skills practice

[CharlieS]

I took the MSF basic rider course early in October. I enjoyed the course, especially the skills tests. After doing these on the little Suzuki GS 250, I was wondering how difficult they'd be on my Sprint.
Well, I was out yesterday, and the idea popped back into my head about getting some cones. I checked out a dollar type store, where everything is about a dollar. After walking around in there dodging around the old ladies, I finally found them. Orange cones....4 for a dollar! Well, that satisfied the old cheap gene. I bought 6 packs.
I found a very nice parking lot, fresh sealing, new stripes, level, and not a car on it. I set up some cones, laying them out in some configurations I downloaded off the internet. I tried an offset weave pattern, 12 feet apart, 2 foot offset. Wow! That wasn't going to happen for me. So I opened it up to 15 feet. That was tough. I set up some cones 15ft apart for a straight weave, and that helped get the feel. Went back to the offset cones, and was able to do them. Wow, was I working up a sweat. I also set up a 24 foot by 60 foot box for u-turn/figure eight, and a line to practice emergency stops. I was finally able to do the box without putting a foot down. That was my achilles heel at the safety course. After a while, I got my rythm and feel, and I was able to ride it with some confidence. I have to tell you, that was a lot of work. It was a cool day, and my liner came out and I opened up my vents, and I was still getting hot. I didn't bring any water with me, so an hour of this was all I could take.
Well, getting up this morning, this old man is sore! Now I've been riding every day for the last 2 weeks, rain or shine, because my truck is DOA. So it's not like I haven't been riding. But that little practice session with the cones really put it to me.
I hear about and see people getting together for rides. Rides are posted on the net, at dealers and shops, and in the mags. Poker runs, charity runs, just going out riding. But I never hear anyone getting together to practice skills. Is there no interest in this aspect of motorcycling, or is it just overlooked?
Not trying to get on a soapbox or anything like that. I'm just saying that I had as much fun on the parking lot with my bike, and was just as challenged, if not more, than taking a ride out on the local public twisties.
Anyone else playing on the parking lot?

---Charlie

[dshafer54]

I've taken the experienced rider class 3 times, not because I needed too! It's cheap in Ohio, $25, plus it's a good refresher for your skills after a long winter off. I also have my own set of cones and on occasion I'll find an opening parking lot and do some of the drills. After a couple of warmup trys the Sprint handles the drillls with ease, especially compared to the assortment of Harley's that show up. Some of the Harley riders seem incapable of going anywhere but a straight line and invaribaly one of those pretty chrome garage queens will go down!

Price is possibly going up in Ohio and I may have maxed out on what I can learn, so I likely will be skipping the class next year.

You are correct, the course is challenging- I'll always try to do the drills as fast as possible or as fast as the instructors will let me.

[triumph_955_st]

I've been trying to get our pack more focused on safety. Fortunately our pack has been very open to it. We've had our own parking lot skills refresher course which was very well attended. We've adopted new group riding techniques that has drawn nothing but accolades from the members. It is amazing how simple parking lot workshops will tax you and build skills at the same time. One of our members was an instructor in England and has been an INCREDIBLE amount of help. Our Packs website now has a "Safety Corner" which he is authoring. I encourage everyone to read his articles. We are going to build upon the workshops next year to help more members.

So, Yes we play in the parking lots too!!

[sincity337]

Folks,

If you ever get a chance to go to a "Total Control" class, do it! Worth every hard-earned penny......

[STORMRIDER]

Good thing!

In the local motorcycle Club Im enlisted, we've actually offered for 3 consecutives years a slow speed skills contest with prizes and all. Its great and a whole lot harder than it seems at first for people. All kinds of bikes do it... Golwings with the trailer in the back, Big touring Hardly Ablesons, Hayabusas, regular bikes, sportbikes, dual sport bikes, supermotos, big scoots. The happening is great and we actually bet on people and you'd be surprised that its not always the small bikes or the young folks who are the best at it ! I won last year and my best friend on his BMW K1200R won this year. The first year it was the guy with the Goldwing WITH the trailer that won, boy, THAT was impressive

[Cam]

I love parking lot practice. Swerve, quick stops and slow turns are something I do several times per year. I stopped doing courses a while ago since I usually end up with people who need a lot of instruction and the class tends to stall. Racing classes can be fun but they don't really strengthen road riding fundamentals.

[dshafer54]

Originally Posted by sincity337

Folks,

If you ever get a chance to go to a "Total Control" class, do it! Worth every hard-earned penny......

This or something similar is my next class, as I think I've maxed out my learning with the experienced rider class.

[sparky675]

Please tell me more about this "Total Control" program. Who, What, When, Where, etc.?

[triumph_955_st]

Total Control has a class in Maryville Tn.

http://www.dragonsafe.com/

[sparky675]

Originally Posted by triumph_955_st

Total Control has a class in Maryville Tn.

http://www.dragonsafe.com/

Thanks for the info--I will be signing up for the January 24th class. This is exactly what I need! I am a petite 5'4" rider who is rattled by slow speed maneuvering because of my fear of dropping the bike. Overcoming this weakness will make me a much better rider.