Test 3:
Quick Stop
The Quick Stop tested...stopping (duh). You've got to slow your roll sometime. Our test dummies had to come to a halt at a designated point and be ready to take off at a moment's notice. Points were given for not using both brakes, not shifting into first gear or missing the target stopping area. Sometimes cars don't see you stopped at a light or intersection, and being ready to immediately get out of the way is important unless you want an SUV up your ass.
Dave Sonsky
Score: 0 Points Deducted
Quote: "I outbraked world champ Neil Hodgson and beat the Guiness Stoppie record holder. now what's up."
Kane Friesen
Score: 0 Points Deducted
Quote: "It's like a 150-foot approach to the world's shortest stoppie contest."
Kris Cottrell
Score: 0 Points Deducted
Quote: "They didn't see me, but I used my feet like Fred Flintstone to stop."
Neil Hodgson
Score: 0 Points Deducted
Quote: "I always cover both brakes."
Officer Gomez
Score: 0 Points Deducted
Quote: "I thought it was good to show you how to use both brakes to stop and learn what the bike is capable of doing."
Test 4:
Cornering
One of the best feelings while riding a motorcycle is bending it through some curves. The cornering portion demonstrates the proper technique of negotiating a turn while looking to the inside. Our riders got black marks for not using both brakes, looking down at the cones and lines, decelerating in the turn, crossing the boundary or going too slow. Often times when riding, something will enter your line forcing you to change your path of travel. Knowing how to corner properly is key, unless you only plan to drag race.
Kane Friesen
Score: 0
Quote: "I was able to do this test better in a wheelie."
Kris Cottrell
Score: 20 points: 10 for crossing boundary, 5 for decelerating in turn, 5 for speed too slow
Quote: "I can't stop, I can't turn, but I look cool."
Dave Sonsky
Score: 5 points for decelerating in turn
Quote: "Whatever. I also did it the quickest, but I guess that doesn't count."
Officer Gomez
Score: 5 points for speed too slow
Quote: "It's a good idea to use your head to look where you want to go instead of looking down."
Neil Hodgson
Score: 5 points for decelerating in a turn
Quote: "I've been riding bikes for over 30 years and this is just embarrassing. sure, kick a rider when he's down"
MSF Course
The Basic Rider Course is aimed at the first-time rider looking to get a start on two wheels. It can also help prepare for the motorcycle endorsement test, and some states offer an exception to those that successfully complete the course. To see how well the Basic Rider course prepares up-and-coming riders for the street, we sent one of our ad dudes, Zack Adlan, to find out.
"The classroom portion of the class was way more detailed than I expected. Going in I thought it was going to be a repeat of the permit test and just another boring day at school. It turned out to be far more in-depth. Everything was hands-on and we worked in groups, not just hours of lecture from some teacher. You start with the most basic elements of a motorcycle and move your way up from there. I also learned the importance of things like checking the bike before you ride-I never even considered that before.
After the class portion was finished we put our knowledge into action. Since I already had my permit I was able to jump on the bike and cruise around pretty easily. But there were some students in the class that had never even ridden before.
I actually thought the riding test was going to be more difficult, but the way they slowly familiarize you with the bike made it easier for all of us. They teach you step-by-step and don't overwhelm you with drills. You start the class with little knowledge of motorcycles and by the end you feel much more confident as a rider.
Now that I have my license I still familiarize myself with the different drills before riding. If anything it makes me think twice about what I'm doing instead of just taking off. I'm more cautious about my surroundings and anticipate potential dangers. Probably the biggest lesson I learned is to always expect the unexpected."