Just passed the MSF. Had to endure a day and a half of idling around on a GZ250. Early in the day it was a comfy 65, but in a couple hours we were up to "way past comfortable". Anyway, when I got home I decided to celebrate with a 50 mile tour of the country side. Man I love the 750!! And going faster than 15 MPH :) I waved at about 2 dozen other lucky people on bikes and most of them waved back. It was just a beautiful afternoon to be riding. Tomorrow it's back to work, but I'm riding the 750 there and back, so it's not all bad.

Congrats on passing the course. What did you find to be the most surprising/useful information you got from the course?

RB

Just passed the MSF.

Congratulations! I passed the MSF course last month and am glad I took it, but you're so right...it feels great to get out on the open road and twist the throttle back on the 750 after puttering around the parking lot on a 250! Now you're a Road Warrior and a Parking Lot Pro!
Talie

The best information I got from the course was that I'm stopping about as quick as I can. It was pointed out to me that I tend to work the front brake without using my index finger. This is a bad thing since when I leave the index finger on the throttle, it tends to open the throttle as I squeeze the brake lever. I'm working on using all of my hand to work the brake lever. Of course I've read all about looking all the way through a turn, and I've been trying to do it. But it really helps, when you think you know it all, to have someone look you in the eye and say, "You know, it'd help if you turned your head more." Or on the swerve, I knew you were suppose to let the bike move underneath you, since it's faster that way. But again, I think I'm doing it right and the little voice says, "You're still trying to lean the bike, just push the handlebar." You can read all about technique, probably watch videos, but I think your money is best spent to get the opinion of someone who points out the same mistakes, week after week, to aspiring newbies like yourself.

Biggest surprise was how much I wasn't doing right that I thought I knew how to do. Second biggest surprise was how much I don't like GZ250's. I figured a little bike would make the parking lot stuff a snap. I had some little trouble working the shifter. I had to point my toe down to get under the lever. Then, if I was trying to concentrate on an excercise, I might not shift correctly into second, so I lift again and all of a sudden I'm going 12 mph in third. Of course, shifting is part of riding isn't it? But boy I'm glad I got a 750. So much nicer shifting, throttle response, brakes- all things that would have helped out on the range. I'm still not sure if I could have done the figure 8 in the box even if I'd followed the instructions to the letter.. They told us, you lose 5 points for putting a foot down, or going out of the box, so just do one or the other. Oh well, I decided that the lines of the box were more- guidelines, than actual rules, so I just did a couple of u turns in the general area of the box and went on with the rest of the test.

I was surprised at who failed the class. This one gal was really doing the exercises well, but I guess the pressure of the exam put her off her game enough to go outside the lines once too many times. I hope she keeps practicing and gets her endorsement at the DMV or goes back to retest. I was dissapointed that none of the instructors pointed out that, even though you fail the exam, you still know way more Sunday afternoon than you did Thursday night. And that failing the MSF only means you have to take the tests at the DMV to get an endorsement. They don't erase your memory of the class. You still have your 9 hours on the range, the coaching, all that stuff to take with you. All I heard them suggest was to call the office Monday and see if they could schedule to take the exam again.

So now I'm going to put some miles on the bike and maybe take the Experienced Rider Class in the spring just to see what I don't know that I think I do :) Maybe I'll be able to do that stupid figure 8 in a box by then.

I took my MSF at the Harley Store that they call Rider's Edge. They used Buell Blasts, which are neat litlle bikes, but not for me. The figure eigth was fairly easy with that bike, but I still only nailed it half the time, and went outside the line on the test. Still passed. Only 1 second slow in the curve.
I don't think the turning radius of the VN750 would allow a figure eight in the box they use. Even at full lock and walking it.
The instructor could tell I used to ride dirt. The way I put my feet down, and using two fingers on the brake, among other things.

*I don't think the turning radius of the VN750 would allow a figure eight in the box they use. *

Maybe not, but it'd be really cool to see someone do it :)

my dad marked out a box at a parking lot like he said they use, it was 2 parking spots wide, similar length. He said it was like the msf cource and we tried it. he couldnt do it on his shaddow, but a lot of it was probably his new unscratched bike, but me with my chaps and ride jacket, I put it within the box he said, but I was as close as you can get to peg dragging without actually touching, but perhaps the box was smaller on the course. I need to take that so they can tell me what I do wrong also.
good job.

I did a 20 foot figure 8 on my 750 not long ago. It was a lot harder than on the Ninja 250 I had for the safety course.

another KY lake clinic, boxed figure 8 compititions on your vn750 lol