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What trainings has everyone taken?

13K views 56 replies 47 participants last post by  Spade 
#1 ·
Here in Ohio we have Motorcycle Ohio, I took my first class 12 years ago and again this summer with my teenage daughter so she could start riding.

I further sent the daughter off with the husband and they both went to Cornerspin in North Carolina and their riding proficiency has improved by leaps and bounds.
 
#5 ·
I started with the MSF Basic Rider Course around 10 years ago. This year, I committed to taking some form of rider training at least once every 2 years. I began by taking the MSF's BRC2 course put on by a local Harley-Davidson dealer back in June. Next I have my eye set on an advanced street riding course put on a couple of times each summer at a race track a couple of hours away.
 
#6 ·
I had to take the MSF Basic Course when I was in the Army. I haven't taken any other formal, hands-on training since then, but I do have a fascination with seeking out and reading riding/safety articles and tips online and still find ones that I find worthwhile and interesting.
 
#7 ·
I'se been to Motorcycle safety training 1 and 2. And Keith Code Super Bike School at Riverside Int'l Raceway in the early 80's.
I have no aspirations of being a Ricky Racer and know how to not exceed my talents and am pretty good on the brakes.
That said, I've been know to ride like my hair was on fire. Well, at least I've been accused of it.>:)
 
#9 ·
Due to far too many work related accidents (none mine) a previous employer made us all take an advanced driver training course. The bit I remember was the emergency stop on wet grass. I stoppied a Toyota Corolla that day :). All those years riding bikes paid off ...
 
#11 ·
I took an MSF Advanced Rider Training in May of this year. First training after taking the basic MSF that got me started in motorcycling 20+ years ago.
Emergency braking exercises weren’t a big deal for me, but the tight u-turns and figure eights taught me some new and useful skills. It was a day well spent and fun. Definitely recommend it.
 
#18 ·
Took the MSF basic class before I even got my bike. Took the intermediate/refresher course once I got my DL650. Took the MSF ARC twice. The first time I took it, I was not satisfied with my performance, so I took it again the following year. Took the VA State Police Ride2SaveLives course twice, same story. I have also gone out on my own and practiced the exercises from both the ARC and VSP classes.
 
#19 ·
Training is a personal issue. Have taken ARC every year for the past 5 years, get better every time - also took the Total Control course by Lee Parks. Eventually want to take a civilian police motorcycle course - 2 weeks of ride like a bike cop - here's the link https://advancedridertraining.com/. As has been mentioned, learn something new every time, you're at your best just after the course and go downhill afterwards due to just riding and not as diligent in practicing. Practicing is your friend. I think the money spent on an ARC is well spent and better value for your money than insurance, but insurance is mandatory, training is not. Want to take an offroad course, and now that I have the Vee, will be looking into it.

It also depends on your bike. Nice to go on an ARC where the instructors teach on the same bike. Did that with my '08 1800 Goldwing (since sold). Found an ARC where the lead instructor was one of the top riders at the Goldwing Wing Ding. He also demonstrated everything on the course on his 1800. It was quite impressive to watch. The instructor who was on the 1800 would do a "follow me" near the end of the course and push you until you had had enough. Sort of like the Top Gun movie where the instructors push the new pilots to their limits and beyond. The after course discussions were an eye opener as well. One young fellow on a lighter and less CC of a bike mentioned that he almost quit, but after seeing the 1800 Goldwings go through the course he was determines to do the same.

A benefit from taking these courses is you meet some like minded riders, and have a great time. It's interesting to see how everyone progresses.

Just a few thoughts. Never too old to learn new skills or refresh your old ones. We all develop habits that need tweaking/correction every now and then.

As an aside, the Victoria Police department has changed over to DL1000 Vstroms for its police bikes.

Cheers
 
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#20 ·
Got my first bike(Honda 150) 52 years ago. No training available back then. When I got into dirt bikes in the early 70's the magazines would have articles on things to practice for better control. Those skills still help me today. I still occasionally find empty lots(Paved or not) and practice. Also riding alone also allows you to practice on lonely roads.
Yes a class is still a good idea and allows you to give total focus with a critic to correct what you might have thought was okay.
My only break in riding was 97 to 03.
 
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#21 ·
A beginner track day changed everything for me on the street. I posted earlier with a different theme. I'm pretty aware on the street and have seen enough oil, sand, gravel and such on paved corners to not be crazy out there. But I'll encourage anyone to do a basic track day at a race track. You learn what the bike can do and you'll be amazed at what it and you can do if you wish. It helps you stay in your lane when the corner is sharper than anticipated and many other things to improve your street riding.
 
#22 ·
Did a track day on my '85 GL1200 Limited. Got a lot of looks from everyone when I pulled into the track. Had already done a suspension upgrade so I was confident that it would do well. Had a great time, and learned a lot about me and the bike. Hooked one of the corner pylons once and felt the rear tire lift then settle back down. Straightened up, rode off the course and caught my breath. Next few laps were a bit slower. Very fortunate the bike didn't decide to lay down. The track gods were looking out for me that day.

When I went on a Total Control course by Lee Parks, he was the lead facilitator and gave the intro. He mentioned that all bikes are very well designed, will do everything you can think of, some better than others, but all bets are off once we get on them. Another course I went on, asked the lead instructor if he ever rode student bikes to demo. He mentioned he did so I gave him the keys to my 2008 Suzuki C90T. He dragged the pegs, did u-turns and figure 8s without a problem. He mentioned that he had never rode this make/model before, and told me that the bike will do the course, he wasn't sure about the owner. Had a great time on the course.

Just a few thoughts.

Cheers
 
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#23 ·
MSF course (discounted insurance!!), but the really fun one I took was Rawhyde off-the-pavement course (geared towards BMW owners but you can bring your own bike).... That one was so fun and now I always keep knobbier tires on the bike "just in case" I find trails or forest service roads etc to go on. So fun!!!
 
#24 ·
I do enjoy taking courses and practing in a parking lot. All the classes have been very educational and fun. The most memorable are RawHyde and the Track Day. RawHyde is Disneyland for motorcyclists, basically an all inclusive motorcycle course - awesome instructors and you meet riders from all over US. The track day because I never thought I do it, and taught me how to important brakes are while cornering.

SuperBike coach cornering classes 1-3
Intermediate MSF course
Track-day
RawHyde Intro
American SuperCamp

I have enjoyed all my classes and looking forward to taking more. The plus side is the other riders you met, and being open minded to different techniques and instruction.

Cheers
 
#25 ·
I started riding in 2016, so am relatively new, although I use my bike nearly every day and commute to work on it.

In British Columbia, when we take the MSA course, it gives us a "New Driver's" graduated licencing. We can carry that for a year, then you have to do a road test. It's involved, see: ICBC - Get your Motorcycle Licence.

In the early spring of 2018 here in Greater Vancouver, on a muddy, rainy day, I took an off road riding course. Have never put it to use. Then at the Touratech Rally last year, I took one with Brett Tcaks which was great, but showed my limits on handling the V-Strom.

I plan on doing my local off-road school again this year, and actually committing to riding off road a bit. I'm enlisting some friends in that. If I take the course in April, then the trails will start to dry out over the next couple of months and I can get a few km's on some good fire roads.

Yes, I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy. But this is the way I look at it.

I downhill ski, and have for years. One lesson a year helps, as I always walk away from it with more knowledge and another tool in my tool belt, plus often a bunch of technical reminders.

Given what we have to do to get a motorcycle licence in BC, I was shocked - SHOCKED! - to find out that most US states only require the MSA and low-speed control in a parking lot.
 
#26 ·
Graduated licensing here, so started out taking the beginner course in 2003 to get the basic license.
Took the second course 5 years later to get the full moto license.
Took the Lee Parks Level 1 & 2 courses a few years later and took the Total Control skills days for a few years to frequently revisit good habits.
Became a moto instructor and taught for 6 years, which was a good way to keep up the good habits as well.

Stopped teaching and taking courses for a couple years now. Went down to Deals Gap last year for 8 days of relentless twisties and was surprised at how weak my technique had become. It took a few days of riding twisty roads to get the good habits back.

Hopefully next year will get another course in of some sort.
Nothing beats having someone watch me and video my technique for the sole purpose of providing feedback.
 
#32 ·
Graduated licensing here, so started out taking the beginner course in 2003 to get the basic license.
Took the second course 5 years later to get the full moto license.
Took the Lee Parks Level 1 & 2 courses a few years later and took the Total Control skills days for a few years to frequently revisit good habits.
Became a moto instructor and taught for 6 years, which was a good way to keep up the good habits as well.

Stopped teaching and taking courses for a couple years now. Went down to Deals Gap last year for 8 days of relentless twisties and was surprised at how weak my technique had become. It took a few days of riding twisty roads to get the good habits back.

Hopefully next year will get another course in of some sort.
Nothing beats having someone watch me and video my technique for the sole purpose of providing feedback.
The skills go away quickly. After owning a race track and ridding school, I miss the annual check ride. We all develop bad habits. The ST1300 spoiled me. It took a day on the track to remember how to ride a bike that does not forgive.
Being an old Marine, I preform best when someone I respect is in my face telling me how I F*ucked up.
 
#27 · (Edited)
School of hard knocks 1958-1980, then NSF Basic one day course in 1980, then another NSF class for four wheelers in about 1992, both required by my employer. I learned more about safe motoring in Drivers Ed. at 14 and reading motorcycle magazines than any other source. Crashing a dirt bike on occasion is a workable learning tool as well.
 
#28 ·
I started riding in the late fifties on a old rat A.J.S pushed it more than rode it. Dirt bikes in the Ca. desert in the 60s And 70s that taught me a lot. Sport Bikes in the 80s & 90s. I took a Keith Code Super bike class at Willow Springs level 4 on both times in 88 and 93 best money I ever spent. Now at 84 yrs. old I cover 15 to 20 thousand a yr. most of it touring. Never had a accident, I feel due to dirt riding and Superbike school...
 
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