Rider Training...do you need it?

[Grumpy]

A little while ago, a group I'm involved in decided to organise an advanced rider training day through the guys at Ride Right, Ride Safe out west Auckland.
I thought I'd go along to help make up the numbers, after all I'd been riding for 26 years, what the hell could they teach me that I didn't already know, right?....Wrong!!
It was a bit of a humbling experience to find out just how deeply ingrained alot of our bad habits are. I learnt to ride the hard way, bought a bike, turned the key and then off I went. No formal training at all.
What surprised me was the number of the more experienced riders who refused the opportunity. No way did they need any training.They almost took it as an insult that someone even mentioned it.
Is it misguided pride or just plain stupidity that won't allow us to admit when we could still use some advice, no matter how long we've been riding?
How long have others been riding here and have / would you attend a rider training day?

[bgd]

About 3 years.

Have done one day safety training with the met (www.bikesafe.co.uk), one day advanced with my original instructor and currently doing the IAM advanced training (http://www.psi.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/IAM/).

Haven't been riding long enough to develop the ego and am old enough to realise that I need all the help I can get.

[Satan]

Fucked if I need it.....I created the bloody things

[wkid_one]

Obviously I could do with training - :bash:

[Grumpy]

Fucked if I need it.....I created the bloody things

In that case, my Mum's been wanting a word with you for a while now :o

[wkid_one]

PMPL - well done!

[Yamahamaman]

How long have others been riding here and have / would you attend a rider training day?
I'll take some training after the tin-top manipulators out there understand that rear view mirrors are not used as a decorative ornament or for applying makeup.

I suspect hell will freeze over first.

[Coldkiwi]

yeah, i need some. Until the day (ho ho) I can whip everyone on the road, round the track and do Rossi-style knack knack wheelstands as I humiliate them by lapping them again.... I will still need training! besides, i think its good fun if you go with an attitude to learn.

[vifferman]

Well, I've been riding on and off (i.e, sometimes on the bike, and sometimes off the bike, sitting on my butt on the road) since ....oohh... about 1974 or thereabouts. So of course I know all there is to know about riding - NOT!!

Yeah, I'd attend a rider training day, if it was aimed at a level appropriate to my current skills and experience.

[Motoracer]

I have a vague idea of where I need/want to be. I am only in the early stages of the journey in getting there. Any training would only accelerate the whole learning process and let me reach closer to my goal faster.

[rodgerd]

Possibly, it depends what's involved. If it's aimed at learner level, not so much. If it's a refresher/correcting bad habits, definitely. Nice controlled environment to practise slow riding, emergency braking and swerves and such is always welcome, especially with some tutors to suggest improvements.

[phase]

My riding time < 6 months. I can go in a straight line and maybe a few corners without falling off, but more than that is a bit of an ask.

Who is the course aimed at?

[FROSTY]

Holey cow --Ive been riding bikes since I was in nappies. Have I got more to learn---hell yea.
Would i go to a rider training course--in a flash
You guys compare to the best of the best out there racing. They still practice they still improve their skill levels alll the time.
After a couple of weeks off the bike I can feel the rust forming.
after months riding with baby bikie I have to relearn how to corner properly.
(if you've seen BB's antics on my bike youll understand)

[Dr Bob]

I really only commute, but I realise that I have got more to learn.
Who runs a course on;

-judging the distance between rear vision mirrors
-anticipating the actions of cage jockeys
-getting to the front at a set of lights
-determining the appropriate time to use the auxillary central motorcycle lane
-and how to enter the office with dignity after a downpour

[White trash]

Nup! No more learning required.

I've mastered the art of getting into ambos both on foot and being stretchered. I've done a couple of training sessions at Dunedin, wellington, Lower Hutt, Tokoroa, Oamaru and Waikato hospital.

I am also a master of negotiating the corridors of various Physio departments both on crutches and in wheelchairs.

Other than correct rescue hellicopter procedure, I've got it covered. But thanks anyway. :innocent:

[Big Dog]

I have been riding since 1992. With a murderously long 5.5 year gap. I found biking became a lot more fun and a shed load safer the day I realised no-one knows everything. I would be there in a heart beat.

[Jinx3d]

How much would you pay for rider training is the real question.

Alan Kirk does a correspondance course out of his mega rider site and he appears to do a discount if you say you are from NZ.
I always intend to do this course but somehow I just never get round to shelling out the money. One day when I'm feeling flush.

The hard bit is putting the moeny down when you know that you will be needing a new rear tyre soon and one day you really should book your bike in for that top end check and "oh fuck - insurance time again? ALready?" *sigh*

[Big Dog]

The hard bit is putting the moeny down when you know that you will be needing a new rear tyre soon and one day you really should book your bike in for that top end check and "oh fuck - insurance time again? ALready?" *sigh*
oh so true.... :whistle:

[Milky]

I sure as hell need it, but definitely have more important things to spend my cash on... like petrol :msn-wink:

[wkid_one]

I haven't quite perfected the high side yet...so yes - I could use some training.

[Ghost Lemur]

Do "I" need it?...

HELL YES.

Even when I'm not a n00b, I'll still where finances allow seek out advanced training. I'm a huge believer in there being a Reg/Insurance discount for doing advanced training regularly. In fact I'd like to see the government spend even a small percentage of their ltsa advertising budget on subsidising training courses.

[Gummybear]

Yep. Most definitely need rider training. One can never Know enough whether its what to do or what NOT to do. And there is the all important self training, being aware of what you do or don't do.

Gummybear

[FROSTY]

After taupo racing--SHIT YEA

[Motu]

My egos not that big that I don't welcome some pointers - but finding the correct level would be dificult for me.I'm not a learner by any means,but back to basics is a good refresher,I'm not into racing,so track training stuff not what I want,then again a lot can be transfered to road use.Same with off road riding - it's either entry level or advanced....I'm neither,but happy to hear advice.Everytime I ride my bike is a learning experiance for me - if not I ask myself why.

[Angry Puppy]

I've been riding for about 3 years (less the last 6 months by bikes been in storage in the UK). When I passed my test, I went out and bought a Ducati 900 Monster, which was WAY too much too soon and completely destroyed my confidence. So I sold the bike and bought the 400 Fazer and went on a one-on-one advanced training course which was basically "so what do you want to learn?"

We spent the day covering hazard perception, defensive riding and counter steering. Not only did I learn loads, but it was also good to have someone at the end of the day say that I wasn't doing anything particualy wrong or life threatening which boosted my self confidence immensly.

If you want to learn more but can't afford a course, read Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code (link below). a fantastic book that covers the survival reactions we take, why we take them and how to not do them.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0965045021/qid=1086479492/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-3893160-1621717?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

The Motorcyle Road Craft is another good one. This is more about hazard perception and how best to avoid the laws of Brownian Motion at intersections. link below.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0113401493/qid=1086479681/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-3893160-1621717?v=glance&s=books

Fazer Bloke.

[SPman]

Been riding since '67 and the one thing I have learned, is that the more I think I know, the more there is to learn!
I reckon any rider worth his salt is learning all his life.