IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS: BACK TO SCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS

WORDS: ALLAN LANE IMAGES: ERIK VOAKE

BACK TO SCHOOL

WYATT FARRIS

COREY ALEXANDER

THE BRAIN IS a muscle. The more that you use it, the stronger it becomes. That reality is ever so true when it comes to existing as a motorcyclist. Shedding your bad habits, learning new and proper riding techniques, applying them with proper seat time, over and over until they become second nature. Correction… they should simply become your nature.

In my two decades behind the bars of a motorcycle, I’ve learned a lot from being around the right type of riders. I’ve also learned a lot from being around the wrong type of riders, mostly to stay clear of them. What I’ve learned from being around the right type of rider is that you can always learn more. Continuing your education as a rider is paramount to your longevity as a rider.

So where do you begin, if you have not begun your path in higher learning? Taking a class with a quality track school should be just as mandatory as taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course to receive your endorsement on your license. Across the country, there are a number of qualified track day organizations. I recommend getting in touch with your local organization and see what they offer in terms of introduction programs. Most of them offer a “try the track” special that allows you the opportunity to experience a number of laps with a control rider. While simple as it seems, if you’ve never been on the track, the “try the track” experience can be quite the eyeopener. The skills learned on track transfer directly to street application. Go to school. You will become a better rider. Guaranteed.

In the past several years, I have taken courses with Team ProMotion, Absolute Cycle Experience, Penguin Road Racing School, California SuperBike School, Yamaha Champion Riding School and Jason Pridmore’s Star School. This year, I’ll be returning to a few of those schools to sharpen my skills and see how much more knowledge I can absorb.

Effective confidence comes with proper seat time. Effective confidence is a by-product of higher learning from a qualified mentor, instructor, or situation. Yes, you can learn a lot from a situation. The problem that is so prevalent today with many new riders, is that they think they know it all. And while some know a great deal or have had the benefit of learning from a proper riding mentor, a majority of them have no clue as to what they are doing. And often, you can not convince them of otherwise.

JASON PRIDMORE

EFFECTIVE CONFIDENCE COMES WITH PROPER SEAT TIME. EFFECTIVE CONFIDENCE IS A BY-PRODUCT OF HIGHER LEARNING FROM A QUALIFIED MENTOR, INSTRUCTOR, OR SITUATION.

I can ride again tomorrow. On the contrary, there is a counter-theory that promotes riding like there is no tomorrow. I find that tragic. I urge all riders, new and experienced that if they have not attended a track school that they do it as soon as possible. If you are an active track rider, make the effort to encourage your fellow street riders to give the track a try. And if you are a track day organization or school, make certain to promote the special introductory programs that are geared toward new track day students.

Make this year, the year that you level up and go back to school. Shed your bad riding habits. Sharpen your riding skills and practice proper riding techniques until they become your nature.