Wish Me Luck

Riding Day 3...

My left hand hurts & I have sunburn from my collar up.

All 12 of us passes our riding skills test. I am quite proud of myself since I was the single only one of the 12 that did not have even a single point deducted. One guy was kind of sloppy (see VStar below) but our instructor said everyone passed.

Tomorrow is our knowledge test. The instructor said he has NEVER had a single person fail the knowledge test.

Follow up on the VStar. It's actually a 1100 & not a 650. Know what the problem was? He freaking ran out of gas. Somehow I don't think this guy is the wisest choice to be a MSF RiderCoach if he doesn't know how to check the fuel level on his bike or how to switch to reserve. I know I would be quite humiliated. One of the other guys asked if he checked his gas tank & we all got a blank stare. Sad, so sad...

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Yep....that will do it every time I was going to offer a "fix it" solution for the problem ( ie. V-Stars have two tip over sensors that like to go bad & will shut the bike down in a slight lean when they go to hell. Co worker had his bike @ a dealer for 6 weeks before they finally had a a factory rep come locate & fix the problem) That said in this case to quote Ron White " You can't fix stupid":der:

 

Riding Day 4...

My left hand has filed a grievance with the union for better pay & working conditions.

Today was spent fine tuning our delivery to each other. The one's who weren't teaching the segment were to act like "novice riders". All went well, most of the problems dealt with nerves.


Riding Day 5...

My left hand is suing me for damages.

Today we had our knowledge assesment. One failed to achieve the 80% minimum so he had to leave. Most of the day was spent fine tuning our classroom delivery. Riding was mostly running the exercises that have tricky timing issues.

Tomorrow starts the actual BRC to a group of 12 novice riders from MAFB. I'm nervous & excited at the same time.:biggrin:

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

As Borat would say, "Great Sucess!" I passed with flying colors & will be officially certified by the MSF in about 2 weeks.

A few of the BRC students made us a little nervous but I guess you have to expect that with novice riders. One guy bought a Ninja650 (the new butt ugly one) in March. First time he rode it was Yesterday. It has 91 miles on the clock. The first words out of his mouth after receiving his MSF BRC Card? "Great, now I'm going to get a GSXR-1000 on Saturday morning." WTF... No amount of talk would sway him. He did fine in the class but he definitely IS NOT ready for a GSXR-1000. Sadly, I forsee him becoming a statistic. Kids.

& Reg, it's McGuire AFB, NJ.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Congrats KC! :hug:

Here is something that I try with a student who was successful in the BRC and is looking at the bike that's over their head.

First I ask: Why that particlular bike?
Second: How well did you control the bike you learned on?
They are normally honest and may laugh and say "Not so well" to the second question, then I move to the third.
Third: If you had issues on the 125, then why do you think you'll do well on a_______ (insert any high zoot 600cc sport bike and up)?

They generally get the point and then this question is asked by the participant "What bike do you recommend"?

Answer: A motorcycle you are comfortable on, meaning both feet touch the ground, and something that is 500cc's or less.

The above is the 'general' answer I give. And most listen.

However, In my last class, I had my first asshole/squid that was going to get a GSXR-750. He had more bad habits on the Suzuki GN125 he was training on than you want to know! Anyway, Mr. Attitude was not the most approachable guy and when I talked to him a little he...well he already knows everything and the 750 is just fine.

The other coach that weekend, who is also my good friend Jeff laughed and said to me "Our first Squid! We should be so proud! Well, we'll be reading about him in the paper!"

When you get those students...let it go.

I understand the feeling that you want everyone to take it seriously and become good responsible riders, but it ain't gonna happen. America is busting at the seems with asshole people who want what they want and they want it now and they have no belief in personal accountability. Hell KC, you live in a state that outlawed personal accountibility a long time ago.

And that's what the MSF class is all about, personal accountibility! The participants are responsible for their own learning, and the sad fact is some learn just enough to be successful and after that they know it all.

Sad but true!

On the bright side, for every squid, you'll have many successful participants who will listen and take the class information seriously.

Enjoy being a RiderCoach KC, and I look forward to bouncing things, stories, etc. off each other in the future.

BZ

 

The guy wanting the 1000 is like 6'3" & 225lb. He says "anything else would be too small." I asked him what he wanted out of motorcycling & his answer was "to look cool & I think girls like a guy on a bike." The only ray of hope I got is when I answered that with "what do you think girls think is cooler? A responsible dude who knows his limits & is not afraid to admit it? or A guy who goes out of his way to try to impress people & ends up as a statistic in a closed casket funeral?" There was a faint glimmer or understanding after that statement. I told him to email the minute he got his new bike & I would help him set it up & I would ride with him for a few days until he gets used to it. Hopefully this chucklehead has enough brains to send that email.

We had one girl who never touched a motorcycle show up with a Rebel 250. Even though the bike was running WAY too rich, she did just fine. It was quite funny to see the clouds of black smoke everytime she touched the throttle.

The biggest surprise of the class was the 4'10" girl that showed up on a CBR600F4i. If she weighed 90lbs, I'd be shocked. She had to lean the bike 15d to one side just to touch the ground. We were not going to let her take the class & when we approached her, she asked to be given a chance. She said if she couldn't complete any of the riding exercises, she would leave voluntarily. She KILLED IT. :first: I have never seen a 90lb girl flogging a CBR like that. She didn't have a single deduction on the riding test & got the only 100% on the written. Leason learned? Never make assumptions. That girl will make a freaking awesome rider.

I'm scheduled to teach my first class on 23 May.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

KC:

That line about "I'm a big guy...anything else is too small" is such a bullshit line! When I hear that I think what a mental midget they are . There are smaller CC bikes that an be changed/ adjusted to accomadate the person. And he sounds like the type who gets some poor person on the back and they end up like "The Road Rash Queen" I tell people look at countries like India were they ride 125 Royal Enfields for 20 years, overload the bikes, and beat the piss out of them, and they still run!?

That type of thinking reminds me of the morons who buy a .357 for their first gun and then wonder why they can't hit shit!?

Speaking of guns, when I used to shoot competition, the women shooters were ALWAYS in the top ten. There may only be two or three, but I always laughed at the men who made smartass comments because I knew what was coming.

You'll find that once the women rider finds the confidence and pushes past their fear, they'll often be one of the top riders in your class. I love when it happens, because they are actually interested in learning to ride, not impress the other sex. (Unless they are only their because there boyfriend/husband want them their, that can be very un-fun)

Well hopefully that tool will e-mail you and you can try and give some pointers.

Talk at you soon!

BZ

 

Well, that guy who was going to buy a GSXR1000? He sure did. I saw him riding it the other day. I still say this guy is going end up as a statistic.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Well KC, you can't fix stupid!