Advanced Rider Training

[Mom]

Just like your 'lager experiment' it sometimes needs very 'graphic' proof to gain real attention.

For some.

I trained as nurse back in the days where we wore stockings (we got paid an allowance to buy them) and capes and cardboard hats

I smoked, as did most of the nurses that trained with me, and most of the doctors we worked with

I do remember the Cancer society coming in for a lecture, complete with big jars of black slimey things they told us were lungs. They also used kitchen sponges and some tar like juice to illustrate the dangers of smoking. This was 1977ish. I can not count the number of times I was dragged out of bed ( I lived in) by the fire alarms becaue a doctor had set the couch on fire, falling asleep with a smoke in hand.
I finally manged to stop smoking 18 months ago.

I did the graphic pics, the warnings, the you name its, I still smoked.

Seeing ankle bones exposed after coming into contact with tarmac will definately sharpen your desire to wear good gear

[Geeen]

Would you guys stop talking up the value of these courses.
I will have to get off my arse and do the Cruiser course when it hits Puke in Sept now.


Meanies the lot of you... that money could go on tassels for my Harley you know!!

It's Ok it's not a REAL Harley what with being only a Sporty and an 883 at that.

See, You SHOULD go ride that 1200 at Wellington Motorcycles

[z500nz]

A good thread, Mom

As a riding instructor, I have been conscious that track days do have their value in certain areas, but onroad skills are what riders need to improve. I have developed a rider course for advanced rider training, covering theory and on-road practical which is based on the police rider training system. Just getting the handbooks finished/ printed and then I'll be able to start promoting.

I'm also currently negotiating for ACC funding for motorcycle training events through our local road safety coordinator since they seem to have access to the purse strings, and motorcycle training is higher up the list of road safety priorities (in the South/Mid Canterbury region anyway).

You might like to try that avenue for funding too, as they could have funds available to run a course local to you?

[Gremlin]

A bit of a dredge, but I may as well chip in.

When I started learning 6 and a half odd years ago, I did the RRRS on my restricted, and the defensive driving course. I did the DDC mostly to reduce the license time, but also to see what else I could learn. Naturally riding skills were non-existent, but there were some good points about the thinking of riding, being aware etc.

RRRS was good, and all about riding skills, except I perhaps did it a bit too late, having sorted most of what they were teaching and I'd covered about 10k. I think it would be a brilliant follow up to the BHS, once you've covered a few thousand km, and when you have sorted the real basics.

I look back in shock at how little I knew after the BHS, and I was let out on the road unsupervised. There was certainly an element of luck, or my years on bicycles helped out...

I now find myself seeking out training again, to master slow speed ability and handling, and check I've not slipped into some really bad habits. Why? I simply believe in doing the best you can at what you're doing. It's certainly going to cost a bit. Some might say I'm fine... I pass on tips to learners (hopefully they're good ones) and clock up about 45k a year in all conditions. What if I can be better? I envy the training and skill the bike cops have/get.

Why doesn't everyone? Well, how many car drivers seek extra training? Humans are humans, drivers or riders, regardless. The difference is riders are exposed to more risk, but it's still a human thinking and making decisions. Perhaps some are unaware they are that bad (I see plenty that shouldn't be on the roads everyday), or, because they have a license, they must be ok?

One option here would be for police to hand out a notice to attend a certain course (partially funded, partial cost) instead of a ticket - in some situations. If you attend, no ticket. Motivation here is avoiding the ticket, and the ticket would have cost more than the training. Hopefully issues are shown and training fixes them, but you could argue that if you're forced there, then would you be receptive to tips. Perhaps you have to "pass" the course rather than attend.

Some will want to do courses, others will think they're fine. I remember having talks at school from people who'd been in accidents etc, but who learnt? Someone would have an accident, then want to try to educate others to prevent them doing it... yet never realised it never worked for them.

Post is long enough... I'll speak to Tricia at some point, for some training, once the bike is back etc.

[Mom]

Post is long enough... I'll speak to Tricia at some point, for some training, once the bike is back etc.

You wont regret it I promise. I will be heading back out for somemore once ia am back on my bike again

Walking is more dangerous than motorcycles

[Blackbird]

I now find myself seeking out training again, to master slow speed ability and handling, and check I've not slipped into some really bad habits. Why? I simply believe in doing the best you can at what you're doing. It's certainly going to cost a bit. Some might say I'm fine... I pass on tips to learners (hopefully they're good ones) and clock up about 45k a year in all conditions. What if I can be better? I envy the training and skill the bike cops have/get.

You might also want to consider a very low cost option but with the most incredible outcome - joining the Institute of Advanced Motorists. It most certainly isn't "old farts on BMW's" and uses the same training standards as the Police Class 1 riders in the UK. When I first joined, it was hard on the ego and I wondered whether to continue but forever glad that I did. I can't begin to tell you how much I've learned. On my blog, there are a heap of posts (just use the search function - IAM or Institute of Advanced Motorists ) but here's the link to the first assessment ride to give you an idea of the first stage: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2011/...sterclass.html. The link to the motorcycle section of the IAM website is here: http://www.nz-iam.org.nz/iammotorcycle.asp with the Contact link at the top of the page.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Gremlin]

Thanks Geoff... sounds perfect and I'll definitely pursue that as well...

[Spazman727]

I'm relatively new to riding compared to most of you, only about 2 and a half years. I have just become a postie in Melbourne. As part of it I have to do a Honda advanced rider training course. I think it is an awesome opportunity to get some extra training that I would have probably done after I got my full licence in New Zealand. I know my skills probably aren't really up to it, but even if you do, what's the harm in having a professional tell you that you are a good rider?
Plus it gives me a chance to thrash someone else's bike for 2 days for free

[caspernz]

Having taken part in Prorider days on 8th and 9th October at Manfeild, I would counter the argument that racetrack based training has no relevance for road riders. I'm not interested in becoming a faster rider, just a safer rider with more finely tuned skills. Is there a safer environment to learn new skills or work on existing ones? I mean, no other traffic to contend with, good sightlines, no surprises...

Heck, I've been riding for years and been meaning to partake in a set of courses. I learnt a few things, but then going in with an open mind seems to help....

[Blackbird]

Is there a safer environment to learn new skills or work on existing ones? I mean, no other traffic to contend with, good sightlines, no surprises...

Heck, I've been riding for years and been meaning to partake in a set of courses. I learnt a few things, but then going in with an open mind seems to help....

Any practice is good, no matter where it takes place. However, good roasdcraft training on the road with traffic, poor sightlines and lots of surprises is where you develop good situational awareness.

Got to agree with you about an open mind. I've been riding for over 40 years and the last 6 months training with the IAM to police standards has been a revelation. I now understand the difference between an experienced rider and an advanced rider !

[Blackbird]

Is there a safer environment to learn new skills or work on existing ones? I mean, no other traffic to contend with, good sightlines, no surprises...

Heck, I've been riding for years and been meaning to partake in a set of courses. I learnt a few things, but then going in with an open mind seems to help....

Any practice is good, no matter where it takes place. However, good roadcraft training on the road with traffic, poor sightlines and lots of surprises is where you develop good situational awareness.

Got to agree with you about an open mind. I've been riding for over 40 years and the last 6 months training with the IAM to police standards has been a revelation. I now understand the difference between an experienced rider and an advanced rider !

[z500nz]

Having taken part in Prorider days on 8th and 9th October at Manfeild, I would counter the argument that racetrack based training has no relevance for road riders. I'm not interested in becoming a faster rider, just a safer rider with more finely tuned skills. Is there a safer environment to learn new skills or work on existing ones? I mean, no other traffic to contend with, good sightlines, no surprises...

Heck, I've been riding for years and been meaning to partake in a set of courses. I learnt a few things, but then going in with an open mind seems to help....

I didn't say track days have no relevance. I don't dispute handling skills can be learnt on the track, and have taken some courses myself. They just can't teach the critical skills when someone does something unexpected ahead of you. Like the IAM course, I am helping riders to plan further ahead, looking and anticipating potential hazards rather than wait for them to happen and then react.

I now have ACC funding to reduce the cost for novice, intermediate and advanced rider courses in the Mid and South Canterbury regions. No subsidy on the CBHS course.