How many people actively learn how to ride?

[p.dath]

I started off "winging" it when I first got my licence. I didn't know anyone else who had a bike. I couldn't even find an advanced riding course to do (that was similar to a "recognised" advanced driving course).

That was many years ago.

Now I ride with people regularly who are better than me (and act as mentors). I regularly attend AMCC ART days, and are planning to attend a BRONZ RRRS course in March.

Since actively taking steps to learn, I have come further in the last year than I did in many years previously.

[Motu]

I taught myself how to ride - and have been actively learning to ride ever since....I don't think I'll ever know how to do it properly,but near enough is good enough eh?

[McJim]

I received some very good advice at the BHS course which was a full day course. As well as the basic "this is the cluch, this is the front brake..." etc. got good advice about steering with your eyes (you will go where you look) and some countersteering advice. Then I went on the BRONZ ride Right Ride Safe thingumy and learned heaps more. I don't seem to have the same need for high speed that a lot of motorcyclists have which has allowed me to live longer and learn more at a sedate pace by trying different techniques to see how they work for me. I also had the advantage of having M1CRO as my KB Mentor who is very capable, knowledgable and personable. I therefore had a fair bit of what I consider 'good' tuition as well as the fact that I retain the humility to realise that I am always still learning.

[Ixion]

I taught myself, cos that's the only way there was.

And after a few years (that was many years ago now) I knew everything there was to know about riding. Total expert I was.

Then , I turned my back and someone sneaked a whole bunch of new stuff in, and I found I didn't actually know bugger all anymore.

And ever since I been trying to learn new stuff so I can know everything again. And every time I think I might be getting close, some bastard sneaks something new in, and I find that stuff that I thought I knew all about , I don't. Unfair, it is.

[Flip]

When I was in short pants I learnt to ride on a cousins monkey bike in Mapua. At this stage I knew it all. Since then I have been discovering that there are a few things I don't know.

I have done a few skills courses, even taught the BHS a few times. The one thing I have learnt is that if I practice smooth riding I ride very well.

I'm looking forward to doing the advanced course on the race track, yea I know I will be the only plonker on a Harley but well hell I don't mind the sports bikes being there if they don't mind me.

[KiwiPhoenix]

For me it has been a little of both. I am lucky that I met some of the Chch guys before I got my licence so was able to learn from them and then put it into practice when I got my bike. It has been great as I have a great friends that I can ask for help and advice!

[red mermaid]

Taught myself a fair bit riding round farms and then did an intensive 3 month riding course that had regular evaluations afterwards on an annual basis.

Still learning though, but the original stuff still comes in handy all the time.

[Oakie]

I went to the library and got a book out about how to ride. Did the trick for me. Obviously a bit shakey for a start but at least I knew the theory before I threw a leg over. (Which reminds me, when I was about 13 I got a book out about teenage sexuality...)

[OutForADuck]

I started riding when you learnt by just getting thrown onto a bike o a farm and then left to it. Literally... first time I crashed I had to wait ages for my brother-in-law to come out from his cuppa and find me as the bike was too heavy to lift off me whilst tangled in the fence!!!

Kieth Code wrote his first book nearly 6 years later and counter steering entered the language let alone the mindset, slowly there after.

I took, literally years and years to gain skills and abilities that I teach people in weeks these days. If you know that all that knowledge is available and how quickly you can become a competetent and safe ridier and don't actively read and get training.... your not really interested in your sport dude!!!

The tyres, bikes, frames, roads and the training have all improved beyond belief over the time I have been punting cycles around. Enjoy it

[sinfull]

Awww i'm forever getting the learn !!

[Goblin]

I had to pinch my cousins wee Honda 50 'cos no one would let me have a turn. Started it then promptly crashed into the fence. Bit later we used to stay at a friends farm(now the Rotorua Motorcross Track) and rode the Yamaha Grasshopper until we go caught going as fast as we could up n down the driveway with no safety gear on. Few years later my first BF was into bikes. He bought a TT500 in an RM400 frame, geared and shod for the road. My sister and I stole it while he was at work, managed to start it and got a high speed wobble on and nearly shat myself. Later he bought a 750 Katana and used to let me ride it. At 15 I sold my horse and bought my own bike, a lil TS125. Got my licence and was away laughing. So no formal training. Self taught.

[BMCruiser]

I rode bikes when I was young and just winged it and learnt bad habits from mates. I never got my full licence back then so now that I'm getting back into riding (and the licence process) I'm treating it like I have never ridden before and taking advantage of as much professional advice and training as possible. The NASS nights are great and I've booked for a restricted licence prep course before I do my restricted test. I'll do an advanced riding skills course next and then look for more. Through this group I've become aware of just how much opportunity there is for mentoring and training. It's great