Laid it down during Final Exam

Well, I'm really bummed and more than a bit frustrated. I took my MSF basic rider course this weekend. Written score 100%, Riding first day went really well. This morning, showed up and had a strange feeling like it was not a good day. Practice went like crap all day, couldn't complete the double U-turn drill inside the box at all, had trouble with quick stops and not using enough right foot brake. To top it all, I was apparently making it through the final and I got to the first corner of the 135 degree turn eval and I laid it down to the inside.

I have NO idea what happened, the instructors both stood there wondering if this was actually happening. I was wondering the same thing as I left the seat. Good news is that both instructors were very supportive and I have only a small abrasion on my right elbow. The rest of the class passed, I'll be back in a month as my schedule allows.

Just venting a bit of angst. Thanks for listening guys and gals.

ETA: Not my VFR, it was a class sized Nighthawk. Whew.

 

at least you are getting back on it. I dumped my F3 (ownership, 2 weeks) while practicing to get my M class. beyond pissed, but, no damage. This was back in 10/95, so it was about the last day of taking the riding part.

There are worse things that could happen....

 

Glad to hear you are OK.

If you can, don't leave it a full month before you ride again, its a bit like trying to learn to ride a horse - every time you get thrown off, you have to try and get straight back on or it can start to affect your mental confidence which makes things way worse next time.

Its weird how simply being an exam can catch people out when you have done the same manoeuvre in practice loads of times with no hassle. Next time try and relax and treat it like just another practice session and you will be fine.

As for "no idea" what caused a low speed inside laydown - they are usually caused by not enough speed. Several factors need to be just right for very low speed manoeuvres - right gear, right rpm, right clutch slip. Get any bit wrong and gravity can leave you on the deck real quick. I know - I did the same thing whilst learning! Less likely causes are excessive lean angle/grounding something or the tyre losing grip due to oils spills or poor surface. Whatever the cause, the answer is the same - practice practice practice.

Just remember you are most likely to drop a bike when you are a new rider especially whilst learning and practicing so ATGATT is really important.

Good luck and let us know how you get on next month.


Skimad4x4 6th Gen Militia # 218

 

So what, shit happens. At least your taking the MSF coarse! You're way ahead of most. There's always something to learn when you make mistakes. I think you all ready said it above. What's this tell you? It tells you, you need to be in the right frame of mind to ride motorcycles. Doesn't matter if it's low speed or high. Half of motorcycling is mental conditioning. If your thinking isn't right that day, neither will be your skills.

Take the next few weeks and practice in an empty parking lot. Those are good places to practice controlled braking, throttle control at slow/med speeds and just to get the feel of balance the bike wants.

Good luck and see you on the road.

 

2 kinds of riders. those that have dropped their bike & those that haven't .......yet.
welcome to the club. at least you used someone elses bike. could have been yours! class bikes are made to fall down.

Just a thot.......low speed turn + front brake is a good way to lowside.
also......slow turn / downshift to neutral instead of first is a good way to go down.
also slow turn on fresh paint will do it.
also a white pick up truck turning.....wait....that's a different result.........

guess how i know.

I bet you got more out of that class than anyone else did.

Keep Calm. Carry on.

 

Thanks for the encouragement guys. My schedule kinda sucks until next month for more class time. I'm a bit gun shy about taking my VFR out right now.

I realized that my mind set may very well have had to do with a deposition I was scheduled for this morning. It's about a motorcycle crash I responded to last year involving MC vs. MC. Weird, but I hadn't really meshed the two ideas. I usually try to leave fire dept. stuff at the fire dept., but this one may have made it into my mind over the weekend.

Strange how the mind gels and things get clearer when they need to.

Rest assured, I WILL be back on that horse soon and eventually out there with the big kids!

Thanks again fellas. Stay safe out there.

BTW, as for ATGATT, YES!!. I ripped my pants, scraped my elbow and walked away with only a bit of bruised pride. Coulda been a lot worse.

 

Too bad testing is on a rigid schedule. Believe me, I've been riding over 40 years and still have those ocassional days where things just don't feel "right", those are the days I just turn around and get the cage instead. I think this may be one big reason I'm still around to brag about being an old fossil!