Yeah, but that's the experienced stuff. When experienced at something, you break most all rules because you evaluate each situation as it comes. When instructing beginners is best to lay down some ground rules. You tell them ALWAYS do this, and NEVER do that.

For instance, I would never instruct someone thats just learning to ride a cycle off road to always use even pressure on bother brakes. You'll find them on their *** quicker than ****. I'm sure I use plenty of front brake as well off road, but its kinda like I said, I only use as much as the situation allows, because as long as it can hook up. It can stop you better. But like I said, I can't say for sure, because I don't pay attention because its all muscle memory.

I do agree with Deej on the above post, though. That guy teaching after 6 months? Say whaaaaa?

 

MITS,

Interesting thread here, as it has seemed to evolve into two different areas.

Regarding the licensing requirements, it seems that most states have toughened up their MC endorsement rules. When I moved to FL in '81 from MD I didn't have the savvy to have my MC endorsement transferred, even though I't taken a written and driving test to get it. When I bought my KLX two years ago this month Florida had passed a law requiring a MSF course to get the endorsement for any new license issued after 6-30-08. Needless to say I went and took the written test and went for the driving test before July 1.

I've been riding dirt bikes since Hector was a pup, and figured that since most of the test was about balance and control I was good to go. Except now Frau Bluecher was watching with her stopwatch.... I was mostly right, but some of the cone/lane work required speeds so slow I had to slip the clutch a couple of times. The biggest surprise came on the panic stop test. Used both the front and rear but couldn't believe the nose dive from those squishy front springs. Didn't dump or put a foot down, but learned something about my suspension that will be addressed one day by the purchase of some proper MotionPro springs.

Which brings me to the second part of the thread. Riding in the dirt as a kid I developed a disdain for using the front brake after taking one memorable trip over the handlebars (maybe a bit too much front brake, ya think?). Got to where breaking the rear loose seemed natural, just shift weight, use the front wheel as a rudder then reapply the power as needed.

I've had to teach myself to reconsider brake bias, to the point where I'm now probably 60/40 front to rear on the road. But old habits are hard to change, especially when I see loose gravel/sand in a curve I'm approaching in 4th gear. Even though I'm worried about the front washing out I make sure that the front does it's (bigger) share until I'm in about to enter the curve, then thread my way through.

You see, even and old dog can learn new tricks

 

Just for clarity the guy that has been rideing for 6 months is the DMV examiner. There is no instructor(other than the DMV examiner giveing instructions) No MSF course available for non military.
Jim

 

I'm in Montreal, got my drivers license at 17 which was back in '71, in those days you just ticked off which license you were applying for, operator or chauffeur.

I had enough sense to check chauffeur, that allowed me to drive pretty well anything including any bike. Over the years they have tightened up the system but I have kept everything up to date and can still drive anything but a truck road train.

Now though there is an extra $50 fee to retain the bike license which I have been paying knowing that someday I might get a another one. Last week I picked up a '09 KLX250S so I'm back on the road again.

Getting a drivers license today you have to pass the actual written test before you can even get a learners permit, probably a good system actually. Then you go back and have the driving test, of course this is for a car, not sure what the test is now like for a bike. But I do know there is a graduated system where a new driver can only start on a 250 or less and then move up over the years, or something along those lines anyway.

 

Anyone go one step further and take the 'experienced' course that is offered after the basic course has been completed? There is a 'dirt bike' course available here too.