Motorcycles: Day 1

So, today I had my first day of the MSF Safety Course provided by Pacific Northwest Motorcycle Safety. What a fun time.

First was class time, which isn't always the most fun, but when I'm allowed to be the smart ass that I can be (well practiced since at least 5th grade), without it irritating the instructor, we all have fun. We learned all the crap that I've spent the last couple months constantly reminding myself of and thinking about to help me further understand the dynamics of motorcycling. Lunch break.

Second half of today was spent getting acquainted with and riding our motorcycles. The bikes provided ranged from Suzuki GZ250's to Honda Nighthawks or Yamaha 250's. I grabbed the one "Space Gray"ish Suzuki. We got all situated with where everything is, how to operate them, then we started them up and started feeling the friction zone, then power walking back and forth across the ride area.

Soon enough we were feet up riding around the area. Various exercises from low speed cornering, friction zone slaloming lightly and further, 2nd/3rd gear ovals leaning in and all that jazz. I pretty much did excellent on everything but the slaloms and some emergency braking.

My issue with the slaloms was mostly that I just didn't get the hang of my balance while manipulating that bike. Some reason I just don't feel comfortable on cruisers. I can lean over in a corner no problems, but going back and forth especially at lower speeds just doesn't feel right. Also, initially I was still working on steady throttle and more work in the friction zone. It's all stuff that I know will come in time, or that's how it feels. I was getting better at the slaloms but I wasn't able to consecutively nail them. I felt like I was going too slow, but couldn't go too fast or I just wouldn't make it. Never found that happy medium.

Emergency braking was fun, I just kept doing something wrong. Initially, I was too long, then not stable, then I was stable but managed to lock the rear up, haha. I fixed everything but bringing the distance down. I think that's mostly that I don't want to start too early. That will screw you come the final testing.

It was hot as hell. Like 80+ degrees today. We were in such a beautiful spot though, we lucked out. Right next to an airplane hangar, right next to the water, down on the docks at whatever military base area that is in Magnuson Park. It was hot, but the air was constantly blowing in off the water, which felt so amazing.... Awww yeahhhh. My only complaint is that I got sunburnt, and until I got a good seat, I was smashing my balls, hahaha.

I'm excited for tomorrow, the written, the testing, and hopefully obtaining my passing paper to go get my endorsement, and finally, the motorcycle that I've wanted since I was sixteen. Time to study, probably nap, and yeah.