New Safety Board

[trip]

Some have asked for it. So, here is a board designed to talk about riding, riding safety, techniques and anything related to "The Ride".

Trip

I have 2 friends that are relatively new to riding.... I've coaxed both to take the MSF riding class........ neither one understood about feathering the clutch or counter steering.... not sure how they were riding, because without those 2 things I'd be in big trouble....

[socwkbiker]

Music or no music...

Do you listen to music when you are riding and what method do you use? I use an mp3 with these new earphones I found that fit inside the ear and act as an earplug while allowing me to listen at lower volume levels. They are very comfortable and I do notice a considerable decrease in noise levels. What about y'all?

I sing to myself. :)

No offense intended to any singers out there.

[flightdoc]

I do listen to music. I have a small am/fm radio and use ear buds. Taking the MSF course(s) is a great thing to do. I am a MFS rider coach and have been teaching those classes for 4 years now for the State of NH. I had been riding for 20 years before taking the class and could not believe some of the things I learned. What's more scary is the fact, I wasn't doing alot of the techniques I learned all that time!! If anyone has questions I might help with don't hesitate to ask.

vinnie

[socwkbiker]

How do I complete a successful u-turn and not spill the cup of beer I have for Nico?

[flightdoc]

easy........turn your head!!

Use a straw. :)

[davidjones1]

Trip, great page a lot of good information. I do have a ? for the group. how is it in your states about the requirement insurance and licensing I spoken with so many young riders that have none of these and have not even heard about the great MSF schools, I think this adds to the amount of wrecks we hear about far to often, ride safe.

[dharris]

In Va ya gotta have the insurance and the school or pass the DMV riding test. A lot of the young sport bike riders cannot afford the insurance sooo they ride without..and since the cops normally cant catch em they dont worry about the License.....and when they run they at time crash.......

[flightdoc]

In NH you do not need insurance or helmet. Do need a licence. A law came into effect this year stating:If you attempt to pass the dmv riding test twice and fail it twice then you must take the MSF class that I teach for the state. I think it was a good move. Hopefully everyone will have to take the class one day to get the endorsement on their lic.

[socwkbiker]

I would rather see everyone required to take MSF classes since you can learn so much.

[davidjones1]

Here in Tenn you have to have these only after the fact [ticket-crash] I agree socwkbiker it should be mandatory before you buy or can register the bike to take the class, also it would be good for the younger group if it were offered as a class in high school along with driver ed class.

In Cali..... if you can pass the written and the driving DMV test you're in. The driving part is difficult........ through cones and then small tight circles... both ways.... put your foot down once you fail.

If you just take and pass the written, you get your permit which allows you to ride without a passenger, not on the freeway, and not after dark.

With the permit you can take the MSF class, and once passing, you can present that certificate of completion to the DMV and receive your license.

[blowndodge]

I have 2 friends that are relatively new to riding.... I've coaxed both to take the MSF riding class........ neither one understood about feathering the clutch or counter steering.... not sure how they were riding, because without those 2 things I'd be in big trouble....

<marquee>Oops! ah,,,, make that 3 things!!! </marquee>