advanced training.

[Tom85]

I've only had my first bike on the road for a little over a week but was just wondering are any of the advanced training days worth doing, if so which one? I'm in west yorkshire so one not too far away would be a bonus.

[...]

Your local constabulary may offer a BikeSafe course. £45, free lunch and police sanctioned speeding (or at least that was the case when I did it - 90mph through villages being told "I won't ticket you today, come on move it") was immensely satisfying.

Also gave me a few pointers and advice on where to go next. I think it's a good place to start if you're looking for a brief overview of advanced training.

[T.C]

Being an advanced examiner, I am somewhat biased, but rather than do the single one off days, get in touch with your local IAM or RoSPA group and do the full course.

Bikesafe (contrary to what some will have you believe) is a fair introduction to the principals of advanced riding, but it is not an advanced course.

One off training days can be beneficial, but if you don't have the basics right, much of what you are taight will go straight over your head

If you are looking to do advanced training to get your premiums down, then forget it as many insurers do not offer discounts these days unless you are at the top end of the qualification ladder, but if you are looking to reduce the chance of being involved in a crash that is your fault, then terrific, go for it, enjoy and have fun.

It is the best motorcycling accessory bar none.

But as I said, I am biased
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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[MarJay]

[Im-a-Ridah]

Go have a read through an advanced riding book like Roadcraft or something similar

[pinkyfloyd]

[Teflon-Mike]

Police 'Bike-Safe' is worth checking out; in SOME areas, there's no charge for it.

It IS though an intro to 'Advanced' riding, which as said, you possibly aren't ready for.

Many courses, wont take you on an advanced course until you have held licence six months or a year, and even then, many suggest you 'ought' to have not just held licence, but been riding 'big bike' over 400cc a year or more.

For where you are NOW; I'd be reccomending a 'pass-plus' course, which is more often associated with cars, but some bike schools run similar course, and name is sometimes recognised by ins-co's.

But, some schools will do 'Further' or 'post test' training on an ad-hoc basis; to cover things like night riding, carrying a pillion, motorway riding, and basics of defensive riding techniques and basics of 'advanced' riding, like the importance of smoothness, and riding for sight lines, etc.

Which may just be a case of calling around to see what's on offer.

Some Bike Clubs do training days; often under BMF sanction; BMF themselves recognise a Pass-Plus Course and have thier own 'Advanced' course 'Blue Riband' which is 'like' IAM or ROSPA, but aparently slightly more 'staged' and starting at a lower level.

Of all the 'Advanced' courses, really only the IAM scheme has any significant recognition, and would be the 'one' I'd reccomend if I had to reccomend any... BUT each has its own approach and emphasis...

BE WARNED: I know people who are 'Training Junkies'... it can get you like that.... I know people that have 'done them all' and compare the different content... they talk of training like other people talk holidays "Yeah, well last year I Did ROSPA, thinking of Doing a California Super-Bike this year, though may do IAM!" Like they were comparing Corfu or Malega!...... and Snowie is looking like becoming a victim, planning her next 'course' when she has passed her test, already!

But, it's all 'good'... BUT.... training only gives you the tools, and some idea how to use them. It doesn't give you a 'prescription' for how to handle any and every situation you are likely to encounter. And THAT is unfortunately something I DONT like about a lot of 'advanced' riding, particularly that based on 'Roadcraft'.... that 'bible' of good practice is good, and worth a read; but there is a dichotamy in it; in 'spirit' it tries to instil the ideas and pholosophies of good riding, BUT written by, and for government agency, it also tried to 'proceduralise' riding...... almost as though you could, follow the instructions and each and every time, they will work.... there are people that err more to the 'spirit' of roadcraft, and others more to the 'letter'.... and the Cardington-Clog-Dance, following the 'letter' of road-craft, at a junction changing down, coming to a stop in 1st gear, assuming safety possition, tilting selecting neutral, re-assuming safety position, waiting for gap, tilting, selecting first gear, RE-assuming safety position, pulling away, which IS as clumsy as writing it...... is a demonstration of riding precision, in that vein..... but RELIENCE on following the 'letter' without understanding the spirit, can be as dangerouse as not being trained at all.... and ultimately its you attitude, approach and using your INTELIGENCE that is most important.... Training, will NOT make anyone a 'good' rider.... but it CAN make a reseptive, open minded and 'reasonable' rider BETTER.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[herulach]

As usual, +1 to what tef says.

I've just done the first part of the training for the DIA advanced rider scheme with the same guy I did my test with (Mercury in Blackrod/Bolton, top bloke). And I have to say it was pretty useful.

I dare say Rospa/IAM would be similar, but Rospa haven't responded to 3 emails over the course of 2 months, and the nearest IAM group is an hour away.

Although I'll probably end up doing bikesafe at some stage as well, and perhaps the odd couple of hours a year with someone just watching what you're doing. Its surprising how much you don't notice yourself.
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YBR 125>FZS600

[Tom85]

Cheers for all the replies, iv'e checked out the bike safe and my local one is wakefield, which is only a few miles away and costs £60. I'll enquire more next summer then i'll of had my licence and been riding for 12 month almost. Cheers once again.

[Tenko]

I used to instruct for a Bradford-based training school many years ag (pre Direct Access), and what I learned then is still applicable today - riding a bike is 40% skill, 40% experience and 20% luck. Whilst you can be taught to improve, you can't beat experience.

My theory is that instead of starting out on a small, light bike all newly-passed folk should spend a year on the biggest, heaviest slug they can find (CX500, CB900 etc...). A year on one of those and riding a modern bike will be as easy as... well, riding a bike!!!

[Gazdaman]

I've done advanced driving (car only) and I must say its well worthwhile. It changes your whole attitude to driving, positioning, view ahead. Makes you faster, smoother and safer.

Mine was an IAM equivalent, so I'd probably go for something like that rather than a one off thing.

Gaz