Hey so I took the MSF class in 2014, bought a lemon in early 2015, worked on it like I own a shop, but it was still a lemon. Sold it in late 2015, and bought a nice 2007 CBR600RR two weeks ago, last week I wrecked it (yes, one week after I bought it and finally got to ride). I’m kinda depressed about the whole situation. I have a few scrapes and a sore ankle, but I’m really upset that I totaled the bike. I have insurance so I should get a new one but still, it’s discouraging. I want to ride again but I’m not sure I should even be on a bike if I can’t keep one a week without trashing it. Thoughts? You ever gone down? What did you do? Thanks
Oh yes, I’ve wrecked a few bikes. By my count I’ve had 4 crashes, with 3 trips to the hospital. It happens.
As for whether you should get back on a bike? That’s totally up to you. If it’s something you enjoy I say go for it. What I will say, however, is that the MSF Basic Rider Course does not equip new riders to face the realities they find riding on the street. Given the opportunity I recommend seeking out as much training as you can find. The first six months of riding are by far the most dangerous, but that can be countered with adequate training.
Here’s my MSF BRC rant: The Basic Rider Course is designed to teach you how to ride in a parking lot because that’s where insurance companies lose the most money. They’ll teach you just enough to get you out of that parking lot and then you’re basically on your own. I suggest trying their Advanced Rider Course or (if you’ve got the funds) doing a track school to get more comfortable with your bike.
If you can’t afford any other courses (I’ve certainly been in that position), just buy a case of tennis balls, cut them in half, and build yourself an obstacle course in an open parking lot on a Sunday morning. My club runs free skills days like this every summer and after even half an hour the riders are much more competent. Bring a friend or invite people from a local rider forum and practice. Build slaloms, increasing/decreasing radius corners, and acceleration/braking zones and you’ll be a better rider in no time. Just remember to keep your head looking far out in front of you rather than right in front of your front tire.
The sad reality is that you should expect the occasional crash. I’ve got 130k miles on motorcycles and still worry about it because shit happens.
Don’t get down on yourself. The worst part of crashing isn’t the physical pain, it’s the ego hit. Work through it, find another bike, get trained, and go riding. Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions. I’m always happy to talk about motorcycles.
Here’s a link to a skills day we ran a few years ago. Don’t get intimidated; the rider in front of the camera is an AMA Pro roadracer and the camera bike is ridden by another local racer. https://youtu.be/qfrJecdmxYc
Curiosity Kills Colby 
Hey so I took the MSF class in 2014, bought a lemon in early 2015, worked on it like I own a shop, but it was still a lemon. Sold it in late 2015, and bought a nice 2007 CBR600RR two weeks ago, last week I wrecked it (yes, one week after I bought it and finally got to ride). I’m kinda depressed about the whole situation. I have a few scrapes and a sore ankle, but I’m really upset that I totaled the bike. I have insurance so I should get a new one but still, it’s discouraging. I want to ride again but I’m not sure I should even be on a bike if I can’t keep one a week without trashing it. Thoughts? You ever gone down? What did you do? Thanks
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Oh yes, I’ve wrecked a few bikes. By my count I’ve had 4 crashes, with 3 trips to the hospital. It happens.
As for whether you should get back on a bike? That’s totally up to you. If it’s something you enjoy I say go for it. What I will say, however, is that the MSF Basic Rider Course does not equip new riders to face the realities they find riding on the street. Given the opportunity I recommend seeking out as much training as you can find. The first six months of riding are by far the most dangerous, but that can be countered with adequate training.
Here’s my MSF BRC rant: The Basic Rider Course is designed to teach you how to ride in a parking lot because that’s where insurance companies lose the most money. They’ll teach you just enough to get you out of that parking lot and then you’re basically on your own. I suggest trying their Advanced Rider Course or (if you’ve got the funds) doing a track school to get more comfortable with your bike.
If you can’t afford any other courses (I’ve certainly been in that position), just buy a case of tennis balls, cut them in half, and build yourself an obstacle course in an open parking lot on a Sunday morning. My club runs free skills days like this every summer and after even half an hour the riders are much more competent. Bring a friend or invite people from a local rider forum and practice. Build slaloms, increasing/decreasing radius corners, and acceleration/braking zones and you’ll be a better rider in no time. Just remember to keep your head looking far out in front of you rather than right in front of your front tire.
The sad reality is that you should expect the occasional crash. I’ve got 130k miles on motorcycles and still worry about it because shit happens.
Don’t get down on yourself. The worst part of crashing isn’t the physical pain, it’s the ego hit. Work through it, find another bike, get trained, and go riding. Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions. I’m always happy to talk about motorcycles.
Here’s a link to a skills day we ran a few years ago. Don’t get intimidated; the rider in front of the camera is an AMA Pro roadracer and the camera bike is ridden by another local racer. https://youtu.be/qfrJecdmxYc
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