Best way to learn?

[Ken C]

People try and skip the necessary "work" (I call it fun) of developing skill. Learn about what you need to know and then practice.

Riding in the Zone is all about this. The information is to the point so that you can implement it right away. Knowledge does little unless it is put into use, so get on your bike and practice the concepts and techniques. The parking lot drills are just for someone like you. Take a look at the sample pages and video clips to see what I mean.

Twist, Total Control, etc. are great, but they are often too advanced for newer riders just trying to master basic-to-intermediate control skills.

Oh, and the MOST important aspects of surviving on the street are not covered in a lot of skills books. Having awesome control skills won't save you if you don't know how to identify the risks and have strategies for dealing with them.

Sound like a plug for my book? It is. Not because I want to sell more books, but because I believe that it can help people. Too many get hurt riding motorcycles and I'm trying to do my part in preventing that from happening.

[Garandman]

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?

You'll be fine. The drills are in the Total Control book if you want to see what they are.

Did you take the MSF NRC?

[13]

I read "sport riding techniques" when I was new to riding and it helped me a lot. It focuses more on street riding and has a chapter or to describing trackdays and getting into racing.

[TTD]

With 20 days left to go...

Grab Ken's "Riding in the Zone"... and practice the drills!

Then do the ARC on July 25th... or August?

Then do a trackday!

Then enjoy riding your motorcycle at a much higher level!

[Lxpony]

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.

Where do you live? Someone near you who has some experience can surely arrange a ride together to work with you on the "basics"...

[mzdagrl]

Where do you live? Someone near you who has some experience can surely arrange a ride together to work with you on the "basics"...

I'm surprised it took this long for someone to poitn this out.

Ride with a more experienced rider on the street, have them follow you and point out body position things to try, etc. Also, follow them and take their lines around turns. You get a better feel for how to ride street riding on the street.

Don't get me wrong, track days are great and I think everyone should do them, but it sounds like you're a park-it-in-the-corners type right now, and you need to gain enough street confidence to maintain a reasonable pace. I would have been stupid to do a trackday at 2 months into riding, but I'm glad I rode with other riders who helped me out a lot.

[OreoGaborio]

Can't really suggest doing/reading anything that hasn't been mentioned already...

Books:
Riding In The Zone
Total Control
Twist of the Wrist 1 & 2

Riding:
SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME!
Group Rides
Total Control ARC
Track Days
Dirt bikes


I'm ain't big on dem lurnin' bookz.... but I've flipped through all three. I honestly liked Riding In The Zone a bit more than the others as it's an easier read and as Ken said, it gives you knowledge that you NEED to know. Twist 1 & 2 aren't exactly books you can read like a..... book.


Besides knowledge the biggest thing to becoming a rider is just gettin miles under your belt. Every time you swing a leg over the bike is a learning opportunity. Keep your mind active, practice FUNDAMENTAL skills and seek professional instruction. "Rider Improvement" is the one "mod" that you can take with you put on any bike you ride.


For what it's worth, I started riding with Tony's Track Days and learning from Ken & the crew just 3 months after getting my first bike when I had about 3k miles under my belt... best decision evarrrrr

[nt650hawk]

For a beginner I feel that Twist 2 is far too complex. I'm not trying to pick on any intellectuals out there. It is just easier to to read, apply and think back tho what you have done on the track. It just not quite street material...

Twist one is a great read but for a new street rider I would suggest Riding In The Zone. It brings things down to a level that is easy and apply. There is also a CD that shows the techniques in action. That is KEY.

[CBR929RE]

If I may:
Riding in the Zone/

listen this guy. I've done 2 TTDs and he wasn't even one of the advanced groups Instructors/CRs but he still kept popping his head in to our classroom discussions because he has a genuine desire to help other motorcyclists improve.

I read "sport riding techniques" when I was new to riding and it helped me a lot. It focuses more on street riding and has a chapter or to describing trackdays and getting into racing.

I was gonna suggest this book also. Cam, whatever book you get if you choose to get any, read them now then read them again later in the year or in the spring next year.


and I wouldn't worry about being overwhelmed at any class you might decide to take. I think they are all set up where they build on each other, such as the MSF ERC building on what you learned in the basic course, or the Penguin advanced school for riders already having done the basic course. The instructors of any course will see you are new and will work with you in such a way as to help you build your skills up. They won't try to get you to do anything beyond your ability.

[Garandman]

With 20 days left to go...

Grab Ken's "Riding in the Zone"... and practice the drills!

Then do the ARC on July 25th... or August?

Then do a trackday!

Then enjoy riding your motorcycle at a much higher level!

That's what I did and felt totally comfortable on the track.

Still slow, but comfortable.....

[camhabib]

Thanks again for all the replies and info.

I'm going to pick up a copy of "Riding In The Zone" today and hopefully start practicing soon. I'll probably also wind up doing the course and following track day if I feel confident going through the book.

Where do you live? Someone near you who has some experience can surely arrange a ride together to work with you on the "basics"...

I'm in the Westwood, MA area. I've been creeping the rides section, but most seem to be way out west, and I haven't had a chance to mount my GPS yet (I have no sense of direction) so it's a bit hard trying to find group rides. If anyone nearby wants to meet up for a ride one weekend, I'd really appreciate it. I've been trying to watch videos and focus on what I'm doing, but you can only do so much without a live person to guide you / give you feedback.

[TTD]

Just saw this today... made me think of this thread. This is from a TTD trackday rider.
------------

I put the quick turn method to work on the street this past weekend. .... On a downhill right hander there it was. Right at the apex. SAND!

It was all the way across the road except for two wheel tracks where it was clear. .... I kept cool and let the bike run a little wide through the 10 inch wide clear spot then sharply turned to the right to stay in my lane and make it home safe and sound.

I thought to myself, Ken would be proud and grinned. Once again track day teachings save the day!
-------------------

[dontpanic]

What Ken said.

Plus, grab an abstract of the Hurt Report and memorize it.

[jwm2k3]

They taught you countersteer in the MSF class...use it. This will help you in the corners where you feel uncomfortable now. Countersteer is something you can do right now, on your next ride.

[Ken C]

Countersteering clip

[OreoGaborio]

Ken's a regular Samuel L Jackson!

[TTD]

FYI... lots of great items to help you ride are up in the raffle on July 25

Including ken's book, the Lee Parks Total Control book, discounts on Personal training, tons of riding gear, tires... and of course....

LOTS O' FREE TRACK TIME!!!!

http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...-25-raffle.htm

[Ken C]

Besides, the raffle never fails to deliver laughs!

[Garandman]

Ken's a regular Samuel L Jackson!

YouTube - ‪Say What Again!!‬‏

[NeverlosT]

if you live close you can borrom my copy of "twist of the wrist II". Its a good book