So I've been riding for a week now

[Kerry_129]

Congrats on passing the MSF & putting the first week under your belt!

Originally Posted by azoomm

"emergency" is extremely difficult to create when you are the one knowing and choosing where to create the incident to practice.

I agree it's impossible to recreate the element of surprise/panic in an actual emergency situation. But I think that's a bit like saying "There's no point in firing rounds at a range, since that will never be like an actual gunfight." Sure it's not the same, but when shit hits the fan you'll want to know how to release the safety pretty quick.

Practicing specific skills/maneuvers and training yourself to be able to control the bike quickly and precisely can make a HUGE difference in your reactions when those inevitable situations occur. There's no 'practice' substitute for lots of saddle time, of course, but working on maneuvers you wouldn't ordinarily make in 'normal' street riding also has it's place and can be the difference between panicking/hesitating & reacting confidently.

Reading is another great way to pick up valuable information - stuff that you might otherwise pick up at the school of hard knocks! Street Strategies and Sport Riding Techniques are two really good examples of the many books out there that can help grow your skill-set & awareness.

Oh - and a big ditto on the value of learning to counter-steer consciously and precisely. Steering-input at the bars is a byproduct of leaning/shifting your body, not the other way around, and crucial to being able to move the bike exactly where & when you want it to go.