Gonzo
06-27-2006, 09:42 AM
I took the experienced rider course in Irvine on 6-26-06 8AM. The coaches were from the California Motorcycle Safety Program.
Only a 45 mile ride from home in La Verne, CA to Irvine, CA. As I expected, the traffic on the 57 fwy closed down about a mile before the junction with the 60 fwy. I left home at 6AM, so I was in plenty of time. I missed the exit at Bake and had to U-turn, only an extra mile each way.
Signed in with the usual forms, etc.
They organized us in groups of 12, 2 coaches per group. They had a good number of exercises for us to run, and before each exercise, they explained just what we would be doing, and why. The book we used had diagrams of the intended exercise, and the parking lot was marked with paint lines and very small plastic cones (too small to affect the bike if run over).
We had two excellent coaches, and one of them rode an ST1100 to demonstrate just what we were expected to do.
We started about 8AM and finished up about 12:30 PM.
I got two very valuable comments: one, that I needed to move my inside foot back in turns with a good lean, and two, that I turned in one direction much smoother than in the other direction. These were low speed turns for the most part. We never got over 25 MPH. I had a little trouble in that my STeed does not like low RPM, and we were supposed to be in second gear most of the time.
This is exactly what I was hoping for by taking this course. I want to learn things, and I did. So now my goal is to find a place to practice, plus find something to use as markers on the pavement.
All in all, time very well spent, and THANX to the coaches!
thanx,
Gonzo
The first couple of dozen arriivals:
Only a 45 mile ride from home in La Verne, CA to Irvine, CA. As I expected, the traffic on the 57 fwy closed down about a mile before the junction with the 60 fwy. I left home at 6AM, so I was in plenty of time. I missed the exit at Bake and had to U-turn, only an extra mile each way.
Signed in with the usual forms, etc.
They organized us in groups of 12, 2 coaches per group. They had a good number of exercises for us to run, and before each exercise, they explained just what we would be doing, and why. The book we used had diagrams of the intended exercise, and the parking lot was marked with paint lines and very small plastic cones (too small to affect the bike if run over).
We had two excellent coaches, and one of them rode an ST1100 to demonstrate just what we were expected to do.
We started about 8AM and finished up about 12:30 PM.
I got two very valuable comments: one, that I needed to move my inside foot back in turns with a good lean, and two, that I turned in one direction much smoother than in the other direction. These were low speed turns for the most part. We never got over 25 MPH. I had a little trouble in that my STeed does not like low RPM, and we were supposed to be in second gear most of the time.
This is exactly what I was hoping for by taking this course. I want to learn things, and I did. So now my goal is to find a place to practice, plus find something to use as markers on the pavement.
All in all, time very well spent, and THANX to the coaches!
thanx,
Gonzo
The first couple of dozen arriivals: