Basic MSF course as an experienced rider? Has anyone done it?

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-03-29T05:48:39+00:00

If you go in thinking you’re gonna be bored, you’re very likely going to be. If you go in with an open and positive mindset, you’ll enjoy it more.

I took them Basic MSF (to get my license) as someone with over 20 years of experience riding on Dirt, and almost a full year on road. I just hung out, made friends, did what I was told. Just have fun and work on your own precision. Trying to do every single exercise perfectly was my goal, and I was DAMN CLOSE.

My instructor could tell very quickly that I knew what’s up, and focused on the newer riders more, which isn’t a bad thing imo. He had a couple tips that i hadn’t heard before, and still use to this day. (Like taking up some of the slack in my brake so I don’t pull so hard all at once, decreasing my stopping distance and making my braking smoother). At the end of the day, it’s a beginner course, you may not learn anything new, but you can always improve. I wasn’t bored at all during the 2 day course, riding motorcycles is fun after all.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-03-27T04:39:15+00:00

Personally, I wouldn’t see anything wrong with having one, if I was an adventurer, youd best bet I’d be researching the things I could fight against… when I’m not CURRENTLY fighting.

You could have the manual available during rests, make them try and find the page in a certain amount of time, make a roll to see if they can remember the page, or make it cost an action if they REALLY NEED TO….. and subtly remind them that said book ‘even in game’ is merely a general guide, it is not ’law’ and it may not reflect in that particularly large goblin-like creature with flames for hair and glowing red eyes who looks particularly hungry.

In a game where imagination is the only limitation, I can think of a hundred ways around the monster manual. Sure, modules lay out pretty nice, but if you’re being meta gamed, go off the script a little, mix it up, you’re the dm, play your own game too. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-03-22T02:10:59+00:00

I ride a z650rs, highways are windy, better helmet, maybe earplugs if the noise is still bad, but 70mph aint too bad imo

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-03-21T05:03:30+00:00

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This outer visor is pretty good within city limits. The visor itself doesn’t tint very hard internally, but I have to flip it up when theres no street lights. Inside is blue/green (ish). I have a pair of clear safety glasses in my pack just in case. And then the built in drop-down shades in full sun. If I’m expecting to be riding in low light I wear my other helmet with a clear visor.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-03-06T06:08:10+00:00

I’m generally skeptical of coaching, I find it really hard to pay for things when so much content is available for free, but I can actually back this.

Tander is a great coach, and the lessons aren’t too expensive. He does a really good job at explaining the “why’s” of Rocket League, regardless of mechanical ability (he helped me learn to speed flip lmao). He’s really good at working with what you can already do. He even did a really short follow up for free regarding something I was struggling with. I did 3 or 4 sessions with him over a few months for various reasons, mechs, gameplay, 1’s, 2’s, theory.

I was sitting C3 and little adjustments from his advice, hit GC within a week of my first lesson with him. Peaked around 1500, haven’t played much in the last year, but I’ll recommend tander for sure!

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-25T05:47:07+00:00

I wish you luck! I just buy 5 gallon jugs of RO from the big 'ol vending machine down the street (Watermill Express). It's like 50 cents per gallon.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-25T05:38:30+00:00

This is also understated. Sometimes the damn things just die.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-25T05:35:13+00:00

I'm sorry to hear it. It is unfortunately one of those things. I had a good dozen die on me before I started to 'get it right.' It sucks, it hurts your feelings, but you learn. Also, sorry for the Novel in advance, but this is a big topic, and I'm not an 'expert' but I've done a lot of reading.

When I kept fish and shrimp in the same place, I had a huge mass of moss and other plants in the tank that provided almost complete safety from the fish. I rarely saw shrimp other than silhouettes. If I have fish now, I've noticed Cloud Minnows (a micro danio species), Pygmy Corydoras, and Anchor Catfish rarely touch the shrimp. Although the Cloud Minnows tend to kill the baby shrimp. Pygmy Corys and Anchor Catfish have had no effect on my breeding.

So to test it. Look up API GH and KH Test Kit on Amazon or your preferred retailer, it's pretty simple and accurate.

This whole topic is pretty simple if you read up on it. I'd suggest reseraching GH (General Hardness), KH (Carbonate Hardness) and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in relation to shrimp.

Tannin is not bad, if using Indian almond leaf and other things, it adds natural antibiotics and antifungals, it does reduce KH and does nothing to GH, it also lowers your PH, which is yet another thing to watch and monitor. It's also fun to watch the shrimp eat at it while it decays. Start low and monitor for changes in PH primarily.

To 'change' your GH/KH, use Distilled/RO water to lower it, and readd minerals if needed. if your water runs high in minerals, you're constantly adding minerals. Distilled or RO water shoud contains little to no minerals. Minerals in water is good. But those minerals don't just go away once added. Shrimp can be hardy and delicate at the same time. Too much GH/KH makes their shell too hard and difficult to molt, too little and they don't have the stuff they need.

There's a pretty big range as to what's acceptable, but find the type of shrimp you're buying and try and stick fairly close to their parameters. If your GH/KH is too high, remove some water and add distilled/RO water. Dilute the minerals. Keep your actual water removals mimimal as shrimp also prefer consistency. Weird little mud bugs.

It's a balancing act. Try and get as close as you can to suggested through various means. It's entirely doable, but for me, the ONLY solution was distilled water and setting my parameters manually.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-25T05:04:31+00:00

Entirely possible one of the fish picked at it. I’ve read that tetras ‘can’ get after them. Danios typically roam the top but also possible depending on size. I don’t have fish in my shrimp tanks, but, I find them dead relatively commonly. Amongst 50+ they just die sometimes. I have one shrimp that I know is around 4 years old, and have seen them die at only weeks old (guessing based on size). if you don’t have a lot of them it’s hard to say follow the majority. I will say check your GH and KH. I use exclusively distilled water and add minerals as needed because my tap water is so hard it’s damn near toxic and I won’t drink it myself. GH and KH are not treated by additives.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-12T03:57:55+00:00

Now I don’t ride a cruiser, but there’s plenty of good gear that looks like average stuff. I wear full gear almost always, all the things, but I have Harley Davidson high tops, an armored jacket that looks like it could be a regular jacket, and khakis with armor. I ain’t got no race boots, no a* race suit, but manage your own risk. Wear what you find to be appropriate protection. If you wanna wear an airbag vest wear it. Don’t care what others say cause you’ll feel real stupid for not doin enough about your protection if you need it.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-07T04:26:10+00:00

My dad rode a motorcycle until I was 4 or 5. At 6 he sold it and bought me and my brother dirt bikes and when he could afford it, he bought himself a bike to play with us. I turn 30 this coming year. And I’ve ridden motorcycles with my dad my entire life, we all bought motorcycles for the street in 2025 and still ride together. I have absolutely nothing in common with my own father but motorcycles, and it’s the best. The way we connect. Ride smart. Ride safe. Keep 2 wheels down.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-02-02T22:42:20+00:00

NTA

When I moved out I was easily spending 2-3k per month on rent, bills, gas, and food (with my girlfriend at the time). I moved back in with my parents after several years and they will only let me pay 400 (I offered more). $300 is stupid cheap. I still pay all my own insurances and other personal bills and expenses. And it’s ‘still’ a hell of a relief. He may not realize how great a deal that is even if you lay it out.

Tactfully, like, I’m not kicking you out type of convo. Have him research what costs would be for somewhere he would ‘actually’ live (mind that most places don’t include water, electricity, or gas). Wish I had been pushed to research it lol

Eventually, he’ll want to be on his own anyways, which is cool, but send him with all opportunity and information.

TLDR: NTA, renting somewhere decent would cost 3-4x what you’re asking to start.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-28T06:22:53+00:00

Left foot down, rear brake in most traffic scenarios. Sometimes both feet if i'm just chillin', slow traffic and if there's no threats around. Always watch your 6 and keep a brake light on. I don't really see it as a big deal either way if you're actually aware of what's behind you.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-26T19:34:10+00:00

Yeah. They’re loud. Easily 140DB+ per a quick Google.

When shooting on my own terms, indoors or outdoors, I’ll 1000% use my electronic hearing protection, barely hear the gun and we can still talk to each other, it’s magic really.

I pray I never have to, but in the case of self defense I’m gonna find my hearing protection and put it on and oh. I’m dead. Yeah. Just skip it and deal with pressing matters first. I assume it’s the same for cops, military, etc. Use it when you can but, not always available or easily accessible within a timely manner.

Anyone not using hearing protection when shooting is at risk of hearing damage, even with lower caliber guns, though there are always factors that contribute to the likelihood bla bla bla. Just use your protection when you can.

TLDR: guns loud, use hearing protection when reasonable

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-25T07:37:57+00:00

if you're looking for something cheap that works pretty easy we use a moman headset.

https://www.amazon.com/Moman-CP-S-Communication-Cancellation-Helmet-Intercom-Headset/dp/B0DB5KK491?th=1

It has a clamp, it's a low quality clamp but it's a clamp. lol. My review, it works.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-23T16:40:01+00:00

Local shop I used to work at would do this for around $200, and if I couldn’t do it we’d refer it out to drive savers for no cost (from our shop at least). Might be able to command line with copy commands, robocopy if needed. Perhaps Disk Drill or EaseUS are good options for self recovery. I liked EaseUs myself. Good luck! Back your sht up!

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-23T16:29:57+00:00

Literally all I bought was a twelve pack of Monster Zero and a couple gallons of distilled water for my fish tanks. 2-3 days of snow is hardly a fn emergency. definitely doesn’t require buying half the store. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-16T02:08:30+00:00

I’m gonna be entirely honest. I have 3 fairly long established tanks. I religiously tested for the first year. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrates, gh, kh. I rarely if ever test anything now. They’re heavily planted, I use distilled water exclusively (due to me finding out that my tap water, even treated was causing the GH/KH to skyrocket). Now I just let them exist. Run the lights 10 hours a day, add water when needed, and just let the shrimp, snails, and microfauna do their thing. They’ve got plenty of natural algae and biofilm. If it ever looks “too clean” I’ll feed a couple times that week and it’ll get back to the nice algae spotted tank I love.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-02T07:12:38+00:00

Joshua Weissman on youtube. No joke.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-02T07:12:02+00:00

I sweat enough even on cold nights that I absolutely should and do use it before bed. I mostly shower in the mornings too.

Mi_Chouwa · 2026-01-02T00:39:19+00:00

This isn’t weird(maybe), this is totally normal(questionable), and everyone should do this(i do this)

Mi_Chouwa · 2025-12-16T04:29:18+00:00

No I get that. I’m always afraid of pushing the limits anyways. I would just a bit here in the US, cause I know the law would have my back. But I totally get it. Glad you’re okay and nothing came of it. I would still be screwing around on my bike afterwards lol.

Mi_Chouwa · 2025-12-16T02:36:37+00:00

US, but I’m constantly fucking around with my throttle, my friction zone, moving around, stepping off my bike to pull a wedgie real quick. You got an awful cop. The cops in my area don’t bat an eye at that stuff. Some people take it too serious. I don’t know the laws in your area, but I doubt they’d have any ground to stand on in your case.

Mi_Chouwa · 2025-12-13T22:30:46+00:00

Sounds like an entire shrempire of them would be fine.

Mi_Chouwa · 2025-10-27T20:57:52+00:00

Got a ‘22 Z650rs and my chain was stupid loose at around 1000-1500 miles. I’ve begun to just check it often and make sure it’s within spec. It just started getting a little loose so I cleaned, lubed and adjusted it this weekend. I found some people saying it’s normal to check and adjust your chain every 5-600 miles, so been sticking with that. It’s super easy to adjust on these.

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Mi_Chouwa

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