Courses
Let's get started
Whether it’s getting to grips with the basics or more advanced training, then we will have the course for you.
All the training is based on the ‘System’ of motorcycle control which is a way of approaching and negotiating hazards that is methodical, safe and leaves nothing to chance. This requires concentration and alertness in order to ride your motorcycle safely, smoothly, progressively (if that is your style of riding) and well.
You will base your riding plan on what you can see, what you cannot see and the circumstances that you might reasonably expect to develop. By riding to ‘The System’ of motorcycle control you will, at all times, observe, plan and anticipate to ensure maximum machine stability in response to all road and traffic conditions.
Your ability
Everyone is an individual and so there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to Advanced Motorcycle Training. Courses are therefore flexible and designed to give you the most suitable instruction for your own training requirements.
Your level of experience and ability will determine the amount of training best suited to your needs. There is no quick fix when it comes to advanced motorcycling and everyone learns at a different rate so Roddy will not recommend a specific time frame at this stage.
Availability
If you decide on more than one day’s training, it would be advantageous to attend consecutive days. Roddy is aware of the time pressures of the modern world and is more than happy to arrange dates to suit your available time.
It may be that you decide to book an initial day’s training and thereafter decide to attend a further course in the future. He will try to accommodate any requests.
The course structure
All courses will start with introductions during which Roddy will establish your motorcycling experience to date, any training you have had and what level you would like to achieve. Thereafter, Roddy will assess your riding ability on a route with different road and traffic conditions before he demonstrates, with full commentary, the advanced motorcycling techniques used by Police motorcyclists.
After a short debrief and feedback on your riding, he will set out objectives for the rest of the course in order that we can set out learning outcomes. Your training will be designed to meet those learning outcomes. No matter what level you are at, he is confident that, after any of my training courses, you will be a much more confident, smooth and safe motorcyclist and you will enjoy time on your bike even more.
The Courses
Novice
If you have recently passed your test and have little or no experience Roddy will introduce you to ‘positioning’ for best views, observation, scanning and anticipation, machine control (braking, accelerating, gear changing and cornering).
You will then be shown how to use the ‘System’ of motorcycle control to approach and negotiate hazards. Throughout your course he will provide a full commentary in order to identify the best position for your circumstances, how to control your motorcycle smoothly and how to use a systematic approach to all hazards.
You will learn how to look well ahead and form observation links using your views to help you to anticipate the likely behavior of other road users and the road and traffic conditions ahead. You will be given opportunities to practice these principles in order to give you a sound base on which to build.
Intermediate
For those of you with more experience or some level of Advanced Training, you will be introduced to cornering and overtaking. He will show you how to use landscape features to help establish the severity of bends and to show you where the road ahead is going. You will be shown how to position on the approach, through the bends and how to link bends together.
He will demonstrate how to use the limit point in order to adjust your speed before a corner so that you can always safely negotiate bends and maintain the ability to stop, on your own side of the road, in the distance you can see to be clear on dry or wet roads.
You will be introduced to overtaking where he will demonstrate how to plan and safely execute overtakes. Roddy will show you how to use the different road signs and markings to help you plan your overtaking so that you are always in the correct position, travelling at the right speed and in the correct gear in order to carry out safe overtakes leaving nothing to chance. You will again be given opportunities to practice these skills.
Advanced
This level of training is a continuation from the intermediate and you will be shown all the advanced techniques used by Police motorcyclists to make safe progress (within speed limits).
Again, the training will be a mix of demonstration and instruction with longer runs giving you more opportunity to practice your new skills.
Refresher
You may have had training in the past and have been away from motorcycling for some time. This course will be designed around your specific needs.
After an assessed ride, Get2Grips will formulate a plan and identify learning outcomes in order to improve your motorcycling to the level at which you left it. You can then decide if you would like further training to a higher level.
Post Accident Confidence Training
As a trained and experienced collision investigator, Roddy has dealt with numerous serious injury accidents involving motorcyclists and is fully aware of the impact such incidents can have on a rider’s confidence.
He is also trained to use a diverse number of training styles in order that anyone who has suffered a lack of confidence since an accident has the best chance of regaining that confidence and getting their riding skills back to where they were before, or even better. He will meet with you either personally or by telephone and discuss your individual inhibitions before building a course suited to your specific needs
D.V.S.A. Enhanced Rider Scheme
As a registered ‘Enhanced Rider Scheme’ trainer, Roddy is authorized by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to give you an assessed ride during which he will examine your motorcycling technique and mark you using the criteria set out by D.V.S.A.
This assessment can be arranged on its own, or at the end of a training course. If you achieve the required standard of riding, he will issue you with a certificate of competence which is recognized by many insurance companies who may give discounts.
Miscellaneous
If you are looking for training on any particular aspect of motorcycling in isolation such as slow speed manoeuvrability and machine handling, cornering, wet weather riding or anything else, please get in touch and we will happily discuss your needs.