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Safety Home
Video: how cars see/don't see riders Motorcycle Operator Manual: PDF format A former course instructor gives you the five key points to remember when approaching test time! 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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2007 (August through December)For Cheryl who noted that she liked the Ontario Motorcycle Safety course: I was really interested in your experience with the Ontario Motorcycle Safety course. I have obtained an M1 license but the course I have registered in (I should have asked some more questions first I guess) has only got kick start motorcycles and no bikes with automatics or heel and toe shifters … both of which I would need due to my very bad arthritic knees … I think I'll call the one you went to; they seemed accommodating according to your report.. Thanks VTwin Mama for the masses of information and help and support you offer! – Sandra in Port Dover, Ontario (note from Mama: you are welcome and I'm glad a previous letter has given you another avenue to explore!) Dear VTwin Mama, But you know what sista's -- I hope to take what I can from that course (with my driver's permit) and apply it to my HD 883 Sportster. Practice, practice, practice, drop, get up and practice some more ... what else am I supposed to do? Give up? No -- not me. I was the only one who failed out of twelve. Oh well -- is it the end of MY world? I should hope not!!! Happy riding gals -- and safe riding. Pass or fail ... keep going! – La Mala Dear
La Mala, True, the test portion of the class didn't go quite as well as you had hoped, but it's not money down the drain. You did learn a lot. Like what drills to practice, where your strong and weak points are, and most importantly, how much you really want to be a skilled, polished, and confident motorcycle rider! You're on the right pathway; just remember to take it step-by-step and don't overload yourself with artificial time tables. The end goal is to be a good rider, not to be a rider by a certain day/month/year! – Mama For La Mala who didn't pass a riding course but is not deterred: I too failed the safety course a year ago, at age 54. I wasn’t the only one that day and think most classes have people that fail. In my class there was someone that had been riding over a year that failed. However, I was stubborn enough to not give up. I got a 600 Honda Shadow and went to a large parking lot almost every day for a month and practiced, practiced, practiced. I retook the test and passed. Since then I purchased a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and have read as much information as I can about riding and improving skills and still go to the parking lot to practice. This has helped me tremendously and although I have a lot to learn, I ride to work almost every day and my husband and I take at least one 100+ mile ride on the weekends. One of the best on-line sites for tips and techniques is The Master Strategy Group. The safety courses put so much information into so few hours it’s hard to remember it all. Oh, and my biggest hint? NEVER use the front brake when turning and going SLOW! (parking lot speeds). It’s an instant down on the grounder! It only took me 10 times down and lots of reading to get THAT one! Talk about slow learners. Our riding friends now refer to falling down as “doing a Carol.” Give yourself credit for showing up and completing the course. You learned a lot and with practice will get it. Be careful and don’t go over your head because you think you should be able to handle it. As my husband tells me, ride your own ride. A year from now you will look back at the course and be amazed at your progress. Good luck, keep at it. We’ve been there and know you can do it! – Carol (note from Mama: thank you for this encouraging letter to La Mala!) Thursday, August 16 To Carol who offered her thoughts on not passing a course the first time: I just want to say thanks for sharing your experience with me. I am happy to hear that you have had wonderful success with your persistence! I will be practicing at parking lots too, and then eventually on to the local K-mart shopping lot -- where it seems the cars zoom around much faster than normal parking lots! Thanks for the tip regarding the front brake. I experienced that on my first practice ride. I was idled at a stop, and then attempted to make a right turn -- only to panic, grab the front brake and lock it up. Of course my girl and I ended up on the ground, to be quite frank, I wasn't sure what I did at the time. But after taking the motorcycle class, I realized I grabbed the front brake and locked it. Ever since, I have been a little nervous about making turns, but since taking the course I feel a little better about having the tip, "slow, look, lean and roll". It's amazing ... look right, go right, who would of thunk? Not to mention, I mentally tell myself -- YOU CAN DO THIS! And I agree -- the course seemed to be a crash course to me. We got to do one exercise a couple of times, and then it was time to move on. I happen to learn by repetition - and the time just wouldn't allow it. We had a total of 17 exercises in 2 days. It was good that I took the course, because I now have so much more knowledge than when I first started out ... and you are right -- at least I showed up and stuck to the end. Thanks Carol for your kind thoughts. I will take the good luck you wish for me when I ride! And I wish the same for you as well. – La Mala (note from Mama: learning from all the sources available to us is just awesome, and I'm glad that the sharing at this site is part of the positive experience!) Dear VTwin Mama, I have a problem. I took a rider training course but did not get my license because I didn't feel comfortable on the bikes as they were all too tall for me although the instructor kept telling me that anyone can ride any size bike. I am short and didn't feel comfortable not being able to touch with both feet down when stopped. The course teaches that the best position is the tripod position with the left foot down for the stopped position. However my right foot was way high from the back brake that they wanted us to use in the stopped position. I had a hard time starting to move as I had to almost jump up to get on. Being a real newbie (I hadn't been on a bike before) this was really scary and I dropped the bike many times (not so good for self confidence). If anyone has any suggestions as what to do so that I could feel more confident and comfortable it would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. – Cheryl, a very frustrated and terrified wanna be bike rider Dear
Cheryl, So, my thought is to call the course up, ask to visit and sit on bikes while class is not in session, identify the lowest seat bike, and wear those boots. Do you have a solution that will get you back in class with confidence? Make sure you get that bike reserved for you! If that doesn't work, then make a note on paper what models this course has. Call up other courses in the area and note the challenge you faced. Don't forget that some Harley-Davidson dealers offer courses that are based on the MSF. They use more powerful bikes, but ones that are offered in a 25.5" optional seat height (they use the Buell Blast). Go sit on one of those. Take that course if it makes sense. That's about all I am able to noodle out. Readers, any more thoughts? – Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I had taken my motorcycle training course from a local college. So, why not offer the training course like a college course? You will have more time with the instructors (semester or trimester) and more time on the bikes. Some people do not have anyone to ride with, so, this will help them with any problems they have and might help with the jitters as well. Also, I think it will help riders bond with each other. Just a thought. I know that I would pay for a course like that! – Tonya Dear
Tonya, I'm wondering if they haven't considered this before, but found the cost high and the interest level low, meaning that in any one given college, they would need x amount of registered people to make it work. Still, I would make contact ... answers are so much more fun that wondering about something! – Mama Share
Your Thoughts Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Amy, So, what you DID get out of the course is a very nice view of the steps towards working on skills. Go to the DMV, take the written test to get your learner's permit, have the b/f get the bike to a big empty parking lot, and then begin practicing, starting with the steps you started with in class. Take it slow, take frequent breaks, talk it out, and keep working at it. If you want it badly enough, you will NOT give up too easily. You will be an adult, decide what got you goofed up in the course, devise a plan to work on your skills, and keep working at it! Riders who make it look easy have spent countless hours and miles on the road, and the smartest ones keep polishing skills and reviewing riding techniques. They don't get lazy or sloppy. They do respect themselves, their motorcycle, and the road. So, who do you want to be? Someone who gives up because it wasn't as easy as they thought, or someone whose dream is waiting for them and can be realized with effort, determination, assistance, and persistence. GO GRAB YOUR DREAM! – Mama Tuesday, September 18 For Amy who failed her course and is questioning her abilities: If it makes you feel any better (and that is the purpose of this response!), I passed the class with flying colors. That happy feeling diminished when I took my brand new bike over to some wide, rarely used roads. I ran up on the curb twice and dumped her, I dropped her 3 times trying to do those tight, slow turns, thought I was going to wear out my starter trying to take off in first gear, and last but not least, I went smooth over thinking I had put my kickstand down when I didn't. Believe me, those aren't the only mistakes I made - - I don't have enough time to note them all! I can laugh about it now, but it sure wasn't funny then. I wanted to quit, but my husband kept telling me to get back on. God love him ... he knew how much I wanted it. That was 5 years ago and I am so glad I didn't give up on my dream. I finally graduated to a much bigger bike and still can't believe it is me when I see my reflection in a window while sitting at a red light. Pretty cool stuff. So, my dear, you hang in there. We ALL have a newbie story! – Pat in Houston (note from Mama: well put ... we all have those beginner stories and they are as individual as we are! If you give up though, then that's it. If you don't, your dream can still be realized!) Wednesday, September 19 More for Amy who failed her course and is questioning her abilities: If I had a dollar every time I have told these
stories I’d have the bike of my dreams! Thursday, September 20 Even more for Amy who failed her course and is questioning her abilities: I'm sure there are SO many stories out there which should give you hope and confidence in yourself. I'm still trying to get my license after over a year. I took the MSF course in November 2006, the last class offered, but someone crashed into me, I fell off, got injured (only minor thank goodness) and did not finish the second day on the range. I had to wait until the summer to get into another class and I did. I passed the written test with a perfect score and we started the range, in the pouring rain and lightening and thunder until we finally had to come in. The rest of the weekend was a washout so we were never able to finish the course or take any tests, but were told that we would be able to make up the two days on the range. I did have a small bike that my ex-boyfriend had purchased for me and I was practicing on that until he broke up with me and then sold it (nice guy). Seemed that I wasn't meant to get my license...BUT only if I thought that way and let it be. It's all in the mindset and I knew that I could do it and wanted to. My NEW boyfriend (and he is a keeper) took me out to look at bikes; he said if I wanted one he would make it so. Finally, I was able to get into a course this October and I feel really great about not letting the bumps in the road stop me from the journey and my goal. I even have more confidence since I passed the written test and was riding the course in the pouring rain (until the markers started to float away...and this is a "safety course"???) So hang in there Amy; you're not alone. Some things worthwhile just take more perseverance! – Tempe (note from Mama: what a wonderful example of sticking with it to realize the goal!) Monday, September 24 Hi Petra, Dear
Cheryl, Monday, September 24 For Tonya who wondered if longer courses wouldn't be better: Tonya voiced my feelings about the length of the MSF courses – too much in too little time! Again, I had never been on a bike before and all of a sudden I’m supposed to learn all of this stuff in ten hours with little or no practice! I’m not the greatest athlete in the world and having the program even a week or two weeks long would have been a major help. A semester might be a bit long although they sure could teach a lot of techniques. You would come out a real pro! I do think suggesting longer courses would be good. Maybe a “beginners beginners” course for those of us that need to learn from “here is the on switch.” Good luck on improving those skills! Stay safe. – Carol (note from Mama: some MSF course providers do in fact offer a Novice RiderCourse, which is a pre-course to the Basic RiderCourse. It's designed to limit class size and allow for extra time on the course for every single question possible! The only way to see if an area course provider offers it, is to check the website and make a call. For those of you who are interested, I am now meshing this advice column to the VTwin Mama Message Board in cases of questions like this. You don't have to register to view the input from board members! And you'll always see the added link below that indicates where on the board you'll find the extended chatter!) Share
Your Thoughts Monday, September 24 And even more for Amy who failed her course and is questioning her abilities: Amy, DO NOT feel bad, I "failed" three times. But I so much wanted to ride. On my fourth attempt just about to the end of the test with flying colors dumped it, and it was a scooter!. However, the place that I took this last course could not have been better, and two days later I passed without any problems at all. I think the first time it was stage fright. Anyway, I also took that advanced riders course and went off without a hitch. None the less, let me tell you I have a 2004 Yamaha V-Star that I absolutely love! When learning to ride my bike it too got dumped quite a few times, even had to lay it down in a neighbors yard, thank goodness he had a nice lawn. I realized through all of this that who teaches the class made a big difference. Some of the cycle dealers, whose name will remain a mystery, almost made it difficult for people without experience to pass. This last time the people that taught this course had me learn on a scooter first, then advanced to a motorcycle. Having never been on a bike as a driver, I had no clue about what does what and when not to mention my fear of falling over like the little man on the tricycle on laugh in. Learning first on the scooter really made a difference so that by the time I got onto a MC it was a breeze. Hang in there, it is all so very worth it. – Valerie (note from Mama: and so we see what perseverance is all about! Good for you on sticking with it, finding the right people to teach you, and never letting go 'cause it wasn't a snap to begin with, and finally moving to that point where your V-Star is a dream come true!) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Anon, Alternatively, if you go to this Nevada DMV page, you'll read that, "Nevada issues a Class M driver license rather than an endorsement. Both your Class A, B or C and Class M are listed on one license." This means you can get just a M license without a C (car/truck) license. – Mama From Anon who was noodling out licensing requirements in Nevada: Thank You Mama! I'm so excited! I signed up for the MSF course at CSN (College of Southern Nevada) but its booked till November = ( But thank you again, I'll keep you updated on my status. – Kelcy (note from Mama: this is exciting to hear. Have a great time in your course and learn lots!) Thursday, November 8 Hi Petra, Dear
Tempe, Thursday, November 8 Dear VTwin Mama, I'm hoping that riding will give me the freedom and confidence I'm looking for in life. I'm considering the Yamaha 250cc as my first bike. I'm 5'4", 135 lbs., so I thought this bike would be suitable. What are your feelings about this bike and do you have any words of wisdom, things I should be asking myself about riding, etc.? Thank you so much for your time. By the way your site is so knowledgeable and I'm learning a lot from it! – Theresa Dear
Theresa, As I counsel most "coming up" riders, there's no reason not to start looking at motorcycles before you take a course, but once you've taken the course, most likely on a 250cc like the Yami or a Hondal Rebel, you'll be in much better position to determine your next step. Many riders report they go on to get their own used 250 to continue practice for another 3-12 months before moving up in size. Some do so well in class that they feel a jump to a mid-range cc is going to be just fine, given that they head back to an empty parking lot and do all the course drills again, taking baby steps to learn the new power range and handling characteristics. So, while you're visiting dealers, cast your eyes over those 500-800cc motorcycles as well. At your height, modifications are often necessary to get the right fit. Sit on bikes, take notes, and what you're looking for is a comfortable reach to the handlebar controls, that you can still have that comfort turning the handlebar all the way to one way, leg reach to the ground and foot controls. Also, get the bike off the sidestand and just lean a bike a bit to the left and right and feel for weight and balance. Do all of this over and over until the salespeople are really good and sick of seeing you at the dealerships! With winter coming up, it's time for motorcycle shows, where all the manufacturers gather to showcase what they have ... a great way to see everything in one setting. Definitely allow for a whole day and take pictures while making notes! Check MotorcycleEvents.com or Google to see what's up. Now, there are lots of other things to consider about taking the course, etc. and I have written an 18-page article on the subject: Learning To Ride A Motorcycle. This encompasses all the things that women have mentioned to me over the past 6+ years ... things they wish they had known before getting started. $3.95! – Mama Tuesday, November 13 Hi Petra, I passed my MSF in Aug, and now have my license, but have been riding as soon as I received my learners permit in July. Some observations I have had on taking the MSF class are: it is very helpful if you have had experience working a clutch shift previously, as it tunes you in to the concept of the rhythm of clutch, shift and gas. Also I did some concentrated afternoons of practice riding in my local college parking lot, with my very patient hubby. Just 2-3 afternoons, but enough to get my confidence up to go out into the neighborhood and drive back and forth and around a real road. So I wasn't a total bike 'virgin' when I went out on the range for the course. This made an enormous difference for me. The only other woman in my class had never been on a bike except behind her boyfriend, had a really hard time, and did not pass. Before I did all that I bought a bike which really fit me (I'm 5' 7") - she's an '02 Honda Shadow ACE 750. I bought her from a gal about my size, her husband had lowered the seat for her. So it was a very good fit from the start. Which is what I wanted for my first bike. I really didn't want to do a whole lot of fiddling before I could start riding her. All the other models I had looked at felt very uncomfortable either in the handle bar reach, or the way the seat felt, some of the Harley's tanks were so fat it hurt my inner thighs. Any way my question is: The bike came with aftermarket loud pipes, and they also gave me the stock pipes. My husband (he has a V-Star 1100) thought the sound was too loud, and was a bit distracting, so he took them off, and put the stock pipes back on. But since then when I am riding she makes a little backfiring sound, sort of like soft popping from time to time when I am downshifting. At the time I was too uninformed to ask these kind of questions to the seller, but does this relate to changing the pipes? I think I am ready for the loud pipes back on, I can barely hear the stock pipes, and I don't think they will be too distracting for me. Also, I have read all the pros and cons of loud pipes and I think they are a good thing if you have them. Since getting my license, I have conquered my goal of up and over and through the hairpin turn on the Mohawk trail here in Western MA. I am looking to create a woman's riding club in this area. So far it is just me on the rider's map! Any one out there? Thanks for all you do to promote riding for Women. I'm 51 years old, previously only a pillion rider, but you gave me a lot of get up and go to do it, now I'm having such a blast riding and meeting some great new friends. – Susan in Deerfield, MA. Dear
Susan, I agree that the pros and cons of louder pipes is important to consider and I'm guessing the downside for your hubby (with the louder aftermarket pipes) were that when one follows such a bike, they get the brunt of the noise! It can be tiring following this, as many friends pointed out to me when I had my third bike, a HD Superglide with straight pipes. Ouch! In changing to the stock pipes, that little bit of backfire you're hearing is caused because the air to gas mix is a bit rich and unspent fuel is entering the exhaust system and pops when it hits those heated pipe chambers. A small adjustment to the mix at the carb should solve this. Usually, when a motorcycle is outfitted with aftermarket pipes, the carb is re-jetted (a slightly larger jet orifice to allow more gas flow), so if you did stick to the stock pipes, you might have to rejet to the original one. I'd also double check the condition of the metal gaskets where the pipes meet the frame. They can lose their sealing ability and new gaskets are called for (your change might have been done with the old gaskets). It could also just be that these connections are not completely tight, letting in a bit of air, a classic sign of popping on the downshift. The VTwin Mama Let's Ride Map is the newest addition to the line-up of getting connected to one another! It's only a few months old at this point, so a new system. To double check, you can go to the old Let's Ride list and see who might be in your area. Of course, this map and list only show those who opt in to the systems, so I would expand my search for women's chapters in your area already formed (if you haven't done so already). Those are listed on my Women's Sites page. And just because "headquarters" aren't exactly near you, doesn't mean that there aren't members near you ... I joined the closest group I could find, which is about 50 miles away ... but that's doable for me! – Mama Wednesday, November 14 Dear VTwin Mama, It was amazing I tell you! Of course, you all felt that "passing" feeling before but anyways, I passed. The school was so kind and actually brought in a Honda Rebel for me to ride instead of the Nighthawk they originally had. They lowered the Rebel 3 inches and all I had to do was just wear the Harley boots I got. =) Now I'm looking into some bikes here and there and was wondering are there companies that make Automatic Motorcycles, and if there are, which ones? I want to look at all my options that are out there ya know, can't be too picky. =P – Kelcy the 4'8" rider Dear
Kelcy, Yes, there are automatic transmission motorcycles available. Ridley is made here in the US and the rest are being imported from other countries like China, Japan and Italy. To see what's currently in production, what you can find used but out of production, and what to consider in the mega-scooter line-up, take a look at my Auto Tranny Motorcycle Models page. This will get you started on your research! – Mama Friday, November 16 Hi Petra, I had a question (of course :> ) about beginning bikes for big people. Hubby seems to be interested in taking the Riders Edge course next year. He's a big guy - 6'2', 245 and we were wondering about the size of the beginning bikes. I rode a Buell Blast in my class and at 5'9', 210 lbs, I felt like BoBo the clown! My legs were jammed up and it really affected my shifting. I feel a lot more comfortable on my Vulcan 500, but when DH got on it, he could barely fit his feet under the shifter. Is this a case where he just has to 'grin and bear" it during the class, then possibly shop for something with forward controls after the class? Would another option be to get a used bigger bike that fits him and try to take private instruction?? Appreciate any suggestions you may have. – Nancy in Michigan Dear
Nancy, As I counseled Kelcy, who at 4'8" was signed up for a course, address the issue with the course provider way before signing up/taking the class. Lo and behold, her MSF course provider took the time to make sure she had something that would work and she passed with flying colors! Since Rider's Edge is the Harley-Davidson MSF, the Blast is what they use, but perhaps there is an old Sporty 883 at the dealership that could be used. The older ones sat higher (pre 2004) and the foot controls are further out, so ask! If this doesn't provide a solution, is there an MSF course nearby and would the typical Rebel/Nighthawks or other 250cc bikes be better? Go to a dealer and sit on them and see if he couldn't learn on that instead of the Blast. Yes, the next step would be to get a bike that fits and find private instruction, so while you're investigating the course bikes, ask if any of the certified people offer lessons on the side. Otherwise I'd go for the "grin and bear it" and just get through the course because there is so much information offered beyond just the actual practice/test time. – Mama Monday, November 19 Hey VTwin Mama, Dear
Anon, Tuesday, November 27 Hi again Petra. Dear
Kelcy, This is the MSF page for all Nevada-based courses. Some have websites but all have phone numbers! I'd start my research there. Also, don't forget that some Harley-Davidson dealers offer the Rider's Edge course, which is based on the MSF. Local HD dealers in Nevada offering a course are shown in this link and might offer a women-only course. Just one more thought ... your cousin might find it ok if the class had guys but a woman instructor ... – Mama |
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