Advanced Bike Training

[fomb]

Once all this weathers gone, I was thinking of some sort of advanced rider training.

Has anyone done any? Got any recommendations / feedback?

[cosicave]

Just as with cars, and run in essentially the same way, the most practical route is probably through the IAM.

Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists
http://www.iam.org.uk/do_you_want_to_be_a_better_r...

Or you may find the Groups Directory more helpful:
http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroupsdirectory/

[MC Bodge]

The story of my bike IAM

[organicchris]

When I first passed my bike test I went to Mike Waite, an ex police instructor in Devon. Though I had been driving for many years and miles he really opened my eyes to how it can/should be done and was a brilliant teacher.
He has since retired though his techniques are carried on visit www.mikewaite.co.uk for more info.
In the Wigan / Bolton area I went to Dave williamson, who by coincidence originally trained with Mike.
I had a refresher with Dave to achieve my RoSPA Gold Award for Bikes.
A bit of googling gives:
Dave Williamson Motorcycle Tuition
13, Ling Drive
Atherton
Gtr. Manchester
M46 9BH
Tel: [phone]

Incidentally my , then 17 year old, son was dragged moaning and whinging, on my insistance, in his 'hot hatch' for a day with Mike after passing his driving test. He had a great day and was surprised to be urged to 'make more progress' than he already was doing. He had to admit that he had learnt a great deal and that he wasn't God's Gift to driving after all!

Good luck, if you get a good tutor you'll have a great time and hopefully save any accidents.

[cosicave]

organicchris: That's a great story. Nice one…

[MC Bodge]

As per my thread about it above ^^, I would recommend IAM and see how you get on. It's cheap for what it is and the test with the Police examiner is worth the entrance fee alone.

organicchris said:

<my son>... had to admit that he had learnt a great deal and that he wasn't God's Gift to driving after all!

I had a similar experience at 3 Sisters in a Formula Ford when I was 18. I was amazed that I wasn't the fastest person there .

Having held a couple of unnecessary powerslides and received blue flags, though, I proceeded to go faster then lost it on a bend.

A good experience.

[Steve Evil]

I decided to do a day with www.rapidtraining.co.uk rather than going for the IAM / ROSPA route (I may go there one day).

They also do track days under the guise of track-based training, where you can grab an instructor to help you improve certain aspects of riding and enjoy a track day without the selection of muppets that you usually get.

If you're after more specific cornering, bike-handling and track-based training then I don't think I've heard a bad word about www.superbikeschool.co.uk

[SVS]

How did you find the Rapid course?

I found Superbike School superb for Level 1.

Level 2, however, wasn't worth the investment for me. It would be great if you're doing a track day every month, but Level 2 wasn't helpful for my day-to-day riding. I wished I'd invested the money in another day with Rapid instead.

[5.0ltr]

You could have a look here...
http://www.advanced-motorcycle-course.co.uk

[thatone1967]

this guy lives around the corner from me, no idea what he is like (business wise), met him a few times dog walking and he seems like a nice chap... could be worth a shout....

http://www.3cmt.com/contactus.html

[Thesius]

thatone1967 said:

this guy lives around the corner from me, no idea what he is like (business wise), met him a few times dog walking and he seems like a nice chap... could be worth a shout....

http://www.3cmt.com/contactus.html

I know Stuart from 3cmt, he is a good lad and can ride that blackbird of his very well.

He is also a member of http://www.tvam.org.uk/ which is a very good club and well worth a look.

[Steve Evil]

SVS said:

How did you find the Rapid course?

I found Superbike School superb for Level 1.

Level 2, however, wasn't worth the investment for me. It would be great if you're doing a track day every month, but Level 2 wasn't helpful for my day-to-day riding. I wished I'd invested the money in another day with Rapid instead.

Only just seen this, but the Rapid course was great, only negative was that as a relatively new rider, I got paired with another new rider, only we'd both learnt at a different rate and he got left behind a fair bit, whilst I had to potter along behind whilst it was his turn. Great bunch of guys though and I'll be doing another track day or two with them this year, just waiting for the dates to be announced.

As for the CSS, my bike is really crying out for some track-time, so I feel that doing both level 1 and 2 will give me plenty to work on throughout the rest of the year when I can afford to do a few days.

[Tuscan Rat]

Another place to look is Bikesafe.

http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/

[ClassOne]

Have a look at 'Ride Drive' ........mostly serving or ex police instructors with bags of practical experience.

Good luck

A

[Joe911]

fomb said:

Once all this weathers gone, I was thinking of some sort of advanced rider training.
Has anyone done any? Got any recommendations / feedback?

Have you read Twist of the Wrist II (Keith Code) - it's good. Worth looking at before some training IMHO.

Also - there's a DVD of it (available from Duke) which brings it alive a little more.
The style of the DVD is a little unusual, but educational (to a frightened old bloke like me).


Edit ... sorry should say that is all about riding technique and not about roadcraft.

Edited by Joe911 on Monday 10th January 11:03

[moanthebairns]

having just passed my tests for a full bike license i was thinking about further training (when i eventually have the bloody money for one). 
i spoke to my instructor about further training, he does it but said i should ride for atleast 3 months before coming to see him as it would just be like going on another lesson and I'd be too slow to make progress. 
i know Im by no means quick on two wheels. but i would consider my driving awareness to be not to bad. partly thanks to being a avid reader if this forum and i drive 40 k plus a year all over the uk. i am however not complacent and still have moments where i have a quiet word with myself. 

so to cut this short do posters who have went on the Iam think it's for people right out of tests or do you need to have a degree of skill to make it worth while. 

basically I'm a future wannabee biker that is deemed competent I'n the eyes of the law but know i have been taught how to pass a test and I haven't started learning to ride. 

Edited by moanthebairns on Tuesday 25th January 14:02

[fleurdelyes]

If you complete a course and you have to reach a certain standard to achieve a pass from the course, then it is there to get you to a certain standard.
If you attend the course and you struggle then all that happens is that you get more tuition for your money. If you go and the course sails by with little or no effort on your behalf, then I would suggest that you should perhaps have though about a different route.

I would say;

Go on the IAM or ROSPA course and let the people who instruct and assess you decide. They will assess your abilities on the first session and if you are not up to a very good standard then they will tell you what you need to do to get to the expected standard.

Have a go. !!!

[fleurdelyes]

Sorry forgot to add....

If you attend a Bikesafe course ( run by the Police ) then you will have a basic understanding of what is required to reach the level set by the IAM or ROSPA. The courses are run by serving ( normally ) Police officers ( if they aren't made redundant in the current financial situation ) who will let you know what you are doing and perhaps even why you are doing it. It is an introduction into advanced motorcycling. The courses are run on the weekends and there is a small price to pay. I know the West Midlands one is good 'cos I do it !!

[SVS]

Hi, I agree with the recommendation to start with BikeSafe and/or the IAM's new RideCheckPlus course:
www.iam.org.uk/ridecheckplus/ridecheckplus.html
www.BikeSafe.co.uk