| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
My daughter is starting her Rider's Edge course tomorrow, so I figured I'd take her out to the entropy lab for a control familiarization session -- she was a little nervous about walking in with no piloting experience whatsoever (although she's a pretty good pillion rider) I've been involved with training in the business world since the Harding administration, so I figured I could easily get her up to speed . . . Started with the controls, front brake, rear brake, clutch, shifter (she drives the 31 ford, so she knows what they're for), explained that the shifter returned to it's middle position by itself after changing gears, she asked "what makes it go faster?" with a #*$&-eating grin on her face, I taked about CG and Center of Mass, peg-weighting, counter-steering, and realized I'd lost her altogether (I'm her dad, so that's part of my job, yes?) and we hadn't even taken the scoot off the kickstand! Sheesh, is this the way I learned to ride Curtis' V8 powered motorcycle down on Ormand Beach back in '17? I'm smart enough to stop before I do more damage . . . so, Mr Educator (thass me!) wraps up with, Pay no attention to anything I said -- listen to your instructor, ask questions if you don't understand, and have fun! So, anyways, this is a big thanks to all MSF instructors, Rider's Edge teachers, track day coaches, and all those who are helping folks learn our sport without nearly the stupidity that I (and many of you, I'm sure) went through -- extra raison pie for all y'all! | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I'm in the same boat with my lovely wife. The only difference is that I had the ability and space to give her some parking lot training. She starts her class tomorrow night at 6:00pm. I'm looking forward to spending some road time with her in the near future. | ||
| Impulse_101 |
My wife starts in one week. I've been going through the WI motorcyclist handbook with her and trying to explain countersteering and some other really basic things. Bomber I wish that you were teaching the class, it's hard to find people who you trust to teach those you love. JT | ||
| Reepicheep |
Don't ever try to explain countersteering to people, simply demonstrate to them that they already know it. Tell them to close their eyes, and put both hands in front of them, palms out. Tell them to picture riding a bicycle on a bright sunny day. Make them actually picture this for a second. No tell them to picture a looonnnnggg downhill right turn. Tell them to lean their body and picture themselves coasting through it. They should still have their palms out, and they should be leaning their body into the correct turn. Now tell them "OK, you are going by a friend on the side of the road.... without thinking about it, just wave to them while you are turning". For a right turn, they will ALWAYS pick up their left had to wave. They know to do it right. Now tell them to look at the position of their right hand... it is palms out and pushing, there is NO way they could be pulling on the bars. Viola... you have shown them that to turn a bicycle right, you PUSH ONLY on the right handlebar. It sounds worse describing it here... try it with somebody and you will see how clearly it works out. It's funny to watch people react when they find out they have been doing this their whole life without even knowing it. | ||
| Buelliedan |
You want some real fun. I am an MSF instructor and had my wife take the class with me as the instructor. SHE WOULDN'T LISTEN TO ME!! I had to have my assistant tell speak with her everytime she needed a correction. Stubborn woman!!  | ||
| Jlnance |
LOL - What an appropriate thread. My g/f just took the MSF class last weekend, and I took it with her. You know what? It's still hard the second time you take it. But anyway it was great to see her progress through the class. He emotions went just like mine did the first time I took it. You star out with "Damn, this is harder than I thought," then progress to "I know I am going to fail this class," then to "Wow, I really learned something and it's fun too." | ||
| Outrider |
Learned a long time ago that if the wives, girl friends or family want to take up an activity that I am already well into the only way to make it a positive experience is to get them professional training on the basics. Once that is accomplished, it allows for positive discussion concerning refreshing the basic skills and introducing advanced techniques. In essence, the experience and the book they receive in the MSF course will pay for itself over and over again. Not to mention, it is an interesting read for riders of all levels. Kudo's to all trainers! | ||
| Road_thing |
Your wife wouldn't listen to you? And this surprises you? Dan, you've never struck me as the naive type up till now...  rt | ||
| Bomber |
Lake-- I made the conscious decision NOT to teach her anything, for two reasons: reason the first -- while I'm an ok rider, and a pretty good teacher, I'm not a riding teacher, and havn't ever tried to aim my knwoledge transfer to a brand new rider -- I didn't want her picking up any of my habits or notions (which work for me, but's it's been awhile since I looked at the world as a new rider) reason the second -- my daughet and I get along very nicely -- I'd like to keep it that way ;-} good for you and your wife, if your relationship allows for this kinda thing . . . a rare thing indeed! | ||
| Jeremyh |
i did the same for my wife, i even let her drop my Buell before i sold it. | ||
| Bomber |
Jeremy -- are you just having a bad month, or is there something in particular you'd like to get off yer chest, bud? | ||
| Roc |
Bomber, I think telling her to have fun was the best thing you could have done. Let us know how she likes it. | ||
| Bomber |
Roc -- wilco, sir (like you could shut me up about one of my girlses!) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
My wife made it through the hard part this weekend. I had my doubts that she would go back after Saturday. She came home in tears after a bad day of riding. It seems she was having troubles with the clutch in the afternoon session. I got her calmed down enough to go out and practice in the evening. The minute she got on her bike, she realized the problem with her Rider's Edge bike. It seems the clutch lever was at a VERY bad angle. When sitting in a "neutral position", the lever was AT LEAST 1" higher than the grip. Well...she went back on Sunday morning and insisted they re-adjust the clutch lever. The rest of her day went very smoothly. She only snubbed it a few times. In the end, she passed the riding test with only 4 points in deductions. If there are any Rider's Edge instructors reading this, I have a suggestion. Considering the class costs $300, a little "personal attention" to the bike set-up would greatly enhance the experience. My wife mentioned that 3 other people were having the same problem but didn't know it was a problem (if that makes any sense). If I hadn't taken the time to set-up my wife's bike for her, she probably wouldn't have finished the course. Thanks to the instructors for listening. You took a disgruntal student and turned her around. | ||
| Bomber |
Lake -- my offsrping had the identical score! wow -- syzygy! they had the students try a number of sccots til they found the one that "fit" best, and then adjusted the hand controls to suit -- I can see how your wife woulda been tearing her hair out! The instructors were aces, kid learned a lot! the visit (unplanned) from a County Motor Officer dispelled any doubts about the bike's ability to do tight U-turnes and such, and was a great addition to the course bottom line, at Uke's anyways, the Instructors are great, the learning better, and now I gotta start saving for another bike to quote the newly minted rider, "I like going fast, and I like the turning part!" Looks like another convert signed, proud dad | ||
| Chasespeed |
I had to back through the course last week, for the base...the Navy is really harping on it. Learning how to ride on a old school rat bike, there are some things you dont worry about, tight manuevering, slalom etc... Learned otehr stuff at track days and track schools... What I got out of the course was low speed tight manuevering.... greatfull for that.... BUT, there were 9 people in my class...5 had NEVER ridden a motorcycle before, and 3 had already bought one.... They started as expected...then, byt the end of the class, they were actually proficient.. wouldnt take them on any "joy rides", but I would feel comfortable riding around town with them(and I am particular about who I ride with)... So, I will definately say that these courses are worth eevry penny, to someone..... Chase | ||
| Gomo |
Dennis Glad your wife made out well. I do agree with you that the Coaches should do what the can to make sure that the bike, and its controls fits the student. I make that my first consern, like you stated it could be the point that makes the experience a good or bad one - not just in passing or failing, but that you show that the coaches make it a good and fun time for the students. Once again congrats to al the lastest GRADs. | ||
| Roc |
Our BRT course, basic, is $129. I get there at least an hour before students and set up, we start and give all of the bikes a once over. It would really bother me to have a student have problems because of our bike. We have great maintenance people too though, man do those bikes have it hard. New grads have a fun summer ahead of them. Watch after them, in particular if they go on any group rides. (Message edited by roc on June 21, 2005) |
