, or even have the service tech give you some pointers. You just cannot take it for granted that your bike is OK. Your life really does depend on it. Li in Florida (note from Mama: I'm hoping that Anon takes heart from these responses and puts together a battle plan for learning and I'm hoping that the dealer does right by Anon in reviewing and fixing the back brake problem to satisfaction.) Saturday, June 3 Dear VTwin Mama, I too failed the MSF test. I froze during the emergency stop, crashed and "burned," and broke my wrist on the fall. Although I failed the test I got back on and rode the bike back to the garage. That short but relaxing ride was what convinced me I wanted to try again. My husband bought me a Suzuki 250 and parked it in the car port so I could sit on it and dream while my wrist healed. Once I healed we set up the practice test in an empty parking lot and I practiced until I was confent I could pass the test. That was 10 years and more than 60,000 miles ago. My adive to new riders would be to take the MSF class, start with a small cc bike that you can flat foot and won't intimidate you, and then practice, practice, practice . . . especially those slow speed skills you learned in the class. Thanks for listening! Kriss Dear Kriss, Wednesday, June 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Also, the instructors didn't practice what they preached, road speeds, protective clothing, etc. At the final exam, some people they liked were allowed to take the exam over on the spot, while others they didn't like were not allowed. $280 down the drain! Jos Dear Jos, It's possible you are a rider that already had basic skills well enough in hand, and then I can see that you were chomping at the bit for more "real road" instruction and practice. This is more a function of the MSF Experienced RiderCourse where you use your own motorcycle and work on quick stop maneuvers, cornering and swerving, along with other things. However, there are other skill learning/polishing strategies which you may wish to consider. Check my Education Center page for lots of books and DVDs. Ultimately, if you feel the course was misrepresented to
you, or you wish to air your concerns about any portion of the instruction
and testing, contact the
main MSF headquarters and let them know your viewpoints.
Mama Hi VTwin Mama, Dear Carole, Thursday, June 15 Dear VTwin Mama, I bought a used 750 Honda Magna, I spent 3 weeks trying to get familiar with the bike. I'm 35 and never rode a bike in my life - and only a passenger twice! The bike was heavy, the concept was awkward - but I managed to figure out how to get it down the road and around the corners (a little wide I might add!) I signed up to take the MSF beginner rider course in Aberdeen, WA at Grays Harbor Motorcycle Education. I feel compelled to mention Rick and Gwen by name because they were AWESOME! We had gals in that class who had never ridden before, folks like me who have only ridden a couple of times, and folks who have been riding for years. The instruction was incredible. We spent 2 days doing exercises, and best of all, in WA, if you complete the class, you don't have to do the DOT test to get licensed. I trained on a KAW 160, great learning bike. I'm short (5'2" and could actually touch the ground!) Rick and Gwen were so patient with all of us and made sure we got the concepts before we moved on. Because of their instruction I not only learned to ride a bike - I learned how to control the bike and make it do what I need it to do. There is a big difference. Now, my Magna doesn't seem so big and overwhelming. Rick's voice is always with me around corners "Turn your head! The bike will follow!" These guys taught me how to trust my bike and have fun with it. My husband took the course with me. He has been riding off and on for 10 years and he learned a lot! So if there are any gals out there trying to figure out if it's worth the cash for the class - don't even think about it - just do it. And if you are in Washington, GHME is the best place in the state to take the course. I have talked to others who have taken the same MSF course other places and they say their class wasn't half of what Rick's is. Lovin' the weave, Kim Dear Kim, Saturday, June 17 Dear VTwin Mama, One of the hardest things for us to learn is operating a machine that has a "standard" transmission. The whole clutch, shift, brake thing can be confusing. On a motorcycle, it also requires balance. Many of us are trying to learn this new skill while being mentored by husbands, boyfriends, friends, or significant others. Those folks mean well, and are a great asset, but there are times when they are not very patient. This adds frustration to the mix. Many of us are trying to perfect this new skill in traffic. On roads, with cars and trucks and that adds pressure. If you have or can make the opportunity, learn to drive a car with a standard transmission. Even though the controls are operated differently, the principals are the same. Your brain will "get it" and transitioning to a motorcycle will be much easier than you think. If you can buy, beg, borrow or rent a 4-wheeler (ATV), do it! One day on an ATV will help so much! They are operated just like a motorcycle, but much more forgiving if you pop the clutch, stall it, shift up instead of down, forget to shift, etc. You can spend all day in a field without the fear of dropping it and scratching it or breaking things (bones included). It gives you the opportunity to concentrate on this one thing and develop confidence in it. It will help you master basic motorcycle operation in a more controlled environment, so that riding your motorcycle can be about developing riding skills, not operating the machine. Thanks, JoJo Dear JoJo, Dear VTwin Mama, Here in VA, it is a 3-hour course that teaches basic material (the first two or three exercises in the BRC). Has anyone else been through this course?? If so, what was your experience? Is it a good prelude to taking the BRC again or should I just practice on my own? Thanks for any advice you can share! And, BTW, I love this site! Suzette Dear Suzette, I can see where this would a great way to for riders
with no previous time on a motorcycle a chance to learn the very basics of
throttle, clutch, and brake controls before having to put everything
through the more formal skills paces and then boom, there's the test! Yes,
you could practice on your own, but without guidance you may have more
oopsies without benefit of knowing why certain things are happening, and
then the erosion of your confidence becomes an even bigger problem. What's
your gut feeling about this? It's usually useful to listen to it!
Mama Dear VTwin Mama, The class began when the instructor told everyone to grab a bike, start it up, and meet him at the other end of the training course! I managed to hang in with the guys for about 2 hours, at which point the instructor told me I wasn't going fast enough to keep up with the others, and sent me home. I was pretty discouraged (not to mention embarrassed), and I haven't pursued it since then. I don't own a bike, but I'm willing to buy a used one and give it a try on my own. Do you think I would be able to learn this way? Or should I just figure this is one more thing I'm not really gonna do, kind of like singing at the Grand Ol Opry? Stuck with 4 Wheels? Dear Stuck, It's probably too late to do anything about the course you took last year, but from what you've noted, that instructor paid too much attention to the riders with experience than to you, who needed guidance with the very basics. Yikes! But if you managed 2 hours, then some of the basics must of been clicking even in a small way! Yes, you can buy a small bike and learn, but I'd get
some training materials from my Education
Center page (especially the DVDs which you can watch over and over),
find a big empty parking lot, get a friend to assist (even just to watch
over you), and take it slow and easy. My article Learning
to Ride a Motorcycle also points out lots of things to consider when
taking a course or learning on your own. One of things it points about
taking a course is if possible, interview your course instructor so that
they know who you are, what to expect, and what concerns you have. You may
wish to do this and take that course again, but this time, with more
knowledge up front. You wouldn't be the first, nor will you be the last,
to take a course more than once. Don't let the song escape you . . . the
realization of the dream of riding takes a certain amount of "I can
do it" spirit . . . something we have in spades here at the VTwin
Mama site!
Mama Tuesday, June 27 Dear VTwin Mama, I dropped the bike in the MSF course during the first exercise and had problems with my hand position for the throttle and brake (kept rolling on while trying to brake). In the Jumpstart, we were allowed to ask any and all questions and to take our time learning the basics, even if we had to do it over and over and over again. The class size was small, so the instructor was able to provide extra, personalized instruction to those who needed it and provided helpful techniques and tips. I also learned a hint about hand positioning that really helped with that throttle/brake problem (thank you Fred Austin, a great instructor!). A friend of mine, who is also a beginner but still has more experience than I do, took the course with me, and found value in it. If you're in VA (and especially if you're a little nervous or just starting out/thinking about it), please take this class. I was about ready to give up on the whole motorcycle thing, but now I feel like I might be able to handle it after all :-) And thank you for such a great site! Suzette Dear Suzette, Tuesday, June 27 For Stuck With 4 Wheels who is trying to learn: Where are you in California? Sounds like you need some one-on-one assistance. If you are in the San Diego area I would be happy to help you out, but if you are in some other area try contacting your local Gold Wing Riders group to see if there is an experienced rider who is willing to spend some time working with you. Dorathy Biddinger (note from Mama: Stuck, you can contact Dorathy at her riding school, SoCal RealRiders) Tuesday, June 27 Dear VTwin Mama, I have to tell you that I now have a whole new respect for bikes and their riders, I thought that this was going to be a relatively easy thing for me to do, boy, was I wrong, it's harder than it looks, I need practice, practice, practice. I've decided not to give up, even though I was so humiliated when my bike went down. I'm going to buy my own bike and work on the skills needed to pass the road test. I'm only interested at this point in something with a 250cc engine, I'm looking at the Honda Rebel, Yamaha Virago or the Hyosung Aquila. Do you have any thoughts on which would be the better bike for me to start out on? Keep up the good work, your web site is amazing, lot's of great information. Novice Dear Novice, On my Type
of Bike to Ride pages, you will find links to articles comparing a
number of 250cc motorcycles including the ones you mention. Personally, I
would look for a cheap used, but running, 250cc bike for sale in your area
as it's most likely possible that after a bunch of months you'll be ready
to move up in size . . . readers report they have spent anywhere from 3-12
months on practice. Your biggest fitment clues will be about your legs
reaching the ground when sitting on the motorcycle and comfortable reach
to hand and foot controls. Then it's off to a big empty parking lot for
practice! If you feel you would benefit from additional training tools,
check my Education Center
page . . . I'm thinking you would like the Ride
Like a Pro DVD . . . sets up drills, shows you techniques and you can
watch it over and over!
Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I do love it but it is so heavy. I picked the bike up yesterday from the dealer & I was so excited but standing in my driveway trying to walk it I dropped it. Did I over extend myself? I am determined to ride. Do you think in 6 months I will be riding my Deluxe with my husband. Right now I'm lacking self confidence that I can do it. I'm afraid the weight is going to make my drop it when I go around corners; I won't be able to control it. I'm sure the classes will help & I am also going to make arrangements for private lessons. Do you think this will help me? Anyone else have this experience? Thank you. Joyce B. Dear Joyce, The course you are taking will go a long way to helping you understand the basic principles on handling a motorcycle. Successfully negotiating corners and curves is a matter of practice, but no matter which bike or what weight, the basic handling skills are the same. Following your course with private instruction is an excellent idea! Many women riders reported that the initial transition to a bigger bike proved to be a handful and they decided to purchase a smaller used bike to get more practice on. If your private lessons go well, no problem. If you find the bigger bike too much right off the bat, consider a temporary step-back to something smaller (look for cheap and used but running!). I can appreciate that you have lots of concerns right now, and it's easy to "pre-jitter," so take a deep breath and plan one step at a time. Each step completed will then help you map out the next one! Will you be riding your Deluxe by your husband's side in 6 months? Why assign a timeframe . . . each new rider should simply approach the experience as a wonderful learning curve that must be done at a pace that makes sense for that new rider. Trust your gut, speak up on how it's going, outline your battleplan, and if one step takes longer than originally envisioned, so be it! Remember, the overall goal is to be a skilled and confident rider . . . and YOU CAN DO IT! Mama Saturday, July 8 For Joyce who is getting started on her adventure and is experiencing jitters: Congratulations on your Deluxe! What an awesome bike! Your story sounded so much like mine I just had to write to you. I am also very small . . . 4'10" . . . and we bought a big bike for me before I even took the training. My brand new VStar 650, a medium size bike, seemed very big to me. Even though we had it lowered, it still weighs 550 lbs! It especially seemed big after my MSF training on a little Kaw 125. But the bike is very well balanced, and I can hold it up almost flat-footed with my boots on. I did dropped it 2 or 3 times, but only when it was stopped, or trying to turn it going very slow. But I kept practicing, after about 3 months of riding around in a school parking lot and driving around our neighborhood, it started to feel right, and now it is the perfect bike for me. You can do it! You have to refuse to be intimidated by the size of it, and by those butterflies that you feel in your stomach every time you go out to practice. Also, getting highway bars installed helps a lot, because if it does go down, it doesn't By the way, learn to pick up your own bike on this website. It really works. I have done it myself. http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html. Linwebs from Oklahoma (note from Mama: thanks for sharing and noting that picking up your own bike is a useful thing to learn!) Dear VTwin Mama, Well, Saturday I went to the riding course & 3 hrs later I walked out. I'm 5'1" & my feet were flat on the ground but the seat was too wide & I could not get my feet to the shift & brake (both very close to frame), then lack of coordination when you disengage/engage shift to you throttle so I kept jerking and stalling; So you can image I'm having problems w/exercise 1 & 2. The instructor is yelling & telling me to stop talking & making excuses and ride. In exercise 3 I took off like a bat out of hell while everyone held their breath thinking I'm heading for the brick wall; hit the kill switch I thought & I stopped shaken up. Instructor ran over & told me to go sit down. He said I wasn't ready & I needed personal attention. Picked up my cell phone called my hubby & cried; called the dealer & wanted to know if they could buy back the HD deluxe at a loss, of course. My hubby says no to selling bike and says I can do it & will regret making a rash decision. I called the school to see if private lessons were available & they said ride a bike & call in 2 weeks. I want to learn & I know it will take time & plenty of practice. MSF is a production line & truthfully did me more harm than good. Should I just give up & say I tried or do you have a suggestion for another alternative? Love reading your site. Thanks. Joyce Dear Joyce, The MSF experience is totally dependent on the local course provider and the instructors. They are not all created equally despite the "set" curriculum. I see you have ordered my Learning to Ride a Motorcycle article, which points out many things to consider in choosing a course, or in the absence of choice of courses in your area, things to check out before signing up. I can appreciate that the MSF clearly states it will teach a brand new rider with no experience, but actually, this organization's emphasis is on safe riding, and there is rarely time to help someone struggling. The best I can offer you is to let you know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE in this disappointing first experience. If you have access to an ATV, this would be a good way to gain some clutch/throttle practice. Even if one can be rented, this might be a truly positive step for a few sessions. Or, if finances allow, pick up a cheap used small cc bike for empty parking lot practice. You could also take out your new bike for practice, but would suggest that you check if a throttle limiter can be temporarily added so there is no possibility of jamming on the throttle and rocketing off (added confidence given what happened in the course). I also wouldn't stop trying to find a private instructor . . . expand your search by calling all local dealers and hop onto my Women's Sites page to find links to women's riding organizations . . . contacting local chapters may reveal an instructor in the area. You may also wish to visit my Let's Ride page and see if there are any VTwin Mama sisters in your area . . . they may know of someone. In the last two ideas, at the very least, you may find a local mentor and start your path on connecting with women where you live. Sharing your challenges with another woman can boost endorphin levels (ok, it's not based on any scientific research, but can make a difference!). Ok, dry your tears, straighten up your spine, jut your jaw out, grit your teeth, plaster a smile on your face and growl, "I can do this despite a less-than-perfect start, so I'm going to put together a battleplan that makes sense for me." Mama Tuesday, July 11 For Joyce whose course went poorly and she's trying to decide what to do: I am glad that you told her not to give up and to get a
smaller cc bike on which to learn. I thought that the Sportster was the
smallest bike that HD made, and that is not in my opinion a beginner level bike.
I think the husband should have waited to buy Joyce a motorcycle until she took
the course or she expressed a desire to learn. It might help her to get
Jerry "Motorman" Palladino's video RIDE
LIKE A PRO FOR THE LADIES. Wednesday, July 12 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear JP, By far, it's the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) that provides the largest amount of courses, and in the Mesa area you have the choice of MSF providers in Gilbert, Scottsdale and greater Phoenix. TEAM Arizona, mentioned on the Arizona MSF page comes highly recommended, but as with all course providers, it's best to call ahead and if possible, visit the course to talk with instructors and check that the bikes provided will fit you. My Learning to Ride a Motorcycle article points out lots of other things to consider before signing up. You'll also find two HD dealers offering the HD RidersEdge program, but here you'll most likely learn on a bigger 492cc Buell Blast instead of the smaller 125 or 250cc bikes used at the MSF. It's something to consider. I wish you the best in getting started . . . you sound very determined and that will help as you work through the beginning challenges . . . that you feel a calling is exciting! Just remember that courses can be full already this year, but ask about being on a list for cancellations, and if the wait is more lengthy, you can begin part of your learning by checking into sources on my Education Center page. Mama Saturday, July 15 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Rhonda, Wednesday, July 19 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Diana, Many women, upon finding out during a course that they still have much to learn before attempting a test, do go out and get a practice motorcycle. My best advice is to find a used, cheap 250cc bike and get to a big empty parking lot. Any "flavor" will do as long as your feet are flat on the ground at a stop and the reach to hand/foot controls is comfortable. That it's used and cheap means you won't worry about banging it up a bit more (in case of oopsies)! So, check your local newspaper and see what's available, go sit on bikes, and have a friend run it around to ensure it's not a complete basket case bike (i.e. tires, rough running, etc.). If you would like to read up on 250cc bikes, then hop onto my Type of Bike to Ride page, and in the left column you'll see links to a few articles comparing models. Mama Tuesday, July 25 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Jennifer, Tuesday, July 25 Dear VTwin Mama, I just went to the MSF class this past Saturday. I will have the "hands on" classes this coming weekend at 7am. I found it to be at bit unbearable from 12 to 5 pm last year. Unfortunately I will be in a hotter area, San Bernardino, CA this time. It should be hovering around 106-110 by the time these sessions are over! So, I'll shed a few pounds, it will be a good thing! I already have a '05 Custom 1200 Harley. I'm now facing it being in the garage for the last 10 months with 20 miles on it (the shop guys at Harley put those on it) On my virgin ride I got it up to 20 mph in a church lot and only have ridden for about 20 minutes since I purchased it. We already had her drop in front of the house. Of course I lifted her wrong and couldn't hold my own arms up for a while. I've since viewed Skert's site and learned to pick it up properly next time. It has been tough to find a "ride buddy" or "spotter." We have gone to the dealership quite a few times to hang out and talk shop. Anyone interested in coming out to help, please contact me at acarrot@gte.net. I would feel a thousand percent better with a more experienced "spotter." My question is one that has not been addressed so far I don't think. What about trailering a motorcycle? I had to buy one last October after my battery was found to be dead on the bike after only my second time out. My 16 year old daughter and I left it parked in the garage because of no time to practice. I had a wheel chock put on the trailer and now we can't even figure out how to physically get it on and off. The idea was to trailer it to get it down about a mile away to a large lit parking lot at dusk since I'm not ready to go on a real road yet. But those 500+ pounds . . . uuuggghhh!!! Ava Dear Ava, In finding unpaid mentors, this can be a challenge because not everyone wants to take on the responsibility. At a bare minimum you would need to have completed your course successfully and have the "M." You noted to me personally that you were going to approach a group of people, but that it didn't look promising as far as finding someone to help. Until you speak up, introduce yourself, and say what what you need, your pre-judgment is going to get the best of you. I know this can be scary for a new rider, but ask! You might want to hop onto my Let's Ride page and contact women in your area . . . just introduce yourself, let them know what you need, and see if someone can help. Otherwise, I would contact local chapters of women's riding organizations and introduce yourself. At the very least, you would be in touch with women who can at least talk it out and be there for you as you proceed. Good luck this weekend! Mama Wednesday, July 26 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Christine, Dear VTwin Mama, While we may sign waivers saying we release them (the MSF/instructors) from injuries, those waivers are not iron clad in a court. etc. I really believe that MSF needs to look at the safety and protection of all attendees, and watch that thermometer. I served in the military and had to, as a nurse, participate in several outdoor maneuvers/activities, most in battle dress. We didn't require 18-20 year olds to overheat or suffer heat related illnesses while in training. While we did have to train in battle dress, long sleeves, packs, and God knows what else was attached to us and had to stay attached, frequent breaks with plenty of time for re-hydration was the order of the day. Our students were between the ages of 18 and 40. Now, this is not to say that I did not learn a great deal in the class . . . I did! It is not to say the instructors were not interested in teaching us . . . what I am pointing out is the MSF foundation needs to know about this and needs to "get with the program" and raise another safety awareness concern. Any change has to start from the top down. Legal Beagle Dear Legal Beagle, I sincerely hope that you are passing on your observations to MSF Headquarters, although I'm not sure what change may happen as many people successfully handle learning during the hottest of months. I'll simply add that students need to access the situation for themselves and understand the course policies in stopping and rejoining a class at a later time in the year if the combination of learning and higher temperatures proves to be too much. Knowing your options when you sign up is a good step. Mama |
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