Failed The MSF

scooterinvasion · Post by **scooterinvasion** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:00 pm

I'm moderately to seriously devasted this morning. I blew it all on the quick stop. On my first attempt, I out and out missed the rear brake, and went too hard on the front, resulting in a skid. I was fortunate enough to keep the bike upright. They gave me a second chance, but this was now so much in my head, I went a bit too easy on the stop, and ended about 19 feet from the line! They score it as one point deduction for each foot your back tire ends up from the line. A score of 21 for the entire test is a failure. I would have had to score perfectly on the other aspects of the test. I really hate to dedicate an entire weekend to a redo, but I don't see much of an alternative. I suppose I could get a learner's permit, however the only person I know with any kind of motorized vehicle is my son-in-law with his Softail Classic. I get scared just looking at the thing.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:02 pm

You'll do fine if you retry it. If not, there's always the old fashion way of getting a learners permit, then taking the exam at the BMV for your full license.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:48 am

You'll get it. I found that relaxing works best. Take a moment to realize all the people that have their license... now think about how many of them are complete idiots. Relax, it's not that hard

fobbish · Post by **fobbish** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:16 am

Aw, dude. Don't feel bad. People fail that thing all the time. Give it another go!

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:24 am

When I did the quick stop (I hadn't adjusted my rear brake) I skid like crazy, but stopped
way early. The guy kept saying I wasn't using my rear brake, and I was like 'I'm squeezing
it as hard as I can!' You might want to check it if you haven't already. Good luck next time!

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:49 am

It was all new to you. Take the knowledge that they gave you and I presume some manual, go out with a licensed cyclist to a nice big empty parking lot and practice practice practice. Build up over-time and practice at the level they are testing at.

Maybe buy some colored plastic cones too to re-invent the course.

If you don't at least have your DMV permit, maybe get one for now until you re-take the MSF course.

You will succeed and pass the test.

beach · Post by **beach** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:35 pm

I went down to the dmv and practiced on the course itself while they were open a couple of times before actually taking the test. I would run it a couple of times and leave. Come back the next day and do it again. It is easier when the cones are not out there and you can become comfortable with the course with no one there to watch you. The course is mared out on the lot even without the cones here in my local dmv's.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:24 pm

beach wrote:I went down to the dmv and practiced on the course itself while they were open a couple of times before actually taking the test. I would run it a couple of times and leave. Come back the next day and do it again. It is easier when the cones are not out there and you can become comfortable with the course with no one there to watch you. The course is mared out on the lot even without the cones here in my local dmv's.

that's what we did too.

I had my permit before I purchased my Burgman and on the day I picked it up I took it to DMV for registration. While I was there I took the riding part of the test - and failed miserably the first time out on the Burgman. I was scheduled for the BRC a month later and was eager to ride so I went to DMV on a Saturday, practiced, took measurements and set up the course in my street. I practiced a few times in the street, with a few of the neighborhood kids on bicycles taking turns. I passed the DMV test with flying colors - zero deductions. When I finally took the BRC I learned a lot and was selected to demonstrate or go first on most of the exercises and the final test - which I aced too.

MrsBuzz had a similar experience to yours. She had zero experience driving until she got her Buddy. While we were at the DMV to register it she took the written test for her permit. She was able to get in a BRC class within a few weeks and deceided to take it on the supplied motorcycles just for the experience. It may have been her downfall because her hands are too small to reach the clutch and brake levers properly. By the time she took the final test she could barely hold the clutch. She failed the final test and was very disappointed, but she knows she learned a lot from the weekend of exercises so the class was definately worth taking. We went back to DMV on a weekend and she practiced the exercises (so did I just for the referesher). She went back the same week and passed the DMV test with flying colors. The only thing she missed out on is the discounted liability insurance but since the scoots are all registered in my name we get the discount anyway.

Hang in there. Know that you gained knowledge and riding experience in the class. Practice for a few minutes and realize how easy it really is when the pressure is not on you like in the class setting. Go take the DMV test - it's actually easer than the BRC final test (at least here in DE).
Stay away from the Softtail, learn to ride your ride and take the test with confidence.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:36 pm

I took my test at the DMV on my Honda Helix and it was a disaster the first time. That long wheelbase and lack of practice told on me really quick. The stop test was no problem but the turn around killed me. I knew when my foot hit the ground that I was dead. I tucked my tail between my legs as the tester smiled and said, "Better luck next time, dude."

I took my red faced bad self and practiced in local parking lots, then went back to the dmv when no one was being tested and ran the course a couple of times. Second test went fine and I received my endorsement.
It just takes practice. More time in the saddle.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:35 pm

I had my "learners permit" for two weeks shy of a year before I took my riding test at the DMV. So I had almost a year of practice and aced the test after 50 weeks of riding and about 2,000 miles under my belt.

So get in some road time, practice when you can and go back there and conquer!!!

beeboytroy · Post by **beeboytroy** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:26 pm

iMoses is right. Just ride it around and practice. Things that seem and feel unnatural to you now won't with some miles under your belt. I did the advanced course on my Stella. I was the only one who didn't dump their bike. They told me I was too choppy. Give me a break, its a 2 stroke! But I passed.

scooterinvasion · Post by **scooterinvasion** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:37 am

Thanks for all the support guys! I don't feel quite as downtrodden. This is such a great board!

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:58 pm

Heck, I crashed out on the quick stop part of the Quebec closed-track course. Took me a couple more months and a couple hundred more dollars of paid practice time at my riding school before I passed.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:20 pm

One question. I just made my reservation (California) and was informed that the bikes they use are all 250 and shift type. I have a 125 cc and never shifted on a bike, nor WANT TO -- let alone drive a 250cc -- or want to.

Is this fair??? Do I need to take this test on a more powerful bike than my light 125? I just paid, so I don't know if I have other alternatives.

Sumosamurai · Post by **Sumosamurai** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:24 pm

Some courses allow you to use your own bike, so you might want to check with who offers the course. I know I took a course at the Westside Motorcycle academy (great course in LA) and they actually offered a buddy 150 in the class for one lucky driver. I personally stuck with a motorcycle because I wanted the experience shifting for my eventual purchase of a bike.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:27 pm

Sumosamurai wrote:Some courses allow you to use your own bike, so you might want to check with who offers the course. I know I took a course at the Westside Motorcycle academy (great course in LA) and they actually offered a buddy 150 in the class for one lucky driver. I personally stuck with a motorcycle because I wanted the experience shifting for my eventual purchase of a bike.

did you pass it first time? On a shift bike?

Yes, they allow me to take mine, which I wanted to avoid... I hope I see some others there in my situation.

Sumosamurai · Post by **Sumosamurai** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:31 pm

I had no problem passing. It took some time adjusting to having a clutch instead of a brake on the left hand, but after two days on the course I got used to it. The courses do a good job of teaching from the ground up the basics of how to start and shift gears with a motorcycle. They start from the very begining of the proccess, getting the feel for the clutch, when to change gears, ect. I think the course would actually be kind of dull on a scoot because its so centered on when to change gears and everything. I know everyone passed the course in my class, and that includes several people that definitely had a bit of trouble with their bikes in the begining.

Leeroy Jenkins · Post by **Leeroy Jenkins** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:31 pm

I'm proud of you trying the class. Alotta folks dont get the proper training and end up hurt or even worse on the open road.

Take it easy. Practice. I would encourage you to to retake the class.

and most imoptantly RELAX! HAVE FUN! its supposed to be FUN! its SCOOTERING!!

best of luck,
Leeroy Jenkins
MSF Rider Coach

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:38 pm

Thanks for the encouragement, I like driving shift cars, but that is something else in two wheels. I have not asked, but do I have a second chance?? At the DMV you have 3 chances to pass.

Sumosamurai · Post by **Sumosamurai** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:05 pm

I know my course allowed you to come back as a standby for free at their other weekends for the next month I believe. I could be incorrect however.

beeporama · Post by **beeporama** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:24 pm

walky08 wrote:One question. I just made my reservation (California) and was informed that the bikes they use are all 250 and shift type. I have a 125 cc and never shifted on a bike, nor WANT TO -- let alone drive a 250cc -- or want to.

Is this fair??? Do I need to take this test on a more powerful bike than my light 125? I just paid, so I don't know if I have other alternatives.

I encourage you to consider using the shifting motorcycle. My only bike is my Buddy, and I've never even used a car with manual; but I wanted to learn, and once I got through the first couple hours of the class on a Honda Rebel, it wasn't bad at all. As long as you don't use an overpowered sport bike, you won't notice an enormous handling difference in a 250cc motorcycle for the sake of the class. You'll get even more learning out of the class this way.

I don't know if the CA exam is more difficult than PA, but I passed the exam easily on the first try.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:50 pm

I will decide when I get there for the classroom for part and I see the bikes; they use:

Yamaha TW 250
Honda CV 250
Honda Nighthawk

and those are pretty big to me. My feet barely touch the gorund on the 125 Buddy so I have to lean slightly right on each stop.

LisaLisa · Post by **LisaLisa** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:30 am

Move to Alabama for the summer. After your first electric bill you are eligible for an AL M license. Which is a written test. No road. Think about it.
Or BTW the nighthawk is low

Modern Buddy

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