Since Everyone Else Did + Need a little Help: My First Day at MSF

Chazell29 · 06-07-2008, 08:55 PM

Hey Everyone,

So I had my first MSF Class today. Overall it was pretty fun, however I'm nervous I'm not going to pass.

We started out learning the bike, I knew just about all of this due to toying around on a neighbors dirtbike in his garage. We then "power walked" the bike yada yada no big deal.

We then started giving the bike some gas and walking it. Did it no problem. We then did this thing where you roll the bike back till your on your heels, then give it some gas so you rock to your toes, and then back. Did this no problem.

Now is where I screwed up. Now its time to actually give it enough gas to pull up our feet and ride. Started out ok, but then I started stalling. Everytime I'd start, I'd stall. It got a bit better, but through the course of the day, I'd stall alot from starting at a stand still. I think whats wrong is that I'm not having good cluth/throttle control...I'm not giving enough gas, and letting the clutch go to fast. I started letting the clutch go slower, but I don't know how much gas to give, if I give a lot it revs to high RPM's as I'm slowly letting the clutch, then it starts and it jerks as I get going, as if it was going to stall. Any ideas?

Also, when I'm shifting gears, the bike jerks when I shift up or down. Why is this? And when I'm riding in 1st, and i give it some gas it just jumps, jerks and what not.

I feel like I'm doing everything wrong...i hope tommorow is better and I can pass the course.

RayOSV · 06-08-2008, 03:54 AM

Smooth throttle and clutch control are hard for some to learn especially if you don't have experience with a manual transmission car. Give the bike enough throttle for the revs to go up to about 1800-2000 and let the clutch out smoothly. The jerking while up or down shifting could be due to closing the throttle. Close the throttle slightly when you pull the clutch in, but roll back on the throttle a bit while letting the clutch out (upshifting). When downshifting, try to match the engine revs in the lower gear to the bike speed.

It all takes practice which you will get in class tomorrow.

Hound · 06-08-2008, 07:44 AM

That is normal

as said above if you are not used to the on and off of throttle as you use clutch and shift. You are using three different parts of your body while nervious, it takes a bit for it to respond smoothly.

You want more revs then less revs, so if you over rev a bit do it until you learn the flow.

Chazell29 · 06-08-2008, 09:07 AM

thanks a lot guys, I'm off to my 2nd day of riding, wish me luck! haha

dynamite196 · 06-08-2008, 09:37 AM

a good way to practice clutch control is try to get the bike moving using no throttle, you have to let the clutch out VERY slowly and smoothly to do this and it will get you familiar with the clutch. As far as the jerkiness in first gear some of it probably has to do with the bike's transmission especially since it's a learner bike it's been beat on A LOT but the majority of it is your right hand try and focus on moving it slow and smooth just like the clutch. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it but it's going to take some practice.

EVOIXGSR · 06-08-2008, 01:20 PM

I would start without giving any throttle at all and work on just your clutch so you get used to the engagement. You basically put it in first gear, then slowly let out the clutch till it starts to grab and slow the engine down a bit, then fully disengage the clutch and repeat the process till you are very comfortable with the engagement point of the clutch. then you can start to work on giving a bit of gas and you shouldn't have that much problem stalling again.

Chazell29 · 06-08-2008, 06:21 PM

Alright, so I passed. I got that book from the classroom portion of the MSF, and I read a few things, including when on starts put the clutch in the friction zone and give it some gas. I was able to succesfully start without stalling all day (i stalled a few times when playing around with teh cluth waiting in line, but not during the test). I'd give it a little gas to rev up the engine, and slowly let the clutch out, once it hit the friction zone and I started to move a bit, I'd give more gas and get going then let the cluth out all the way.

As far as the first gear jerking, i don't know, it did it today too. Maybe as you said its cuz its been beat on.

As far as the jerking while shifting, I found out I was letting the clutch out to fast and not having good timiming with the throttle, I was able to fix that for the most part today too.

In the end I passed the riding test, and passed the written, got my card, now I have to wait about 1 month till I'll have the rest of my money for my bike...ahh it'll kill me waiting haha.

RayOSV · 06-08-2008, 06:43 PM

Good job!! If you pay attention and are at least moderately coordinated, you will pass the MSF course. Don't forget proper riding gear.

Chazell29 · 06-08-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayOSV

Good job!! If you pay attention and are at least moderately coordinated, you will pass the MSF course. Don't forget proper riding gear.

Yeah ive got a Scorpion EXO-700, MotoGP Apex Leather Jacket and Alpinestar Gloves with carbon fiber nuckles. I need some pants and boots next and I'll be set...well after i get the bike too.