Keeping your riding skills sharp

[RDKLL]

Just curious, do many of the group do any follow on rider training. We are doing a 2-up motorcycle skills enhancement class on the KTM today with the spousal unit presented by the Arizona Precision Motorcycle Drill Team. It will be the 2nd year in a row. It is the BRC course without the classroom and it is free although donations are gladly accepted.

Then in the next couple of months I will be attending ProRider and learn how to ride like a Motor...no I wish. $150 for a 1 day class
https://www.proriderphoenix.com/

[Oldfishguy]

I take a course every spring, $75, a full eight hours; the state of Minnesota subsidizes it.  I've posted these videos before so many on here have seen them.  Two different but yet the same courses are offered and are designed by a former Motor Officier.  The videos are from the Advanced Course.  The next level is the Expert and many of the maneuvers are the same but the cones are moved in making everything more difficult. And the speed increases on the Expert course with several 30-40 mph brake and escape maneuvers.

If you have never done these type of things before they can be quite intimidating and humbling on a Valkyrie.  A few things I've learned along the way:

*Practice on a rural two lane road (or parking lot) doing figure 8's.  
*Never put your leg down and try to stop the bike from falling over while doing a slow speed maneuver.  With the side bags it is REALLY easy for your leg to slip under the bag and snap an ankle.  Instead just let out the clutch and straighten up the bike and drive through the cones.
*Duct tape and fire hose the front highway bars and pegs.  Unfortunately if this is your first course you will probably drop the bike. Fortunately, our bikes only go to 45 degrees and will rest on the highway front pegs.  (I've seen many a BMW go horizontal)  (Then just leave before lunch)

At the end of the day you will be a much better rider and have a lot more confidence in general and especially slow speed parking lot maneuvers.  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once completed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u_cY0ja1s4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YBHu-1uEi8

[scooperhsd]

There is a school within a couple hours  that trains LEO's for motorcycle officer riding - and that that course is open to others who can afford the tuition. I would love to take that course, but can't afford it.

Follow on training - not a bad idea, but I haven't taken anything past the AMA Advanced rider course in '94. Being able to ride most of the year kind of lessens the need for annual refresher, but a good discussion in forums like this would be good for everyone, just to remind you of any possible bad habits you may have developed.

Even the AMA course was a bit challenging for some of the Gold Wing and other fulldressers who took the course with me.

[Raider]

Retired from the Corps.  They made us take courses somewhat frequently.  If you went in with a good attitude, you can always learn something and benefit from it.  Now I'm instructor for BikeSafe, a course that focuses more on tactics of riding on the street than on technical skills.  We had to start by qualifying on the Motor Officer's course and then work toward instrcutor certification. Best thing I've done for my riding and unfortunately, I didn't do it until I had been riding about 30 years.   

Company is MotoMark1 and they offer a good deal of courses.  If you're in the NC area and have the time/$, well worth it.  BTW, I do not get paid by the company.

http://www.motomark1.com/

[scooperhsd]

Retired from the Corps.  They made us take courses somewhat frequently.  If you went in with a good attitude, you can always learn something and benefit from it.  Now I'm instructor for BikeSafe, a course that focuses more on tactics of riding on the street than on technical skills.  We had to start by qualifying on the Motor Officer's course and then work toward instrcutor certification. Best thing I've done for my riding and unfortunately, I didn't do it until I had been riding about 30 years.   

Company is MotoMark1 and they offer a good deal of courses.  If you're in the NC area and have the time/$, well worth it.  BTW, I do not get paid by the company.

http://www.motomark1.com/

That's the school I was thinking about..

[Raider]

Retired from the Corps.  They made us take courses somewhat frequently.  If you went in with a good attitude, you can always learn something and benefit from it.  Now I'm instructor for BikeSafe, a course that focuses more on tactics of riding on the street than on technical skills.  We had to start by qualifying on the Motor Officer's course and then work toward instrcutor certification. Best thing I've done for my riding and unfortunately, I didn't do it until I had been riding about 30 years.   

Company is MotoMark1 and they offer a good deal of courses.  If you're in the NC area and have the time/$, well worth it.  BTW, I do not get paid by the company.

http://www.motomark1.com/

That's the school I was thinking about..

Scoops, you can't go wrong with them.  Mark Brown is a retired Motor Officer, former Marine, and good friend.  The guy is amazing on bikes, is a great instructor, and has a great attitude.

Enjoy the course.