Preparing For The MSF Course/Test

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:28 am

Any tips?

dahuffy · Post by **dahuffy** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:50 pm

Breath!

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:34 pm

There's lots of good info here in the forums about this already.

I am not trying to be the forum cop, but just suggesting that the Search link up at the top of the page can be a big help. Start by searching on "MSF" and get more specific if that returns too much. It's just like using Google.

That said, I suggest you practice, practice, practice before you go. The more you ride the more comfortable you will be with the exercises and that much ahead of the folks there who have never ridden before. Besides just riding around the neighborhood, find a good empty parking lot and practice stops/starts, slow handling, tight U turns etc.

One good place to look is in here:
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Scoote ... screen.pdf

There's practice exercises in the back, and a wealth of good info all throughout.

I know you can do it. I 1st got on a 2 wheel motorized vehicle just a over a month ago. I went to the MSF course with only 110 miles on my scooter, and I was sick while I took it. I had a blast anyway, learned a lot, passed the tests, and now I have my motorcycle license endorsement. I still have a lot to learn, but I've gotten a good start.

That said, I have seen an article that suggests failing the MSF could save your life. If you bomb out of the range portion (as one woman did first day in my class), it may be a sign that motorcycles are not for you. Better to find that out on a closed course with trained instructors than out on a 45mph road with speeding cars all around you and the pavement coming up to meet your face. Frankly I was glad the instructors sent her home, I did not want to be on the practice course with her, much less think she was out in the wild on a motorcycle.

Good luck. Work hard and have fun. Enjoy the ride.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:35 pm

Thanks that was just what I needed

I'd also like to get one these books:

Proficient Motorcycling

More Proficient Motorcycling

Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence

Any Opinions on which I should get?

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 4:34 am

Does anyone have any video clips from a MSF rider course?

Lagerhead · Post by **Lagerhead** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:00 am

Corsair wrote:Does anyone have any video clips from a MSF rider course?

There's a link to the official video on this page---> http://www.motorcycle.ohio.gov/brcoverview.htm

tam · Post by **tam** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:24 pm

learn to balance the scoot while riding very very slowly. Because of the CVT it's harder than on a motorcycle, imo. You'll need it for the figure 8. The rest of the course should be easy enough to do without practice

louie · Post by **louie** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 6:06 pm

With high expectations I got my motorcycle license (written only needed) before I took the course...I wanted to be ready for test riding. The course was the first time riding a motorcycle of any kind. The only experience I had going in was reading the manual and my boyfriend letting me change gears on his Harly (without the motor started).
The course curriculum is so well organized and standardized that only those who probably shouldn't be riding won't make it through the course. The exception here is during the riding exam portion; if you drop the bike you fail, no exceptions. This happened to one of the students who had experience but dropped the bike during the quick stop after locking his front brake...I did it during practice.
The best $200 I've spent in years. It took over a week to wipe the grin off my face.
Do what is suggested by MSF to prepare and as dahuffy says, Breathe...

I love riding my buddy...

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:10 am

Here's a practice written test for anyone interested: DMV Practice Test

Also in Michigan here's what the skills test will cover:
Engine stall: This is scored during the entire test. Points are assessed each time you stall the engine during any exercise.

Sharp turn: You ride a short path and then make a sharp left turn at low speed while staying inside a 5-foot path.

Normal stop: You must make a smooth stop without skidding, with the front tire of your motorcycle in a painted box.

Cone weave: You must weave though a series of five cones which are placed 15 feet apart with a 3 foot offset.

U-Turn: You must make a right U-turn in a marked area. Those operating motorcycles with more than 500 cc are allowed extra room to complete the U-turn.

Quick Stop: You accelerate along a straight path. At the end of the path which is marked by cones, you must stop your motorcycle as quickly and safely as possible.

Obstacle turn: You accelerate along a straight path. At the end of the path which is marked by cones, you must swerve to avoid an obstacle line and then swerve again to avoid the sideline.

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:35 pm

Corsair wrote: Engine stall: This is scored during the entire test. Points are assessed each time you stall the engine during any exercise.

Well you certainly won't have to worry about this one!

(unless you accidentally hit the kill switch)

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:44 pm

vitaminC wrote:
Corsair wrote: Engine stall: This is scored during the entire test. Points are assessed each time you stall the engine during any exercise.
Well you certainly won't have to worry about this one! (unless you accidentally hit the kill switch)

Well that's if I can find a class/testing center that will let me use my Buddy (wow... I actually said "My Buddy"...lol)

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:50 pm

Corsair wrote:
vitaminC wrote:
Corsair wrote: Engine stall: This is scored during the entire test. Points are assessed each time you stall the engine during any exercise.
Well you certainly won't have to worry about this one! (unless you accidentally hit the kill switch)

Well that's if I can find a class/testing center that will let me use my Buddy (wow... I actually said "My Buddy"...lol)

The MSF class may not let you use the Buddy, but why would the people at the DMV care?

I just hope the Buddy lives up to your expectations!

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:42 pm

vitaminC wrote: The MSF class may not let you use the Buddy, but why would the people at the DMV care?

The MSF may let you use your Buddy, I used mine. Check with the state MSF coordinator in your state.

As for the DMV, I think most states just require that you use something legally considered a motorcycle in your state for the test. The Buddy 125 is a motorcycle as far as Ohio is concerned, I expect that is probably true in most of the US.

xkennx · Post by **xkennx** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:45 pm

Since the MSF is actually outsourced to a bunch of little local companies (and I have helped with a few over the yrs)

Each one can make their own rules as long as its under the MSF guidelines. I know the local NW florida one will not allow you to use your own bike on the basic class. (try having 20+ people all on different kinds of bikes, if something goes wrong it might not be a simple fix as your not sure how to work on that bike) This is so everything is standard - brake is the same place for everyone and so in clutch, along with kill switch and choke.

(plus its all lower CC bikes so people usally cant get going fast enough to hurt themself, dont forget we might be on scooters but there are people out there who will buy a 1000+cc bike as their first with no knowledge of riding) And could you see the student whinny about you tell them to do a figure 8 and they drop their $16K HD and they blame you.

The advance class how ever you are able to use your own motorcycle/scooter. But again this is just our local MSF rules and that will be different for each chapter.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:25 pm

For those who've taken the MSF Course, did you have any previous Motorcycle/Scooter experience before hand?

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:50 am

See my response in the thread above, back in November. I had exactly 110 miles of experience prior to the course, all on my brand new Buddy.

Mr. Met · Post by **Mr. Met** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:39 am

I had no experience whatsoever when I took the class last month. It was invaluable to have a coach rid me of my bad habits before they got too ingrained. Remember to keep your head up and look through the turn to the direction you want to go (as opposed to the direction you're currently going). I got myself discombobulated in the gear-shifting and foot-braking a couple of times but otherwise survived in good shape.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:32 pm

I've never had to shift gears, so hopefully I'll catch on to that quickly if I can't find a place that will let me test on the Buddy.