Im on my lunch break from the MSF course

[Matt300ZXT]

This ain't so bad for the first time riding a motorcycle, though we're only 2 drills in lol I left the Pitbull at home, because for one I couldn't get it there and two it'd be way too loud for everyone's comfort and learning. I'm on a little Suzuki GZ250 cruiser. Maybe after I complete this weekend I'll have the balls and be ready to take mine out for practice.

 

[chubs]

It's okay to "get the balls ", but just remember to never get the idea that you're prepared for anything that can come up. When we get to complacent is just about the time we get hurt ! Stay Safe, We wanna keep you around a while !

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Ok day 1 is over. I dont mind the cone swerving drill when they're in a straight line, but when they're staggered...no thanks. The rest was a breeze. Shifting into 2nd, going into corners hot and leaning it was a blast. I thought the counter steering and turning your head to look in curves would be tricky, but after the first couple of times of the fear and just letting go and let physics do physics, it was great and a ton of fun. Turning sharp from a stop wasn't bad either. Still a lil nervous about taking mine out whether I pass or not but I think a time or two of getting a friend to ride it to a parking lot for me to practice the clutch and throttle response on my personal bike and maybe get out on a couple backroads up to 30 or 40 mph and I'll be ready to start with 100% solo baby steps on bike outings.

 

[HMAN]

Cant be skeered of 'em but they require respect. 600+ lb chunk of American steel hurtling down the road at breakneck speed....living on the edge can be a good thing. Ride smart, ride safe, ride often.

And remember...

 

[pknowles]

Ok day 1 is over. I dont mind the cone swerving drill when they're in a straight line, but when they're staggered...no thanks. The rest was a breeze. Shifting into 2nd, going into corners hot and leaning it was a blast. I thought the counter steering and turning your head to look in curves would be tricky, but after the first couple of times of the fear and just letting go and let physics do physics, it was great and a ton of fun. Turning sharp from a stop wasn't bad either. Still a lil nervous about taking mine out whether I pass or not but I think a time or two of getting a friend to ride it to a parking lot for me to practice the clutch and throttle response on my personal bike and maybe get out on a couple backroads up to 30 or 40 mph and I'll be ready to start with 100% solo baby steps on bike outings.

Goid to see you know your limitations and aren't ashamed to admit it. Second day should be a lot of fun. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Goid to see you know your limitations and aren't ashamed to admit it. Second day should be a lot of fun. Enjoy the ride.

I also don't care for how the throttle (at least on that bike) feels so choppy in first. It was super hard to control what I wanted it to do in anything other than a straight line. I hope the power is a bit more predictable in first on the Pitbull. I understand it'll go more because it's like 6 times more displacement, but hopefully it's easier to find a sweet spot for parking lot practice.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

Your throttle will be very responsive. It's going to be quick so keep in mind a little throttle will go a long way. Your clutch will be strong also so let it out slowly so you don't jump and build up your hand muscles so you don't cramp up. It's a bigger bike but the basics for riding applies to all bikes. It sounds like they are teaching you well.

 

[HMAN]

I also don't care for how the throttle (at least on that bike) feels so choppy in first. It was super hard to control what I wanted it to do in anything other than a straight line. I hope the power is a bit more predictable in first on the Pitbull. I understand it'll go more because it's like 6 times more displacement, but hopefully it's easier to find a sweet spot for parking lot practice.

Once you and the Dog bond, you'll be scrapping pegs with the rest of us. The Pitbull's can roll over to the point you think you will go down but hit the throttle and it will stand up. Takes time to build trust in both your abilities and the bikes capabilities. You'll get there.

 

[SKOGDOG]

I have found that our Big Dogs are least stable at lower speeds. Probably for a couple of reasons—they a re big and long and heavy. The other issue is we don’t always have the best adjusted carburetors that will keep the engine smooth at lower speeds. Often they’ll surge and lurch and carry on when all you want is to ride slow and smooth. A few members are knowledgeable about carb selection and adjustment (no simple task), and there more than a couple of threads about carb selection and adjustment. That smoothness is key in riding “anything other than a straight line”.

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Aright, well I passed. Sucked at the u-turn in the box test, but I blame it fully on that crappy throttle lol Everything else went pretty well at least. Perhaps I'll pull it out of the garage to wipe off some smudges or something and ride it back into the garage instead of pushing it lol

 

[woodbutcher]

Just to let you know it can be done, I and my son Shane (narow37) both went through the MRSP intermediate course riding '07 K9's. I think the worse part of the course was having to wear the leather jacket and gloves in the middle of summer. The course took place on Beaufort Marine Corp Air Station. (Their regs)

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Ok, things to remember

Too slow and the bike becomes harder to handle -- Gyrosopic effects need a little speed (Why a bike without rider will go basically straight till it hots somethin or slows down too far.

You bought a beast of a machine -- respect that.

You started way bigger (hp, weight, rake) than the average rider -- take your time.

Ride your own ride. Do not let anyone ever goad you into riding beyond your level or comfort zone. It's not worth trying to keep up with the pack if you aren't comfortable with them doing 90.

Your not a kid -- don't act like one ad try to show off with the bike.

Get some real miles under you before you even consider getting a passenger on the back. My first bike I left the passenger pegs and rear seat off for 5 months and I had some hotties begging to go for a ride on my chopper. I knew I wasn't ready.

And most importantly -- The clutch is your friend -- doesn't matter if you grab to much throttle just grab the clutch and power no longer goes anywhere! Till your confident, ride with hand covering the clutch so all you need do is close the hand.

Learn how to pick up the bike when it goes down -- There are videos of a 100lb woman standing up a full dresser effortlessly. Google it.

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Just to let you know it can be done, I and my son Shane (narow37) both went through the MRSP intermediate course riding '07 K9's. I think the worse part of the course was having to wear the leather jacket and gloves in the middle of summer. The course took place on Beaufort Marine Corp Air Station. (Their regs)

Might be able to do that, but I know in NJ you can't pass the road test that the state gives at DMV.
U turn has to made in x feet and X is controlled by engine displacement below or above X.
I could have sworn my wheelbase had more effect on that apparently not according NJ lawmakers!

 

[woodbutcher]

What we had to do was figure 8 inside 2 parking spaces end to end. No feet going down and no outside the lines. Really didnt want to see the lines touched.
BTW, things to remember above, All good, thanks for taking the time to post all of that!!!

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

BTW, things to remember above, All good, thanks for taking the time to post all of that!!!

Thanks. Those things are always in my mind even to this day. I started late in life to get a bike and I too bought a big bike for my first one.
100CU revtech, 38deg rake 6 over
Saw a friend right after I got it. When we went out fr him to check it out, he was like "Dude, I've been riding 20plus years and never ridden anything with that much HP or that much rake -- are you crazy?"
I said "No and I'm not a kid and pretty good at knowing my limitations"
I always knew I was a chopper guy -- almost bought a stock harley anmd I looked at myself and said "well I need to move that wheel out, cut the frame there and add some height and realized it was easier to buy it already done -- had missed enough road time as it was.

 

[HMAN]

 

[JustDennis]

Best thing you could do was taking the course. Well done