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+--- Thread: My weekend at the Apex School (/showthread.php?tid=6015)
My weekend at the Apex School - Kaan - 06-04-2007
I was fortunate enough to get myself into the Apex morning class this past weekend at GMU (aka Fairfax on their website). If Roe or Steven are lurking, IÔÇÖd like to thank them for making the class as interesting as possible for someone who wasnÔÇÖt ÔÇ£brand newÔÇØ to a motorcycle.
The reason I had to take the class again a Virginia DMV technicality. I got too many tickets during the duration of holding a license and as the DMV lady said well you have take the written test to get your license back. Well I did, just not the motorcycle written test which I didnt know I needed to do and the M disappeared.
So IÔÇÖve been riding around illegally and legally with the learners permit. Fortunately I have two roommates that are licensed so I was actually riding legally more times than not. But I decided that I should go get the license again.
The Apex class started off with 3 hours or so of classroom/DVD instruction on Friday night. They did a pretty good job of getting people to talk, introduce each other, etc. It was informative. As a group we went over the entire Apex book, laws, how to ride, and range rules. I left the classroom around 10pm and headed home, trying to figure out what I would need for the next day.
When I got home I decided to pack a small cooler with about 10 water bottles, a 4 pack of Redbull, a couple of candy bars, and two small bags of chips. Me being a smoker I also brought an extra pack of smokes! I chose to bring my own helmet and gloves and not use the ones provided. Prepping to go to the track over the years has taught me to be over prepared. And it worked out well!
Saturday morning started at 7am. Afternoon showers were in the forecast, it was supposed to be HOT all day, and the weather man well they got the HOT part right. Two Redbulls, a candy bar and a smoke for breakfast  Its a great way to start off the day.
Its time to pick out bikes my bike of choice a beat to hell, no mirrors, Ninja 250 in Kawi green no less! The class starts off slow. Power walking, riding across the range in a straight line, stop, neutral, walk the bike around to U turn it rinse repeat! And thats where I nearly met Jesus! As I was riding across the range I hear from the right side Clutch in! Clutch in!  I looked over immediately and find a Honda Rebel coming straight into my path with NO rider! Early practice for the emergency braking drill!
We finally got up and moving, using the whole range to do big NASCAR oval rides. During these drills is when it really sank in even after someone shooting their Honda Rebel at me there are A LOT of people in this class that have never been on a motorcycle! It was hot, we were moving really slowly, people were stalling/stopping/unable to start or ride up a little hill and it restricted our ability to do several drills consistently.
At the end of the day, they gave us a test to take home and the warning that if you struggled today, there are going to be issues the next day because they were going to build on the skills we learned today. That was enough to ward off the guy that tried to kill me with his Rebel he was missing on Sunday.
Sunday was test day everyone knew that. People were nervous. We all got together, got our pep talks, geared up and the rain starts! We start doing all our drills in the rain just a constant drizzle to solid rain. And I have to commend my classmates this didnt seem to faze them even the ones that had never ridden before.
My entire class passed the test well everyone that was there on Sunday. We got free graduation shwag all the paper work to get the M (other than taking the written test for motorcycles). Other than the slow start I really was able to enjoy myself. My instructors (Roe and Steven) were really helpful, theyd answer any question you had, and they gave out great advice
If you are planning on taking the class go in with an open mind, try to enjoy your time there, and dont get too frustrated with the people that are slow to learn and bring snacks and water because the HOT days get real hot when you are straddling a 125cc heater on the black asphalt!
oh yeah... after my trip to the DMV today... i'll be legal again.
- Dragon - 06-04-2007
Congrats on being legal (after your DMV trip) I better see the bike in the garage less now.
- HAULN-SS - 06-04-2007
I was kind of the same way when I took the course. I have been riding motorcycles of some kind since I was about 5 years old..and I still thought it was pretty entertaining. Plus the insurance/dmv benefits more than pay for the course..at least when I took it. I took it in like october though, and it was cold as shit the weekend I took it. I think all but one guy passed when I did it, and I dont remember seeing anyone wreck..that guy was just unstable as hell..wobbling a lot at slow speeds.
- mrbaggio - 06-04-2007
tell us my about the riderless rebel. how does that even happen.
Re: My weekend at the Apex School - Sijray21 - 06-04-2007
Kaan Wrote:oh yeah... after my trip to the DMV today... i'll be legal again.
congrats man!
- Mike - 06-04-2007
glad you liked their class. definitely worth the extra few bucks to not wait... and i think their class is probably better put together anyway.
- .RJ - 06-04-2007
Mike Wrote:I think their class is probably better put together anyway.
Based on what comparison?
- Mike - 06-04-2007
.RJ Wrote:Mike Wrote:I think their class is probably better put together anyway.
Based on what comparison?
what i've heard about the MSF courses. the classroom is more interactive, there is a better student/teacher ratio...
- Sijray21 - 06-04-2007
from what i heard from Kaan it was on-par with the C-Ville MSF course
- stevegula - 06-05-2007
i've only taken one MSF class... because .. . unless you're Kaan that's all you should need.. but the C'ville one I took at Albemarle High parking lot was top notch.
- .RJ - 06-05-2007
stevegula Wrote:the C'ville one I took at Albemarle High parking lot was top notch.
+1
I took mine there too
- Dragon - 06-05-2007
.RJ Wrote:As did I, and Mrs. Chapin.stevegula Wrote:the C'ville one I took at Albemarle High parking lot was top notch.
+1
I took mine there too
- PDenbigh - 06-05-2007
I took mine in West by-god Virginia, along with my parents, and our instructor was an ex navy seal.
Part of our test included a 20' rear wheel lockup slide. If you didn't slide far enough, he told us to go back and do it again, faster. We also had to do an emergency stop while in a lean on a turn when he blew his whistle. Also had to drive over 3 4x4's in a row and pick up a Harley from a lay-down position.
Bitches! ;-)
But in reality, I learned mostly by riding my '74 125 honda in my back yard, laying it down at least once a week...
- stevegula - 06-05-2007
PDenbigh Wrote:I took mine in West by-god Virginia, along with my parents, and our instructor was an ex navy seal.
Part of our test included a 20' rear wheel lockup slide. If you didn't slide far enough, he told us to go back and do it again, faster. We also had to do an emergency stop while in a lean on a turn when he blew his whistle. Also had to drive over 3 4x4's in a row and pick up a Harley from a lay-down position.
Bitches! ;-)
But in reality, I learned mostly by riding my '74 125 honda in my back yard, laying it down at least once a week...
Yea, that's what we had to do in my class, minus the Harley pickup. It was honestly a good time. I preach the class to everyone.