Eight Cones, a Piece of Rope, and an Anchor Point

[DanH]

I still consider myself a new rider. It took the MSF to let me know where my weaknesses are. So, I created a practice routine for weekends (empty mall parking lots) using eight cones, a piece of rope and and anchor point. These all fit rather snugly beneath my seat.

[DanH]

The string has knots tied at 12', 13' and 14'.

[DanH]

Using these three items, I am able to recreate a few of the MSF rider exercises: Swerve between cones, the Box, and the Circle.

For the circle, the T-Wrench is used as an anchor point.

[DanH]

Any other suggestions for practice. I was weak at emergency breaking in a straight line. And I was troubled by the exercise where we had to countersteer to avoid an object in front of us (swerve left to avoid, then correct by swerving back to the right).

[big blue]

As I recall one of the hardest moves in the MSF course was one in which you roll up to a stop and then immediately turn to the left or right without touching with your feet. It requires you to balance and steer at the same time. A lot of folks failed on this one. They would either stall or fall over! I got through it OK but it is difficult. I think it's actually harder on a scooter because of the auto clutch.

[klaviator]

Great way to practice.  See if you can find a Gymkhana to participate in.  It's even better practice as the courses are sometimes much harder than the MSF course.

[klaviator]

As I recall one of the hardest moves in the MSF course was one in which you roll up to a stop and then immediately turn to the left or right without touching with your feet. It requires you to balance and steer at the same time. A lot of folks failed on this one. They would either stall or fall over! I got through it OK but it is difficult. I think it's actually harder on a scooter because of the auto clutch.

With enough practice EVERYTHING in the MSF course is easy.  I did the MSF experienced rider course about 14 years ago because I was able to take it for free and it seemed like it would be fun.  It was fun but nothing in the course was even remotely challenging.  It's all a matter of practice.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hmmm. Well, OK then Klav..
I tested & passed on a tall Yamamahammer dirt bike.
I failed at keeping inside the rectangle while doing figure 8's.
Made it miles home safe today in a downpour....but after 30,000 miles of scooter riding I still avoid painted rectangles.


Whatever works for you Dan.
Stig

[DanH]

... I still avoid painted rectangles ...

In SoCal, the Box (figure 8's in a rectangle) is not part of the MSF course. We didn't practice it, so it wasn't tested. I overheard the instructor say he can't think of a reason a rider would have to ride a figure 8 inside a rectangle when street riding, so it was optioned out.

[monkeybongos]

That logic may make sense on the surface, but it's a good exercise for learning control of the bike,
especially at slow speeds in tight spaces.

[Stig / Major Tom]

No argument there - do practice it if you need it - but I like the instructor's logic.
A slow tip over is not high on my riding worries out there with the deer, tree limbs, wet leaves and cars.

Stig