Shepherd Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 Went out with an advanced instructor for the day yesterday, as a freebie follow up to a Firebike course I did 3 weeks ago. It's no surprise to say I learnt more in 6 hours constant riding than I have in 3 years of my 4 mile dual carriageway commute I was riding around the lanes of Finchingfield, Thaxted and surrounding areas that were full of wet leaves and other crappy stuff. By the end of the course the confidence I had built up was fantastic. I would never usually straight line bends the way I was told to yesterday. I seemed to spend more time in 'posistion 4, 5 & 6' than my own lane. The poor bike went from being nice and clean that I could turn up to work on in a suit, to something that I could only hose down before putting away. Time in the saddle is definitely something I need more of, and for any new riders it's the best way to learn. Without getting in to the ROSPA / IAM argument, more training will be booked - whatever the weather. Shep 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 At least you will enjoy making the bike nice and clean again for your next ride out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 19, 2023 Author Share Posted November 19, 2023 2 hours ago, janinej said: At least you will enjoy making the bike nice and clean again for your next ride out I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the right description. It got hosed down this morning before my ride to work, and that'll probably be it. I'll maybe top up the ACF50 protection too. Shep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 I straight line as much as possible and is safe, on anything, much to the annoyance of the wife Glad you had a good day and extra training rarely comes in wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 Cool! Do you think the course would benefit someone who can both knees down easily on a racetrack? Ie someone with ample confidence already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Frog Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 21 minutes ago, geofferz said: Cool! Do you think the course would benefit someone who can both knees down easily on a racetrack? Ie someone with ample confidence already. If you are getting both knees down maybe time to consider a slightly larger bike ! Cheers Ian 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullscreenaging Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 The rear fender on the Versys is absolutely no good at keeping crap off the back AND the sides of the bike. If you look closely enough from the back of the bike, it’s slightly offset more to the right of the wheel. A fender extender will help a lot. I put one on mine. It’s a Pyramid Plastics one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Westerly Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 Multistrada's rear fender seems to act more as a muck spreader. Bike ends up filthy in any sort of clarty weather and I HATE cleaning it although I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 19, 2023 Author Share Posted November 19, 2023 5 hours ago, geofferz said: Cool! Do you think the course would benefit someone who can both knees down easily on a racetrack? Ie someone with ample confidence already. I'm not sure he could teach you anything you could do legally but the guy was a retired a royal protection / prime ministers outsider, so must have a few tricks in his topbox he could share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 19, 2023 Author Share Posted November 19, 2023 Outrider, not outsider Unless he's both .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 19, 2023 Author Share Posted November 19, 2023 5 hours ago, fullscreenaging said: The rear fender on the Versys is absolutely no good at keeping crap off the back AND the sides of the bike. If you look closely enough from the back of the bike, it’s slightly offset more to the right of the wheel. A fender extender will help a lot. I put one on mine. It’s a Pyramid Plastics one. That's a great shout. I had one on my 125cc and didn't even think of it for the versys And it was Pyramid Plastics too. I'll get looking. Cheers for that! Shep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pie man Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 The day I straight line bends is the day you find me riding a Harley 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideWithStyles Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 Nice bike and colour. Most huggers and fenders now adays are crap ( holy moly i sound old ) against winter crap to be honest even unless if you have those more than 3/4 wheel covers from the salt strips or old harleys... good job, as to the further training... cane be useful only as it can fill in holes in your knowledge of riding skills as not everybody knows everything or have and idea whats is good to practice even afterwards you do it you can take parts that you need to for improvement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 20, 2023 Author Share Posted November 20, 2023 21 hours ago, RideWithStyles said: Nice bike and colour. Thank you. I only chose this model because of it's height. I felt like a praying mantis on my 125cc. I've not seen many V's in this colour - but being called 'covert green' could be the reason Further training is definitely on the cards, but time out on the roads is something I need more of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megaross Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 I've got an IAM assesment in a couple of weeks, it's not really a thing I want to do but I want to get on the blood bikes eventually so needs must. I've got a horrible image of showing up on my crusty tiger in my filthy leathers and the guy being like "f**k is this idiot doing" Leaving my military surplus camouflage waterproofs at home that day... Probably less of the "London" filtering too. Sure it'll be fine tbh, be an interesting insight I do not doubt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_M Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 On 19/11/2023 at 15:17, geofferz said: Cool! Do you think the course would benefit someone who can both knees down easily on a racetrack? Ie someone with ample confidence already. Some groups offer a trial ride with an observer / tutor (IAM / RoSPA, respectively). Give it a go. No harm in looking… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_M Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 On 21/11/2023 at 07:27, megaross said: I've got an IAM assesment in a couple of weeks, it's not really a thing I want to do but I want to get on the blood bikes eventually so needs must. I've got a horrible image of showing up on my crusty tiger in my filthy leathers and the guy being like "f**k is this idiot doing" Leaving my military surplus camouflage waterproofs at home that day... Probably less of the "London" filtering too. Sure it'll be fine tbh, be an interesting insight I do not doubt. The observer should look over your bike, not to see if it’s clean or shiny new, but to check obvious safety considerations such as tyre wear and chain adjustment. They may ask about POWDERS checks (I did, others didn’t). As for your kit… they may comment if you turn up in totally inappropriate stuff but they will be more interested in how safe your riding is. I would suggest to ride your normal ride, do not alter it. Even the filtering (obviously, wait for the observer if you lose them as a result of traffic - following and watching has its own challenges). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 22, 2023 Author Share Posted November 22, 2023 Went out again today, doing the same routes and thoroughly enjoyed it. The roads were almost dry instead of underwater, and it was all about me! No second pupil taking the lead. I did find I wasn't pushing it as fast as I was under instruction though, even though the roads were much better. I was happy at the speeds and positioning I had, I felt like I was 'pushing it' a little with the instructor behind me. Long day tomorrow - 3 hr Christmas shopping ride to Bicester, just cos I've never been there before Then 3 hrs back 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_M Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Shepherd said: Went out again today, doing the same routes and thoroughly enjoyed it. The roads were almost dry instead of underwater, and it was all about me! No second pupil taking the lead. I did find I wasn't pushing it as fast as I was under instruction though, even though the roads were much better. I was happy at the speeds and positioning I had, I felt like I was 'pushing it' a little with the instructor behind me. Long day tomorrow - 3 hr Christmas shopping ride to Bicester, just cos I've never been there before Then 3 hrs back As a former IAM observer, I would advise not to “push it” or ride at a speed which is causing you to need to react to situations. You need spare capacity in your head to take in and practice those elements you’ve discussed and agreed with at feedback stops. Edit: Keith Code sums up the situation in his book “Twist of the Wrist” (well worth a read even if it is track biased) - see photo. Edited November 22, 2023 by Steve_M 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Westerly Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 3 hours ago, Shepherd said: Went out again today, doing the same routes and thoroughly enjoyed it. The roads were almost dry instead of underwater, and it was all about me! No second pupil taking the lead. I did find I wasn't pushing it as fast as I was under instruction though, even though the roads were much better. I was happy at the speeds and positioning I had, I felt like I was 'pushing it' a little with the instructor behind me. Long day tomorrow - 3 hr Christmas shopping ride to Bicester, just cos I've never been there before Then 3 hrs back Bicester? Misery for me as I hate shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 On 19/11/2023 at 15:17, geofferz said: Cool! Do you think the course would benefit someone who can both knees down easily on a racetrack? Ie someone with ample confidence already. Yes it can Remember the road is different to the racetrack. It's all about making good progress while been safe and seen You don't have cars, cyclists, tractors etc etc on the track nor do you have all the different deviations a road offers It's not just about building confidence it's about building skills to keep you alive too 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideWithStyles Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 No point training in a environment that your not going to be on for the foreseeable future i.e the track, nor with a fully track rider. best with people in the environment, with the skills for that environment i.e ima, roadcraft, police.....they will be more helpful to you skill wise and mentally geared to help confidence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawsley Posted November 24, 2023 Share Posted November 24, 2023 I did a trial ride with IAM once and found I was being expected to ride far faster than I was comfortable with. Did one of those ‘ride with a cop’ days too. That was far better. Rode at my pace doing my things - then got feedback and useful criticism. Lessons learned that day still play a key role in my riding today. Kinda guess I just had a rum IAM bloke to ride with and had an atypical experience but it’s left me cold about doing IAM as a result. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted November 24, 2023 Author Share Posted November 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Mawsley said: I did a trial ride with IAM once and found I was being expected to ride far faster than I was comfortable with. Did one of those ‘ride with a cop’ days too. That was far better. Rode at my pace doing my things - then got feedback and useful criticism. Lessons learned that day still play a key role in my riding today. I'm glad I was pushed a little, I'm big and ugly enough to say no if I thought it was dangerous. It was just faster than I wanted, or needed, to go. The Police day was my own speed, but he was insistent on me thrashing the nuts off the bike. I was using the gears like I drove a car mind ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonio Posted November 24, 2023 Share Posted November 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Shepherd said: The Police day was my own speed, but he was insistent on me thrashing the nuts off the bike. I was using the gears like I drove a car mind ... To be fair, that hardly counts as warming the nuts up. Took me a while before I realised that to go faster you just need to drop a gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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