Rider training

[What?]

Advanced Road Rider training is one place where the Aussies have got one up on us, but we do have some options in NZ...

Motolife offer training from learner to intermediate to advanced. Their focus is on roadcraft as much as machine skills. http://crash.ihug.co.nz/~jpreou/motolife/motolife.htm

There are also skills sessions conducted by some of our top road racers from time to time. Names like Brian Bernard and Dennis Charlett appear here. AMCC is probably a good contact point. http://www.amcc.org.nz/ If you are not in Auckland, try your local road-oriented club.

Then there's MNZ - keep an eye on their site for news of training sessions... http://www.motorcyclingnz.co.nz/

And if that's not enough, try http://www.megarider.com/training.html

[bluninja]

Good stuff what. I don't know what AMCC are doing at the moment regards training. I'll ask there tonight and let you know.

The Megarider stuff looks interesting. Has anybody used them, or the DIY kit?

TTFN

[Blackbird]

The Megarider stuff is good.  I subscribe to their e-newsletter and have bought one or two of their booklets.

For those south of the Bombays, Ward Fischer runs all levels of training in Hamilton.  http://www.roaduser.co.nz/mc.htm

Freddy Merkel (ex-world superbike champ) also does advanced courses at Taupo circuit.  Very popular with Ulysses members, so next time you get the wheels ridden off you by an oldie, there's a chance you've been done over by a Merkel graduate:D:D:D

[bluninja]

Blackbird do you have any contact details for Freddy Merkel? I'm trying to organise some road race coaching for myself, and also for any interested kiwibiker members. if he does on track training for road riding that would be even better for some of the bods in here.

As for ulysses members whizzing past....well it happened at Manfeild. It's nice too know that I'mn braking far too early and not hard enough  :o

 

TTFN

[Blackbird]

Hi Bluninja - try this!

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<TD noWrap>PO Box 1340 Taupo Cellular phone</TD>
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<TD noWrap align=right><B>&nbsp;0-25-403 927
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He runs an engineering business at Taupo and his rider coaching is a bit of a sideline, or at least a separate business.&nbsp; I haven't attended one of his courses, but I know someone who has and they really rated it.&nbsp; I think he requires 30+ people to run a course.&nbsp; I've heard that sometimes, some of his top racebike mates turn up and help out just for the fun of it, so you get more bang for your buck.

I did the Hamilton advanced course with Ward Fischer last year.&nbsp; It was 1:1 instruction - about $120 for 3 hours.&nbsp; It was good value to sharpen my roadcraft up as unfortunately, I only get a decent ride in 2 or 3 times a month and standards are bound to slip.&nbsp; I found that on past occasions when I've done the Rusty Nuts 1000 miles in under 24 hours ride, I'm shit hot for a couple of weeks, then I start to tail off again!!&nbsp; I think we all need refreshers from time to time.

[bluninja]

Thanks for the info. Don't think I'm too keen at trying to organise 30+ riders at this point in time. Well&nbsp;I managed to while my flu days away with reading TOTW2 and reviewing my advanced riding video, from a course I attended. I managed a decent ride on Sunday, but need a lot more riding time to get myself up to a reasonable level on the Aprilia.

Still I don't remember any advice on&nbsp;low flying birds. A magpie smashed the screen on one bike early in the ride, and it's believed a brid strike to the helmet caused one rider to leave the road and wreck his bike against a tree, earning him a trip tto hospital (thoough I'm told he wasn't seriously hurt).&nbsp;

TTFN&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

[bikerboy]

What wonderful SUNday, oh what a beautiful day!:cool:

Went for a shortish ride with three top guys after weeks (months) of no riding, rain etc.:banana:

Felt so odd and out of the flow until the ride back. Good thing it was an easy pace for me as hit a patch of gravel and the bike started sliding sideways towards the front wheel. I was sure that was the end or rather the beginning of a major crash, however this head cold seems to have numbed my reactions so by the time I started to panic (soon to nail the brakes which would have been a disaster) it sorted itself out and I just kept on going.:gob:

I definitely need to ride more often and need more instruction!, But I had a great time, arrived home cold, tired, with an awful cough but a GREAT BIG :D

[Blackbird]

Couldn't agree more about what a great day it was!&nbsp; Took the 'bird over the Kaimai range to Tauranga yesterday.&nbsp; The attached photo was from the lookout at the top.&nbsp; National Park must be close to 190 k's away as the crow flies, which shows just how clear it was.&nbsp;&nbsp;No pea gravel though, thank god!

Safe riding

Geoff

&nbsp;

[Redstar]

Mega rider is a good site some and I rate it for commonsence advice. you have to subsribe to get the full newsletter.
and they welcome contributions.

[Slim]

Boing! :ride:

With so many new members, I thought it might be worth floating this thread to the top again. :)

[Hitcher]

Boing! :ride:

With so many new members, I thought it might be worth floating this thread to the top again. :)

Onya Slim!!

[FROSTY]

Could we maybee get enough of us from KB together to run a Merkle training session?
Oh is anyone else interested in doing a california superbike school course ??

[Kiwi]

Sounds good to me. Time, price etc?
Kiwi

[FROSTY]

well the taupo thing well hafta suss out --the superbike school --maybee midwinter

[Slim]

Hamilton Motorcycle Club in association with most of the Hamilton bike shops are running another training day at the Taupo track with Bernard on the 16th May. There's a flyer in one of the Kiwi motorcycle mags on the shelf at the moment (I've got it at home, but forgot to bring it in with me).

[erik]

BRONZ do rider training too, but I think it's aimed more at beginners or people returning to bikes after a break. Yarg told me about it, I got in contact with them (Peggy O Neil - ph ak 638 9227 or cell phone 021 523 976 bronzauckland@hotmail.com www.bronz.org.nz) and got some rather brief info about it, pieced together from a couple of emails:

"The course is designed to improve your skill level and LOTS of back to biking riders attend and love it."
and
"We cover slow manoeuvring, counter steering, cornering and hard braking.
Half the course is classroom and half on the tarmac.
Please call Finn if you wish to discuss further
09 625 5533
025 846 326"

It's done at Whenuapai airbase, but they said they might be moving it to Hobsonville airbase in stead.
Anyway, I figure that since I've only been riding for about a couple of months, I'll probably benefit from going. And I think it's only $45, which isn't too much.

[Slim]

Hamilton Motorcycle Club in association with most of the Hamilton bike shops are running another training day at the Taupo track with Bernard on the 16th May. There's a flyer in one of the Kiwi motorcycle mags on the shelf at the moment (I've got it at home, but forgot to bring it in with me).
The flyer is in the NZ Bike Rider magazine. I can confirm Sunday the 16th May with Brian Bernard. It's $60 for early bird entries & $80 on the day if there are any spaces left. Scrutineering from 0830hrs & event runs from 1000hrs to 1630hrs. The event will be run on the day - no cancellations due to weather.

E-mail queries to tappit@paradise.net.nz

[PZR]

Rodders organized a course for 8 of us with Brian Bernard. Rented Taupo track for the day (has to be a week day as its heaps cheaper than weekends) had Brian be there for training all day, rented a house big enough to sleep us all, stayed two nights (went down Sunday came back Tuesday) and not including food it cost us 120.00 each. Would have been cheaper but we made the mistake of renting the club rooms as well but did not need to.
An awesome day with everyone learning heaps and having lots of chance to practice what they learnt plus one to one time with Brian
Easy to do and arrange and cheap. You can ask for what ever you need from Brian and he will match your needs. Just need to get a small group together and go for it
I think the track is 300.00 to 400.00 for a week day and Brian is around the same amount but you would need to check for sure

[FROSTY]

ok im keen--anybody else in?

[Cajun]

The Megarider stuff is good.&nbsp; I subscribe to their e-newsletter and have bought one or two of their booklets.

For those south of the Bombays, Ward Fischer runs all levels of training in Hamilton. &nbsp;http://www.roaduser.co.nz/mc.htm

Freddy Merkel (ex-world superbike champ) also does advanced courses at Taupo circuit.&nbsp; Very popular with Ulysses members, so next time you get the wheels ridden off you by an oldie, there's a chance you've been done over by a Merkel graduate:D:D:D


I done that Taupo circuit with ulysses Freddy also had Brian Bernard there whole day with like 15 of us. Our bandit 600 tires/chain was stuffed by end of that day.

[MadDuck]

[QUOTE=erik]BRONZ do rider training too, but I think it's aimed more at beginners or people returning to bikes after a break. Yarg told me about it, I got in contact with them (Peggy O Neil - ph ak 638 9227 or cell phone 021 523 976 bronzauckland@hotmail.com www.bronz.org.nz) and got some rather brief info about it, pieced together from a couple of emails:

[QUOTE]


it is a great course Erik as I have done one. BUT I think you would be better to go for a more advanced riding course as you seem to have the basics covered. I did it cos it been over 10+ years since I was last in the saddle and boy do I have bad habits or what?
I dont want to take away from the BRONZ course but if you are confident on ya bike then maybe what these guys on KB are suggesting would be better suited ???

[6Chris6]

ok im keen--anybody else in?
Yep if we can get enough, I'm in

[Suzi Q]

We are really poorly serviced down here in the south Island for training. I did a day in November - the only one for the year. It was awesome - $150 for the whole day and we had 4 trainers including Brian Bernard. I would do it again but have to wait so long for the next one. There are track days but I don't like them - you have to wait for your class and i got absolutely no advice from anyone out there. :spudwhat:

[erik]

it is a great course Erik as I have done one. BUT I think you would be better to go for a more advanced riding course as you seem to have the basics covered. I did it cos it been over 10+ years since I was last in the saddle and boy do I have bad habits or what?
I dont want to take away from the BRONZ course but if you are confident on ya bike then maybe what these guys on KB are suggesting would be better suited ???

I didn't see your post till today, been busy riding since friday!! :D

Me and my brother went to the BRONZ course today, and I thought it was really good. Admittedly some of the theory stuff I'd heard before, and some of the practical stuff (like keeping your eyes up etc) as well. But it definately helped to hear it again, and I did learn some new stuff too. Plus the practice was good, and it was good having skilled people commenting on my riding.

There was one guy there with a mint condition 2002 Kawasaki ZZR1200(?) that reckoned he'd been riding since he was 15 and had just now joined the Ulyses club (you've gotta be over 40 to become a juniour member), and that they'd recommended it to him. There were other people on their restricted licences, there was an older guy on a brand spanking new (well, it looked it) Harley of some sort. He said he was doing some scheme thing where he can get his license quicker because he's over 25 or something. Jeeze that was a huge, expensive, heavy looking bike. I couldn't believe how much it shook, and not just the engine (which I think must've been soft-mounted in the frame since it was shaking more than the frame) the whole front wheel and forks were vibrating backwards and forwards too.

The people that ran the course were really friendly, and seemed to know what they were doing and were well organised. And it was cheap, which was a big plus for me since I'm broke!
I'd strongly recommend it to anyone that thinks they might benefit from this sort of course.

Here's some pictures I took there today:
http://community.webshots.com/album/135221821ubSQUl

[Slim]

Bounce! This seems to be a popular question recently ...

[Rainbow Wizard]

Bounce! This seems to be a popular question recently ...

Just back from the day with Merkel, Bernard, Rees and Bobby Linburn. All up there was around 20 of us but as Merkel was the kingpin the focus was on racing rather than road skills.

No regrets doing the course but I feel road specific training would have the greatest value for us, and we'd benefit most by doing such courses regularly. And for this to get buy-in the fees need to be kept affordable for more people.

I was most favourably impressed by Brian Bernard's efforts, he kept trying to endorse a road focus, but Merkel is an unstoppable force hell-bent on the racing line.

Hopefully I am a better rider and more equipped to survive the unknown dangers of the big bad world of driving in traffic. Doing 126k on a virtually deserted SH1 on the way back has cost me though as one of the few cars turned out to house a non-compassionate voluntary tax gatherer. His extractions have proven to be even more painful than Merkel's! :angry2:

[bear]

Just looking at what Mega Rider offers. They have a half day session (1-on-1) for $150. Sounds very reasonable.

Has anyone done any training through Mega Rider??