bikesafe courses

[Graham]

the west mids plod run some bike safe courses. Do you think with my limited experience on the road <500 miles I'd get any benifit as im still early on in the learning curve, or should I wait till i've a few more miles under my leathers

cheers

G

[Hyperion]

Do it, you won't regret it.

[fastasflip]

New or more experienced bikers would take something away from the course, new bikers will learn some advanced skills and the old sweats will be reminded of some of the skills that they have forgotten. It's money well spent.....some forces do it for free too

[mitzy]

Do it , it was a real laugh.

The only time you want a plod following you!

I had a great day and picked up some very good points, think my riding has got better and my confidence esp filtering .

[Graham]

mitzy said:

esp filtering .

<LOL> did my first bit of filtering on monday, well bimbling along the mile long queue, on the outside , watching out for people moving over,a nd opening doors and emerging from drives,

Whilst giggling like a school girl at all car drivers... I got home 30 mins earlier than I would in a car !!!

[mitzy]

Graham said:

mitzy said:

esp filtering .

<LOL> did my first bit of filtering on monday, well bimbling along the mile long queue, on the outside , watching out for people moving over,a nd opening doors and emerging from drives,

Whilst giggling like a school girl at all car drivers... I got home 30 mins earlier than I would in a car !!!

I make sure I have my blonde hair out of my helmet, quite funny to see the look on blokes faces when you filter past them , love it!

[Wyvern971]

Bikesafe is very helpful for all levels of riders IMO.

I took the bikesafe course last year after passing my test and they helped out no end, again especially with regards to filtering.

I have been riding a year now, have gained a significant amount of experience from road time (nearly 10K miles in pretty much all conditions) and have done level 1 at the California Superbike School (which was a brilliant fun day and very helpful).

I am planning on doing another bikesafe course this year just to see how far I have progressed and where i could still do with improvement. (Point being the police riders are highly trained and can help out an enormous amount).

[Carl-H]

I wouldn't mind doing one. Haven't bothered yet because you probably wont learn much on the fast roads if your on a 50 or a 125. Might try it out now I've got a bigger bike.

[m3psm]

Another recommendation from me too.

I did it a few weeks ago and enjoyed it as well as learnt a few things (after 20 years of riding).

It is quite a strange experience chucking it into corners with the Rozzers in your mirrors though

[Rach81]

I passed my test at the end of March and I'm booked on one 23rd Jun, they said it was ideal for newbies (and oldies of course).

I'll let you know how it went, Im hoping to come away more confident generally and alot safer

[Schmeeky]

Do it!!

Did mine last month and picked up a lot of useful tips, especially regarding hazard awareness. Was great fun meeting a whole load of new bikers, and the whole event had a very relaxed, no pressure air to it.

[Carl-H]

Just out of interest how much did you lot pay? The West Midlands one local to me is £100 but spread out over 2 days. Seems abit more than the others.

[Graham]

tis the west mids one Im looking at.. West mercia dont seem to do one.
G

[Rach81]

Mine's free, being put on by the RAF

[Schmeeky]

Mine was free! It was spread over three days, two evenings of about 2 hrs watching and discussing riding videos and playing 'spot the hazard', and a Sunday afternoon for the observed ride.

As well as it being free, we got -

A Sidestand puck
A Hein Gerrick pit pass holder/lanyard thingy
A copy of the Highway Code
A copy of the Police Roadcraft book
A DVD about basic stuff that was given away with Bike Magazine yonks ago
A BUFF
A pen from the Cumbria Scamera Assosiation (!)

...and best of all, a DVD hosted by Suzi Perry , of a Courier, a Racer (Chris Walker) and a smooth road rider (Honda head bloke Bob McMillan) teaching each other their area of speciality, and being critiqued by James Toseland, Bike Journo Mark Forsyth, and some copper (name forgotten!). And did I say Suzi Perry was on it?

Oh yeah, and I passed with flying colours, so my insurance will be a tad less as well!!

Top scheme, and top value for money!! I recommend it to anyone!

[Hooli]

Carl-H said:

I wouldn't mind doing one. Haven't bothered yet because you probably wont learn much on the fast roads if your on a 50 or a 125. Might try it out now I've got a bigger bike.

last time i looked at the website they do a scootsafe or something similar too. thats aimed at smaller bikes so includes 125s etc. as you say its going to be different to big bikes so they seperate it.

i really must book a bikesafe this year, been meaning too since i got comfy on a bike. i didnt want to do it before i felt happy riding as back then id have been more worried about staying on than learning anything.

[Carl-H]

Does it bring insurance down much? Bearing in mind I'm only 17 I think it should make quite a difference.

[Dudd]

They sound good, does anyone know of any in the Surrey/Hampshire area? i passed a couple months ago, but only got my bike about 3 weeks ago. Done about 300 miles on it so far, but reckon more training in real world conditions cannot hurt.

Dudd

[a boardman]

I would like to do it but it seems lancashire are not doing it.

[Hooli]

Dudd said:

They sound good, does anyone know of any in the Surrey/Hampshire area? i passed a couple months ago, but only got my bike about 3 weeks ago. Done about 300 miles on it so far, but reckon more training in real world conditions cannot hurt.

Dudd

www.bikesafe.co.uk i think. google it if im wrong, there are links to your local plod & the dates for the courses etc on the site.