Next Training Course?

D

Dave H

Well-known member
In my 3rd year of riding and trying to decide what training course I want to attend this year. I did the IRC last year and enjoyed it although didn't include as many new things as I'd hoped. Sure I'll take the ARC at some point but not this year. I've also done the Alameda County Sheriff's Office basic civvy course which I thoroughly enjoyed. I've heard people on these pages say this course is worth revisiting and I'm inclined to agree, although not this year.

So... before you suggest 8 days riding some of the original Dakar Rally route (see https://www.mickextanceexperience.com/moroccan-tours.php or 44Teeth / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHribeKz9rY for a "review") or Texas Tornado Boot Camp (both of which have recently been added to my bucket list) I'm thinking about a 1-day course that is easily accessible from the Bay Area (i.e. need to think of the family!).

Open to something street focused, dirt or track. What courses have other people done that you recommend? Thanks in advance!
 
D

Dave H

Well-known member
In my 3rd year of riding and trying to decide what training course I want to attend this year. I did the IRC last year and enjoyed it although didn't include as many new things as I'd hoped. Sure I'll take the ARC at some point but not this year. I've also done the Alameda County Sheriff's Office basic civvy course which I thoroughly enjoyed. I've heard people on these pages say this course is worth revisiting and I'm inclined to agree, although not this year.

So... before you suggest 8 days riding some of the original Dakar Rally route (see https://www.mickextanceexperience.com/moroccan-tours.php or 44Teeth / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHribeKz9rY for a "review") or Texas Tornado Boot Camp (both of which have recently been added to my bucket list) I'm thinking about a 1-day course that is easily accessible from the Bay Area (i.e. need to think of the family!).

Open to something street focused, dirt or track. What courses have other people done that you recommend? Thanks in advance!
 
B

bobl

Well-known member
Consider Reg Pridmore's Class. Great folks, safest course on a track, lots of personal instruction if you ask, or they will leave you to it if you want. 20 min on track, 20 in classroom. Great people!
 
danate

danate

#hot4beks
I'd recommend ARC if you want something on pavement. The IRC is building foundation for the skills you will learn in the ARC and after that you are in a good position to head to the track and hone your skills.

Otherwise, dirt training is always well worth it. I've been wanting to try the Mystery school myself.
 
ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Mr. Dual Sport Rider
Have you considered reading some books?

Here's a good place to start:
Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough
Total Control by Lee Parks
A Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code​
 
F

fubar929

Well-known member
Nothing has done more to improve my street riding than riding at the track. Partly because it completely removed my desire to push the limits on public roads, but mostly because street speeds feel like slow motion compared to track speeds. The 2-Day Ken Hill schools offered by Carters@TheTrack are your best option for a track-based school, but Z2 Track Days and the California Superbike School also have good programs for track novices. The Superbike School is especially convenient since they'll rent you a bike and gear; just show up and ride.

FWIW, nothing did more to improve my track riding than spending some time riding 2-up behind former national champ Jason Pridmore back when he was running the STAR School. Talk about mind expanding...
 
D

Dave H

Well-known member
fubar929 said:
...Partly because it completely removed my desire to push the limits on public roads...
Click to expand...

Removing desire to push limits on the street resonates... think I mostly ride pretty sensibly on the street in part because I've got some idea of how high the limits of the machine are (the rider is a different issue!) and I can see getting to explore more of those limits would make it even easier to keep it in check on the street.
 
K

KnifeySpoony

_______________________
fubar929 said:
Nothing has done more to improve my street riding than riding at the track. Partly because it completely removed my desire to push the limits on public roads, but mostly because street speeds feel like slow motion compared to track speeds. ..
Click to expand...

This 100%. As long as you don't take your newly found pace learned on track back to the street, then riding track will absolutely make you a safer rider. Many a street crash could have been avoided if the rider was able to control the bike at/to its limit.
 
Z

Z675R

Active member
A track day would be great. Z2 seems pretty serious about teaching technique in addition to letting you ride on the track.
 
budman

budman

General Menace
Staff member
Local track day for sure.

Hope you find a good spot to continue your progress.
 
MR662

MR662

AFM #662
Easiest and cheapest option is attending a track day on your bike and getting some free feedback/instruction from the track day instructors. Or look at track day providers page and find yourself a novice school, Carter’s pits on a good track school.

Could also do something like Yamaha Champ school is Which is awesome, but generally held at tracks out of state.

Rich Oliver’s mystery school is dirt based and flat track oriented but still helps greatly with improving your street riding skills.

Brian Bartlow also hosts a similar course called Feel Like a Pro dirt.

Since you’ve already done IRC I really think you’d enjoy a track day as you would be able to practice things like counter steering, weight transfer, body position, weighting pegs, trail braking at speed rather then just in a parking lot.

I’m a big believer that those who attend even just a few track days become much safer and more competent street riders then those who have thousands upon thousands of miles just commuting the freeways to work,
 
JMardy

JMardy

More head - less ass
Z675R said:
A track day would be great. Z2 seems pretty serious about teaching technique in addition to letting you ride on the track.
Click to expand...

The Z2 Novice school is fantastic. Like anything, you get as much out of it as you put into it. If you work with an instructor and work on one thing each session, you will learn a LOT.
Maybe you get really lucky and get to ride with Kazman. :thumbup :ride
 
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