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108 contributions to SMART Rider Crew
I accept that my throttle control is bad. How do I improve?
Hey everyone. I joined awhile ago but this is my first post. I failed my MSF about 3 months ago. I failed on the u-turn and the weave, everything else was just fine. I was determined to improve, got my own bike (Honda SCL500), was super nervous, tried and failed at a u-turn and damaged my left wrist. I misjudged the space I needed, rode into a curb at about 2mph, fell over, smacked my wrist on the asphalt. And then in my adrenaline I basically dead lifted up my bike with an already hurt wrist. Bad idea. As of this past week I was cleared to ride again. My core issue is definitely throttle control. I failed on the MSF because the bike kept lunging around seemingly at random whenever I would put any throttle on it. It's awful hard to do a u-turn or a weave when your bike is kicking you in the butt unexpectedly every 2 seconds. I THOUGHT I was being smooth on it, but clearly I am not. Dan's video about "Learn without the MSF" kind jumps right from Friction Zone, to Friction Zone + Front Break, to doing parking lot exercises. There's not a lot of information about how to build smooth throttle movement that I could find. Today I went out on the bike with the simple goal of riding up my street and back a few times, and then riding around the block and seeing if I could figure out what was going on. I did it successfully. And was able to focus a bit more on what was going on. First, I'm super anxious in general. This is a new skill. I have not had great times with riding leading up to now (my MSF was un-fun), so I just wanted to take a day to have fun with it without someone watching and end on a positive note. Second, I don't think I'm gripping the bike enough with my legs. Because of that, I'm leaning on the handlebars, which means anything I do with the throttle is being done while I've got my bodyweight on my arm. Once the weight was off, I felt a little bit smoother. I tried following the advice that I've seen about trying to hold the throttle like an ice cream cone, but that position feels really uncomfortable.
0 likes • 12d
It's good you acknowledge what the problem is. Now you need to figure out what's going on and you seem to be in the process of doing that too with gripping with legs more.... definitely right track... High anxiety tends to make us grip tighter. Tighter grip will cause a jerky throttle. Loosen those arms and shoulders. Also consider your brake lever position.. if its too high you need to reach up to brake causing you to accelerate on throttle. It might not even have anything to do with throttle but the clutch... remember that clutch isnt an on and off switch... there is the friction zone which with the slightest grip and release will effect the response of the bike. Start back at back at basics... clutch control without throttle until you get consistent smoothness. Add throttle later, and work through each body part positioning... legs through shoulders and shoulders through elbows, wrists, and grip. Keep at it. You got this.
New Rider Bestie lol
Biker life is funny. I ran into a girl-rider at the mechanic this Monday. She was pulling up as I was leaving. I screamed "a girl!" and she came over and we totally fan-girled over each other. LOL She told me she didn't know anyone else who rides. We immediately exchanged numbers and spent like 2 hours texting later that night and have been texting every day since. The first night texting, I ended up saying something like "now that we're rider-besties...." and laughed. She was like, "it's so funny that you said that because when I got home I told my husband that I made a best-friend today at the mechanic" LOL Unfortunately, she found out yesterday her bike is shot and it's not worth repairing. :( So I offered to go mc shopping with her since her hubby doesn't ride and she doesn't know anyone else who rides. That's what besties do. LOL I literally know her less than a week but we connected immediately. Biker-life is like being a kid but as adults. We met and connected over riding a bike (and the color pink) LOL
1 like • 29d
@Chris Bennett I imagine it's much different with guys. When girl-riders see each other we automatically show the love, get all huggy, blow kisses at each other, and are instant-besties (not all of course, but most lol). Maybe try the girl approach? LOLOLOLOLOL Somehow I don't think that will work out the same way, but .. hey... you won't know until you try it! HAHAHAHA
0 likes • 21d
@Chris Bennett Absolutely! And if not, they're just not "bestie" worthy! LOL
Medical kit
Finally I got myself a medical kit! There’s a small team of riders that got inspired from Traumoto, but because of the high prices of overseas delivery + taxes + duties, decided to make up their own kit, Moto Aid Greece! And now I can help if needed (hopefully not) on my group rides! This kit contains: 1 sterile gauge 20*10cm, scissors, thermal blanket, medical tape, 2 adhesives patches 8*5cm, 5 small adhesive patches, 17 adhesive tapes, 10 adhesives sutures, 5 non sterile gauges, spray bottle 30ml, 1 pair of nitrile gloves, 1 tourniquet. My questions are: is there anything that I could add? With what to fill the bottle? (Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or anything else) Also I know the scissors might need an upgrade for better ones.
Medical kit
3 likes • Sep 10
Nice! Hopefully you never need it but glad you got it if you do. Ride safe!
DDTF Live Review 9/10 @2PM EDT
Figured I'd post this since Dan doesnt seem to use the Calendar to let us know about his Live's anymore. Lol https://www.youtube.com/live/E0AUh_HbytM?is=ImwOyOjkUMnkRG8h << should be there if I did this right. Hope to see yas tomorrow.
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First wreck
Hi Everyone, I am writing here since I feel embarrassed to say anything to my friends or family. I got my first bike about 5 days ago. I took the MSF course in January of 2026. I rode the bike around my neighborhood for the past 5 nights, watching DanDans intro videos + MotoJitsu. I am aware of how dangerous it is and take it very seriously. I was practicing figure 8's, U-turn's, etc. Today I was planning to go to a parking lot across the street to work on more drills. Instead I made a turn and ran into a parked car. I tried to grab the front brake but of course hit the gas as I tried to do so. I lost control and dumped the bike. My leg is a little banged up but otherwise so injuries. The radiator is definitely damaged and the headlight is bent. Feeling pretty embarrassed and frustrated by this since I was on my way to practice. Brand new bike too.
1 like • Aug 17
@Vincent Ekstrom Have your friends asked what's up? Did you finally fess up to them? Lol Honestly, while they might bust on ya (thats what friends are for lol) but there's really nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. Glad to hear insurance is paying and that you'll be back out there soon. It's truly a part of learning. Luckily you were able to walk away from it. :)
0 likes • Sep 4
@Vincent Ekstrom haha... I bet. It's all in good fun... theirs of course. Not ours. Lol
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Arlene Baratta
6
1,250 points to level up
@arlene-baratta-9411
Jesus, Motorcycles, Photography

Active 1h ago
Joined Jan 9, 2026
Staten Island, NY 10306