Dave Saam, our instructor, demonstrates one of the exercises.
So the first thing you’re probably asking is – Is this something I’m interested in? You might have the impression it’s just for squids on sport bikes. You’d be seriously wrong. (honestly, do these guys look like squids?)
- I’ve been riding for 37 years. I kinda thought I had most things figured out.
- I can be fast when I want to be.
- I think I’m very smooth.
- I’ve put one hell of a lot of miles under my wheels.
- I really enjoy my motorcycle riding.
- I was happy with what I was doing on, and with, a motorcycle.
Altering your center of gravity while turning with correct body position is critical on any style motorcycle.
After this Total Rider Tech Advanced Motorcycle Rider Training I’ve got that same silly smile on my face I had the day after I’d just got my first motorcycle – I can’t wait to get out and ride.
No, it’s not like starting over. Basic skills should be second nature before you consider a course like Total Rider Tech‘s Advanced Motorcycle Clinic. It’s a key to rising to another level in your motorcycle riding.
I’d already got a lot from Lee Parks’ “Total Control” book. At least I thought I had. I was seeing improvements in my riding. I quickly learned it’s one thing to read a book.
Body position too in-line with the bike, rotate left shoulder forward and drop left elbow, lean forward and more to the inside, repositioning will allow me to turn my head more and look deeper through the curve, yes that's me.
What looked so simple in print is a “whole ‘nuther world” when you have an expert there to coach you and help you recognize things you could apply to be a better motorcycle rider.
I appreciate the way the instruction was done. The classroom laid the groundwork for the drills. What seemed so easy in class often proved quite the challenge when put to practice. There was a lot to think about, each step building on what came before.
L-R Greg, SportBikes4Hire, Billy - Microtel, and Dave, our instructor made the magic happen
The instruction, criticism, and feedback from drills on the riding course were provided in a way that accepted my input, listened to what I thought and felt during the ride, then reinforced the fundamentals described in class.
In this way you compared your idea of how you performed with coaching on how to achieve the ideal you are after. It’s a very powerful method of instilling an awareness of how you can move closer to a better relationship with your motorcycle riding.
The class doesn’t just demonstrate how to be better, you learn and understand why and how you do what you do, and when you do it will make you better. That’s powerful knowledge!
Backstage Pass –
(I hope you’ve already gone to the Total Rider Tech page) Here’s the honesty part – I knew this class was coming, you’ve seen previous posts about it. I kinda had an “in” on the goings on.
Sport Bikes 4 Hire.com did a superb job with professional service
Thank Greg at SportsBikes4Hire.com for bringing this class to Robbinsville, NC. He took it about 3 months ago.
This track racer of many years knew the value he’d received and coordinated bringing a class to the closest facility to The Dragon at Deals Gap. He sited the course and got us a discount from Billy at the Microtel Robbinsville. He provided bikes for the instructor. I was humbled when he invited me to come early and see the inside story.
I do believe Dave enjoyed our ride through the Dragon at Deals Gap
Dave Saam, our instructor, arrived the day before the classes to get things set up. Greg and I helped him evaluate the site and precisely measure out the course. After dinner, we went for Dave’s first run through The Dragon. The smile on his face tells the story.
Saturday I went through the class. That evening was spent making night runs through The Dragon with a few of my classmates. I’ll cherish those memories for a lifetime.
Some of these riders had a lot of experience - everyone came away with a wealth of knowledge on how to become a better rider.
Sunday, I stuck around to shadow Dave and learn from a master how he works with the students to help them recognize and become aware of what is happening as they run through the drills.
In the classroom we learned the technical aspects of how the motorcycle relates to and functions on the road. The understanding of how suspension affects traction, how body position and center of gravity changes affect the motorcycle, and essentially how to allow the motorcycle achieve what it was inherently designed to do – how to work in harmony with the mechanics so they provide the maximum result.
I watched everyone progress through the day. Some made remarkable improvements in their riding, it was exciting to see it happen.
The principals we learned are universal - they work on a race bike, they work on a Harley.
The class wrapped up with one of the best explanations of suspension and how to set it up I can imagine. Previously, fiddling with suspension settings was so mysterious and complicated I didn’t dare touch it lest I make things worse out of ignorance. Let’s face it, dealers and most mechanics may know how to change parts, but have no clue how to adjust settings for the individual rider to get just the basic performance out of the motorcycle.
I now understand it so well, setting up my suspension correctly and doing the same for my wife’s bike is one of the first things I’m doing before we ride again. I can’t believe this isn’t done for everyone when you first get a new bike, but it’s treated like black magic. Total Rider Tech taught me how to get my motorcycle optimized for me so it can work at it’s best and how to make the adjustments that tailor it to my comfort and performance desires.
So is a Total Rider Tech course for you? If you’ve got a few miles under your wheels and cruising around is now all second nature, you’ll benefit immensely from this course. The knowledge and understanding you’ll gain helps you really recognize how a motorcycle is designed to work and relate to the road, the dynamics of cornering well, how the output is affected by your inputs.
You will improve your riding. They promised that. Total Rider Tech kept their promise.
Greg at SportsBikes4Hire.com is hoping to have another in October. This one filled quickly and we had riders who came out to the course to see if anyone failed to show trying to get in. Jump on the opportunity when it comes again!
To my fellow students – I have your photos. Email me and I’ll get them to you. wayne@americaridesmaps.com
SportsBikes4Hire.com , Microtel Robbinsville, Total Rider Tech, The Dragon, Lee Parks’ “Total Control” book
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- Wayne Busch – Cartographer
– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com
