Advanced riding – What’s it about? My view

[geodude]

First off I must say that these opinions and views are my own. I made them up myself using my own brain. I am not representing any official training organisation, charity or business.

So what’s this advanced training all about then. Well, over the past two years, I have been involved with some form of advanced training. I attended bike safe with the Dorset police. I went through the process of being observed and earned a green badge and I am a member of the local IAM group. I am hoping to get on the observer training this year once a slot is available. ...more

[benny hedges]

i remember that pic... devils bridge in wales?


tbh george i'll probably be doing the same this year, for different reasons.
i ride a lot with less experienced riders and i know they pick up stuff from me, but my riding is far from perfect.
i got my first bike at the age of 13 and have been on the road for over 30 years but im still not happy with my low speed manouvreing, on 'big' bikes anyway.

i duno if other riders think im a bit of a pussy cos i dont hurtle into bends and overtake everything on the road, but when you've written off 8 bikes you get like that lol - i dont bounce as well as i used to!

why do you ride differently when there's a plod car / bike behind you?
do you not enjoy riding safely and legally?
the longer you spend riding bikes, the more stories you will hear of riders hurt or worse.... 2 local riders were tragically killed and another seriously injured near me on monday in separate incidents, both incidents on roads i use frequently.

another new rider dropped her bike right in front of me last weekend and now needs a replacement shoulder joint.
another rider & his mrs took out by a drunk driver on sunday, both ok thankfully...
makes you think eh.

the excuse 'sorry i didnt see you' is used too much - but did you see them? why didn't you make them see you??
i've learnt the hard way to be very defensive in my riding and probably spend too much time surveying the road surface etc, especially after my last off.

anything that makes you a better safer rider is a plus imo.

not arsed about the insurance, mine is peanuts anyway.

another plus.... doing bikesafe & iam courses gets you known to plod.
might be helpfull next time you are 10 over ;)

[geodude]

i remember that pic... devils bridge in wales?


tbh george i'll probably be doing the same this year, for different reasons.
i ride a lot with less experienced riders and i know they pick up stuff from me, but my riding is far from perfect.
i got my first bike at the age of 13 and have been on the road for over 30 years but im still not happy with my low speed manouvreing, on 'big' bikes anyway.

i duno if other riders think im a bit of a pussy cos i dont hurtle into bends and overtake everything on the road, but when you've written off 8 bikes you get like that lol - i dont bounce as well as i used to!

why do you ride differently when there's a plod car / bike behind you?
do you not enjoy riding safely and legally?
the longer you spend riding bikes, the more stories you will hear of riders hurt or worse.... 2 local riders were tragically killed and another seriously injured near me on monday in separate incidents, both incidents on roads i use frequently.

another new rider dropped her bike right in front of me last weekend and now needs a replacement shoulder joint.
another rider & his mrs took out by a drunk driver on sunday, both ok thankfully...
makes you think eh.

the excuse 'sorry i didnt see you' is used too much - but did you see them? why didn't you make them see you??
i've learnt the hard way to be very defensive in my riding and probably spend too much time surveying the road surface etc, especially after my last off.

anything that makes you a better safer rider is a plus imo.

not arsed about the insurance, mine is peanuts anyway.

another plus.... doing bikesafe & iam courses gets you known to plod.
might be helpfull next time you are 10 over ;)

Great response, thanks benny. Made me feel warm and fuzzy

I enjoy riding safely....legally....bah!

"A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from other"

[benny hedges]

Great response, thanks benny. Made me feel warm and fuzzy

that's bmw riders for you.... your tena man needs changing

[Jazzscot]

Good couple of posts there guys. I agree with everything you guys have said. As I get older the need for speed to get my thrills gets less (Im not saying I dont twist the throttle now and then). I also have others in my life to think about such as wife and kids and try my best to avoid danger whenever I can.

I did the bikesafe course with Fife police last year and learned a lot about my riding style etc. I also get a wave every time I see the plod guys on their bikes as we all had a great day out together sharing our skills and knowledge with each other.

Jazz

[geodude]

Great response, thanks benny. Made me feel warm and fuzzy

that's bmw riders for you.... your tena man needs changing

pmsl

Good couple of posts there guys. I agree with everything you guys have said. As I get older the need for speed to get my thrills gets less (Im not saying I dont twist the throttle now and then). I also have others in my life to think about such as wife and kids and try my best to avoid danger whenever I can.

I did the bikesafe course with Fife police last year and learned a lot about my riding style etc. I also get a wave every time I see the plod guys on their bikes as we all had a great day out together sharing our skills and knowledge with each other.

Jazz

Thanks Jazzscot.

As I have said before, I am still a bit exuberant with my riding, but its more controlled if that makes sense Less rage more control.

[vtwin]

I also completely agree with the views above.

I have been riding bikes for over 30 years, but I don't think I know it all. Riding a bike on todays roads is a risk full stop, but I still do it because I love bikes.

I tend to ride with the thought that every other person on the road is out to get me and any corner could be covered in cow sh1t or potholes ( I do live in wales ! ) As benny said, we all say 'he didnt see me' but I try to make sure others do see me ( my scorpion pipes help )

I don't consider my self part of the 'pipe and slippers' brigade as I was called the other day, but if it keeps me safe then who cares if I am.

I think you will find this is what makes this site work so well as most people are like minded bike enthusiasts - with the exception of course of one or two - you know who you are.

[tony.mon]

I don't consider my self part of the 'pipe and slippers' brigade - you know who you are.

Race pipes and slipper clutch, maybe.......

[Stratman]

Doing an Advanced Course was the best thing I ever did on a bike, that and the Police Safe Rider Course. Its all about position and defensive riding IMHO - if, for example, some knob wants to fly past me near a road junction then let him/her (would she still be a knob?) Anyway, I wait for the bends then watch the knee out jockeys tie themselves in knots then go past. Not always, but usually. Even more fun doing it on the TDM with the top box on

[pinkyfloyd]

So geo. How much are you going to charge me for an advanced course? Mates rates and fellow member rates and all that

[geodude]

So geo. How much are you going to charge me for an advanced course? Mates rates and fellow member rates and all that

If i'm riding the storm £200 for fuel
On the beemer £0

But it won't be official or anything nor a course as I am not qualified. And even if I was qualified it would be £0 (although you would have to pay for the Skills for life package to make it official which is £139)

All I can offer is to observe you and using what I have learnt, offer my opinion mate. I'd be happy to do it though.

[geodude]

Doing an Advanced Course was the best thing I ever did on a bike, that and the Police Safe Rider Course. Its all about position and defensive riding IMHO - if, for example, some knob wants to fly past me near a road junction then let him/her (would she still be a knob?) Anyway, I wait for the bends then watch the knee out jockeys tie themselves in knots then go past. Not always, but usually. Even more fun doing it on the TDM with the top box on

Like this?


It is a lot about being defensive imo. "It was his fault" doesn't mean sh1t when your in a box eh?

[geodude]

I don't consider my self part of the 'pipe and slippers' brigade - you know who you are.

Race pipes and slipper clutch, maybe.......

So I just need Race pipes and a slipper clutch then I'll be complete

[tony.mon]

It's the race pipes that stop me going out on observed rides with the old bill, TBH.
Try to find roads and routes where I WON'T be observed, mostly.

They won't even let me on at Brands with the carbon cans on mine!

[pinkyfloyd]

So geo. How much are you going to charge me for an advanced course? Mates rates and fellow member rates and all that

If i'm riding the storm £200 for fuel
On the beemer £0

But it won't be official or anything nor a course as I am not qualified. And even if I was qualified it would be £0 (although you would have to pay for the Skills for life package to make it official which is £139)

All I can offer is to observe you and using what I have learnt, offer my opinion mate. I'd be happy to do it though.

Might have to take you up on that one day over the summer bud. I'll pay for lunch just to be nice etc. I passed my DAS just under a year ago and in a few years (when I've held my license 3 years) I'll be training to become an instructor. Any help towards that goal is always appreciated, including bettering my own riding ability.