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Learning to ride; habits and resources
- Mullineaux
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Recently on the forums it was suggested that I get into one of these classes before "I learn too many bad habits." Which had me wondering what are the bad habits? What are the good habits? I'm definitely willing to put time into learning proper techniques and practicing them. Are there any good resources online or books, or anything else that I can learn the good habits from? I'd love to learn the "correct way to ride" without blowing an entire weekend on a 250 Rebel.
KZ650 ( '77 Engine, '78 frame, 80's ignition, MAC 4-2 exhaust, Pods, lowered [links])
1980 XS1100 full Vetter dresser
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- Street Fighter LTD
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That being said classes are a great resource , but so is riding with experienced riders and using them as mentors.
I know some of you frown on Harleys , but OH Well.. I was the head Road Captain for Brighton Harley here in Michigan and One of the duties was to help new riders learn to ride in the real world. This means all conditions , traffic and speeds..And in groups..
Find someone you trust and get some seat time in, and once you think you know it all, SLAP YOURSELF Back to reallity and admit their is pleanty more to learn.
First lesson. TRUST no one or anything on the road. Assume nothing is safe and you might live to the see tomorrow.
When driving in your cage (car) pretend you are on your bike and drive defensively and see what the next curve brings.
Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn
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- 650ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- bluej58
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- The chrome don't get you home
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78 KZ1000 A2A
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- faffi
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650ed wrote: Sorry bud, but your friends are dopes; take the class. If you want to find out how much your fiends know about riding, ask them if you steer left to go right. If they say "no" they don't know squat about riding. If the say yes, ask them if they can explain why. Ask the to explain target fixation. Take the class; if you only learn 1 thing from it and that 1 thing helps you avoid a crash you will be glad you took it. You are a new rider and there's a ton of stuff you can earn the easy way or the hard way. When I first started riding there were no such classes, so I learned the hard way. Not knowing about the 1st item I mentioned above caused me to hit a tree. Not knowing about the 2nd item above caused me to hit a dump truck. After you take the class find a more advanced class and take it. It won't be long before your riding skills surpass that of your friends. Ed
What he said.
1977 KZ650B1
1980 F1 engine
B1 3-phase alternator
B1 Points ignition
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- goodfastncheap
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X2 on "trust no one..." but I take it to a higher level -- traffic NEVER SEES YOU. They are all 2-ton sledge hammers ready to swing from any angle.
Guy pulled a left in front of me yesterday. Saw it coming two blocks away -- by the time he saw me I was close enough to his door to startle him, but in total control. Won that one.
1979 KZ650 B3
KZ Relay Rider #54, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas
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- Mullineaux
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650ed wrote: Sorry bud, but your friends are dopes; take the class. If you want to find out how much your fiends know about riding, ask them if you steer left to go right. If they say "no" they don't know squat about riding. If the say yes, ask them if they can explain why. Ask the to explain target fixation. Take the class; if you only learn 1 thing from it and that 1 thing helps you avoid a crash you will be glad you took it. You are a new rider and there's a ton of stuff you can earn the easy way or the hard way. When I first started riding there were no such classes, so I learned the hard way. Not knowing about the 1st item I mentioned above caused me to hit a tree. Not knowing about the 2nd item above caused me to hit a dump truck. After you take the class find a more advanced class and take it. It won't be long before your riding skills surpass that of your friends. Ed
The one buddy, yes he knows those two things and he taught them to me, I've practiced them on the road. I know what they are though I'd have a hard time explaining why counter steering works I know it certainly does. He has a decade of experience on two wheels including a recent cross country ride. While I appreciate your input, it really side steps the question. I can't believe that the only ways to learn this stuff is to take the class or almost die. The soonest I can take the class is late July and I hope to have a couple hundred more miles on the bike by then. I also wouldn't look forward to sitting on someone else's donor bike all day in 85+ degF heat wearing a leather jacket, jeans, boots, gloves, and a helmet trying to sift out the things I don't know from the things I do know. (the weekend classes are all day and the only ones that fit my family's schedule) I'll easily admit I don't know everything, I do want to learn, I just don't believe the msf class is the best way for me to learn it and I'm seeking alternatives.
KZ650 ( '77 Engine, '78 frame, 80's ignition, MAC 4-2 exhaust, Pods, lowered [links])
1980 XS1100 full Vetter dresser
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- Street Fighter LTD
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Our intent is to not take you to the brink of death, just share what has taken a lifetime (over 40 years )of experience to learn out on the road. Mentoring under a very experienced rider will be good, but dont think a class of some type is beneath you or any of us. I reread old text books and motorcycle safety manuals all the time and find I have forgotten some of it and need the reminder. Surf the internet and watch some police motorcyclist training and riding skills contests and you will be awestruck with what can be done on a bike without putting a foot down. Lots of us learned in the dirt which is different , but the same ( figure that one out ).
Practice, Practice , Practice. Learn how to do panic stops in wet and dry conditions.
In the fire service we took classes all the time. As a rookie you learn about dinosaurs, They are extinct because they didnt learn how to adapt to changes in their enviroment, and the same is true of people who dont learn and embrace new ideas and technology. Knowledge can keep you alive
Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn
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- testarossa
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I know that it doesn't sound like too much fun but you might just be surprized. I rode with no MC endorsement and no MSF class for about ten years before I was convinced that it would be a good idea to go ahead and get legal. Here in Texas they have started to crack down on guys riding without the MC endorsement and now the MSF class is a legal requirement to get the endorsement. I didn't want to pay a heavy fine if I ever got caught so I took the class and got all my ducks in a row.
I don't regret taking that class for one minute. Now I'm sure that different schools will vary, but I enjoyed my class. The instructor taught me some things that I hadn't learned in 10 years on the street. I am an open minded person by nature so doing the mundane stuff didn't bother me too bad. I did get caught banging out some clutchless 1-2 shifts and the instructor didn't like that, but he did appreciate my ability to handle my baby Ninja 250.
Most insurors will give you a 10% rate discount for taking the class. That will pay for the course in just a few years. Plus the school handed out loads of coupons for local MC dealers and Cycle Gear that added up to hundreds in discounts. Plus I got to spend a weekend talking about a hobby that I enjoy with like minded people while riding around on someone else's bike. How bad could that be?
This is the place that I took my course: www.awesomecycles.com/index.cfm
Highly recommended for those in the Greater Houston Metro Area.
1978 KZ1000 A2 Click--->Build Thread
2004 ZX-10R
2007 Harley Sportster 1200
2020 Harley Street Glide Special
Angola, IN
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- 650ed
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Here are just a couple MSF class examples where you're not sitting on someone else's bike...
Basic RiderCourse 2 - License Waiver (BRC2-LW) [formerly ERC Suite]
For riders who already have basic skills. It is similar to the BRC except the speeds are higher and riders should be riding their own motorcycle.
Basic RiderCourse 2 - Skills Practice (BRC2-SP) [formerly ERC Suite]
Similar to BRC2 - License Waiver RiderCourse, but consists of only the riding exercises. It is a perfect way to reinforce basic skills on one's personal motorcycle. Passengers are permitted with a licensed operator on a personal motorcycle.
Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) [formerly ARC-ST]
A one-day course that complements a rider's basic skills and helps with personal risk assessment. It includes a fast-paced classroom segment with several interactive activities to improve perception and hazard awareness. Range exercises enhance both basic skills and crash avoidance skills. Improving braking and cornering finesse is emphasized. The course is beneficial for riders on any type of street motorcycle.
Here's the link;
msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?pagename=Rider...r=MSF%20RiderCourses
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- KZErider
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81 KZ750E2(project), 81 KZ750E2(parts donor), 87 BMW K 75C - got it runnin, didn't care for it, holding for family member, 79 CB650(project) Nomad 1700, VStar 950
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- Tomolu5
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Mine:
04 Honda rebel 250(wifes)
04 GSXR 750(bolt on galore)
98 CBR 600F3(filter, pipe, adjustable cam sprokets, dyno tune)
76 KZ900A (LTD gauge pods, crash bars, LTD(style)pipes, dyna coils and ignition,headwork and mild port cleanup by cavanaugh racing, K&N filter pods, heck I dunno.
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