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. Intensified awareness of traffic, weather, and hazardous conditions.
3. Comfortably handling interstate entrances and exits,
4. Increase speed up to 70 mph,
5. Safely navigate good gravel or recently chipsealed road.
6. Safely passing vehicles on single lane streets (only 1 lane each way).
7. Parking the mc in less desirable conditions, such as mud, dirt and on slopes.
8. Carrying and securing larger or bulkier loads up to 50 lbs
RUN AROUND RURAL
Things to practice at this level:
1. Continue reviewing basic skills and apply them to riding on the street.
2. Increase speed to 50mph.
3. Riding over uneven surfaces, such as bumps, rough patches and other mild road imperfections.
4. Consistent use of signals, lights and horn.
5. Increased mental awareness of traffic 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 a hilly street!!!
RUN MONSTER
At this level:
1.Practice group riding etiquette and hand signal knowledge and use.
2. Comfortably maintain staggered and abreast riding positions at appropriate times.
3. Be able to ride in increasingly larger groups.
4. Ride with larger loads and/or an experienced passenger
TOWNER
Things to practice at this level:
1. Incorporate basic skills and apply them while riding on the street.
2. Increase speed to 60mph; the rider should be able to handle basic highway travel at thiis point.
3. Continue to increase mental awareness and perception of road conditions, traffic, hazards and issues specific to highway travel.
4. Riding in adverse weather conditions such as wind and rain.
5. Carrying and securing small loads under 20lbs.
6. Safely 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. Establish backup plans and contacts.
2. Preparing, checking and loading the mc.
3. Traveling extended times and distances.
4. Better assessment of traffic, weather and personal issues.
5. Planning for, developing and using coping mechanisms for minor personal issues.
Accident Prevention: So there isn't a WHEN
Being prepared is a key to prevention and living to ride another day.
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.
A lot of accidents are very minor and happen at very low, slow speeds. This is a side effect of being on two wheels, with balance being 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 in a safe, flat undistracted environment FIRST. These include tight turns from a stop and taking off on a hill.
Be prepared! Practice getting off of the road and off your motorcycle quickly and safely, before any issues arise. Keep it safe!!!