MSF - "Basic RiderCourse Riding Exercises
1. Motorcycle Familiarization. In the first lesson you will be introduced to the motorcycle, its controls and proper mounting and dismounting.
2. Using the Friction Zone. Your objective in this lesson is to be able to use the "Friction Zone" of the clutch with smooth control. You will practice developing a feel for the clutch and how it moves the motorcycle.
3. Stopping and Starting Drill. In this exercise you will practice starting out using the clutch and stopping using both brakes.
4. Shifting and Stopping. You will practice shifting up to 2nd gear and back down to 1st gear. You will also practice riding slowly using the clutch.
5. Speed and Turning. During this exercise you will weave between the cones as you coordinate your speed and motorcycle lean.
6. Controls-Skills Practice. This exercise is a combination of multiple skills. You will weave through cones that are off-set (15' x 3' on one side and 20' x 8' on the other side). You will also practice "pausing" without stopping or putting your feet down. Your objective is to coordinate the use of the clutch, throttle and brakes as needed.
7. Cornering. In this exercise you work on judging cornering speed so that you can maintain and/or increase your speed through a corner. You will be using the "Slow, Look, Press, and Roll" technique when cornering.
8. Matching Gears to Speed. This exercise will help you learn how to match your road speed to the proper gear. You will shift up into 3rd gear as you pick up speed. You will then slow, downshifting to 2nd gear prior to turning.
9. Stopping Quickly. (Ends Level One) The focus of this exercise is firm, deliberate braking. You proceed toward the braking area and begin the braking sequence as you pass the marker cones. After a few times you will then begin the braking sequence on the Instructor's hand signal. When you return to the line you will also continue practicing "pause and go."
10. Limited Space Maneuvers. (Starts Level Two) This exercise focuses on those everyday maneuvers where space is limited and smooth control is rewarded. You will practice doing figure 8s in a box, sharp turns and "S" turns. You will also get to experience "counter-weighting."
11. Pressing to Initiate Leaning. This is an excellent lesson where you will see how a little pressure on the handlebars will take the motorcycle where you want it to go. This technique is known as "Counter Steering."
12. Cornering Judgment. You will build on what you learned in Lesson 7 by judging your entry speed. You will practice upshifting and downshifting in between the turns. You will accelerate toward the turn and then SLOW using both brakes to a suitable entry speed for you and the turn. This is followed by you LOOKING - PRESSING - ROLLING ON THE THROTTLE.
13. Negotiating Curves. You work on riding smoothly through curves. You will approach the turn in 2nd gear and then roll on the throttle through the turn. Your focus will be on smooth throttle application, looking through the turn and picking a smooth line through the turn.
14. Stopping Quickly on a Curve. Life is not always a straight line. Sometimes you will need to stop in a turn. You will practice straightening the bike first and then brake while in a straight line.
15. Obstacle and Lane Changes. This is another exercise that enables you to practice multiple skills. In part one, you will ride over 2"-by-4" obstacles. In part two, you will practice lane changes, including use of turn signals and head checks.
16. Avoiding Hazards. This is a very good simulation of what will be expected of you from time to time on public roads. Here we will re-visit the press and lean technique for turning. You will be asked to swerve left, right or brake to avoid a certain area of the range.
17. Skills Practice. This is a new concept for many rider education programs. It is a lesson designed to give you practice time to practice the skills you have been introduced to in the BRC.
Skill Evaluation. The final riding part of the BRC is a skill evaluation. It is an evaluation of the skills you practiced during the BRC. Everything you will be asked to do, you will have seen, done, discussed and practiced during the BRC.
The intent of this page is to give a general knowledge of what is covered in MSF’s Basic RiderCourse. It is not intended to be a replacement for taking the course. There is no replacement for experiencing the exercises first hand with professional instruction in a safe learning environment. 9/4/02
