PRACTICE
HOW
How to practice suggestions:
1. Find safe, low key locations to practice until comfortable with more complex maneuvers and situations. Take it slow and gradually increase speeds and then complexity.
2. Make sure each maneuver is correctly done at least 3 times.
3. Concentrate on smooth, confident, consistent delivery of each move.
4. Once again, start slow; speed will come with familiarity and practice.
5. Outline moves before practice. No surprises...
6. Pantomime the movements before while stationary and without the motorcycle running if complex or difficult to get familiar with the movements.
7. Demonstrate correct technique and reactions if needed.
8. After each new move is correctly done, move to the next.
9. Try to include old moves into new moves being practiced.
10. If something is being incorrectly and/or unsafely done, stop and correct by suggesting what TO do to fix it.
11. Make sure the corrected move is properly done at least 3 times before moving on.
12. Be sure to encourage and congratulate when moves are done right.
13. Explain why something works if you know why; this may take some research, observation or self awareness to figure out.
14. The new rider's comfort is king! Be sure to stop practice if the rider is uncomfortible BEFORE it becomes unsafe.
WHAT
RIGHT OUTTA CLASS
Things to practice at this level:
1. Review the basics learned in class-starting, stopping, shifting, cornering, swerving and maneuvering slowly.
2. Additional skills to practice at this level- sharp turns from a stop, backing up and pushing the mc through a tight, multi-point turn.
3. Parking the mc in traditional and parallel spaces.
4. Practice using and habitually cancelling turn signals.
5. Increase speed to 40mph.
6. Begin to develop mental awareness of not only riding skills, but minor traffic and surroundings as well
URBAN CHAOS
At this level:
1. Continue incorporating previously learned material
2. Mental awareness of traffic, weather, and hazardous conditions.
3. Interstate entrances and exits
4. Speeds up to 70+mph
5. Encounter and navigate good gravel or recently chipsealed road
6. Passing another vehicle on single lane streets (only 1 lane each way)
7. Parking the mc in less desirable situations; such as mud, dirt and on slopes
8. Carrying and securing larger or bulkier loads up to 50lbs
RUN AROUND RURAL
Things to practice at this level:
1. Continue reviewing basic skills and apply them to riding on the street.
2. Speed up to 50mph.
3. Riding over uneven surfaces, such as bumps, rough patches and other mild road imperfections.
4. Use of signals, lights and horn.
5. Better mental awareness of traffic and surrounding issues involved with street riding.
6. Starting and stopping on a hill. Be sure to practice this on flat, safe surfaces BEFORE taking it to the street!!!
RUN MONSTER
At this level:
1.Group riding etiquette and hand signal knowledge and use
2. Maintaining staggered and abreast riding positions at appropriate times
3. Riding in increasingly larger groups
4. Riding with larger loads and/or an experienced passenger
TOWNER
Things to practice while riding around town:
1. Incorporate basic skills
2. Speed up to 60mph
3. Continue and increase mental awareness and perception of road conditions, traffic, hazards and issues
4. Riding in adverse weather conditions such as wind and rain
5. Carrying and securing small loads under 20lbs
6. Passing other vehicles on multiple lane streets (at least 2 lanes each way)
7. Riding alone
ROAD THING
At this level, practice:
1. Planning for a long overnight ride; setting up stops, breaks and fueling. Establishing backup plans and contacts.
2. Preparing, checking and loading the mc
3. Traveling extended times and distances
4. Mental and physical checks and awareness of conditions, traffic and individual issues
5. Plan for, develop and use coping mechanisms for minor issues
Accident Prevention: So there isn't a WHEN
The calmer you are about this, the better.
Discuss the possibilities of health issues and allergies (especially to bees and wasps) ahead of time. Set up strategies for handling incidents and reactions as well. Be sure of insurance coverage. Be prepared to swap backup phone information if issues are complex. CPR and Basic First Aid Training and knowledge are a plus.
Be proactive: wear good appropriate gear and have backups for possibile spares if conditions change. Carry a well stocked first aid kit and know how to use the contents.
Suggest and be prepared to help select protective gear and motorcycle accessories. Engine, control and luggage guards alone can save thousands in damages and injuries.
Alot of accidents are very minor and happen at very low, slow speeds. This is a side effect of being on two wheels, with balance an issue. Many low speed incidents can be avoided if special care and attention is taken in low traction areas such as driveways, parking areas and service spots like gas stations and car washes. Keep an eye out for uneven or steep slopes, gravel, spills and debris. Be ready to help move, maneuver and shove motorcycles around, back and closer to where they need to be.
Be sure to practice and master complex maneuvers like taking off from a stop on a hill or in a tight turn from a stop on flat, safe, undistracted environments FIRST.
Be prepared and practice getting off of the road and your motorcycle quickly and safely, before any issues arise. Keep it safe!!!