Should I do a Bikesafe course?

[Sullivan6d]

I watched Bike cops tonight and they were following police bikers giving the Bikesafe course. Whilst they were doing the course they were called out to a local bike accident which looked horrible. Also by reading the forum, it has just been brought home how much bikers are involved in accidents at the moment and I would hate for me to be the cause of that.

I have been riding for 3 years, pretty much throughout the year although if there is really bad rain or its freezing I choose the car I have an SV650S and I have been riding that for 2 years and never had a spill. I enjoy riding although I do get apprehensive of bendy roads which I think is mainly due to my frequent A road and motorway riding rather than country/back roads.

I like to think I am a sensible rider but sometimes I think I can get flustered at times and worry that this will catch me out one day. For example, when riding along the A38 then I suddenly hit a wall of traffic (mainly around Manadon) I get worried about slowing down in enough time without locking the wheel and warning some of the idiots speeding up behind me so they don't drive right into me (in the car I generally flick the hazards on but I get my hands confused on the bike).

Do you think a Bikesafe course will help me with my confidence and skills or is it just more concious riding and practice? Maybe I should be going out with more experienced riders? I used to live in Portsmouth and had a great network of biker friends who really gave me confidence in my riding (even encouraged me to test ride a gixxer6 k6 WOW) but I don't really have that down here now and only ride to and from work.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hugs

Shiv

[speedy(delboy)]

I have done Bikesafe and also RoSPA, worth every minute and penny spent on it.

Some have different opinions but in my eyes its worth it.

It 100% helps with reading what could happen and not what always will happen.

[Funky]

Sadly i missed last years bike safe courses, but am hell bent on doing them this year.

[clunk]

You should definately do it.
Any training and advice is going to be helpful and will boost your confidence.

[A_T]

I done a bikesafe course a couple of years ago and found it very worthwhile, they will assess your riding and give you positive criticism, go for it you have nothing to lose by doing it

[billinom8s]

i have done bikesafe twice now, was a good session and although i learnt quite alot on the first one, the second was a waste of time. the other rider in my group was doing his advanced lessons and was a friend of the cop so spent alot of time with him leading and being graded. will do it again this year tho just to see.

some insurances list it on their application forms now aswell.

getting out with other riders will help you no end, there was a ride last weekend that would have helped.

just have to get yourself out of the comfort zone and make yourself learn (if u want to that is) group riding or even just 2's and 3's will develop your abilities quicker than you probably think.

[Little Loris]

Sounds like a good idea, even if it is just to bring insurance premiums down each year.

[AndyCBR]

Bike safe is worth doing, if only to make you realise that the bike cops are almost human & have a sense of humour...

A lot of the peeps on this site tend to arrange their own little rideouts over the phone and don't always post up, however, if u expresss an interest by posting people will generally either join u for a rideout or invite u along to one they have already arranged...

As for for experience, feeling at one with ur machine & realising ur own potential... u can't beat going on a trackday, honestly, u won't stop grinning for at least a week...

Ride safe.

[Funky]

getting out with other riders will help you no end, there was a ride last weekend that would have helped.

I know I learnt alot just from that ride.

I ride alone or two up alot so it's all too easy for me to fall into a particular pattern of riding whereby I don't push it and my lines etc go out the window (resulting in nicely squared of tyres).

I think regular rides with those who are a of a higher ability than yourself is a must... I imagine it's pretty much how we all learn to varying extents.

There are now quite a few people around newton abbot and ivybridge, torbay etc, so whenever you fancy a ride, just post it up, someone is bound to come.

[Jonny]

Cant comment on the bikesafe course, I haven't done it.

As for rideouts with more experianced riders, give it a go!

I've learnt a lot from a Keith Code DVD I have on riding on the track, really improved my lines. Can lend it if you like.

Come on Funky, lets get a rideout going, perhaps through the moors to Tavi?

[graham22]

Should really say do it, I had intentions of doing it last year but got pulled by a ministry check (police stopping all lorries & bikes - not cars), and bike cop instantly wanted to do me for my misplaced number place (G11XXR on a straight plate - all legal height letters).
Thought I'd mention I was interested in doing bikesafe (to help avoid ticket) & copper told me he was one of the people who ran it, still continued to write me a ticket (no warning given or previous warnings given), real condesending lecture on how dangerous illegal plates were etc - so told him where to stick bikesafe purely because I just didn't like him and his attitude, no other reason.

A friend of mine did do it, has 20+ years bike experience like me & felt he didn't really learn anything.

If you've not really sudied any roadcraft before then probably worth doing.

[watters]

if you do go out riding with more experienced people than yourslef,still stick to your limits and dont try and keep up with them if you dont feel safe.

[baz-R]

if you do go out riding with more experienced people than yourslef,still stick to your limits and dont try and keep up with them if you dont feel safe.

here here

and the bikesafe is well worth it and i seem to notice all the girls got one to one training and most of the boys had two to one
so its even better if you are a girl as you get better training
that was the only down side when i did it the other guy was so unconfedent when it was his turn in front all we did was to follow the car in front even on the open bits
the idea is to start as you ride normaly and get told what to do to improve
and a load on road positioning

[Sullivan6d]

Oh wow thank you all so much for your replies. I really appreciate it.

I think there isn't anything to lose on going for it although I am worried they are going to tell me I am a sh*t rider and make me feel rubbish! Road positioning and general advice would be a good thing as long as it is constructive. I will see if I can get any of the dates.

I really do need to get out and ride more socially rather than just using my bike for work. My b/f rides although he crashed his bike in an annoying 20mph spill last year and hasn't bought another one yet. He is the Navy and is a away a bit although he will be back for the summer and is looking to buy a new bike soon. I will probably go riding with him although I often feel a bit intimidated by riding with him because he is much more confident than me.

I have already had some ride out offers from people which I really appreciate and will probably take up. I did go to Paignton last year which was a nice ride out so may start doing that once they start going.

Thanks again for all your advice and hopefully see some of you in future ride outs

Shiv

[Sullivan6d]

Oh and I will definately only ride with what I am comfortable with. The last thing I want to do is injure myself and smash up my bike. I'd rather get lost!!!

Thanks again