Lee Parks' Total Control Advance Riding Clinic

[SwiftTone]

Has anyone taken this?

I have about 25k miles under me and 5 trackdays. Although I learned a lot from trackdays, many of the skills aren't as applicable to the street than what is taught in ARC(I think). I think ARC is the middle ground between MSF Advanced and trackdays.

I have seen Penguin offer/host ARC a couple years ago, but that one I saw wasn't even advertised by Lee Park's or Penguin(I believe). Is Penguin going to do it again?

The closest one is Poughkeepsie, NY which is pretty far.

[reks95]

I think I was in the same class as Jansmar about 4 years ago when they did it at Loudon in the parking lot.

The MSF beginner class really is pretty great for what it is.
I think riders benefit from some seat time and practice before
moving on to ARC curriculum.

The ARC curriculum is an important next step. Dumping your
bike in a parking lot or slow moving traffic is certainly embarrassing
and potentially dangerous, but failing to negotiate a corner at
speed is a different ballgame.

ARC doesn't have a monopoly on the material, so the classroom
time can be more of a refresher for people that have studied it
before. But the drills are useful. It's easy to read a book on your own,
but having a safe environment to do the drills and a trained instructor
to observe you and provide feedback is generally worth the price
of admission.

That said, if you're already dragging knee at the track, you've probably
mastered most of the skills that are taught in ARC.

[jasnmar]

Yep. We were in the same class.

I never took the MSF basics course, so I can't help with differences. If you've read Total Control by Lee, then a great deal of the information will be repetitive. It is always useful, however, to perform the exercises with someone observing you, and providing feedback on what you are doing.

Along those lines, and having ridden with you, I would recommend personal instructions at a track day over ARC. I think you would benefit more from personal instruction at speed. This doesn't mean I don't think ARC is good, and at some point I may take the 2nd part of it.

Tony has in the past had John (the guy from NY) attend a "dual" event like the one reks95 and I attended.

[SwiftTone]

People usually don't talk about ARC so honestly I didn't know if I'm missing something that could improve my street riding skills. I'm pretty comfortable at being mid pack in the intermediate group but I always thought applying the same skills like hanging off on the street at sane speeds is a little ridiculous. Honestly, I think my weakness is riding slower and applying the proper technique without fear of dumping the bike or looking rediculous. There are very few times that I actually felt like I was gonna dump my bike on the track and in those instances I was pushing harder than I should so I could pass someone on a bigger bike at the end of a straight.

Great idea of practicing in an empty parking lot except a) I need to get permission from property owner and b) need someone to watch my riding. Wish I lived in the boonies.

edit: I think just have to suckup and pay up for personal instructions.

[nhbubba]

I would recommend personal instructions at a track day over ARC.

I think I second this. I did the ARC some years ago. It wasn't a waste. But if the choice is ARC or more track time or even better; more track time with some 1-on-1.. go with the track time.

[reks95]

You already know how to control your bike.
I suspect the only thing that's going to improve your street riding
is having somebody follow you around and practice selecting lane
position, street lines through turns, identify threats, etc.
Hasn't Ken been doing that kind of thing lately? That might be a
more valuable than anything else.

[Garandman]

Went to ARC 1 and 2. These classes practice a lot of useful skills, including turning, braking and shifting. Day 2 spends classroom time on suspension setup.

Well worth it and I felt very comfortable and in control when I went to a track day.

If you are in the middle of Intermediate personal instruction might be the next step. Dropped 3.5 seconds per lap after a half day with Ken Condon.

[TTD]

Ken has a class similar to the ARC... in Southwick, MASS

Advanced Parking Lot Course | Riding in the Zone

[SwiftTone]

Maybe ARC is not the right next step. One-on-one at the track day sounds like the next logical step if I want to go faster?

How about dirt? I know riding dirt will help me progress. Is there a dirt riding clinic I can take that provides all the equipment and gear I need?

[TTD]

While dirt riding helps with your very fast track riding... by making you more comfortable with your tires not being perfectly connected to the pavement... I would not put it before some of the others.

[SwiftTone]

While dirt riding helps with your very fast track riding... by making you more comfortable with your tires not being perfectly connected to the pavement... I would not put it before some of the others.

My goal is not necessarily to be faster on the track but it's to be better and safer on the street. I thought maybe some dirt experience would be better for those o-shit street moments of going too hot into a corner or debris mid corner where I could break traction.

BTW, thanks for the feedback guys

[TTD]

I think track riding will help more for the O Shit moments on the street.

[klp]

I think track riding will help more for the O Shit moments on the street.

+1!

I recommend you buy a motard, track it and get the best of both worlds.

[Ken C]

The advanced parking lot course that is scheduled for June is already sold out, but a second date is in the works. Advanced Parking Lot Course | Riding in the Zone

I offer personal on-street training that is custom to the individual (or two people if you have a spouse or friend you'd like to share the day with) that typically covers slow speed maneuvers and trailbraking, cornering strategies, as well as body position and timing for street riding. I also offer weekend on-street training tours for groups of three. On-strreet training includes two-way communicators and real-time coaching. Take your pick. ridinginthezone.com-course options/

And I also offer basic off-road/dual sport training. You need a street legal dirt or ADV bike for this.

And of course one-on-one track day training with Tony's Track Days.

Be sure to read the testimonials and contact me with questions or to schedule a date to do personal on-street training.