Rider Training Schools

nathanleetaylor · 06-17-2006, 10:15 PM

Anybody have any opinions or recommendations on a good rider training school?

I am looking on doing a course to improve on my skills as i have not done anything since my P's course years ago. I want to do some track days and would rather be prepared, as i have not been on a track before. A mate has done a few track days and is now hooked.

There seems to be quite a few choices on schools of various levels etc. Anyone done one they really enjoyed and found useful??

Will · 06-18-2006, 3:51 AM

Australian Superbike School has a good reputation

nathanleetaylor · 06-18-2006, 6:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

Australian Superbike School has a good reputation

Yes i have seen some ad's for them. It is based on the teachings and owned by Keith Code i think. Not sure if i am keen as i have heard mixed reviews of the US school on here and other sites.

Anyone been to one of their classes??

matt232 · 06-18-2006, 9:52 PM

Where are you based?

If you are in Melbourne HART out at Tullamarine once a year holds a Ride for Life day. In amoungst being able to test ride a large portion of all the Honda models you can book a intermediate and advanced course. Over the last two years the intermediate course has been discounted by about 50% and the last day had the advanced course discounted by 50%. Its also handy to be doing this on someone elses bikes (currently have a fleet of CB600 Hornets with cages to hammer around on....I'm told there is a replacement feel of CB400 coming in just for HART soonish) so you aren't risking your bike and not paying anything extra unlike the superbike school.

Don't be mislead by the intermediate course its a real workout and good for ironing out any problems you might have. I did it about 5 weeks ago dramically improved to the point where at the end of the day another student and I spent the last half of the day chasing each other around the course scrapping pegs and getting the front wheel light out of bends having an absolute ball. I'd highly recommend it to anyone, but don't count on doing much afterwards because you are absolutely and totally wrecked after the adrenaline wears off.

I unfortunately missed my advanced course booking this past weekend due to work so I can't vouch for that. But I have spoken with a mate who said he prefered the intermediate course over the advanced. But I've also heard that people prefer the first lesson at the superbike school to the later ones. My guess is that is because you learn more in the initial lesson to correct the majority of your bad habits then you do refining things over the next few sessions.

If you aren't in Melbourne then you might not be able to get as big a discount but at the moment they have a bring a mate along during the week deal so that he gets 50% off which should apply if you are based in Sydney.

nathanleetaylor · 06-18-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt232

Where are you based?

If you are in Melbourne HART out at Tullamarine once a year holds a Ride for Life day. In amoungst being able to test ride a large portion of all the Honda models you can book a intermediate and advanced course. Over the last two years the intermediate course has been discounted by about 50% and the last day had the advanced course discounted by 50%. Its also handy to be doing this on someone elses bikes (currently have a fleet of CB600 Hornets with cages to hammer around on....I'm told there is a replacement feel of CB400 coming in just for HART soonish) so you aren't risking your bike and not paying anything extra unlike the superbike school.

Don't be mislead by the intermediate course its a real workout and good for ironing out any problems you might have. I did it about 5 weeks ago dramically improved to the point where at the end of the day another student and I spent the last half of the day chasing each other around the course scrapping pegs and getting the front wheel light out of bends having an absolute ball. I'd highly recommend it to anyone, but don't count on doing much afterwards because you are absolutely and totally wrecked after the adrenaline wears off.

I unfortunately missed my advanced course booking this past weekend due to work so I can't vouch for that. But I have spoken with a mate who said he prefered the intermediate course over the advanced. But I've also heard that people prefer the first lesson at the superbike school to the later ones. My guess is that is because you learn more in the initial lesson to correct the majority of your bad habits then you do refining things over the next few sessions.

If you aren't in Melbourne then you might not be able to get as big a discount but at the moment they have a bring a mate along during the week deal so that he gets 50% off which should apply if you are based in Sydney.

Hey thanks for the informative reply. I never really thought of HART as well......this is my first Honda!! GASP!! The prices seem reasonable but is four hours enough? even the P's course goes for a whole day.

It seems to be exactly what i am looking for. I dont mind using my own bike as it is my bike i want to be faster and safer on.

Thanks for the recommendation.

nathanleetaylor · 06-18-2006, 10:29 PM

I am in Newcastle by the way, so it will have to be Sydney. I have perused the HART website at your recommendation and the Sydney facility seems fantastic.

Whitey · 06-19-2006, 6:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanleetaylor

I am in Newcastle by the way, so it will have to be Sydney. I have perused the HART website at your recommendation and the Sydney facility seems fantastic.

Hi,
I highly recommend the Aus Superbike School Cornering course. It has 4 levels each of which take one day. You don't need to do all 4 levels - you'll get heaps out of level 1 alone ! It's aimed at developing your cornering technique, and that's it. You won't be doing anything else such as emergency braking or low speed witches hat dodging, so if you're after a more general course, the Stayupright or HART courses might be the go. I've not done a HART course, so I can't comment on them, but I have also done Stay Upright's Advanced Course. For my money, the Superbike Scool was the most rewarding experience. They run out of Eastern Creek Raceway in Syd. You can use your own bike or hire one of their Triumph Daytonas. There's a hefty insurance excess on their hire bikes though.

nathanleetaylor · 06-22-2006, 8:09 AM

Thanks for the info. The Superbike school looked really appealing but i have read mixed reviews of the US school(i know, opinions are like assholes). The Australian School may be totally different as even though it is based on the same principles i think it all comes down to the instructors. I may look at it seriously as a full day course at Eastern Creek sounds pretty appealing. 400 seems pretty reasonable when you see how much just a supervised ride day is.

matt232 · 06-22-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanleetaylor

The prices seem reasonable but is four hours enough? even the P's course goes for a whole day.

8:30am to 4pm is more than 4 hours and you are wrecked by the end of it.

nathanleetaylor · 06-22-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt232

8:30am to 4pm is more than 4 hours and you are wrecked by the end of it.

The website for the Sydney HART lists the Intermediate(handling dynamics) as a three and a half hour course. May be different in Vic.

ichsnoo · 06-23-2006, 5:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanleetaylor

Anybody have any opinions or recommendations on a good rider training school?

I am looking on doing a course to improve on my skills as i have not done anything since my P's course years ago. I want to do some track days and would rather be prepared, as i have not been on a track before. A mate has done a few track days and is now hooked.

There seems to be quite a few choices on schools of various levels etc. Anyone done one they really enjoyed and found useful??

Hi nathanleetaylor,

I can completely recommend The Australian Superbike School - I did level 1 and 2 for Two Wheels Mag along with some stories. Steve Brouggy is the main man in Sydney and he is a great guy and teacher. His team are also 1st rate. They are all pretty much ex-racers and the friendliest and most helpful crew. You will be absolutely amazed at how much you will learn even from level 1. I had been riding for 9 years and was already a fast rider but was amazed at how different I approached riding after these courses. I will be doing number 3 ASAP. You will be more aware and actually understand the reasons for why you are getting faster from this type of training.

Have fun mate.
Dave

nathanleetaylor · 06-23-2006, 9:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichsnoo

Hi nathanleetaylor,

I can completely recommend The Australian Superbike School - I did level 1 and 2 for Two Wheels Mag along with some stories. Steve Brouggy is the main man in Sydney and he is a great guy and teacher. His team are also 1st rate. They are all pretty much ex-racers and the friendliest and most helpful crew. You will be absolutely amazed at how much you will learn even from level 1. I had been riding for 9 years and was already a fast rider but was amazed at how different I approached riding after these courses. I will be doing number 3 ASAP. You will be more aware and actually understand the reasons for why you are getting faster from this type of training.

Have fun mate.
Dave

Thanks for the info Dave. I think this is the way i am going to go. I like the idea of a course dedicated to cornering and braking techniques as opposed to a general skills course.

Would you recommend it for track virgins? I have been riding for 12 years but only on the street. I dont know how keen i would be getting thrown in with fast guys constantly. I want to get past that fear stage that is associated with fast riding ie. I know perfectly well the tyres and bike under me will allow me to lean farther and enter the corner faster but i cannot force myself as the road just throws up too many variables. I guess we all fight this fear constantly but i would like to take a bit of the mystery out of it i guess. Plus i want to be able to lap my mates! that goes without saying!!

ichsnoo · 06-24-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanleetaylor

Thanks for the info Dave. I think this is the way i am going to go. I like the idea of a course dedicated to cornering and braking techniques as opposed to a general skills course.

Would you recommend it for track virgins? I have been riding for 12 years but only on the street. I dont know how keen i would be getting thrown in with fast guys constantly. I want to get past that fear stage that is associated with fast riding ie. I know perfectly well the tyres and bike under me will allow me to lean farther and enter the corner faster but i cannot force myself as the road just throws up too many variables. I guess we all fight this fear constantly but i would like to take a bit of the mystery out of it i guess. Plus i want to be able to lap my mates! that goes without saying!!

Hi Mate,

The course is perfect for first timers. There was a mix of people out there for level 1 and the course caters to riders of all levels. You are there to go at your own pace and are not there to be competitive with the other trainees. It's the perfect feel for getting on the track, cause once you have done a few laps and got used to the environment you can go as fast or slow as you feel, without squids on 250's trying to overtake you through corners. Bikes also ranged from Superbikes to cruisers. It was my first time on the track during level 1 and I much preferred it to a track day as an inititation to riding on a race track. Since then I have even done some racing.

I have the same approach on the road with slowing down for all the possible variables, but after the courses my road riding has changed a lot. I am far more capable of mentally and visually processing the variables. I really was surprised how much it did for me and I knew that I was doing alright before the course. I know now that I should have done these courses years ago.

You will be a much better, faster, smoother and safer rider after it and your mates will be eating your dust.

Regards,
Dave

Whitey · 06-25-2006, 1:32 AM

Gotta agree with ischnoo's comments above. The Oz Superbike course is for all riders - not just racer wannabes. There was a fair mix of riders when I attended level 1 last month. I originally intended to only do level 1 and possibly level 2, but the amount of useful information I recieved from level 1 alone has put all 4 levels on my 'to do' list.

nathanleetaylor · 06-25-2006, 7:22 AM

Thanks for the useful info gents. Looks like my mind is made up.

Much Appreciated. I just got back from visiting a mate at Nambucca Heads and he took me up the Dorrigo Road from just south of Coffs up to Dorrigo. Unbelievable! 40km of corner heaven! If you have not done it, put it on your things to do list.

brennyP · 07-01-2006, 8:19 PM

if ya lived in Vic id teach ya for free...im a gun

nathanleetaylor · 07-01-2006, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brennyP

if ya lived in Vic id teach ya for free...im a gun

Top Gun or........................Pop Gun???

brennyP · 07-01-2006, 8:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanleetaylor

Top Gun or........................Pop Gun???

a gun **** talker

if ya in syd and want to get fast..i know loads of mates in syd that are track day junkies and would be more than happy taking u to eastern creek or Oldroads and showing ya the ropes...u could get 4 track days for the same price as a superbike school