Advanced Riding Course
I have checked the search engine and cannot find this mentioned previously but that is no guarantee that it is not a repost. If it is, just don't read it huh?
Hamilton Motorcycle School offers a "level four advanced rider" course. It is a two hour, one on one deal with Ward Fischer. You have an audio link, so can chat back and forth as you go. I took this course today.
The course consists of a combo of urban and rural riding. It covers hazard identification and appropriate action, which you do by giving a running commentary through the audio - identifying hazards and what you are doing to avoid them. Had about three short sessions of this throughout the ride.
The rural section takes you through a twisty section to check cornering technique and also an emergency braking session. At all times you are being observed and your general riding technique is being assessed.
We went through the twisty bit three times. After the first run we stopped and Ward told me what he saw (none of which surprised me....!) and suggested what I could do to improve. He saw that I was weaker going right than left. (true) He suggested I peel into the r hander later (which I expected) but also suggested looking through the corner somewhat differently from how I was doing it. Then back through again followed by another debrief. Then a final, third run. The advice did help - right handers became less of a chore but I WILL have to practice the new techniques. Easy to backslide into forty year old habits...
The emergency braking section took place on a straight bit of road. Ward had me approach him at 70k. When he signalled I had to chuck out the picks and stop as quickly as possible (preferably without binning it...). I did manage to lock up the back a little...We marked the spot where I finally stopped.
Repeat the procedure, but this time stopping from 100km/hr. Compared stopping distances for the two speeds and noted how much further it takes from 100 clicks. Bit of advice offered and another run followed. More effort on the front brake helped reduce the stopping distance from last time. More input, this time suggesting fine tuning - like using the camber of the road to help reduce distance. On the final run, I got my 100k stop almost down to the original 70k distance - not quite, but all the suggestions helped.
And finally back home. Where he identified other little things I could improve on. Like turning my head more in urban settings to look to the sides instead of relying on peripheral vision. Like using more head checks when pulling out from the side of the road instead of relying on mirrors as much as I was doing. Like using MORE back brake than I was doing...(I have a habit of using front almost exclusively at low speed).
Overall it seemed that I was not doing too badly, 'specially for a geriatric returnee of the sort that many people on here love to bag.....
Worth the money? ($150) Yep.
. “No pleasure is worth giving up for two more years in a rest home.” Kingsley Amis
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks