The Honda Owners Club

Generally organised by off duty police riding police bikes and giving lectures.

Probably the most cost effective way of getting some advanced training. They tend to concentrate on riding SAFELY but "making progress" whenever possible.

Format (on the 4 that I have done) is 2 nights of lectures (2 hrs each) plus a 2 hour 1-on-1 ride generally on a Sunday

Web site is http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/ which has details of all courses and loads more information.

If you do no other training, you should do this one.

Alan

I have done this one...it was all done on one day (mine was a Sunny Sunday) and I agree with Alan, if you do no other...do this one!

It was free to do the course and the hints and tips picked up were very beneficial. The hour long ride out with a police officer was a bit weird...as long as you dont break the speed limit then its a good ride (mine even congratulated me for overtaking, said he was worried I was gonna sit behind the lorry because I was concious of the copper being there! ).

But all in all, a fantastic fact filled day that ends with you getting a certificate which SOME insurance companies recognise...what more can you ask for for free!

Claire, getting it free is even better .

My local police charge £50 (money well spent mind you) and my wife can't even get staff discount!

Regards

Charlie

The BikeSafe is definately the one that I'd recomend.
http://www.hoc.org.uk/goldenwing/Autumn ... tumn04.pdf

[quote="Kal"]The prospect of riding with Police Officers grading me on y performance terrifies me.[quote]
I know what you meen, but they are very good at putting you at your ease.
The reason they do it is to make everyone safer and a better rider.
I would urge you to give it a go, they really are the best people to learn from.

Kal wrote:The prospect of riding with Police Officers grading me on y performance terrifies me. I don't have the confidence in my riding ability to undertake that kind of scrutiny.

Daft I know but there it is.

Kal..........
They dont 'grade' you, honestly I'm one of the least confident people going (hence why the bike is away for Winter)

I was really looking forward to the ride out - to be told what I was doing right/wrong and by a professional person not a buddy!

These people ride for a living, know the law and can handle their bikes at high speeds, who better than to give you some guidelines. Plus you have quite a bit of theory/video watching first to prep you.

When I went out it was me and another woman with the officer, I spent the first half of the ride behind the police rider which was really helpful as I followed his line, must admit I was a bit concious when it was my turn but their not there to make you feel like you never want to get back on your bike again!

Go along.....fain S & D or something if you really cant face the ride out...but you may surprise yourself.

THE HARDEST PART IS GETTING YOU THERE!

I know just what Kal means, I suffer from the same nerves but I have ridden with a Bike Safe copper and he was o.k. and positive but it did take loads of nerve and I was shaking like a leaf before we started.

I have just signed up to do a Bikesafe with the Brummy (west mids coppers) even though I just got a fixed penalty yesterday and 3 points for speeding (in a bloody van as well) there goes my clean licence (was clean for 6 months anyway)
I am now really looking forward to showing the cops how too ride
(only joking of course)
cheers

Best of luck - I am sure you will do well.

firebladetim wrote:I just got a fixed penalty yesterday and 3 points for speeding (in a bloody van as well) there goes my clean licence (was clean for 6 months anyway)

Bad luck Tim!...With a bit of luck, ..Er..Im hoping that my 6 points for speeding (in a car on two seperate occasions in the space of 2 months!) will expire this year and I will have a clean license!!..again!......Heres hoping!

Hey Chris.. I can beat that.. in April 2002 I bought a Ford Cougar .. got done for speeding 1 week after getting it... the next week I got done again! (6 points on licence)
Then I bought a "snooper" ... problem over (wish i had the snooper in the van though)

2007 Surrey Bikesafe dates are as follows:

Sun 22 April

Sun 13 May

Sun 10 June

Sat 07 July

Sun 26 August

Sun 09 September

Booking can be made through Motorcycle UK Ltd

(officemail@motorcycle-uk.com)

Regards

Charlie

this forum full of useful information

I'll look into the bikesafe advanced right away

i wish we could have something more like this in oxfordshire but i cannot find anything , riding the zxr has brought the youth out of me but ive realised i just havent got the experience for cornering sportsbikes and now being branded captain slow , in which i am rather proud as it also means captain sensible , but i would like the confidence if i wanted to have a play