Advanced Rider Training, Why Don't You Take It?

In my Free time I teach all types of motorsports at many levels, Dirt, Street, Track etc. I have been involved in Motorsports Education for 20 years and over the years I have noticed it has always been very difficult to get riders to participate or take any type of training once they learn how to ride, and many do not get training to learn how to ride in the first place either.

I know that some groups are more likely to search out rider training programs, advanced training programs and participate in training than others, ie. from my experience BMW riders tend to be represented in advanced riding classes way above the average and disproportionately in relation to the numbers of bikes sold and on the road. In some Classes they can account for almost 1/3 of the riders in advanced classes. (It does vary by region)

So my Question is to you the riders, Why do YOU not look for and participate in rider training, Advanced training etc. Why are you not trying to become a better rider and in turn a safer and more responsible rider? If you have taken a basic Rider course for a license or to learn why did you not follow up with more and advanced training?

I like to equate rider training to our formal education, completion of the Basic classes like the MSF BRC is about the same as graduating from the 3rd grade. You did not quite school after the third grade but most riders tend to be of the opinion that the 3rd grade level of rider education is enough. There is so much more out there that can make you a better rider, and in turn might actually even save your life, so what prevents you from wanting to be better? I know some of you think, "I am a good rider" if that is the case, good in comparison to who? Don't you want to be better? Even track day guys? If you are not mixing it up with Rossi you can be better, so again whats the deal?

I am looking for the honest opinions of those who have not taken training, maybe you thought about it but just never did?  Again why? Advanced training?? There is so much out there what is holding you back?

I havent done any advanced riding because I'm not interested in doing it. If I was to go on a track or off road then yes I would do the training. I dont want to do it on the road because I am happy and feel safe with the way I ride already. 

Now I'm not saying all of them are like this just the people I know and have spoken too are like this but.... The main thing that's putting me off taking my advanced riding/training is the ones I know that have done it always seem big headed so think they are right no matter what and their riding/driving is better then anyone else's.....then whilst they try to tell you how to ride they cross the white line and almost hit the car coming the opposite way!!

As a responsible husband and father I find it difficult to schedule time away. If your spring date in Nashville isn't too close to TMAC, I plan to attend. You can never learn too much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rider training in the U.S. is very basic.  I know because I have both a U.S. and UK license as the U.S. license won't transfer here.

 

The rider requirements to get a license in the UK is more difficult in that you have a more difficult parking lot test and an on road test.  Did mine on the busy streets of north London.  

Advanced training here is on the road I believe with an instructor critiquing you.  You can also go to events where motorcycle police can critique your riding and safety aspect on the road.

I have experience riding in dirt and rocky areas, mostly trail and rough trail riding but no mx or sx riding.  I also have road and touring experience.  At this point it wouldn't hurt to have either dirt or road advanced training but it would be more for fun than anything else.  I probably will do it but at the moment I'm fairly comfortable with the way I ride for the type of riding I do.  

The most fun advanced training would be doing a track day which I have yet to do.  I plan on this sometime in the near future but overall I think I would like to see more advanced training required in the beginning for new riders.  Refreshers would be good but the thought of "advanced" training now after 13 years of riding is really not drawing me in if you know what I mean.  In other words, the need doesn't seem that great for the return I would get.  The argument that you are never too old to learn is true but as a doctor "practices" medicine I think I like to think the on-road experience contributes to something in my riding ability for the future.

Great topic.

I did the Basic MSF course twice, once to get a license and once after my first wreck.  I also did the Class Motorcycle School (Barber) once, which was good, but very limited one on one time with an instructor, but I did get more than most others in the class.  I think Timing and Time/Distance is the hardest things to over come.  Classes only happen once or twice a year unless you have a standing school at a track that has mutiple weekends a month.  So unless that one or two class/es happens on a weekend that is free, it gets put off another year.  Nashville is 5 hours away, so with time of the class, travel time, it burns up a whole weekend plus in exchange for how many hours of actual instruction and practice?

If there were a class at BMS down the road, I would be a lot more interested in attending.

I don't doubt I would learn a lot and be a better rider for taking the class, but the last few years I find it hard to actually get more than a morning or afternoon to ride on a few weekends, and I only live about 45 minutes from Shady Valley.

I've never understood folk not wanting to do extra training.

To be a professional in every profession I can think of, you do training to improve your knowledge and understanding of the what you are trying to do. So why is riding a high powered motorcycle on roads filled with blind and mindless idiots intent on killing us any different?

Why is it that we assume we know enough just because we've ridden for a few years and haven't needed training before that we must be ok?

Sure, there are "advanced" riders out there who couldn't ride a merry-go-round and there are equally folk out there who have never taken any training but seem to have a natural ability to just do it right. I'd suggest that the vast majority of us do not fit into either of those groups and would certainly benefit from training.

You need to look honestly at your own level of riding before assuming that what's available isn't for you. There are many varying levels of training available to suit all, or just about all. Over here in the UK the Police run "Bikesafe" courses which cover the next stage after passing your test and having ridden for a while. I try to do one of these as a refresher every couple of years and they are excellent value, the coppers love passing on good info and they're not the arseholes some might expect. Next comes IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) who run a huge bike training setup and RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) who do the same. There are many levels to get to, with individual training and tests to pass following prescribed methods of riding to identify & avoid hazards. One particular course may not suit certain people (IAM didn't suit me) but that doesn't mean we should dismiss others that may well suit.

Track days and skills days are almost always excellent value. Sadly, one of the best has very recently ceased operating over here and I don't know what might fill the gap.

After that, we have some very advanced rider training, given by serving or ex-police riding instructors who cover police pursuit techniques (not how to catch scrotes but the techniques they use to safely ride at high speeds).

Amongst all of those, there is something for everyone to learn.

For me, it's not about being limited to a rigid format of riding. I prefer to learn and adapt to suit my circumstances but I've tried all of the above and have learned something invaluable from all of them. I'm not the best, fastest or most technically perfect rider out there, far far from it, but I accept that there is still a lot to learn and services out there that can assist me in this.

Apologies for the length of the reply but as an instructor of a different mode of transport, it's something close to my heart and on something as potentially dangerous as a motorcycle, in my humble opinion it is vital that for the sake of our families & friends, we do what we can to be safer.

The MSF courses (basic, intermediate or advanced) no longer appear to be offered in South Carolina.  However, I did do a track school this year if that counts.

I've taken the MSF ARC (never took the BRC), a Total Control Clinic and a Cornerspeed class at VIR.  Next on my list is to try a Cornerspin class, which is only 30-45 minutes from my house.   

Anyone taken a dirt class that's designed to help with riding on the road?   

Anyone taken a dirt class that's designed to help with riding on the road?   

I have not, although I am very interested in taking the school that the Texas Tornado has.  I imagine that he'll be focusing on that full time now?

As for the topic in general, I think some have a hard time accepting the limitations of their knowledge/skill/experience/whatever.  This is in large part due to the fact that one does not become aware of there shortcoming until they REALLY need it.  Until that moment, their level is "good enough".  Much of this is reflected in the type of bike one chooses.  It also happens to be a hidden benefit to riding a VFR.  If you are judged by the company you keep, then I think I'll be doing all right!

I've taken the Lee Parks' Total Control course, and intend on going back when it becomes geographically desirable.

I do train now, didn't when I first started riding decades ago ... I don't look at it as 'going to school' learning as in something that has to be done (when young), but as a fun weekend activity that is part of the hobby I love ... I've taken a basic MSF course (required to ride a bike on the local Arsenal & my first formal training experience), Ed Bargy's class, DiSalvos class, the Cornerspin school, a level 1 TC class, and have ridden numerous track days.  I took the MSF course over 20 yrs ago, guess it doesn't count by now :unsure: , the rest have been within the past 6 years when I decided to put some time/effort into my hobby :biggrin: .  I believe that training, whatever you can afford, is not just a good thing, but fun too.  Of course, if my track days cost $1000/day as posted above, I wouldn't bother with them as a way to get some training either :ohmy: .  Track days to me are more of a way to safely practice various techniques, and not so much a formal training experience (outside of your 1st novice day anyway) ...

ACE

I actually attended the same Total Control class as mk2Davis. I also took the CSBS many moons ago but along the way and a few years of little to no riding I "lost" a lot of what I had learned. The TC class was not only a great refresher for me but I did learn a few things that helped me improve almost immediately. I am also thinking I will take the Jason Pridmore STAR class sometime next year, when funds become more available. Always something new to learn.

BTW, I highly recommend the Total Control class, it was a great experience and the instructors (Lee himself was there too) are top notch!

Cheers

Have taken MSF basic and advanced.  Have taken track days, both open days and schools, such as Keith Code's California Superbike school as an example.

I don't really go back to the track any more.  I used to go 1-2 days a year but got tired of it.  On a day off, I don't want to get up at 6am, for any reason.  On a Saturday or Sunday, earliest I'm getting up is 9am.  I'm not a morning person and every track day around here is 7am start time.  I've spent the bulk of my 29 year working career working odd hours.  In music, my start times were 12am to 4am, in my day job career I've worked plenty of maintenance windows which start at 12am.  Even now, I work bankers hours, 9-5pm, and I live 1 mile from work so I get up around 8am every weekday and don't feel the least bit bad about the fact that I'm not a 5am/cup of java dude.  To flip that for a track day to 6am, well at 7am I'm not enjoying myself.  I even skip local rides, most of the time, because folks are scared of the heat and want to do stands up at 7am.  To me visibility isn't optimum at that time of day, and I'm not real fond of hammering through corners at 7:30am on a piped bike waking people up along my routes. 

I will say, that on a tour, such as Hog Tie, or something, I will get up early, because I'm always in the minority on start times, always outnumbered.

The tracks close to where I live are shit IMO.  One is a go-cart track, very tight, very short track.  The other, the pavement isn't maintained and it's so bad that the open road has better pavement.  I do have a world class track and facility 3hrs from home but they want $500 a day to do a track day and they only offer it two times a year.  And you have to break your mouse, clicking, to try and get in because it sells out in minutes.

Then there are the yahoos at the track.  Guys showing up for a level 1/2 slot, with a brand new shiny supercab diesel, kitted out enclosed trailer, race bodyworked and prepped GSXR or the like, and on the track with something to prove or a chip on their shoulder.  When the marshalls or control riders aren't paying attention they dive bomb underneath people and to me are as much of a threat or more so than the open road.  Multiple track days in a row I'd be in a session with 6ft minimum, straights only, passing rules, only to get stuffed in a corner by some douche running a lap timer and using warmers in the pits.  To me, there is a wannabe racer mentality going on at some tracks these days.  I go to have fun, work on my skills, and generally enjoy myself.  I don't need a lap timer because I know when I'm nailing corners better.  I don't need warmers because I'm not racing.  It's a track day, not a mad dash for the cash.  I've been right behind riders "going for it" watching one take out the other.  At the track you sign a waiver so if some dickhead takes me out, it's out of my own wallet to pay for his/her own mistake.  I don't like that, at all, and would rather take my chances on my twisty routes.  To me, they are safer than out of control riders at a buck twenty who have a point to prove.

luvtoleanit

You are someone who has had a lot of training, Like amny of the folks on this forum. While I see the BMW guys in numer that are higher than normal. the same goes for VFR's. I seem to see more of them than other makes and models. Seems like riders of these bikes are different than the average rider.

Took the BRC years ago...great...loved it.  Considered the ARC but never did it...why?  

I took Jason Pridmore's Star School beginner class over two days one year...next year I took a two day course from Star School as an Intermediate rider...It is not as structured as California Superbike School--especially the intermediate level.  BUT--at ~$350 per day it is an upgrade over a trackday and moderately affordable.

I think the thing is that I got lots of track time, all the instruction and practice and advice I could handle over a couple days and the opportunity to push myself beyond what I thought I could do in a reasonably safe trackday environment.  I looked at CSS, at Schwantz school and others...I think Cornerspeed or Penguin might be a little better than Pridmore's...but the one on one time with JP and his instructors was reallly good as well.  

It fit what I needed -- some structure and plenty of seat-time.  I have my notes, all the things I like to practice at the beginning of every riding season...to get back up to speed on the street.  The BEST thing it gave me was an appropriate amount of fear for STREET riding compared to trackday riding.  I am much more a Pu&&y on the street than on the track.

FWIW that's my two cents.  I guess it depends on which skills you need to develop?  I am a savvy and very aware street rider...what I got from STAR school was a big bump in capabilities that really make street riding seem to just slow down...I find myself with a much more capable mental budget...to put it into terms of CSS, after taking the trackday classes I have a few more dollars in my budget to spend on being aware of my street surroundings and not spending it on worring about things like shifting, steering, cornering, braking et al.

Matt

Time, Money, Location.

I've managed to get by w/o training with varying degrees of success.

I'd love to go to a riding school for fun, should I become unincombered by family obligations.

I took the MSF basic when I was 16 (1989). Took the advanced after a wreck in 2000 to build my confidence back up. Then took the Ed Bargy school probably in 2001 and got my WERA license. I kept that for a couple of years but never really did anything with it. Since then I've done several track days, but haven't done another school. The most I did was 7 track days one year, but the past couple of years it has only been 1 or 2 days. I'm with zupatun, after a track day I feel so much more comfortable on the street it is hard to believe.

I've thought several times about taking the Kevin Schwantz school when he was at Road Atlanta (I like the track and it is close to home), but just never seemed to have that much extra money laying around. I'd like to do the Total Control course (I have the book), but I want my GF to do it with me (she has only had the MSF basic and 2 track days), so that means double the cost. Of course both of us can probably do the TC course for about what it costs one person to do Kevin Schwantz.

Let's see. There's work, then after that I seem to be a slave to the house.

Most of the time I have to settle for a 3 hour or so loop on Sunday.  :wink:

If I can get past the projects, I'd love to do Total Control and/or Pridmores school,

if I can find a class close enough and at the right time.

I did the MSF course before I got my first bike, back in '80.

Did Code's class at Laguna Seca circa '90.

More recently, a handful of track days at Willow Springs Big Track, Streets of Willow, and Fontana Speedway.

I liked Big Willow, it flows and feels like a proper track,

but the other 2 were kind of orange cone layout, parking lot ish, no likee.

It was fun, but too many people treat it like a race. :rolleyes:

Something more structured would be good.

We need a SoCal group class ride, next spring maybe. :warranty:

My experience is 45 years on a bike seat  -  started racing motocross as a young lad. Took any course offered at race days - it had to fit the budget. When my son turned 16 I enrolled him in a weekend MSF course - he loved it and it made him a better rider.

My son and I ride the mountain roads up here in the Rockies of Western Alberta and the Interior of British Columbia. We love the roads and the scenery. Took two years to organize a trip 3 weeks in duration covering all the GREAT ROADS in Oregon, California, Utah, Arizona and Washington Sate  - every road personally recommended by thoughtful riders like you.

My son and I took 3 weeks this year to travel from Canada down to Southern California ending up in Mesa. Total trip down was 2300 miles. Rode Highway 199 and 62 in Oregon, Highway 36 in California and some other great roads. We both commented that we found ourselves out of our comfort zone seveal times when the twisty's and switcgbacks got more "real: than we are normally used too.

We both signed up for TOTAL CONTROL in Phoenix at Go Arizona.  We enjoyed the course immensley!!! We did not realize that the course would get us into Track Days at several courses. On the way home we practised what we had leaned at Total Control. Some cagers must have thought us insane as we hung out sideways off our bikes getting ready going into a turn. Too animated? :):)

We travelled back to Canada and every curve was a practice session in technique, picking the line, looking out of the turn ......  We came to the conclusion that we need more training. A school is our target for next year. With travel to the USA and school cost - about $2500 each. There is nothing local.

Cost and time are the limiting factors that affect training decisions. We both concluded that if you take the time and incur the cost to improve your skills - then you better practice! Fill the tank and RIDE. We had 2700 miles on our homeward journey towards  Canada to practice what we learned. The trip raised more questions; hence, more learning required!

Getting to spend 3 weeks riding across this beautiful continent on bikes and taking a motorcycle skills course with your son - well that's priceless!

I've taken a few riding classes, MFS-Basic, a class at Hallett in OK, Ride Smart at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson TX, and a couple of Total Control classes in AR.  Besides riding classes I've taken a couple of MAST (Motorcycle Accident Scene Training) class, riding home from the frist acccident training class I rode up on an accident and was able to apply some of my training.

I consider myself damned lucky to still ride.  I started @ 16 and turned 80 a few months back. There were no gaps.  Did some club racing, early on (paved airfields, British twins and 2 strokes, chasing cones).  Tried again and a bit more serious, in the early to mid 90's. 

Motorcycling is still huge fun for me; averaging 26 K/year.  I decided to stop the occasional track days a few years ago realizing: 1) The youngsters were far more aggressive than I felt comfortable being around.  2) The Cost was getting out of hand for me.  3) Responsibilities @ home left me feeling guilty regarding my ability to heal, should I fall.  A really fun outlet for me is Moto Giro's.  Small displacement old bikes pushed to near maximums, by trusted friends on country roads.  Worst of all?  No more night riding and riding in the wet (I still do), is best left to others.     Good fortune,  R3~ 

I consider myself damned lucky to still ride.  I started @ 16 and turned 80 a few months back. There were no gaps.  Did some club racing, early on (paved airfields, British twins and 2 strokes, chasing cones).  Tried again and a bit more serious, in the early to mid 90's. 

Motorcycling is still huge fun for me; averaging 26 K/year.  I decided to stop the occasional track days a few years ago realizing: 1) The youngsters were far more aggressive than I felt comfortable being around.  2) The Cost was getting out of hand for me.  3) Responsibilities @ home left me feeling guilty regarding my ability to heal, should I fall.  A really fun outlet for me is Moto Giro's.  Small displacement old bikes pushed to near maximums, by trusted friends on country roads.  Worst of all?  No more night riding and riding in the wet (I still do), is best left to others.     Good fortune,  R3~ 

That's fantastic.  I hope I make it to 80 and that if I do, I'm still riding!   Don't feel bad - I'm a number of decades your junior and I don't ride in the rain or at night ether.

I consider myself damned lucky to still ride.  I started @ 16 and turned 80 a few months back. There were no gaps.  Did some club racing, early on (paved airfields, British twins and 2 strokes, chasing cones).  Tried again and a bit more serious, in the early to mid 90's. 

Motorcycling is still huge fun for me; averaging 26 K/year.  I decided to stop the occasional track days a few years ago realizing: 1) The youngsters were far more aggressive than I felt comfortable being around.  2) The Cost was getting out of hand for me.  3) Responsibilities @ home left me feeling guilty regarding my ability to heal, should I fall.  A really fun outlet for me is Moto Giro's.  Small displacement old bikes pushed to near maximums, by trusted friends on country roads.  Worst of all?  No more night riding and riding in the wet (I still do), is best left to others.     Good fortune,  R3~ 

Congrats on such a long riding career, hope it goes on more years. Makes me hope I can do the same. :beer:

Honestly? I've just been lazy. I took the BRC when I first started riding and after a few thousand miles on my own, group riding or from my trip from Colorado to California and back I just got comfortable.

I've often thought about taking the ARC and now the USAF is requiring that we take the ARC every so many years. It's a good idea, especially since they are paying for it. Now I just need to make time to go...

Time, money, family, location, friends, other hobbies(Mountain biking, shooting, hiking, hunting).  There are no ARC's in my state(S.C.) that I've been able to find.  And since Road Atlanta is the closest that I know of to me, it would be a weekend away from family affair. Ever since SCDMV decided to stop accepting waivers from third party organizations for licensing the training courses have dried up and gone the way of the Dodo.

Time, money, family, location, friends, other hobbies(Mountain biking, shooting, hiking, hunting).  There are no ARC's in my state(S.C.) that I've been able to find.  And since Road Atlanta is the closest that I know of to me, it would be a weekend away from family affair. Ever since SCDMV decided to stop accepting waivers from third party organizations for licensing the training courses have dried up and gone the way of the Dodo.

That almost happened in TN this year...   would have been a tragedy. 

I think the reason most don't seek out courses is because it's "not cool"...    Our local HOG chapter had a president that required the road captains to have a ERC every two years...  and sure enough we'd fill a class or two with them, and it was "cool" in the club.   That president died (on the road, unfortunately) and we haven't sold a class to the HOG in two years. 

For me personally, I've always sought out more training, and every opportunity has made riding more enjoyable.    The one's I'd like to take now are: Trials, the local Trials Training Center has a "Trials for a Day" course where they rent you a bike and an instructor...    

For me personally, I've always sought out more training, and every opportunity has made riding more enjoyable.    The one's I'd like to take now are: Trials, the local Trials Training Center has a "Trials for a Day" course where they rent you a bike and an instructor...    )))))))

----------------------------------------------------------------------

That would be much more of an advanced course.

I never took the basic msf and while it does have some useful info, I did have to take the advanced course to rid a ticket or else I would never have taken it.  Was the advanced course of any value, that really depends what your skill level and riding experience has been .  Adult new riders, theses courses are really good for testing purposes, cause they haven't seen any of this type of exposure. If youve ridden and raced since a kid and made it to adulthood, you might find them boring with little challenge.

All I can say about the advance course, they don't care how you ride to achieve their obstacles, as long as you can do the obstacles they don't care about how many fingers you use, unlike a basic msf course.

We will not be having the Spring Total Control ARC Classes in Tn. This year as the site location got sold. So the folks from the Nashville Riders have worked hard and gotten help from a local training provider so we can come back to offer the classes in the fall!.

Also now that I am living on the West Coast I will be teaching the Total Control intermediate and advanced classes here now as well. If anyone is interested hit me up and I can tell you where I will be for limited dates (The new job keeps me busy and on the road but I am not giving up teaching!) I will also be flying back East for a few classes!

Keeping skills sharp and learning new things is so important! I am always looking myself as well.

Yup, I was one of those "BMW guys" who started reading "Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code, took notes, and then read it again taking more notes. 

Then I took his class at Road America renting one of their ZX-6s. I wanted to race eventually, which is what I did. 

Though I do not like that the Code School has gone to some BMW bikes, he's the only one I would recommend for advanced classes. 

Once into the Racing industry you see just how much of a Professional, head and shoulders ABOVE all else, the Code School really is. 

We've got "Instructors" in the MW who make MY skin crawl. Caveat emptor...

If anyone is interested in Total Control in the Mid-Atlantic region we are filling classes each month here in Virginia.  If you would like some details just let me know.

Have taken MSF BRC and MSF ERC. The reason honestly is time management and priorities. Enjoy motorcycling but it is one part of life. First ride this year after a year with probably under a thousand miles caught some no nos I was doing. Wish I would of at least signed up for the MSF BRC this year, the details will come back to me but think the exercises really help.

I don't really know. Maybe I know (or think I know) everything already? I've got a friend who runs one of these courses, so I probably should.

I've been riding bikes for many many years and have experience of many different disciplines covering off-road, racing, track days and road riding. Over the years I've done Bikesafe courses run by the Police here in the UK, ridden with instructors and got some feed back but until last year had never done an official advanced riding course. I like to think I'm a fairly competent road rider but have always hidden behind the old excuse of "I haven't got time" to sign up and do some training. Rubbish excuse of course because the truth is I had plenty of time I was just spending it on other things. I also let my ego get in the way, I'm an experienced biker, why do I want some Percy belt wearing, nomark with less experience than me, an ex-racer FFS, telling me how to ride...I know stuff you know! But of course the truth is they were just excuses and the sensible thing to do is be assessed by another experienced rider who'll be honest enough to point out your mistakes.

I got lucky as my observer turned out to be someone I know and know to be a good experienced and well respected rider so my initial fears of ending up with a nerd who'd fast tracked him / herself through the system and wasn't even born when I first threw a leg over a bike were immediately laid to rest.

So, I did my observed rides, took my RoSPA (UK outfit) test and happily passed. What did I take from it? The satisfaction of knowing that a Police trained class 1 rider thought I was a good rider and the reminders regarding observation and decision making that sharpen you up and remind you of your bad habits and risk taking that being long in the tooth can become second nature.

I'd recommend to anyone, whatever age and experience, that they take some advanced training and keep their hand in long term.

Trackdays...

And the Total Control Program is supported by the State program in Virginia as well!

there are many good track schools out there, I have done a few different ones, the one I got the most out of so far was Penguin Racing in the East. I am going to do others out here in the West going forward as well. Cant ever learn too much

And the Total Control Program is supported by the State program in Virginia as well!

there are many good track schools out there, I have done a few different ones, the one I got the most out of so far was Penguin Racing in the East. I am going to do others out here in the West going forward as well. Cant ever learn too much

Yeah, Lee Parks Total Control is what I would like to take. Seems like the next logical step after MSF ERC.

We have classes in Ohio, in fact I might be coming to teach some there as well.

David

Where in Ohio?

Youngstown in May Both Level I and Level II

Two big reasons: cost and location. I'm a riding instructor, and value the benefit of education. One of the reasons I teach is because if improves my own riding. (The other reason is because I enjoy telling people what to do, and what they're doing wrong!) But as far as advanced classes go, these usually tend to run a pretty penny, and are hard to come by in the midwest. Apparently there are some beginner track days that include instruction, so I'll be looking into that. I'd love to take an off-road class, but the Chicagoland area isn't known for it's wilderness and varied terrain.. 

I'd love to take an off-road class...

Well if you can spare 4 days, head to Texas and do Colin Edwards' 'Texas Tornado Boot Camp'! Sounds like a blast, you even get to shoot guns...a .50 Cal at that. I'm kinda of thinking about going myself. Not sure date/time though.

That is a class I have been wanting to take as well, I went to the MX track for the first time last weekend. I have participated in some enduro's back East and have dome some Desert riding here in the West. The trip to the track was nice. I was able to clear both big table tops and hit the doubles some of the time (Hurts when you don't make them!) Going back again to work on speed in the turns and powering up off the corners.