Anyone else for Alameda County Sheriff's Training Class, Saturday 11/01?

[echo7tango]

Hi there, I am new to this list and looking forward to getting to know the good people here. I just signed up for this class in Dublin on Sat 01 Nov. This is the Basic class (they have Basic, Intermediate & Advanced).

Anyone out there want to join in? It'd be good to meet other BARF member(s) and we can work through this class together.
(Hopefully without embarrassing ourselves)

Motorcycle Consumer News had an interesting article a few months back about police rider training. A friend of mine took this last year and said it was very challenging and he learned a lot. Here are some links with info. These links map to the Alameda County Sheriff site.

Basic Class Info: http://tinyurl.com/2y3w32

Motorcycle Patterns: http://tinyurl.com/4andbc

Main site: http://sheriffacademy.com/ (select EVOC)

Is anyone game?

 

[cbrf3]

I am signed up for the basic on 10/11.. looks like it will be a great learning experience:ride

 

[Kornholio]

I live down the street from the Academy and I've wanted to take this course. Hmmm....

 

[echo7tango]

Hey cbrf3, are you going to rent one of their bikes or ride your own? (I plan on riding my own) Have fun. Please post and let us know how it goes for you.

Kornholio: From one veteran to another: let's do it! You apparently live close by, so drop in and take a quick look at one of their upcoming classes. Here are their remaining classes for 2008:
• BASIC: Oct 11, Nov 1
• INTERMEDIATE: Oct 12, Nov 2
• ADVANCED: Nov 8

 

[Kornholio]

Sounds awesome! I would want to use their bikes, though. You know, in case there's any dropping in some of those tight turn situations. :laughing

 

[Enchanter]

Hey cbrf3, are you going to rent one of their bikes or ride your own? (I plan on riding my own)

I'd highly recommend that you rent one of theirs. One slight mistake could make you rethink your choice, and by then, it may be too late.

 

[gmcsid]

If you are able to protect your bike I would suggest you ride your own. I ziptied heater hose around my engine guard and saddle bag guards. I dropped it a few times but there was no damage done.

Another guy in my class used his own bike but didn't have any protection. He high sided it during a brake and swerve excersize and ended up bending the handle bars and breaking/denting some body work.

 

[Kornholio]

If you are able to protect your bike I would suggest you ride your own. I ziptied heater hose around my engine guard and saddle bag guards. I dropped it a few times but there was no damage done.

Another guy in my class used his own bike but didn't have any protection. He high sided it during a brake and swerve excersize and ended up bending the handle bars and breaking/denting some body work.

I'd rather pay $50 and damage their bike than screw up my own and have to deal with the insurance company. :thumbdown

 

[gmcsid]

I'd rather pay $50 and damage their bike than screw up my own and have to deal with the insurance company. :thumbdown

That is why I said "if you are able to protect your bike." Their bikes are very different from mine and I would rather learn the techniques while on the bke I ride everyday instead of trying to adapt what I learn on a different bike to my bike.

Either way it's a very valuable course and will definately improve anyones riding. :thumbup

 

[Kornholio]

But you ride a full sized Harley everyday anyway. What's the difference?

 

[masameet]

The ACSO training motorcycles are old Kawis with old clutches and iffy brakes. But folks ride 'em.

Last year I rode my DRZ in Basic class. Glad I did too.

 

[gmcsid]

But you ride a full sized Harley everyday anyway. What's the difference?

I actually had to ride one of them doing the downhill uturns because mine couldn't turn that sharp. The Kawis feel much lighter and are easier to turn than mine. After getting back on my bike if felt twice as heavy and it probably almost is.

 

[Xago]

I am looking at signing up if there is still room.

Are there any other programs like this in the Bay Area? Such as on the peninsula? I wasn't able to find any sheriff or police training.

Also any more info on about the different level or courses? I plan on calling tomorrow and asking. I have been riding for over 3 years but only have a few weeks experience on a new bike in the Bay Area. Does that mean I am basic or intermediate?

Thanks for the info and bringing this class to my attention.

 

[gmcsid]

I am not familiar with any other courses like this one.

The levels are loose. You could go to the basic one and the instructors will adjust the course according to the progress of the class. They will even split off into groups of different skill levels.

 

[aperture8]

I am too short to ride ASCO's Kawis, so I'll be going back again on 10/11, this time using my own bike....

From the standpoint of not wanting to damage my bike, I wish that I could have used ASCO's bikes, but it's just not possible. Oh, well, c'est la vie. On the other hand, I am happy that I'll be using my own bike because: 1) I'm really glad that I won't have to spend time getting used to those Kawis, and 2) I'm glad that I'll be learning the techniques on my own bike; that way, I won't have to "relearn" these exercises on my own bike, :thumbup

To be on the safe side, I'll be taking my spare clutch and brake levers and I've already taped up my engine guard with heater insulation hose, like gmcsid described. (Did that for masameet's Martinez practices and haven't bothered to take it off...) I'm really hoping that I won't have to be calling a tow company, :laughing

I liked the classroom portion of the course with Raleigh et al and I'm glad that I'll be able to go back and do the riding part of the course, :ride

 

[bluesboy]

I rented there bike and was glad I did. As I dropped it. Better their's then mine. I think about half the class dropped their bikes at some point. Also one of the people who used their own bikw dropped it and broke the clutch lever off,and was out the rest of the day. Just my :2cents

 

[pandy]

I've been seriously considering this...perhaps now's the time to jump (I mean, why not completely humiliate myself among new friends, eh? )... :laughing

 

[Xago]

I signed up today. There are still some spots open for Oct 11th and 12th if anyone is interested. I signed up for the "Basic" after talking with Viki their scheduling person. I might as well drop a bike in the basic class instead of the intermediate, the class sounds pretty adaptive to the groups skill level. Sounds like fun.

Definitely going to ride my bike there and rent one of theirs. Anyone else coming from the peninsula?

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Great classes, and well tailored to each class' particular training objectives. i've taken beginner and intermediate. I did drop my Nighthawk in the beginner class, and dented the tank and bent the brake lever a bit; I'd suggest either renting their old Kawis or taping up engine guards if you have 'em. Spare levers would be a good idea, too.

Even the basic version of the course is Quite Demanding; everyone will get something out of it, and they will split off the class to do more advanced maneuvers if they see fit.

 

[argh]

I'm signed up for the Intermediate class on the 2nd. Sooo psyched!