Free motorcycle skills and education (28 Feb 2010)

[Gone Burger]

Recieved txt today to inform those that are interested that its on again this year on the 13th of Feb, 8.30am to 12 noon, Martinborough (Texas St). Contact is the same 06 377 1379

Brilliant! Thanks for this. Went along last year and will be there again for sure! It's free, and pretty great skills for the day. Looking forward to it.

[davebullet]

I called WDC and got some more information about how it is run - see below:

- No need to pre-register – just turn up.
- Motorcycle officers take groups of 4 or 5 through a drill including a slow speed slalom, 90 degree turns and braking (and probably others)
- They got through about 8 – 10 groups last year – so you are looking at about 30 minutes of riding
- When you get there – you just queue up in the next group
- They had about 40 riders all up last year
- If cancelled – no notification (no radio etc..) but given the weather forecast – unlikely

Dave Ryan has replaced Ruth Lockyer as the contact at Wairarapa District Council for organising these things.

There are 2 more events planned this year with Roadsafe. Heavily subsidised. $20 for a full day of workshops and tuition – run by Andrew Templeton. Now that's bloody good value!

17 April for scooters / learners

15 may for all license holders

Registration for the april / may courses is required and can be completed this Sunday (Dave Ryan will be there). I’ve already put my name down. Numbers will be limited to groups of 12 for the all day sessions (not sure how many groups).

[Gone Burger]

Thanks for the added info Dave.

I will just add that we did actually get a fair bit more than half an hour in per group. It was very well run, and whilst waiting for to go through the next circut the officers would talk us through things individually.

Nice work Wairarapa District Council - GREAT to see more days happening like this.

[davebullet]

Cheers Katie.

Here's the info I've got so far on the other 2 days planned:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...l-and-May-2011

After Pro-rider, maybe the "may day", I'm thinking California Superbike School - yeah baby!!!

[Cloggy]

Allright, looks like I'll be coming along for this one. I need to brush up on my low speed skills (not that my high speed skills are any good either). We'll see those of you that are meeting up at Rimutex by 7.30am.

[davebullet]

They say some of the best things in life are free and today proved it.

What an excellent day it was. Thanks to the Police and WDC for putting this together (and sponsors for spot prizes - I think I scored a Honda cap which I'll credit Motomart for).

The tips were numerous as were the riding skills of the Police.

One deliberately "dropped" his bike just to show us the correct way to get it back on two wheels. Then Katiepie deliberately did the same to practice the technique. She had no problem bringing her Boulevard up by herself - much to her amazement, she received no help at all.

Here are some photos of the day:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...p?albumid=3932

I highly recommend this if they run it again next year. The police officers were very helpful. The best hour of instruction I've yet received. From very small things, to major things. All this stuff is practical in our day to day city riding.

[sinned]

The training session was well run and I could do with more of this type of training and skill development. The police riders have bike handling skills way above that of the riding public.

Nice pic of Katiepie - are you about to join the force?

[davebullet]

Nice pic of Katiepie - are you about to join the force?

She could be the first female officer who rides an R6!

[junkmanjoe]

i like to pulled over by this lass.......................



JMJ

[Hawkeye]

Oh Bugger! This was today

Had my daughter this weekend so no Taka riding for me.

[Gone Burger]

Yes indeed - a fantastic day once again. A huge thank you to the Police for thier great training (and patience) and big thumbs up to the WDC!

Loved the exercises we were put through, and the police officer that my group had blew me away again, same as last year, with how he could handle his bike. Pretty inspiring to be honest.

As Dave mentioned, I asked him to help me learn how to get my bike off the ground, should it ever go over again, and he showed me a way that actually worked. Thought I had someone behind me helping.

Joining the force you reckon? Hehe I was thinking about doing so a couple of years back, but I prefer to just hang out and get pics on thier bikes What a top bloke he was!!!

Can't wait to do that again next year. Gotta love these free training days.

[Gone Burger]

Oh... by the way - has anyone heard how the fallen rider on the takas is on the way home? It was not sounding good at all, and we all wait with our breath held to see if he or she is doing ok, and hope it is not someone we know

[davebullet]

Oh... by the way - has anyone heard how the fallen rider on the takas is on the way home? It was not sounding good at all, and we all wait with our breath held to see if he or she is doing ok, and hope it is not someone we know

Oh no. I didn't know. Is there a post / stuff article? What time did it happen. I saw heaps of bikes coming over when I was heading back. Given the weather - not surprising.

[sinned]

Video showing how easy the Police rider navigated this exercise.

[jellywrestler]

Video showing how easy the Police rider navigated this exercise.

shame he didn't read the manual for the helmet . I'm pretty sure it's an absolute no-no to ride with the chin up with these style of lid, good way to break your neck!!!!