I passed the MSF Course! Woo-hoo!

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MarkTur
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I passed the MSF Course! Woo-hoo!

Post by MarkTur »

I did it! Feel like I spent the last 2 days in boot-camp...90+ degree heat, rainstorms, sunburn...wow...I probably lost a few pounds in water-weight for sure!

The class was GREAT! It will take you a bit to get used to having the rear brake on your right foot, and a clutch on the left handlebar, but I was fine after about 10 minutes. (I've ridden a bike before...25 years ago when I was "young and dumb" :) So it comes back quickly.

I got a 100% on the written, and 99% on the riding portion because I anticipated a stop and slowed down prior...the figure 8's inside the box was challenging, but fun!

Instructors were great, friendly people in class...all good, and everyone should take the course.

I found out that in FL if you're pulled over with >50cc scoot, and you don't have a Motorcycle Endorsement, it's criminal - which means you ride in the back of the police car with your boo-hoo face on, and the impound your bike unless you can come up with someone really quick that is licensed to ride it for you. WHEW! I thought it was just a fine...and trust me, with this explosion of scoots in the USA, the cops are going to have a field-day with us all.

So there's the real reason you need to do it, but the other reason is for safety. From now on, I'm ATGATT, even on a quick ride around the neighborhood. There was both a nurse and a paramedic in our class. Road rash is treated like a BURN. Which means the injured area is scrubbed with a wire brush until raw...and this is reapeated each day - they pull off the scab every day to prevent infection. You do NOT want to get treated for road rash!!!!

They were also big on full-face helmets...and they were respectful of the fact that a few of us were scooter riders, and said "They ARE motorcycles, too", and made me feel good for "going overboard" (as my wife has told me a few times.)

Anyway, tomorrow morning I'll go to the DMV, get a new picture taken and get my new license! Then it's off to the dealer for my 500 mile servicing! (I'm going to put on a Prima pipe, too...hopefully I can get a close to mailorder deal from them...if not, I'll do it myself.).

So all is good, and I'm past that terrible "need" to go buy a motorcycle...but I may end up with both MC and Buddy by Christmas! :lol:
Cya!
Mark Turkel
http://www.PalmBeachSoftware.com
http://www.BeGreenSaveTheWorld.com

Genuine Buddy 125cc
Powder Blue - (Yes, I picked "that" color cause I likes it!)

Like someone else said "Saving Gas and Sticking it to the Man!"
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jrsjr
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Post by jrsjr »

Good job! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Keep the shiny side up!
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bigbropgo
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Post by bigbropgo »

congrats on finishing the class. the figure eight was tough for me but the class was a fun time. it helped me to realize my level of responsibility on the road. awareness of my invisibility as a rider and how fun the lifestyle can be. money and time well spent.

ride safe.
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MarkTur
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Post by MarkTur »

bigbropgo wrote:the figure eight was tough
Yeah, was for me too, until the instructor reminded me that it's a wet clutch, and I could ride the clutch all day long without hurting the bike...then I was smooth as silk! :)

Thanks for the props, guys! :)
Cya!
Mark Turkel
http://www.PalmBeachSoftware.com
http://www.BeGreenSaveTheWorld.com

Genuine Buddy 125cc
Powder Blue - (Yes, I picked "that" color cause I likes it!)

Like someone else said "Saving Gas and Sticking it to the Man!"
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olhogrider
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Post by olhogrider »

Congrats!
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newslinky
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Post by newslinky »

Grats!
Proud owner of a Buddy St. Tropez 150
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scootermama
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Post by scootermama »

Congratulations, MarTur! Way to go!

Thanks for the description of your course...I am about 3 weeks out on mine, and eager to hear how it went for others.
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MarkTur
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Post by MarkTur »

You'll do fine, Scootermama - don't mean to sound sexist, but the girls did seem to get "preferential" treatment from all. :)

Doesn't mean you won't pass if you mess up, but it does mean that everyone will be happy to help you out.

Be careful, though...you'll leave class feeling like you want something bigger and badder! I've been looking at larger scoots and of course MC's online all morning...Yamaha Majesty is about as sexy as a scoot can be, too! :)

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produ ... /home.aspx

My wife gave me a verbal slap in the face today, however, reminding me that my Bud hasn't even been in for it's first servicing, and she just sent in the first payment, and how can I possibly think of trading in the Buddy after she just ordered a nice riding jacket to match it...and I told her, no, not replacing it, YOU can be the owner.

....sounded good to me when I was fantasizing at least! :oops:

However, I think Santa might bring me one for Christmas...which is probably a better all-around decision since I should not rush into dropping another $6000+ before I truly know what I want and such. I really haven't had any sort of mid-life crisis yet, so who knows...it may show up before I know it! :P
Cya!
Mark Turkel
http://www.PalmBeachSoftware.com
http://www.BeGreenSaveTheWorld.com

Genuine Buddy 125cc
Powder Blue - (Yes, I picked "that" color cause I likes it!)

Like someone else said "Saving Gas and Sticking it to the Man!"
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coffeebrown
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Post by coffeebrown »

MarkTur: I am RIGHT there with you!!!!! Since I passed my MSF, I have been online searching for a mc. I really enjoyed the 250s we rode for class and I hear that is a good "beginner" bike so............I'm trying to get a ninja 250R. I crave one!!!

I told my husband that he can have the scooter. :D
"A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong she is until she's in hot water"
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scootermama
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Post by scootermama »

Well, wanting an MC is actually another good reason to do the MSF course on my Buddy. Don't want to start any new cravings. Plus, I can't hand mine off to my husband. He has one of his own. And my son, who will be 16 in a year would rather die than ride a scooter. So not cool. Unless, of course, it becomes cool.
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MarkTur
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Post by MarkTur »

scootermama wrote: And my son, who will be 16 in a year would rather die than ride a scooter.
That one's EASY to fix...if it's a choice between walking or riding!

I was fortunate enough to get the family POS when I turned 16...a 4-door Olds Cutlass Supreme that was completely oxidized and the blue turned purple. I said the same thing to my parents...and they said, well, we can always just sell it and use the money for your college fund, and you can continue to ride your skateboard everywhere.

Guess what? I drove the purple monster! ;)

PS. My 11 year old says he'll "take" my Acura MDX when he's old enough to drive. I said "It's going to take you a long long long time to save up $41,000, but if you can, you can get a brand new one for yourself". His answer: "OK, dad, I'll come and work at PBSD with you and then I can pay for it."

I didn't have the heart to tell him his first job will probably pay minimum wage! :lol:

Those silly kids....
Cya!
Mark Turkel
http://www.PalmBeachSoftware.com
http://www.BeGreenSaveTheWorld.com

Genuine Buddy 125cc
Powder Blue - (Yes, I picked "that" color cause I likes it!)

Like someone else said "Saving Gas and Sticking it to the Man!"
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MarkTur
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Post by MarkTur »

PS. The MC was fun, but I'm leaning more towards a larger scoot (when the time comes). Twist and Go is easy!
Cya!
Mark Turkel
http://www.PalmBeachSoftware.com
http://www.BeGreenSaveTheWorld.com

Genuine Buddy 125cc
Powder Blue - (Yes, I picked "that" color cause I likes it!)

Like someone else said "Saving Gas and Sticking it to the Man!"
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