Rider Training Weekend - ChCh!

**Spuds1234** · 25th May 2008, 19:11

Holy Shit Batman. What an emense amount of learning that we had to do.

Personally Im quite chuffed. Best $200 I ever spent I reckon.

Emergancy braking in the wet - couldnt have asked for more really. I feel way more confident now than I ever did. I pretty much spent the last 2 hours after the course today driving around the quiet streets trying to lock my front. I did it once and it felt so controlled and easy to get out of. Just have to keep looking up while riding and everything comes right.

I can now also do a U-turn in the space of 2 carparks whereas before it would have been atleast 3 so now I wont have to pull to the side of the road to to a U-turn, I can just sit in the middle of the road and wait for a clear spot.

My slow speed riding has improved dramatically in 2 days. I still cant believe how much its gotten better.

Far out those circles made me dizzy though.

Cant recomend this course enough. Cant wait for the next course.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Dave-

alex what the fuck time did you get home last night? i mean i was home at about 12ish didnt hear anything at night then i hear the kat firing up this morning!

I got in around 7am this morning, then left again at about 8:30 so long story short, I didnt get home last night.

Originally Posted by fireliv

GOod night then Alex???? Heard you dissapeared not long after my fiance showed up to engage in some non motorcycling fun....

Thats the polite way of putting it.

**Mikkel** · 25th May 2008, 19:25

Originally Posted by Transalper

Sorry mate, just been skimming through the tape and can not see it.
Sure I got the camera out but must have been one of those times I didn't hit the record button hard enough.

Bummer - at least there were witnesses

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Thats the polite way of putting it.

See, I told you - life is better without the mullet!

**Spuds1234** · 25th May 2008, 19:27

Yip. Certainly getting more action without it.

Having said that I do feel like less of a man now without it.

**Mikkel** · 25th May 2008, 19:28

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Having said that I do feel like less of a man now without it.

That's funny because you looked less manly with it! Just goes to show how superficial women truly are

**Spuds1234** · 25th May 2008, 19:31

Originally Posted by Mikkel

That's funny because you looked less manly with it!

But its about the way I feel inside man, not the way I look on the outside that gives me the confidence to face each day.

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Just goes to show how superficial women truly are

Dem's fighting words, Day are!

Some, not all woman I think

**JMemonic** · 25th May 2008, 20:38

What everyone else said, great weekend and even though I could not participate properly I did learn a lot, looking forward to getting out and practising some of those techniques, and I hope that we can have a few organised days to do so with those guys who were trained to be trainers.

Thanks Ryan for the bbq, and Jen for organising the day, Chris for the facilities, and of course Andrew and Lynne for the excellent information.

Shame a lot more folks could not attend, perhaps next time.

**SVboy** · 26th May 2008, 08:42

Yes, great weekend and a big thanks to all who participated. Huge ups to Andrew,Lynne and Jen. Centainly gave us lots to think about. I have a thinsulate
glove inner that somebody may have misplaced that we found while tidying up...if it was you...pm me to arrange to pick it up.

**Biggles2000** · 26th May 2008, 17:20

It was a brillant weekend. I recon the class size was about right. I am looking forward to the next training on the track. I might be the only HD there but its important to practice good riding any where you can.
Thanks very much Jen for organising this course.

**MyGSXF:Me** · 27th May 2008, 23:07

Well!! Whadda weekend!!!!!!!!!

Dunno bout you lot.. but ferk was I shattered Sunday night!!!

Sat dawned a typical dank & dark winters day in ChCh..

but did it dampen the enthusiasm of the dedicated 16.. HELL NO!!!! Resplendent in their wet weather gear (some brand new outta the packet that day!! ) they came!! :spudbooge

There were a mixed bag of ages & a vast array of knowledge & experiences amongst the participants, each eager to put their ability to the test & open to learning new ideas!

And thus.. we were into it!

Over the weekend the participants were put through their paces learning about & practicing: slow speed control, counter steering, emergency braking (IN THE WET!!!

), cornering, hazard identification, importance of wearing good gear, bike setup & maintenance, road craft skills, etc!

Each topic was fully discussed inside (in the warm..

), various dvd's were shown, diagrams drawn, questions answered.. then the crew were outside & on their bikes to practice.. Andrew demonstrating first, then the lads were giving it a go themselves!

The highlight for me watching, was the circles of fear!! 2 circles.. one inside the other.. bikes going round & round, in VERY close proximity.. then joining into the neighbouring circle.. with bikes crossing in the middle to form a figure of 8

DAMN that was good!!!!!!!

Some pics...

1) Andrew doing a demo for the crew

2) All lined up.. ready for the slow race!

3) Lynne giving some feedback

4) LoC getting the learn

**MyGSXF:Me** · 27th May 2008, 23:44

Sat night saw an (indoor) bbq at D esq's new place & a great night it was too!! Got to put more faces to names & interact on a social level with the crew.. over a few Baileys... Thanks Ryan & Anita!!!

Sun dawned.. the same as Sat..

But hey.. the crew were on fire regardless.. The first one even showed up at 8.30!! a good keen man!

The fellas were put through their paces again throughout the day, recapping some of what they had learnt the day before, then pushed to the next level as well!

All in all.. an EXCELLENT weekend!!!!!

Having done several of these courses, it was a real privilege to be on "the other side' of the table.. & getting to watch everyones confidence & ability grow so much, in such a short space of time, was the absolute highlight for me!!! :spudbooge

I would like to thank each one of the participants for your dedication & commitment to the course!!! For your open mindedness & willingness to step out of your comfort zones & push yourselves, & try new techniques!!!

I would like to thank Chris (SVboy) for all your efforts at securing us a great venue to hold this course at!! Also for opening your home to Andrew, Lynne & myself for the weekend!!

A huge thank you to Phil Garrett at Street & Sport, for loaning the Triumph for Andrew to do the demonstrations on!!! You rock Phil!!

& most importantly.. to Andrew & Lynne of Roadsafe, for agreeing to bring your absolute wealth of knowledge & skill, to the riders of ChCh!!

You guys have had a huge impact in my life & after this weekend, I know a huge impact in many others lives!!! Thank YOU for your dedication & commitment to the motorcyclists of New Zealand!!!

& with that.. I'm buggered & off to bed!

Jen

ps: The weekend is best summed up with the following quote from Alex..

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Holy Shit Batman. What an emense amount of learning that we had to do.
Personally Im quite chuffed. Best $200 I ever spent I reckon.

couple more pics..

1) Biggles2000 on the beasty

2) Jvala on the BMW

3) Absolutely FABULOUS darrrrrling!!!!

**Deviant Esq** · 28th May 2008, 21:28

Originally Posted by MyGSXF

3) Absolutely FABULOUS darrrrrling!!!!

Good God. Wonder who that absolute pillock is?!

**Mikkel** · 28th May 2008, 21:42

Originally Posted by Deviant Esq

Good God. Wonder who that absolute pillock is?!

A gentleman does not kiss and tell

**Transalper** · 10th June 2008, 14:26

Had a bit of an education in the limits of the DRs clutch on the weekend.
Beware of the limits of your clutch when practising the extra slow riding technique involving bringing the revs up, dragging the back brake and using the clutch for controlling your speed.
I cooked mine to destruction on Saturday. It's a wet clutch but i managed to get it so hot it burned the oil from the plates resulting in the material wearing off the friction plates, contaminating my oil and with all that heat the springs lost the plot too.
The engine wasn't all that hot either, it all happened in the clutch basket.
It's in for repairs as I post this warning now.
Great technique, go practice it heaps, but do it in small bursts and know that you are indeed giving your clutch a hard time and do not over do it or I'm sure you will cook yours too. Also if you do practice this a lot you may want to change your oil more often too (unless your clutch doesn't share oil with the rest of your bike, and some don't).

pic attached is of some of my clutch plates, the one on the right once looked more like the ones on the left.