Ron Haslam School

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ylovebuffalo

Original Poster:

216 posts

161 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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Doing the premier 600 course next wed afternoon (20th) if anyone from here is going.

Anyone done it already? thoughts on your experience...worth the money etc?

It will be my first time on track so hoping i will enjoy it n squeeze a couple of track days in after....

roboxm3

2,414 posts

194 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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I did it a couple of years ago and loved it!

Two riders per instructor and three 20min sessions on track.
It doesn't sound like a lot and obviously you come away wanting more but I didn't feel short-changed at all.

You follow the instructor, taking it in turns to lead and the rule was 'while ever you're close, I'll keep pushing on' so the pace is really dictated by your ability and they certainly don't hold you back.

After each session they'll give you feedback on body-position etc using the bike they have back in the pits and go through whatever you want them to really.

I'd certainly consider doing it again, after I've done a couple of track days, to help me get quicker / smoother.

ylovebuffalo

Original Poster:

216 posts

161 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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Thanks for that Roboxm3...interesting stuff....can't wait now....sounds great. Just hoping it will stay dry for it tbh altho i'm assuming they'll have wets if it comes to it.

Pwig

11,956 posts

269 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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Basically what he said.

It did mine a couple of weeks ago and it was very good.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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ylovebuffalo said:
Thanks for that Roboxm3...interesting stuff....can't wait now....sounds great. Just hoping it will stay dry for it tbh altho i'm assuming they'll have wets if it comes to it.
They don't use wets since the bikes run on Bridgestone sports touring tyres which provide a truly impressive amount of grip (in the dry at least).

I was thinking about going on Wednesday if they have any last minute slots available, I did it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.

ylovebuffalo

Original Poster:

216 posts

161 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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excellent...may see u there then!

Charger500

252 posts

253 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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I'm there on Wednesday, 3rd visit! I've got a spare ticket!!!

One of my group has just dropped out, happy to sell the place here if anyone wants it? ping me a message... I'm sure Ron Haslam's will be able to re-sell the slot but thought I'd throw it up here first... but be quick if you want it, I'll be throwing it back to RH in the morning...

Premier Group 1510hrs Sign on - Wednesday 20th...

Like I said I've been 3 times, twice on Premier course and once on the beginners "On Track" course when I took a couple of mates with very little riding experience, figured I'd do it with them for a laugh, it was great fun and I got a lot out of it...

spareparts

6,777 posts

226 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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£295 for half a day and just 3 x 20min sessions? No thanks.

Fastdruid

8,623 posts

151 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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roboxm3 said:
I did it a couple of years ago and loved it!

Two riders per instructor and three 20min sessions on track.
It doesn't sound like a lot and obviously you come away wanting more but I didn't feel short-changed at all.
Depends on the difference in ability between the two riders, I started out with one of Leon Haslams mates but he was rather slow so I ended up with an Instructor (Mark Davies) to myself.

roboxm3 said:
You follow the instructor, taking it in turns to lead and the rule was 'while ever you're close, I'll keep pushing on' so the pace is really dictated by your ability and they certainly don't hold you back.
Well that depends on how quick you are, they held me back. Plus I was somewhat put off by the amount of sparks coming off the instructors bike as it decked out (and it was a bit slow flat out). wink

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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spareparts said:
£295 for half a day and just 3 x 20min sessions? No thanks.
Is there a significantly cheaper option to get one instructor between two people, with the bike and all gear provided?

roboxm3

2,414 posts

194 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Fastdruid said:
Well that depends on how quick you are, they held me back. Plus I was somewhat put off by the amount of sparks coming off the instructors bike as it decked out (and it was a bit slow flat out). wink
In fairness to the RH School though, you were probably on the wrong course i.e. you should have been on the 'blade with one to one instruciton etc...though saying that, they do specify that you have to complete the course on the 600s before moving up, so...

Charger500

252 posts

253 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Mr2Mike said:
spareparts said:
£295 for half a day and just 3 x 20min sessions? No thanks.
Is there a significantly cheaper option to get one instructor between two people, with the bike and all gear provided?
Exactly... if you work out you're own running costs for taking your own bike to a track day, assuming you already had a bike, full leathers etc. or in fact renting a bike, it's a tad more expensive seat time for sure, but not far off... There are flaws and cracks in anything unless it's full exclusive deal, I reckon RH's does a pretty good job of running a 3 session track day with a bit of instruction... if you're already a track veteran with all the kit then it's probably not for you...

Hey, who says I'm offering it at face value! I'm open to realistic offers...

Fastdruid

8,623 posts

151 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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roboxm3 said:
Fastdruid said:
Well that depends on how quick you are, they held me back. Plus I was somewhat put off by the amount of sparks coming off the instructors bike as it decked out (and it was a bit slow flat out). wink
In fairness to the RH School though, you were probably on the wrong course i.e. you should have been on the 'blade with one to one instruction etc...though saying that, they do specify that you have to complete the course on the 600s before moving up, so...
Kind of. I'd have preferred the Elite (I think it's called) course but on the 600's. At the time I was doing a lot of trackdays on a SV650 and RVF400 so was pretty handy on a bike so the fireblade would have been fun but not relevant. I actually found the cert/assessment a second ago (amazingly where I thought it was) as I was wondering how long ago it was (2006!).

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Charger500 said:
Exactly... if you work out you're own running costs for taking your own bike to a track day, assuming you already had a bike, full leathers etc. or in fact renting a bike, it's a tad more expensive seat time for sure, but not far off... There are flaws and cracks in anything unless it's full exclusive deal, I reckon RH's does a pretty good job of running a 3 session track day with a bit of instruction... if you're already a track veteran with all the kit then it's probably not for you...

Hey, who says I'm offering it at face value! I'm open to realistic offers...
I would have gladly bought your ticket to be honest, but my brothers just dropped out which has spoiled our plans a bit. Probably going to go for 16th September now, if it looks like it will be dry.

Charger500

252 posts

253 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Mr2Mike said:
I would have gladly bought your ticket to be honest, but my brothers just dropped out which has spoiled our plans a bit. Probably going to go for 16th September now, if it looks like it will be dry.
I did a session back end of last year in the wet, well biblical pissing down rain to be precise... I hate riding in the wet, PERIOD. but actually surprised myself and enjoyed it... the challenge was great fun, on someone else's machine, and actually got a bit of a feel for loss of traction moving the bike around a bit... first time on an ABS bike, I was amazed how deep I could get away with braking into a corner... A mate of mine didn't' enjoy it as much high siding round the old hairpin!

moanthebairns

17,918 posts

197 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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anyone done the haslam and the james whitham day?

The Haslam day does sound decent but it would cost me £500 all in to do 3 x 30 minute sessions and after paying for coaching at the Niall Mackenzie day im kinda hesitant to pay for it again.

Really fancy doing the Whitham day though, if just to spend a day with the guy and to hear his laugh in person.

egor110

16,818 posts

202 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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moanthebairns said:
anyone done the haslam and the james whitham day?

The Haslam day does sound decent but it would cost me £500 all in to do 3 x 30 minute sessions and after paying for coaching at the Niall Mackenzie day im kinda hesitant to pay for it again.

Really fancy doing the Whitham day though, if just to spend a day with the guy and to hear his laugh in person.
And him saying ' yep yep yep'

BeerMonster1

77 posts

140 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
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Can anyone take part in these schools? I.E over a certain age? And do you have to have a full (road) licence to take part. I have always been big on riding mx and enduro but fancy a stint on a road bike without actually having to buy one and all the gear?

ylovebuffalo

Original Poster:

216 posts

161 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
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i believe they supply everything u need and you dont need a bike licence.

they do state you should be able to ride a motorbike with a clutch/gearbox though and they supply leathers up to a 60" chest...

Charger500

252 posts

253 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
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BeerMonster1 said:
Can anyone take part in these schools? I.E over a certain age? And do you have to have a full (road) licence to take part. I have always been big on riding mx and enduro but fancy a stint on a road bike without actually having to buy one and all the gear?
Aye, no licence needed and all equipment is supplied, and there's no charge if you put it down the road, it will just end your sessions early, unless it's a very minor off and the bike gets the all clear from the mechanics, then they will let you back out so long as you weren't been a dick in the first place...

I took a mate earlier in the year, he can ride, but just a few field bikes and does mostly trials. I'd say at least 50% of the people are pretty new to bikes but because the way the instructors work together they do a great job of mixing skill levels whilst on track... It helps to be with someone with equal ability in your group of 2, but if there's a big difference and one person is getting slowed up, they'll swap you around or get 1 to 1 instruction going...

Come along and give it ago and grab a bargain off me... make me an off fella and come along tomorrow!