 No matter how good you think you are, there is always something new you can learn. Advanced training courses are the best way of picking up a lot of knowledge in a short period of time. Insurers often give discounts for advanced training. Before booking a course, make a list of the things you want to improve in your riding and make sure the course will suit your needs. A good course will be flexible enough to adapt to your requirements. Groups should be small, ideally no more than two riders to each instructor. The instructors should have the relevant ACU qualifications. A number of instructors will be ex-police riders. They have received top quality training and are now in business to pass it on to you. Check bike magazines for advanced courses in your area. If they are not prepared to discuss your needs, hang up and call another one. At the end of the day it is your money we are talking about, you should be getting what you want, not taking what is offered. A cheap alternative is to contact your local IAM group. Training is given on a one to one basis. Joining your local IAM is cheap (around £30), and training costs involve paying for your observer’s petrol. Your local police may also run an observed ride scheme. An officer will follow you for a time, run through weaknesses and then take the lead to show you how it should be done. Contact your local police station for details. Requirements: Full licence, your own bike, full kit (boots, lid, gloves and leathers) and waterproofs. If you fancy the idea of seeing what you and your bike can really do, without the risk of horse-shit on the roads, oncoming traffic and crap road surfaces, then a track day could be the thing. This is your chance to ride the tracks where the likes of Carl Fogarty earn their living. Costs can be anything from £75 upwards, depending on the time of year, day of the week and the track in question. Usually split into two groups, slow and fast. Beware, track days are notoriously addictive. Also, drop the bike on the track and your insurance will not pay out for any damage. If you don’t fancy risking your own bike, there are race schools available which supply the machinery. Ron Haslam runs a race school from Donington Park. Three types of bike are available. CB500 for novices, CBR600 for intermediate riders and Fireblades for the advanced course. Ring 01332 883323 for more details. Yamaha run a race school. The introductory course is held at Cadwell Park using FZR400’s, the advanced course is at Brands Hatch or Donington, on FZR600’s. Ring 01507-343-555 for further information. Track time is limited. Forty minutes over the course of a day is about as much as you will get, but when pushing yourself to the limit, this is probably all the time you will need. Requirements: Full licence, either one or two-piece zip together leathers, lid, gloves and boots. Back to Bob's index... |
© 1998 Bob Pickett