Improving riding skills

[4Stroke]

What facilities are available to me to enhance my riding skills and that would allow me to respond to my bikes feedback in a better way?

Any decent advanced course that don't just offer to increase the usual 'road craft/hazard' awareness?

Essentially I was watching some TT racing and thought the level of feedback the rider is getting from the bike and how he is responding to that is amazing.

Certainly this comes from years of experience but there must be somewhere I can go to at least enhance a basic level of this kind of response to the machine.

Essentially I feel I'm just sat on the machine along for the ride, I find it hard to reconise what the machine is doing underneath me and would like to improve on this somewhat.

Kind regards

[Selkie]

You'd probably want something along the lines of a track day if you're after learning the bike rather than road sense (like BikeSafe).

Maybe something like the California SuperBike School?

https://www.superbikeschool.co.uk/

I've heard good reviews; they also did an article about additional bike training in RiDE a few issues back, will see if I can find it when I get home.

[G]

Have you done any trackdays?

I'd get along to a trackday first off, then consider CSS.
'Feedback' is something at points I still have problems with - to start with it's generally accepted that a lot of it is 'in your head'.

Despite having raced at, at some points, a reasonable level - finished a season in 10 position with numerous top-5 race finishes at 'club' level... I still often find myself looking in vain for exactly what my suspension is doing so I know how to improve it.

I wasn't overly impressed by CSS, partly because their assurances of there being people of my level there proved to be a lie. However I did feel more comfortable on the bike after, though it turned out not really any faster.

Reading 'twist of the wrist II' might be a good start, whatever.

[4Stroke]

Thanks for the replies.

Books are always a good (and cheap) place to start so I think i'll pick up a good read first before anything else.

[Acemastr]

You have to remember that TT racers bikes are set up extremely well. Trackdays i think are your best bet, or if it's road racing then maybe consider the police riding course.
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[4Stroke]

[G]

If you want to try that sort of thing, then trackdays are by the best way to start in my opinion.
It lets you really explore the bike in a relatively 'safe' environment which you can't really get any where else.

[Acemastr]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Hi, Pardon my ignorance, but how does doing a trackday without tuition help you learn?

Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[G]

Because you discover a hell of a lot by pushing the bike to degrees you can't get near on the road.

Doing the same corner every one to two minutes each session means you can not only go faster, but have more chance to pay attention to the bike, as the track is quite constant.

Also, pretty much all trackdays provide free tuition.
However, there's only so much that can actually be 'taught' in regards to 'feel' on a bike.

[adz4321]

My dad swears by this book

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motorcycle-Roadcraft-The-Police-Riders-Handbook-New_W0QQitemZ290296792953QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Books_NonFictionBooks_NonFictionBooks_SM?hash=item290296792953&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

As its 13 years old and still sells for a premuim there must be something good in it . . . . .

[G]

I suspect it's not a what he's after, for some reason .

[DaveH]

[The Tot]

+1 for road craft.

It's pretty much makes logcial sense; after reading it, i want to go on an assessed ride since the road is where i do 99% of my riding. A track day will show me a thing or two about limits in a safe and controlled environment so that'll be on the list at some point. I'm looking at Wave2K and Big_Ham for ideas and inspiration. No doubt going on track will make you realise how dangerous road riding actually is, so you know to respect the conditions and generally not take the piss; but advanced road riding courses may give me that self assurance on the road.
____________________
The Tot 2007 Yamaha R1 4C8 2002 Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer &
www.youtube.com/Titot182 for your bike gear reviews and pop punk covers
Earl Of Easycore Pop Punk Will Never Die!

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

[bikedemon99]

Remember this' what you'll get away with on the track you will not on the road, surface wise so the problem of "track days" it can give you false confidence and you have to remember on the track theres no roadside furniture, having said that, enjoy it but also do your bikesafe and advanced, your always learning no matter how long you ride
____________________
Ride safe

[Shaun]

I did 5 trackdays at Cadwell and my road riding improved each time.

You get to push the bike way further than you can on the road, in turn you learn to notice when you are and aren't pushing your luck. I'd reccomend doing one, even without tuition you learn a lot about your bike. Braking from 120+ on track as hard and as late as you can makes you realise just how much you can actually brake, a nice thing to know.

Whilst a book will teach you the techniques the only way you can make these techniques second nature is through practise. I really don't reccomend you practise pushing your limits on the road.

[G]

[The Goat]

trackday trackday trackday, everything g has said is spot on. Im sure most that have done trackdays will tell you how much it has improved their riding skills over all areas, you get to learn so much about what your bike can really do, how hard you can push and the points where you can push no more all in a safe constant environment.

I think G was spot on with consistancy, taking the same corner over and over getting faster and lower, smoother and more controlled each time will do wonders for your road riding,

My advice, Take the advice of those who have been in your position, and improved

Luke

oh and in addition to what g mentioned about road surface, clearways at brands isnt exactly fantastic, bloody great bump in the middle lol, and the camber change that catches many out!
____________________
Currently Riding - Ducati 848

[Smooth]

I'd really like to do a track day, although I'd need to invest in a set of leathers beforehand.

[G]

What I usually reccomend (and will be doing sometime soon) is to get a set of good second hand leathers that are a little too big or about right and get them altered to fit.