Originally Posted by Lord Albany

These are the pointers he gave me.

Originally Posted by GarArnett

O.K. let's get this part of MSF classes down before we go any further: The vast majority of classes taught in the US and Canada are Basic Rider Courses, or Rider Satefy Skills Courses. These are BASIC, BEGINNER level courses. The course has to do many things and included in that is balancing the muscle memory of just operating the bike with the novice level of control and familiarity with the bike and with that some basic safety measures that won't get you killed.

One of the basic things here is the wrist down position MSF espouses. Does not mean all riders should always ride all bikes wrist down. What it does do is help prevent a newbie from accidentally grabbing too much throttle and then getting in trouble. Experienced riders can throw this out, as they know their bike and how it works and have greater throttle control. Still good when getting on a new to you bike though.

That would be followed by the all fingers on the throttle or all fingers on the brake (front brake). This is again to prevent throttle use problems if the newbie is trying to cover the front brake and allows the newbie to have better brake feel and control with all 4 fingers. The experienced rider can cover the brake very safely. The newbie, probably not.

Since the newbie is not covering the brake at a stop, and has his full hand on the throttle - incase he/she needs to make an emergency escape, MSF suggests the newbie cover the rear brake. Since it is always better to stop with both brakes, and not release until fully stopped, MSF says put the left foot down at a stop - meaning your right foot is already covering the brake, the bike wont roll at a stop and the newbie can adjust for throttle. They have also been told to already down shift to 1st and they have the clutch in. They are ready to take off when the time arises. It's all to get the newbie ready to go again with the least amount of thought, and get riding to become natural quicker. It also means a great deal of safety is maintained for the general or average ride.

MSF does not espouse that there is no other way to do it, or that other ways are unsafe. They do say to not try other methods, including covering the front brake, until you have more experience.

Now, a little more on the "only way to do it" mentality. MSF recognized back in the 80's that many of it's instructors had a Drill Sergeant mentality - it's my way, its the only way and everything else is wrong. The MSF started trying to change this in the late 90's, a totally new program was implimented, though has taken a long time to get used in every state. They are ready to change the program again. Instructor are now rider-coaches. The attitude of yelling, only one way and acting like a drill sergeant is highly frowned upon, though rider coaches are not "fired" for this.

Basically there is more than one way to skin a cat. Some ways are better the first time you try it, other methods work as you gain more experience. It's that simple.

Sorry for the long post. I am an ex- instructor and ex- Rider Coach. I have all the program materials for both the old and current curriculum.

Originally Posted by roadkinglobo

What I glean most of your offerings is that the lessons that new riders learn are different then that which experienced riders can practice. If that is your belief then I clearly understand why you are an EX intructor and an EX coach. The skills that new riders implement will hopefully become the habits that will save their life in the future. I don't think that there's two sets of standards for newbies and another for seasoned riders. Is this what you were implying? I had been riding for 30+ years at the time when I took the Rider's Course and I was surprised at what valuable lessons were being offered. To this day, I am still reminded as I ride by things learned in the course. That's just my 2cents worth.