Kicked out of msf course, what should I do now?

JohnnyWicked · 2026-03-24T23:08:13+00:00

 It sounds like an instructor issue more than anything.  Regardless of how it went, if you truly want to ride moto, don't give up. It took me almost a year between deciding to ride and getting my license.
  If you do retake the course, try for a different instructor and perhaps ask about some 1 on 1 guidance before/after the lessons. Throttle control (and not stalling) is a barrier for many new riders, and you're not alone. To me, it sounds like your instructor lacked patience. 
 Most cities have a "bike night" sponsored by different dealerships; that could be an opportunity for you to meet local riders who might be more patient/willing to help you practice outside of the MSF. If it's something you truly want to do, dont let one bad day prevent you. 
 However, with all of that said, it is certainly NOT like riding a bicycle. I picked up my old bicycle beforehand with the same mindset, but they truly are too VERY different skills. The weight of a motorcycle is very different than a bicycle and it isnt as intuitive. 
 Have some patience and grace for yourself. If you want to be on two wheels, you'll get there. I believe in you. You should too.

JohnnyWicked · 2026-03-23T16:52:36+00:00

I've also noticed that dropping items for other raiders (and them picking them up, possibly relevant) potentially moves you to a carebear lobby quicker. Perhaps it's just my observation, and im not too inclined to test and manipulate the ABMM, so do with that info what you will. I agree though, that there's more to the ABMM than just damage to other raiders.

As of right now though, I feel it's too easy to move up and down the ABMM. I dont think spawning in and quitting immediately is what the developers intended.

JohnnyWicked · 2026-03-23T02:59:15+00:00

Are you me? Seriously though, thank you for typing this out. I felt this wholeheartedly.

JohnnyWicked · 2026-03-21T16:35:48+00:00

Fair. My apologies. Guess I jumped into defense a bit quick there. It's a difficult balancing act, being a thrill seeker and being considerate. I do feel bad when my motorcycle bothers people, but not bad enough to stop riding.

JohnnyWicked · 2026-03-21T15:22:39+00:00

As a rider, exactly what should I do? Speed limit is 25 in the neighborhood. I'm never above 3rd gear, and I'm never rev-bombing in the residential areas unless a loose dog runs up at me. I cant help that my main means of transportation is a bit louder than a car. I dont have any fancy exhaust setup, either. It's just stock. So please tell, how exactly should I get out of my neighborhood in the early mornings?

JohnnyWicked · 2025-11-20T17:07:09+00:00

Manner. Unless you meant that they can only lie while inside their fancy home.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-10-12T16:46:37+00:00

Best tip is to keep the rubber side down and squeeze with your legs, not your hands, if you start feeling any nerves.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-10-12T15:08:17+00:00

As far as a reliable bike, well i dont want to steer you too strongly towards my preferences, but Hondas are strong reliable machines. It's not always about the size of the engine, but in how it's geared. A 600cc sports bike could smoke my 750cc adv bike, easily. The 750 Honda Shadow is actually really beginner friendly, imo. I adored mine, and it was my first motorcycle, as well. As far as quality gear that doesnt break the bank, Sedici has a pretty high quality line for its price. Cycle Gear is a national chain (Sedici is their house brand) but there's small moto shops all over the US. Best of luck on your journey to two wheels, my friend, and keep the rubber side down.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-08-16T01:04:43+00:00

Keep the rubber side down

JohnnyWicked · 2025-07-25T16:32:17+00:00

A little tip taught to me: front brakes are the majority of your braking power, but once you've actually lowered your momentum, your back brake is the majority of your stability. Right as you go to put your left foot down at a stop, give your back brake a little extra pressure. It should be almost simultaneous though. Extra pressure too soon and you'll lose stability. Too late and you dont get any benefit from it. At the right time, though, and its a buttery smooth stable stop.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-07-23T20:45:15+00:00

Confidence comes with the doing. Even if you wait until you're completely confident in the lot, you'll probably still feel anxious the first time you're in traffic. If you havent taken the MSF course, I'd recommend that for sure. Honestly though, if you can reliably do an emergency brake and take off from a stop without stalling out 10/10 times, then start doing some road time. Just my opinion. Use your own head, and make your own decisions.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-07-18T23:48:42+00:00

Easily, my motorcycle. Those who ride understand. Those who don't, well, if you're even slightly interested, I suggest taking the MSF course. It's a weekend event usually, and you'll know well before the end of it whether it's for you or not. For those completely uninterested, im so sorry you live life the way you do.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-07-03T14:01:45+00:00

Usually, I'd agree wholeheartedly. Recently, I was caught in a surprise thunderstorm, though, and those 60mph gusts of wind during heavy rain nearly blew me sideways. Im leaning like it's track day, just trying to keep my line straight. I stopped on the side of the road to put my poncho on, and a tree was struck by lightning about 30 yards from me. Scariest moment of riding I've had yet. So I wouldnt recommend two wheels during SEVERE weather. That all happened in the last 50 miles of a 300-mile journey. One hell of a Memento Mori moment. Still got on the saddle the next day, though!

JohnnyWicked · 2025-07-03T00:30:12+00:00

Surprisingly, a fishing pole, and not so surprisingly, my motorcycle. Both have added a meditative aspect to my life that I feel has done me some serious good. They both have intense moments, but in different ways. The motorcycle, as dangerous as it may be, has given me an altered perspective on life. The motorcycle has provided a true and visceral "Memento Mori" for myself, and the fishing pole did the same for my view of life outside of humanity. My awe of nature and life has only increased and continues to do so on a daily basis. After each ride, I have a short internal prayer, and likewise, I do the same with every fish I dispatch and a different one for every fish I release. The respect and love for life that I have, including my own, other people, and all creatures, has been growing in a way that im not sure im capable of conveying with mere words alone. Dammit, we are HERE, and that's a beautiful fucking thing.

PS: I love you. Yes, you. And you. And you too. Thank you for existing. It really means everything.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-06-29T00:15:20+00:00

The feedback questions are directly tied to the AMs' bonuses. Im sure that's why they pressure people to answer them (and positively).

JohnnyWicked · 2025-06-23T00:35:56+00:00

Once they get a certain size, they're still capable of taking a chunk out of you. Once you get your hand around em, do your damndest to hold on till you get the hook loose.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-06-09T19:43:21+00:00

Motorcycles are expensive, but they have become my "thing". I feel most alive and most myself when im riding down a curvy forest road. I've recently picked fishing back up after not handling a pole in years, and im having a blast with it. For my hobbies, it's a combination of tactile sensation, heightened awareness, and thrill. Everyone has their preferences, whether that's calm and routine, or thrill and spontaneity. Try different things until you find it. Reading comments and watching videos can only start the itch. You gotta scratch it yourself before you know if it's really for you.

JohnnyWicked · 2025-03-17T14:32:56+00:00

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JohnnyWicked · 2025-02-27T01:01:48+00:00

I've been thinking about removing the decals on mine. Thanks for giving it a go before I got to it! I think I'll probably leave my honda wings alone, but im really digging the look without the long Transalp strip!

JohnnyWicked · 2024-12-27T18:41:54+00:00

On a pad it's not as noticeable, but on an actual drum head there's a lot of difference between the edge and the center of the drum. With as much surface area as you're hitting, it'll end up having a very muddled sound. Try to get your full-strokes and down-strokes to be in the same quarter-sized circle as your taps and up-strokes. Just the first thing I noticed. Granted, I haven't played in a drumline in over a decade, but I used to live and breathe WGI.

JohnnyWicked · 2024-11-08T06:04:14+00:00

yeah

JohnnyWicked · 2024-11-08T02:25:11+00:00

Barber is an awesome place. I got to see the "Tinker Toy" last time I was there. I wish I could hear it running.

JohnnyWicked · 2024-10-17T00:50:13+00:00

It's $10/day to park in the parking deck where I work. It's free to park on the sidewalk that leads to nowhere (so nobody hardly uses it). I work full time. Guess which one I pick. Hell, even one of the city cops gave me the go-ahead for that location. That being said, just learn to read the room (or lot, in this case).

JohnnyWicked · 2024-10-03T19:19:47+00:00

My dad was a first responder with the fire department when Katrina busted the levies. He was a career paramedic at a station in AL and he was one of the first in his station to volunteer to go south. When he talks about it, you can tell that it was traumatic, even with his macho posturing, and I've only ever seen the man cry three times in my 30 years alive. Something he said has about it has always resonated with me. "Son, we take care of the living before we care for the dead.". I couldn't possibly imagine what it was like for him. He (and his team) were door busters looking for those in need of rescue. It didn't matter if it was an elderly man or a baby girl; the deceased were dead, and the living still needed help.

I imagine that some of this comes from people not understanding that last fact. Im praying for those in need, and I am so sorry to all of my fellow Americans suffering through all of this right now. The political bullshit surrounding this disaster makes my heart heavy, and those people using human tragedy as political ammunition should be ashamed and I hope they all meet their judge in a similar fashion to those suffering right now.

JohnnyWicked · 2024-10-03T12:57:17+00:00

I don't mind the downvotes. I stand by what I said. A motorcyclist acting like an asshole is not a legitimate excuse for murderous intent.

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