MM MSF...

[CaptainHenreh]

Ok, So today (and last night) Sean Thompson (nasaregistrar) Sylvia (GLHGurl) and Rex (myself) threw legs over little motorcycles and drove them in circles around the Lord Fairfax Community College parking lot.

And it was awesome.

That is all.

[TheDudeAbides]

hells yeah. MSF FTW.

[CaptainHenreh]

More Details.

So at the ass-crack of dawn, we got to pick out our bikes. They had DR200's, Nighthawk/Rebel 250's, some Zuki 250 and a pair of Ninjas.

Against my better judgement, I gravitated towards a Ninja, and so did Sylvia. Sylvia, however, was told that she probably didn't want the Ninja, and was steered to a nighthawk. The Ninja seemed to fit me ok though, I wasn't reaching for controls, and I could flatfoot it.

This later proved to be a mistake. I'm not sure what it was, but the Ninja's throttle proved to be difficult at best. Setting up for a corner, I'd brake, then lean, and when I went to roll on the throttle...nothing would happen. Roll a little more...still nothing...keep rolling OH NOES THERE IT IS now I'm off line and the bike is all unsettled from driveline shock. We (me and Sean) tried adjusting the throttle cable, and I resorted to setting up my throttle as best I could. A theory presented was that I was loading up the rear suspension and taking some slack off the chain because I'm no small dude. Since the chain has too much slack, there's a lag in the power delivery and that's what I'm fighting with. I'm hoping that's what it is, and not that I just really really suck.

I was offered a trade to a DR200 by a similar sized gentleman in the class who does track days on his GSXR, and is just there to support his wife who's also taking the class. Hopefully that will be a little better...it's *alot* newer and not nearly so beat to shit.

Other things though I think I'm doing well. Low speed excercises I feel like I did OK on (I didnt' fall over OR hit any cones) but again my choice of ride affected that excercise, as the Ninja is probably the heaviest bike out there and had one of the higher CoG's. (Though not as high as the DR's.)

Anyway, I'd already passed the DMV written exam to get my learner's a few weeks ago, and I took the MSF written test this afternoon, scoring 100%, not that the paper test is why I went. It's been ALOT of fun, and I hope tomorrow we learn just as much whith as little difficulty. The course has definitely cemented my idea to ride the chickenhawk for a season before I move up, and of course to ride as much as possible.

Also, cross your fingers for no rain tomorrow.

[.RJ]

but the Ninja's throttle proved to be difficult at best

Whats so difficult about 'off' or 'full on' ? Does a ninja 250 have any other options? :lol:

[CaptainHenreh]

but the Ninja's throttle proved to be difficult at best

Whats so difficult about 'off' or 'full on' ? Does a ninja 250 have any other options? :lol:

Honestly, it doesn't really have that many other options. But it's that I can't turn the switch on without fighting it for control of the bike. Annoying, and I didn't see anyone else having that problem. I got better at dealing with it towards the end of the day, but I'd rather not worry about it at all.

I also went to the Buell/HD dealer in funchester and 1125r's aren't half so ugly in person.

[Sijray21]

glad to see more up and coming riders! :-D

[GLHgurl]

In short, we all passed!!!!! I am really excited :lol: . I was discouraged yesterday and was ready to quit since prior to yesterday I had never even turned a motorcycle on. I have improved exponentially over the course of this class and now eager to ride again. This was such a great experience and I would recommend this class to any who has never taken it. Our instructors were awesome and having Rex and Sean there was even better. Thanks guys!! On the written portion I got a 100% as well and a 90% on the riding part (Darn it ). Were we told to maintain second gear through a turn and for whatever reason I downshifted to first, then back up to second, causing more time to complete the obstacle and points to be deducted. Now I get my ÔÇ£Class MÔÇØ designation on my license and will be ready to go. Thanks Rex for asking me to take this with you, the Monster, and donuts!

[CaptainHenreh]

WHOOOOOOOOO!

I switched to a DR200 from that dumb ass Ninja and did a ton better. The DR was more comfortable, more smooth, and alot better handling.

I got a 95/100 on the skills test...I got dinged because I wasn't fast enough through the double-turn, because there were these two cones set out and I didn't know if I was supposed to go through them or what. Whatever, I still passed, I don't care.

[.paul]

did you do endo's on the braking tests?

[CaptainHenreh]

did you do endo's on the braking tests?

No.

He was always telling me to squeeeze the brakes, if I'd have done an endo he'd have really gotten on my case.

[Dragon]

Grats to the three of you. Let's Ride!!!

[Kaan]

I loved the ninja for my MSF class :-P

Congratulations to all of you... enjoy the world of motorcycles i knew you guys would get hooked... someone pass the pipe!

[BLINGMW]

:thumbup:

btw, my coworker is likely selling his '99 GS500 very soon, great starter bike, if anyone is interested. It's yellow, low miles, I imagine it'll be less than $2k.

[CaptainHenreh]

In other news, I actually (finally!) got to ride my bikercycle on a real live public road today. Great success! I am still alive, and in full use of all my extremeties, thus proving my mother wrong once again.

The delay was a consequence of both me being totally chickenshit and buying a piece of shit motorcycle. But all is well now! I rode to the bank to get some money out of the ATM (in "ZOMG Gotta get to Gainesville" Traffic, no less) and then rode back, all without incident, stalling, although with more than a few people flying by me, cutting me off, only to get right on their brakes to slow for a stoplight. :dunno: I guess everyone really *is* out to kill me.

Anyway, so yes.

[DavidM]

Nice! I've been back at school for less than 2 weeks and i'm already going through motorbike withdrawal

[BLINGMW]

I guess everyone really *is* out to kill me.

Don't ever forget it!!

[flintster55]

:thumbup:

btw, my coworker is likely selling his '99 GS500 very soon, great starter bike, if anyone is interested. It's yellow, low miles, I imagine it'll be less than $2k.

Did this ever go up for sale and if it did is it still for sale? Sorry I know its a longshot I just thought I'd ask.

[CaptainHenreh]

There have been a couple of GS500e's on CL for around 2 grand lately.

[Sijray21]

There have been a couple of GS500e's on CL for around 2 grand lately.

i saw a nice one for $1600 yesterday - albeit purple

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