Motorcycle Riding Concepts
GetthemostoutofExercise#1–MotorcycleFamiliarization
The objective of Ex. 1 stated in the range cards is basically a long-winded list of what the student
will be doing during the exercise. That super-detailed objective is quite a contrast to the
objectives of some of the exercises such as Ex. 6: “To be able to effectively maneuver the
motorcycle.”
While it is not within our purview to rewrite the objectives we do need to understand the intent
of every exercise in order to make sure the student receives the most benefit we can offer. We
certainly have plenty guidelines from MSF (Range Cards & RiderCoach Guide) and VRTP.
Even with that much guidance there is much that is left to interpretation which may be lost on
some coaches, especially new coaches.
A good example is the use of the throttle (we’ll discuss other things in later Coaching Notes).
The RiderCoach Guide (RCG) mentions “posture/throttle use, throttle/front brake coordination
… practice in throttle roll-off/front brake squeeze sequence” which matches up with the second
and third bullets in step 4 in the range cards. Because exercise #1 is pretty much one big
simulated practice this allows the student to begin building muscle memory by rolling on (full,
half & quarter turns) and off and adding roll-off and front brake squeeze with the engine off.
Some may question the wisdom of the half and full roll-on (I certainly do) but, that’s what the
range cards say so that is what we must do – with the engine off. Consider how much roll-on is
actually required during 99% of normal riding on the street and highways and, further, how
much roll-on is required or desired during the range exercises. A quarter turn roll-on is the
absolute most any student will ever need during range exercises and they will never need much
more than that at any time on the street unless they are “hot-dogging”, passing or reacting to an
emergency.
So, that brings us to step 9 of Ex. 1 and the fourth bullet: “Practice throttle roll-on/off.” That’s all
it says. It says nothing of quarter, half or full roll-on. The RCG does not add to that in any way.
If we instruct the students’ to roll-on a half or full turn, do we accomplish the objectives of the
exercise or the course for that matter? I think not. As a matter of fact I “think not” a whole lot.
We do not need to nor should we encourage students’ to power the engine more than is needed
for training and typical use. The only objective that addresses throttle use is in the second bullet:
“Use controls smoothly.” Sure, you could smoothly roll-on fully, but why? It introduces the
wrong thing to the student and, oh by the way, is a terrible thing to do to a cold engine. The
bottom line is that it damages our equipment and sends the wrong message to the student.
Remember we want to build muscle memory not muscle nightmares. Build the right muscle
memory from the beginning. Gentle roll on/off up to a quarter turn is what they need.
Many students have difficulty controlling the throttle during riding exercises. It is important that
we introduce the proper use of the throttle during exercise one. We must stress the use of all four
fingers and thumb on the throttle so they can adequately control roll-on and roll-off. If students
are to learn the proper use of the throttle and develop the proper muscle memory we should
narrow the use of roll-on/off to no more than a quarter turn.
Bottom line: Don’t have the students roll-on more than a quarter turn with the engine running ever.
Coaching Notes
INTERNAL USE ONLY
CN_001
8/2013