Question for BobFV1

[Promethean]

Bob,
Now that the weather's improving, I had this little bug in my mind to sharpen my low speed skills whenever I could. Toward that end, I was thinking of using one of the MSF ranges for practice.

Do they have a policy that prohibits the "general public" other than the enrolled MSF students from using the range? I would assume there would be liability issues using the range afterhours (especially if it was owned by a community college like HACC in PA).

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

[BobFV1]

Bob,
Now that the weather's improving, I had this little bug in my mind to sharpen my low speed skills whenever I could. Toward that end, I was thinking of using one of the MSF ranges for practice.

Do they have a policy that prohibits the "general public" other than the enrolled MSF students from using the range? I would assume there would be liability issues using the range afterhours (especially if it was owned by a community college like HACC in PA).

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Hey Abhijeet -

Sorry I have been pretty busy and I am here in DC at my "second home" this month, so I didn't see your message.

I know the policy at the range I teach on is absolutely no students on the range unless accompanied by an instructor. I can go out and practice my skills any time, but in order for a student to ride on the range they must be under the supervision of an MSF RiderCoach at a ratio of 1 RiderCoach to no more than six students - ie, if there is 1 student, there must be 1 coach - six students, 1 coach - seven students, 2 coaches, etc.

That being said, you really don't need a range to practice, and I applaud you for realizing that your skills are perishable and that practice is good. This applies to everyone - I see people on web sites say "I read David Hough and my skills improved" or "I read Keith Code and my skills improved" or "I watched the Gold Wing guy's video tape and my skills improved". I call shenanigans on all of these comments - riding skills are perishable motor coordination skills and you learn them through practice, reinforcement, gross skills to fine skills - it's all very well documented.

So even if you can't get in to a formal course - head out to a safe and empty lot. Practice skills systematically on your own. Try a 30 foot weave - you can set markers every 30 feet. Then move them to 20 feet. Then offset them. Set up a perimeter turn and a clutch control lane. Practice Uturns in the space of two marked parking spaces, or in a 20 foot box, then cut it down to 1.5 spaces, or to a 16 foot box, whatever you are comfortable with. Just go out and practice practice practice. Do some quick stops, practice maximum braking, it's all good.

Good luck! If you need any specific pointers, like how the perimeter turn should be set up or what stopping distances should be, let me know and I can help you. And remember, in the 17 range exercises that comprise the BRC - max speed is less than 20mph.

Ride safe and have fun!

[DarthRider]

Tennis balls cut in half make great mini-pylons for self training & practice.
I don't get much accomplished trying to use "imaginary cones".
Another thing about practice...much of it can be done anytime you are on the motorcycle, anywhere. Not pylon turns & swerves but braking technique, situational awareness skills, peripheral vision, correct posture & "form", etc.

But Bob I must disagree that reading an expert's book doesn't really work to sharpen one's skills...I read a sex manual once and now I'm quite the stud!

Dave

[BobFV1]

But Bob I must disagree that reading an expert's book doesn't really work to sharpen one's skills...I read a sex manual once and now I'm quite the stud! Dave

Damn Dave - I read a sex manual once and all it gave me was hairy palms!

[Wild Will]

Half a tennis ball! What a concept! Brilliant. So I go out to make enough to line my driveway, me being upscale, and discover just how hard it is to hit them things dead on with my machete.
Thanks anyway, Darth R.

[DarthRider]

Well Wild Will O' the West, in your case I would recommend cutting bowling balls in half.
You wouldn't want to be mistaken for one of those gay, tennis playing California yuppies!

Dave

[Bones]

Gives new meaning to "honey, I am going to play with my balls. See you later."


Jeff

[Promethean]

Bob. Thanks.

[Wild Will]

Dave,
There're none of them around here. There is a gay waiter at the local Mehicano restaurante, but he drives a "Tejas Cadillac", as he calls it. We had a guy that was fond of sheep once. Don't know what happened to him, but he wore a kilt. He said that a sheep could hear the sound of a zipper from a hundred yards.