After passing the MSF class on monday, I got real used to those little Suzuki 350's. Small, light and easy to manuver. When I got home, I sat on my XL, and the friggin thing felt huge and heavy! I kind of took it out in front of my house to try out my front brake after changing the fluid and bleeding it. I almost felt a bit uneasy. I'm a small guy, 5'6" or 7", 165lbs. Once I get it reggie'd, I'm going to have to take it to an empty lot or something and practice the MSF low speed manuvers on it... It's funny, because I had it out 2 weeks ago, and I felt really relaxed on it and that I can handle it, I guess I just have to ride it.

Just a suggestion....When I taught myself to ride ( A Harley XLA Army MP Bike ) in a motorpool parking lot....I felt much better at 15-25MPH steady and making wide turns to get used to the ballance part before I tried any slow speed manuvers...Even got to 2nd & 3rd gear to get the shifting thing going.
My problems were always at the slower speeds not after I got a "LITTLE" speed up. THEN......I started the tight turning and quick stopping stuff.

Worked for me.
:tour

See, shifting really isn't my problem. I can shift rather quickly and smoothly. First thing I did with my bike whe I got it was super fast shifting and panic stopping (since I'm into Hi-Po cars and stuff) It's just the low speed manuver that I have to get down pat.

I remember getting back on the Sporty after two days on the Suzuki 250s in the MSF course. It felt huge. So I know where you're coming from. But it'll only take a couple days for it to feel normal again.

For the low speed stuff just remember what they taught you about your nose in the course. The bike is going to go whichever direction your nose is pointing in.

Gary

I just got through the MSF course last Sunday. My Sporty felt a little "large" too after riding those 250s all weekend. Like you, I took a few trips around my neighborhood to get used to the clutch and POWER. I found a parking lot and experimented with panic stops (front & rear brake applied at the same time) and slow speed U turns. I then practiced a few swerves and drove around some more. I actually spent about a half hour before venturing out further. After about 3 hours, it felt pretty comfortable. The weather's going to be nice here for the next 3 days so I'll be getting in more time on the roads.
Just remember all those defensive strategies we learned.

funny thing , I find the 250 -350 bikes too small and I over handle them , I like the bigger bikes for riding , fast or slow

That tall center of gravity can be a bit intimidating at first. Go out and sit on her with the stand up and engine off and just sort of bend your knees from side to side a little. Practice your counter steer and feel the bike start to lean. Basically, just get a little more comfortable with the bike sitting still and your feet on the ground.

Due to my work schedule I'm having a helluva time getting into the MSF Course. But one of the instructors does private lessons and I took one from him. I asked to concetrate on cornering/turning. Took the XL to the instruction and at the time didn't have but 150 miles or so on it.

He started me out doing what I just described. Then, like Jimbo said, he had me doing "at speed" (15-20mph) wide cornering way before any slow speed manuevers. And only after he was satisified with my cornering (and progressively snugging up the radius) did we work on slow speed stuff. And he kept reiterating not be afraid (read embarrassed) to drop my feet if I felt the need. And to remember they are only a few inches from the ground.

I was a little shaky at first but by the time we were done I felt awesome. I still go our front of the house and practice curb-tocurb circles and figure-8's. And I focus really hard on dead stop turns and such to continue "perfecting" my technique.

It just gets easier and easier. And let me tell ya, the XL loves that counter-sterring stuff!

Like Gary said, just remember what they taught you. It'll all come together.

Not to be contrary but how can you practice counter steer sitting still? When doing low speed manuvering you don't use countersteering at all.

Not to be contrary but how can you practice counter steer sitting still? When doing low speed manuvering you don't use countersteering at all.

You are correct about that. However. If you pull the bike upright and level and push on the bar you will feel the bike begin to lean to that side. Just let your knees flex a little so the bike can move and it will start to "fall" to the same side you are pushing.

That is how the guy first got me to accept it and that is what I showed my brother in law. He's been riding a zillion years and couldn't get a handle on the entire concept. So I did just what the instructor did for me. Had him sit on my bike and push. As soon as he felt the bike start to lean side to side he was impressed. That was weeks ago and he told me yesterday he has been trying to practice it while riding ever since.

But no, you do not use counter-sterring at ultra low speeds. Was just trying to get him to get on the bike and regain a feel for it.

At low speeds you can help a tight u turn by counter leaning.

To make your sportster feel light, rent a Softtail for 4 days and ride about 1000 miles. That'll make your sporty feel little.
(maybe not a great idea for a beginner though)

Just practice. Do the slow straight line just working the clutch. See how slow you can go. Practice the figure eight until you can keep it in the box. Just don't be hitting that front break when turning or if you do make it ever so lightly.

See, shifting really isn't my problem. I can shift rather quickly and smoothly. First thing I did with my bike whe I got it was super fast shifting and panic stopping (since I'm into Hi-Po cars and stuff) It's just the low speed manuver that I have to get down pat.

The great part about slow speed manuevering is that it actually exaggerates your riding flaws...

I always felt I was a pretty good rider...but as soon as I was asked to do the slow stuff, I found out JUST what I DIDN'T know...scary...

For me, getting on and riding away was ALWAYS easy...now, I can do it better since I've been taught some things, and practice regularly....but it felt worse before it got better...but, as they say....better is.......well, BETTER!

The thing I learned in taking my MSF class was in order to be in control of your bike you have to master the slow stuff. I learned that this was achieved by clutching and rear brake with the throttle. The rpm's of the motorcycle will actually keep you up. It sounds weird but it works trust me. Now I can turn the bike around doing a full u-turn in a 16 foot wide arear without putting my foot down. If you think it sounds easy try it its not.

The MSF course here uses 100's and 125's. Being smaller I had a 100 and did my Sporty ever feel giant!
I did the same thing as a lot of you, found a big empty parking lot and fooled around by myself trying the bike out. Mind you I had to get it from a downtown area where I live to the lot in the first place-and I'm not gonna lie it was a little scary that first day, I avoided routes I knew had really tight turns or construction for a coupla days.
Another thing I found smart was NOT riding with my super experienced friends, and when I did I didn't worry about keeping up with them in corners, and rode behind the pack as to not have someone beside me in tight turns to worry about. I know, staggered is the way to ride but try telling a 20 year riding vet anything :rolleyes:
I read somewhere "Ride your own bike" and that's what I did and that's what I told them to do! My neck bearings went once on a rainy highway ride and my steering went south (being so new then I had no clue what it was & figured it was me) and I kept going but had to slow down huge in the corners. Someone griped at me and I told them what was happening with the bike, they dismissed it as "scaredy girl" but lemme tell ya when I got it apart (after having a friend ride it and diagnose it right away) I read him the riot act :censor .
Worry about yourself, stay in your comfort zone, listen to your gut if your bike feels "wrong", you're the one who will get hurt or wreck your bike, not the know-it-all companions!

I was able to use my 1200r in the course. There were 125 and 250 virago available as well the little buells. Using my own scooter was a definite benefit. I had ridden for 20 years before the class, and I recommend it to anyone.