Best way to learn?

[camhabib]

I've been riding for about 2 months now, with about 2k+ miles under my belt, but push come to shove, I really have no idea what I'm doing on a bike. Driving around town I'm fine, but get me in a set of tight twisties, and you can see where I really lack experience. I took the MSF course, and have been racing cars and carts for almost a decade now, but neither of those really help me too much. How to position my body, proper turn in, gauging entry speeds, etc. I know a lot of these things come purely with seat time and age, but I'm looking to get a bit of a jump.

Are there any advance classes, more targeted on riding technique than general operating procedure (such as the MSF courses are)? Would a track day be helpful for someone such as myself? Group rides? Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Doc]

Track day Period.

[Manny]

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Time and practice.

[Ray-Ray]

www.bostonmoto.com

[G21forme]

Track day

[maxim_X]

I'd like to point out two books. First, "Total Control" is a basic overview of all things motorcycle riding related. It will give you tons of help just starting out and even more if with practice. The second book is "A Twist of the Wrist." It's more racing based but it covers a lot of things that help on the street and the more motorcycle knowledge you have the better you can ride anywhere.

[klp]

I'd like to point out two books. First, "Total Control" is a basic overview of all things motorcycle riding related. It will give you tons of help just starting out and even more if with practice.

Lee Parks ARC will be helpful, you can take it back to back with a trackday at NHMS.

[imkindafkedup]

Track day is your best bet. Give either bostonmoto or tony's trackday a shot. Both have a strong presence here on nesr and can answer all your questions

[TTD]

Lee Parks ARC will be helpful, you can take it back to back with a trackday at NHMS.

Next option to do this is coming up on July 25 and 26.

Lee Parks' Total Control ARC on July 25th. This will be in a parking lot setting and you'll spend all day working on the basic skills necessary to ride a bike with more control. Read more here:
http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...ontrol-arc.htm

First Timers Trackday: This is the trackday, with a twist, Let us know that it is your first trackday and you will have your own group lessons for the first few hours. Helps ease you into things.
http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...rs-program.htm


The feedback we've gotten from riders that have done both back to back has been great. Good luck whatever you choose, but congrats on knowing that you need to get some training!

[Ken C]

If I may:
Riding in the Zone/

[Eddie]

Tracktime for sure. I'd pick up a copy of twist of the wrist 2 as well:

YouTube - ‪Twist Of The Wrist II, DVD Trailer‬‏

[RandyO]

nothing gives you experience more than experience

a track tay will teach you technique, it won't prepare you for everyday road hazard/surprises

the best way to learn is to ride as much as possible


fwiw, check your insurance policy before you do a track day

[csmutty]

nothing gives you experience more than experience

a track tay will teach you technique, it won't prepare you for everyday road hazard/surprises

the best way to learn is to ride as much as possible


fwiw, check your insurance policy before you do a track day

Not sure I agree with you. I am going to steal Mike Kurtz's post.

Riding the track has helped me to make decisions like the one he was faced with(unexpected issue mid turn, what do I do?) almost automatic. The gravel (probably) wasn't the issue, the uncertainty was, so he stood it up and braked, which turned out to be the wrong decision. Better understanding of available traction, proper cornering lines, and mechanical lean angle limits could have helped avoid that.

[Danz19899]

Definitely do a track day, I rode 20,000 miles before i did and learned more in that one day then all those miles combined.

motorcycle riding really is a science and learning where the limits of traction and leaning are help so much

and christian example is perfect. now that i track ride I don't freak out at all when something happens in front of me on the street. I know to look through the corner. dont just grab the brakes and ride smooth.

[RandyO]

Not sure I agree with you. I am going to steal Mike Kurtz's post.

like I said, track day will teach you technique, it won't teach you where to expect road hazard/surprises

[Garandman]

Track day Period.

Vehemently disagree with track days as the first step for a new rider.

After the MSF courses, the Lee Parks Total Control ARC classes give you a MUCH better idea of what to do and why than anything else I've taken.

...Which includes MSF ARC, one day Penguin Roadracing, California SuperBike School I and II, and some track days.

The ARC drills have a very logical progression and force you to get the techniques right Practicing at relatively low speed in a parking lot with an instructor about 25' away and with a lot of reps is far more effective than blasting around the track.

Once you have some technique, tracks days are terrific, but the Lee Parks course is superb for street riders or aspiring track day riders.

[LiterR1]

MSF,Twist of the Wrist and Yes Track Day. Practice, Practice and do not forget to Practice
or you can go the other way and learn from the guys at the Bike Hang out spot LOL

[duey]

As most have already stated going to a trackday and just more time on the seat will fine tune your skills. Try and ride/trackday along side with people you know (or make friends with the instructors/regulars).

Even if you can't ride at a trackday, IMO there can be a good amount of info to absorb just walking around the pits and watching the guys out on the track.

[TTD]

I think the books and the ARC type classes are the best first move.

Then the trackdays and the street miles.

The hope is that a trackday will give you the RIDING skill... and then nothing but doing street miles or taking a STREET BASED course... will teach you about READING terrain, traffic, etc.

A great track rider is not necessarily a great street rider. But separating learning RIDING skills at the same time you're learning STREET skills is a nice way to go.

At the track, you're not worried about cars, and other hazards... so you can focus on riding technique.

[breakdirt916]

you ever ride a motocross bike?

are we focusing on technique? or just fun?

oh yeah...what everyone else said

[Degsy]

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Street riding for eyes and mind. Trackdays for technique. I think Randy is spot on.

I also recommend ken's book 'riding in the zone' I do not recommend trust of the wrist. I don't think they worked for me personally.

I have not taken ARC, but it looks good from what I have seen.

[GNTurbo6]

As with anything in life I find it's best to read about theory then go out and apply it.

[camhabib]

I appreciate all the responses.

I looked into the Lee Parks ARC class and it seems to be for more experienced riders. Even though I've only been riding a few months, I've put a few thousand miles on, and have been reading up and studying as best I can. Would the class likely still be outside my range?

For track days, would there be any modifications I'd need to make to a stock Ninja 250, aside from the usual tape? I have full leathers (2-piece) and Sidi boots, along with everything else I assume I'd need gear wise (except some tires that aren't the crap stock ones).

[TTD]

Sounds like you're the ideal candidate for the ARC! You'll be just fine.

For a TonysTrackDay, you'd only need a hose clamp on your oil filter. We have them in tech, but it's easier if you throw it on ahead of time.

For other trackday orgs, check their Bike Preparation pages to make sure.

I appreciate all the responses.

I looked into the Lee Parks ARC class and it seems to be for more experienced riders. Even though I've only been riding a few months, I've put a few thousand miles on, and have been reading up and studying as best I can. Would the class likely still be outside my range?

For track days, would there be any modifications I'd need to make to a stock Ninja 250, aside from the usual tape? I have full leathers (2-piece) and Sidi boots, along with everything else I assume I'd need gear wise (except some tires that aren't the crap stock ones).

[Stromper]

I am not sure your 4 wheel experience is beneficial to this new effort.

Dirt bikes are the best way to learn the feel when a 2 wheel thing begins to break traction. It is the best/only way to focus on target avoidance.

If you could get a patient friend/coach to tool around. A deliberate NOOB friendly ride might have you better gauge what is a safer/possible.

I didn't know how bad I sucked as a kid until I tried to follow a much better riders in the twisties. Then went off by myself.

"Excuse me sir how do you get to Carnegie Hall"