Next step - moto-cop training ?

[RussellH]

I knew the topic will get your attention... 

So I've now done a little over 300 miles of street riding and I'm thinking about the ERC course (at 500 miles?) - the advanced/experienced rider MSF course. However, I recently also came across a course that's not too ungodly far from me and it's taught by an ex-cop. He wants to teach the public the same techniques they were taught in their extensive moto-cop training program.

After watching some of the moto-cop videos on youtube I'm impressed with how good they are with bike control so I might do that even though for private lessons it's expensive but for group lessons it's only $150.


Advanced Rider Skills(Group) - $149
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More info here: http://www.expertmotorcycletraining.com/about.htm

If it's really as good as it sounds I think it's really neat and kudos to the guy (even though it's for profit) for offering something like this to the public.

[coffee_brake]

That slow-speed maneuver stuff offered in this course is well worth the tuition cost, if the guy is a decent instructor. He'll show you what you just can't get from books, even more than the videos (but the videos are good too). I wish I could have taken a course like that, instead of spending years scared with my feet paddling in parking lots!

Remember that it will only be a temporary skill if you don't make an effort to get out there and practice it regularly.

[happycommuter]

IMHO the ERC teaches that ESP of identifying hazards which is much more vital to survival.  They also do the slow-speed maneuvering, but probably to a lesser extent.
I'd focus on necessary stuff before going for impressive technique.

[RussellH]

Impressive techniques? like popping a wheelie at 70mph 

It sounds like they focus on street survival, afterall the moto-cops do spend 8+hours a day on bikes amongst all the cagers and still go after the bad guys.

[happycommuter]

Counterleaning is covered in the ERC, among other things.
The only mention I see is in the Surviving The Mean Streets video descirption.  The emphasis seems to be on low-speed maneuvering.  A worthwhile skill, but less essential than developing rider ESP. 
My alertness has proved adequate thus far, so I'd love to master doing a u-turn into one parking spot and coming out centered in the adjacent one.  That would be awesome.  If I was getting caught off guard when cars wander into my lane, I'd have other priorities.

[fishmeister]

That rider ESP stuff......I want more of that, how and where can i get it?

[niteman]

I also want to take the advanced/experienced rider course after I get a few more miles under my belt.

They actually taught a good deal of slow speed maneuvers in the MSF course I took...it was awesome. I took the Hardley Davidson Riders Edge course and it was worth every penny and every minute. I am not into Hardleys, but the instructors and info were great! One of the guys was an ex cop as well. The other guy was an older jack of all trades type that raced flat track a long time ago.

I practice the parking lot/slow speed maneuvers that I learned there every other time I go out on my bike. I just find an empty lot and then look like a weirdo for a bout a half hour to an hour doing u-turns, figure eights, diminishing circles, etc...

[Bumblebee]

with my feet paddling in parking lots!

What's the point of the foot paddling thing at 2-3mph anyway? To see if the student can break his leg with the footpeg? IMNSHO, stopped = feet down. moving = feet up.

I'd love to master doing a u-turn into one parking spot and coming out centered in the adjacent one.  That would be awesome.

So....What's stopping you? A little practice and staying proficient and you're there.

[happycommuter]

So....What's stopping you? A little practice and staying proficient and you're there.

Touché.  It would probably be quicker with an instructor chastising my errors, but it looks like what I'm after is possible.

Oddly, plenty of videos of people on the tube labeled as doing tight turns that go way wider.  Stopping almost immediately after a lean is intimidating (and not shown in the video) but I'll work on it.