Plan to become a better rider?

[Worden]

Hi all, bit of a lurker round here. Passed my DAS in Sept, got a new SV650 naked which I've only covered about 1000 miles on since passing! Now trying to work out a plan to get my riding in shape over the next year.

Firstly I want to be a better rider before the summer really kicks in so I can enjoy it with a bit more confidence. Obviously there is no substitute for miles covered on the road to improve skill, but I would like some more advanced training before I get out there to practice bad technique! The question is, roughly what order and type of training would be best?

My first port of call I think should be the Met Police Bikesafe day, as I've heared nothing but good things about it, it's local and I think it's most important to get 'normal' street riding off to a fine art first. But what should follow this do you think? Slow riding course? Get on with pursuing an AIM course? I can see the benefits of track days to improve everyday riding, but would be inclined to go for a more structured Ron Haslam style course rather than 'guess' how it's done on an open trackday, even if they do slow rider sections!

On what sort of timescale would you lay out your training regime? I'm not trying to become a pro rider before summer so I can buy myself a new R6 and go getting my knee down, but it's important for me to get as good as is sensible before summer so I'm not still practicing basic technique in June, and I also want to be working on more advanced as summer develops.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Pete

[instigator]

I wouldn't rush the process.

I would also try some books which talk about how to become a 'safer/better' rider. Search this forum for some recommendations.

You can also take constructive criticism off some of your mates if you ride in front of them, might be right, might be wrong but if they happen to point something out and you adjust yourself to suit, if you're more comfortable with it then bonus. Free riding advice.

I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at what you can learn at a trackday even if they do seem "unstructured". But I'll let someone with experience comment on that one.

You never stop learning anyway, thats for sure.

[mistergixer]

Recall those old tom & jerry cartoons?
The ones with an angel and a devil on each side of Tom?
Get 2 mates, ideally 1 from the IAM and one who is a circuit racer.
Ask them both for advice; take the middle ground!
Worked for me.

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