There's a BikeSafe course near you.

[jonzi]

Get a room.

Back on topic

I have done a bike safe and didn't really get much from it.

Yeah it was fun pushing on with a copper in tow.

But the guy I was paired up with wouldn't even filter so it held us back.

The only thing I really got out of it was to use the horn, which I now do.

But a ride out is always a giggle.

[J.P]

Originally Posted by jonzi

Get a room.

I can't, she's put a motorbike in it.

Originally Posted by J.P

I can't, she's put a motorbike in it.

and a trailer!!

You all say that like there is something wrong with this arrangement. It's freaking great.

[slob]

i'm with bex, i can't see a problem with anything but the whingers

Did it with the met. Had a really informative and fun day.

[DaffyDuc]

Originally Posted by bex

You all say that like there is something wrong with this arrangement. It's freaking great.

Agree 100%. My 749 is tucked up in the dining room.
On topic, I did two last year. I went to one arranged through work, then dragged Mel back for one. He has always said he doesn't need to go on one but he enjoyed himself and picked up a few pointers as well. I asked to be assessed to IAM standard and was pleased that whilst a couple of things needed a bit of polish I was still riding to IAM standard. If nothing else it is great to be in company of people prepared to talk all things bike for a day.

I did one with the Met, and really enjoyed it. Was a bit twitchy about the no baffles Arrow cans with 'not for road use' on the side, but the traffic boys liked the S2R and said how nice it sounded.

Honestly think that it should be compulsory to do one of these courses as a 'new' rider. Far more use than the Riding test currently in place.

[Flip]

O.K. a little tempted to pop along to my local course but could peeps please tell me how much is classroom based compared with time out on the road and also what are their thoughts on open pipes, small number plates and dark visors etc?

[J.P]

You'll likely be absolutely fine with the way your bike is. And the visor will be fine as long as it's daytime.

There is some classroom time but not massive. It's good value and worth doing.

There is a classroom input, but it's not patronising (like a speed awareness course) it's all about hazard awareness and positioning yourself on the road. It's well worth doing, I turned up with dark visor and unbaffled Pipes. But I did put a 7x5 number plate on instead of the usual letterbox one I ride with.

The traffic bikers were all cool with the bikes, as long as you had valid insurance/licence and a current MOT (they do check before you're allowed out with them) they turned a blind eye to 'minor modifications!'

[Flip]

Nice one chaps- thanks!!

I have had a letter box plate on my bike for the last fourteen years without a problem but don't want to take the P155 with it and to be fair my clutch is probably louder than my pipes at tick over.

I agree, letter box plates are great for everyday use.

EXCEPT for the day where a marked police motorcyclist is specifically following you to assess your riding!

[Martin Duke]

Originally Posted by Akita Boy

There is a classroom input, but it's not patronising (like a speed awareness course) it's all about hazard awareness and positioning yourself on the road. It's well worth doing, I turned up with dark visor and unbaffled Pipes. But I did put a 7x5 number plate on instead of the usual letterbox one I ride with.

The traffic bikers were all cool with the bikes, as long as you had valid insurance/licence and a current MOT (they do check before you're allowed out with them) they turned a blind eye to 'minor modifications!'

Agree with this - the police riders volunteer to run these courses in their own free time and I reckon that they are well worth doing. I don't know if other forces do this, but Avon and Somerset did a weekend residential course called "Ride to Arrive" from their HQ at Portishead - similar to "Bikesafe" but more in depth, a 100mile+ ride, a slow speed skills session and more classroom stuff. I don't think there was a single rider who wasn't impressed with the course. Very informative, fun and good value too!

[J.P]

I think it's clear to see from the comments generally from those that have done the courses in the past, is that you can't go wrong with a bit of extra tuition , whether you're an experienced rider or a novice.