Anyone done an advanced road riding course?

[jonbuoy]

Have any experienced bikers here done an advanced road riding course? And did you think it was worth it? Relevant? Or just teaching you to suck eggs?

[Deano]

Have any experienced bikers here done an advanced road riding course? And did you think it was worth it? Relevant? Or just teaching you to suck eggs?

I did my advanced road riding course chasing WT, Cycosis, Jimbo and Hayden. In fact - I'm still learning.

[White trash]

I'm pretty sure they have their place, and certainly no form of advanced training can hurt. Never done one though, not to interested in someone telling me I need to slow down and ride with both wheels on the ground.

[Streetwise]

yea i have done one, It was back when i was 15 but i still use the shit that i was taught. I have run a couple as well, Things like being aware of the vehicles / conditions around you, Watching Ahead, Reacting to situations, emergency Braking, that sort of thing. The reality is though most people who want advanced training want to learn how to go faster round corners, I think they have there place as long as they teach the realities of riding.

[justsomeguy]

I'm pretty sure they have their place, and certainly no form of advanced training can hurt. Never done one though, not to interested in someone telling me I need to slow down and ride with both wheels on the ground.

Hey WT how come you're so fast man

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Jonuboy - if you haven't already - please turn up for the Ride Right Ride Safe course at Whenuapai. At $45 it's excellent value. Even as an experienced rider you will find it a positive experience.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...4-30&e=763&c=1

[Blackbird]

Yes, I did one with Ward Fisher, ex-MOT Chief Instructor in Hamilton about 3 years ago and it was one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. WT's fears about teaching you to slow down simply didn't enter into it. It was all about awareness, positioning and techniques like high speed braking; the sort of thing which is important at any speed. Riding fast doesn't mean that you're necessarily a good rider. (Perhaps the number of bins reported on KB is evidence!) I've always thought that the main difference between cage drivers and those that ride bikes as well is that bikers recognise that you never stop learning about roadcraft.

I'd never had a peer review of my riding and Ward certainly picked up some less than desirable habits that I had. The course was 1:1 for about 4 hours and represented fantastic value. Bike to bike communications provided by Ward was a real bonus too. It's interesting that I was concentrating so hard that I was soaked in sweat and fell asleep in the armchair when I got home!

[jonbuoy]

Thanks, yeah $45 is great value. Booked it. I know what you guys mean - being told to stick to the speed limits isn't what I want to pay good money for..... Was hoping maybe they would do one similar to the training the Police get for their High Speed persuits, some of the posts on mad boys runner got me thinking. Not thinking about using it for that though....

[justsomeguy]

Yes, I did one with Ward Fisher, ex-MOT Chief Instructor in Hamilton about 3 years ago and it was one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. WT's fears about teaching you to slow down simply didn't enter into it. It was all about awareness, positioning and techniques like high speed braking; the sort of thing which is important at any speed. Riding fast doesn't mean that you're necessarily a good rider. (Perhaps the number of bins reported on KB is evidence!) I've always thought that the main difference between cage drivers and those that ride bikes as well is that bikers recognise that you never stop learning about roadcraft.

I'd never had a peer review of my riding and Ward certainly picked up some less than desirable habits that I had. The course was 1:1 for about 4 hours and represented fantastic value. Bike to bike communications provided by Ward was a real bonus too. It's interesting that I was concentrating so hard that I was soaked in sweat and fell asleep in the armchair when I got home!

Do you know if he still does this? HOw much??

[Blackbird]

Do you know if he still does this? HOw much??

This is Ward Fischer's website: http://www.roaduser.co.nz/. He may tailor a course to your particular needs. I think the course was about $150 but it's probably gone up by now. I know advanced riding courses are run on tracks like Taupo but it was roadcraft I wanted to brush up on, not just riding fast.

I've just found the write-up I did on Ward's course which might give you a bit of an insight to what was involved. Hope it's of interest.

Geoff

[Fishy]

Yeah I did one in 1997 to cut down my license time and get my full quicker. I did mine with John Wright and it cost about $90.

It was basically a load of hazard identification on pictures, some riding around cones at speed using counter steering, high speed braking without locking the wheels and stopping at a certain point and then about an hour of observing my on road riding ability.

It was ok but didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. I only did it to cut my license time down.

I got a pretty certificate out of it though

[jonbuoy]

Yup any training is good training, as long as you do learn something I guess.

[a_wildman]

Roadsafe run one in Wellington .... was thinking that it might be a good way to brush up on a few skills ,has anyone been on it ? was it of Value ?

[Blairos]

I've just found the write-up I did on Ward's course which might give you a bit of an insight to what was involved. Hope it's of interest.

Geoff

What a great review!

Is this course one of the "approved" LTSA courses that can reduce ones Restricted period from 9 months to 3 (for us old dottery over-25's)?

[justsomeguy]

This is Ward Fischer's website: http://www.roaduser.co.nz/. He may tailor a course to your particular needs. I think the course was about $150 but it's probably gone up by now. I know advanced riding courses are run on tracks like Taupo but it was roadcraft I wanted to brush up on, not just riding fast.

I've just found the write-up I did on Ward's course which might give you a bit of an insight to what was involved. Hope it's of interest.

Geoff

Very good read Geoff, I can relate to you feeling tired. Once did a Coro Loop where I had to concentrate really hard to stick with some other bikes. I was more tired that day than others when I've done twice the distance.

That course sounds like money invested, once I find some I'll definitely do it.

[Blackbird]

What a great review!

Is this course one of the "approved" LTSA courses that can reduce ones Restricted period from 9 months to 3 (for us old dottery over-25's)?

Thanks very much. I have no idea. Ward Fischer has been heavily involved with the national standards so he is best qualified to answer that. His contact email will be on his website. **Dottery over-25's**. Haha, I was a dottery "over 50" when I took the course - never too old to stop learning