| Author | Message | ||
     Pcmodeler |
I signed up to take the basic rider course here in Richmond, VA. The course document states to have over the ankle footwear. Is that an absolute requirement for these things? | ||
| Twowheeldream |
I think so. I know that they check for it... long sleeves, gloves, long pants, and over the ancle footwear. | ||
| Whodom |
Yep, but it's not a big deal. If you don't have any, you can pick up a cheap pair of hiking boots at WalMart for ~$10. | ||
| Tramp |
I don't wear it, BUT, it's very intelligent to wear, being that ankle trauma is one of the nominate injuries in slow-maneuver training. after your course, try to forget most of the 'always use the front brake' cold-fusion mumbo-jumbo. that's where most newbies have their falls- using the front in gravle and on turning stops, esp. at slow speeds, esp at the ned of the driveway. use the rear brake in those situations, primarily. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
PC, I have in teaching sent folks away due to improper gear. Get some cheap boots at least. Who wants more liability than they have to take on? too many issues just teaching folks to ride. Much easier to just say sorry, we told you... see ya next week. Tramp Maybe just go easy on the front if you anticipate loose surface/slide conditions? Try not to mess up the new guys before they get properly educated  -Mike | ||
| Pcmodeler |
Thanks guys. I don't know if I'm so much a newbie. Taking it because I thought it might be a good idea as it had been a few years since my last bike. Guess I'll hit the store for some cheap hiking style boots. | ||
| Bomber |
PC -- it IS a good idea, and so's the Advanced Rider's course (which is much the same as the beginner's just more condensed) that said, the MSF does have some dogma to which they hold fast, some of which may be debated by knowledgable and even temptered individuals -- boils down to, one, the program works pretty darned well, not perfect, but, hey, what is? and, two, it's their program, and given their mission(s), holding fast ain't such a bad idea er, if you ride, and you don't wear over the ankle footwear, just outa curiosity, what DO you wear?? | ||
| Jackbequick |
You may have a invalid mental image of what satisfies the requirements for "over the ankle". It is a shoe that is covers the two knobby joints that your foot hinges on. Those joints are pretty fragile, easily banged into things like foot pegs and nearby fixed objects, and can be easily permanently damaged. So unless you have very low opinion of your need for working ankles you'll do yourself a favor by buying a pair of good quality ankle height working or hiking shoes with a nearly flat sole (i.e., do not have a square notch in front of the heel). That keeps the heel from catching on things. The course is a great thing, enjoy it!! And go back for the advanced course as soon as you have the time in to qualify. These courses have saved a lot of riders lot of grief. Jack | ||
| Tramp |
I wear normal tennis shoes, usually nikes or pumas... always have, off the track. most of the guys i ride with wear the same (many of them have been riding since before i was born). the area where I am NOT so cavalier is me loggerhead noggin, upon which I always wear a shoei whence astride. littlebugger said: "Maybe just go easy on the front if you anticipate loose surface/slide conditions? Try not to mess up the new guys before they get properly educated " absolutely not...how about NO front brake in gravel and in turns, esp. slow turns. this is where MSF grads always drop it and need that over-the-ankle protection. I'm all about newbies getting properly educated, Hence my advice. the new brother DID ask. | ||
| Jlnance |
Mark - Yea, they want you to have the footwear. As long as your soliciting advice about the class  ... be sure to bring water and sunscreen. I've taken the class twice, and ended up sunburnt both times. It's a great class, I'd love to know what you think of it after you're done. | ||
| Roc |
In Oregon instructors will make you a nice little bootie out of duct tape. You should buy and wear boots. Good boots would have saved a friend of mine a few surgeries, a vacation, a broken bone, and thousands of dollars this year. Bomber - Our advanced class is not like our basic class, the advanced class is on a go-kart track.  | ||
| Tramp |
yeah- and get a nice matching handbag while you're at it.... | ||
| Koz5150 |
I have my shifter set for my boots. If I wear tennis shoes it just doesn't feel right and hurts my big toe! Of course I also just wear shorts, short sleeved shirts and sunglasses so I am no model of saftey. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I took the advanced class when I bought my Buell, took the beginner course a few years earlier when I got into riding again. Funny about the front brake thing though Tramp, a guy at the dealership always made fun of me for using the rear brake at all, that I had a stainless line made so the rear brake would work was a waste of money in his opinion. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Yeah, in VA they will toss you for not wearing the "ankle protection".... Me personally...I use safety gear, Jacket, gloves, Helmet(obviously)..BARE MINIMUM jeans.. riding boots(with chewed up sliders)...you get the drift.... I ride very aggresive, and I do go down. Skin grafts...yeah, been there done that...right arm and both legs... Safety gear off the track, is always a preference issue...but hey...I hate road rash...joint injuries, broken bones etc... Me, yeah I wear it... Usually, it takes longer to get repair parts than it does to recover...at least so far with the X1...but have only done a couple low-sides..so... Chase | ||
| Tramp |
"Funny about the front brake thing though Tramp, a guy at the dealership always made fun of me for using the rear brake at all, that I had a stainless line made so the rear brake would work was a waste of money in his opinion." That's why he was at a dealership...every sport/activity has at least one failed (insert sport/activity name here)-er pontificating to the rubes.... | ||
| Bomber |
Roc -- I'm coming to YOUR town sir! great idea for a class -- Solo 1 for scooter trash Tramp will wear zactly what he wants on his foots, as will most of us, ceptin' in class, of course ;-} -- me, Iive always had an interest in mine, and gear em up -- Other's Milage WILL vary, which is what makes a horse race, yes? (insert chicago-to-NYC smiley here) Rear Brake -- it's there for a number of good reasons, and should be used for all of em -- fashion may have left it's use behind, but, what the hey, how's concerned about fashion (my handbag hardly ever matches my boots, btw) I went for a 75 minute ride last night with my daughter -- first time she's been out since passing MSF -- we covered all of 20 miles (the old MaDeuece was well and truly warmed up {grin}), and I found I had to undo some of what she was taught -- Brake selection was one of the major things -- unlearning was facilitated by her almost throwing the bike away at the end of a, wait for it, driveway what had gravel on it -- the locked up the front wheel, albeit briefly, but, being blessed with the cat-lke reflexes of a 20-year-old she saved it (cheers, whistles and huzzahs!) she also had the unnerving habit of, when coming to a stop sign, chnging from a staggered formation (if two scoots can be said to be a "formation"  , and rode right up behind me, like on the training range -- told her, 1, makes the old man nervous if he can't see his wingman, and, 2, cut it out, please . . . . I'm not sure who was grinning more at the end of the ride, me, or the newbie rider who declared, "I LOVE going fast!" (top speed, just shy of 50) -- one of the nicest rides of my life |
