The motorcycle training begins

Tonight was my first night of Basic Rider Training (BRT), from Team Oregon. I am, hopefully, one-third of my way to passing the class, and therefore feeling that I deserve a motorcycle endorsement.

First night was all classroom, and pretty chill. There's a wee manual we just talk through. The instructor was pretty funny. Pace could feel a little slow at times, but hey, basics are basics. But I must say -- in two hours I have a much better, firmer, in-memory grounding of basic operating procedures, where everything is, and ever how to countersteer.

There just may be hope for me yet.

Tomorrow we shall see. In the morning, we take to the riding range.

Comments

[Sweets]

I see that your classroom time was Tuesday night, which mean today was your first opportunity on the range.

Best of luck on your test, if your range test is scheduled for tomorrow (I don't know the mid-week scheduling, it's new). If I missed it, congrats.

A little unsolicited advice, good for the range test or just for your time on the road:

1. Riding is about being in the moment. Don't dwell on whether you clipped that cone or not. You will have plenty of opportunity to think about the past when you are off the bike.

2. Chin up. Really, keep your head and eyes up and ahead of you, even when practicing maximum braking you want to keep those eyes up.

3. Turn your head. Really turn it. An exaggerated head turn will feel funny until you have done it two or three thousand times on the street. Then you will begin to see how much it really does help you stay smooth.

Sweets,
(riding Scratchy,
the hematite silver '95 Kawa Ninja 6)

[Anthony StClair]

So, so glad I read this post the night before my last class! Your advice was a big help, thank you.

The only time it was hard to stay in the moment was on the swerves, I just couldn't get it together on the practice sessions. Nailed it on the test, so I guess that's the important thing. But cornering? Oh yeah. I like curves. I see why motorcycling is talked about in terms of curves. Turns are my friend. I want more of them.

I'll keep an eye out for your Ninja - and if you see candy-orange Rebels that need a new home, let me know!