Further/advanced training
The enjoyment gained from riding a motorcycle skilfully and safely is second to none. However, it takes confidence, excellent riding skills, physical co-ordination and balance. Keeping your skills up to date and checking that you have not become overconfident or complacent, or picked up some bad or dangerous habits, is something few of us do.
Whenever out on their bikes, few riders give consideration to the fact that it may be the single most dangerous thing they do on that particular day.
Rider training is something that most people think about when they first take up motorcycling and obtain their motorcycle licence. Beyond that, relatively few riders undertake further or advanced rider training.
Riders may spend considerable sums of money on bolt-on performance parts for their bikes, but very few opt to spend money on improving their skills through further/advanced training.
Advanced rider training is something every rider should consider, and is strongly recommended by the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.
By undertaking further/advanced training, you will:
• Increase your riding skills and abilities
• Learn to avoid unexpected situations
• Be safer and more vigilant
• Learn to ride smoother, faster but safer
• Gain greater control of your motorcycle
Undertaking an advanced riding course will help you be a better rider. It will improve the skill and safety of your riding so that you can make the best use of road and traffic conditions. Advanced training will help you ride defensively and avoid preventable accidents. As a result you will be better able to anticipate dangers, control situations and reduce your risk exposure.
It will help you further improve your skills by increasing the awareness of the range of factors that affect your riding – your own capabilities, the characteristics of your machine, and the road and traffic conditions.
In short, it will help you be a better rider, no matter what kind of bike you ride and regardless of how long you’ve been riding. As a consequence you will get far more out of your riding experience and, above all, be safer on the road.
There is also a financial benefit as many insurance companies will offer discounts for motorcyclists with advanced rider qualifications.
We would ask you to consider the benefits of undertaking some advanced rider training. In doing so, ask yourself the following questions:
When riding, do you ever find yourself:
• Having to brake sharply?
• Misjudging bends/corners?
• Riding too close to the vehicle ahead?
• Having near misses?
• Feeling anxious, tense or intimidated?
• Regretting what you’ve just done? (e.g. accelerated through an amber light)
If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, maybe you could benefit from advanced training.
Further/advanced training is not just for people who travel particularly high mileages or who ride large, powerful sports bikes. It is also relevant to people buying their first big bike or those returning to riding after a prolonged gap. It will be of considerable benefit to any rider of a reasonable capacity machine who is motivated to improve their riding and safety.
Rider training can take many forms, from single day ride assessments by advanced instructors, to formal courses of study and instruction leading to a formally recognised advanced riding qualification.
The enjoyment gained from riding a motorcycle skilfully and safely is second to none. However, it takes confidence, excellent riding skills, physical co-ordination and balance. Keeping your skills up to date and checking that you have not become overconfident, complacent or picked up some bad or dangerous habits is something that few of us do.
There are many variants of advanced motorcycle training available, some of which are certified courses; by undertaking one of these you may also reap additional benefits including insurance discounts.