Bikesafe

S1000RR  FORUM

Help Support S1000RR FORUM:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

FreudianSlip

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
722
Reaction score
0
Location
Nottinghamshire
Last Sunday (1st July) I attended a Bikesafe course in Sheffield that i'd booked (after being on the waiting list for a few weeks) a couple of months ago. I didn't know what to expect, how the day would be run and what I'd learn as a result.

Executive Summary: Do it - it's well worth the dosh and you'll learn at least *something*.

I was a bit nervous - after all, I'd just been done for speeding a couple of weeks beforehand (in the car) and I'm lead-wristed to an even greater degree (and with far more performance to play with) when I'm on the bike, so most of the nerves were about my own ability to keep within the speed limits and not ride like a dick. I am careful, especially in built up areas, but .. well, ya'know.

The day started with a brilliant ride up through Mansfield, Chesterfield and into Sheffield keeping away from the motorways. I was early and the sun was out, very little traffic and confidence was high. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I arrived at the wrong police station and had a 5 minute chat with a faceless intercom whilst the lady on the other end tried to direct me to the Operations Centre.

Eventually I made my way there. Only 4 of us turned up from an expected 6 which meant not only were there a couple of extra lunches (yes, they provide lunch!) but I got 1:1 observation as well - so, thanks to the no-shows :). The morning was spent in a meeting room being shown videos and powerpoints. It was a bit dry, but it was also very interactive with the officers present in the room. Very easy going, flowing conversation, and off-the-record, down-to-earth conversation and situations, both factual and hypothetical.

Following this, we snarfled down the lunches that were provided, and divvied up the spare ones between us. If you're a big eater, these lunches are proper small, so take a supplement. It was at this point, the pile of yellow bags on the table were pointed out to us. I'd clocked them, but had no clue they were meant for us. We still didn't know what was in them.

The afternoon was spent (for me at least) riding in front of a fully equipped, high-vis police BMW (RT1200 I think) which I have to say, was a fantastic feeling. The policeman said that *he'd* have to stick to speed limits in the 30/40/50's but provided it was safe to do so, in the national speed limit areas - do what you want :) . We rode out through Lincolnshire through some tiny villages, small towns and plenty of open roads many of which were limited to 50. I got plenty of concerned looks from motorists and pedestrians - a dude on a high performance bike will a police bike up his chuff! I tried to use some of the techniques and road positioning that the uniformed chaps had spoken about and I did find that I was suddenly able to predict more than I did before, see around corners better and ride smoother.

We stopped in a petrol station where the nice policeman bought me a cold drink and he then explained where I could have done better and basically *told* me to go faster. The locals filling up their cars kept glancing over at us, I'm sure assuming that I was being read the riot act and given plenty of fines. Some of the cars that turned into the station were ones that I'd just hooned past whilst in the national speed limit areas - of course with a copper chasing me :) I noticed a few smiles and a couple of sad nods in my direction.

Now usually, this is where the 2nd civilian would have taken the lead but as they'd not turned up, I was in the lead again, this time remembering more clearly what had been said in the meeting room and petrol station. Corners were taken more smoothly, bends straight-lined where safe to do so, more of the road used to see around left handers etc. Roads were read in greater detail, signs clocked at greater distances and assumptions made (some correctly) about potential hazards.

Another fantastic tarmac tearing session was completed by Mr Policeman taking the lead on the motorway (as we'd gone a lot further out that he thought we would and he had to be back for a certain time). This was great - me chasing a police bike down the M18 at speed with no fear about being pulled up - that in itself is an experience I'd like to repeat :) As we pulled off the M18 on the M1, I was signalled to come past - which I did at a *very* naughty pace but had to slow down when I'd joined the M1 due to speed cameras & traffic. (note, we were all told that although we wouldnt be getting tickets from our 'escorts' today, they had no indemnity to speed cameras (unless on a critical call) and neither did we).

The day rounded off with a brief chat back at the police station followed by a written evaluation of the days riding (I achieved an A!) and presentation of the aforementioned yellow goody bags. Inside of which were some pamphlets, a neck 'buff', a dvd of a ride by a police rider and his running commentary, some think bike stickers, the bag itself, and the pi?ce de r?sistance - a copy of the latest RoadCraft handbook.

All in all, for ?50 plus a bit of fuel, it was a fantastic experience from which I have learned. Highly recommended.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Great write up, I have done some similar training days with the police, they are well worth it, you can always learn more and improve your riding.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Agree it's worth it. I try to do every couple of years as much to get warning of bad habits developing, as enjoying the confusion on people's faces when you're at the back chasing down a police bike.... They've also found me some cracking roads it didn't know, never mind that we tend to get lunch in a roadside diner so the portions are fine. You need to move south Freudy :)

I was speaking to a girl I know about her recent bikesafe experience just the other day, and she got the same go faster advice. She took them a little too literally, and nearly got given a ticket by her own observer, lol
 
Great write up. I agree it's well worth it. I must do it again, my road riding has gone to s**t being based in London.

The white circle with a black stripe in it means 'no speed limit' right? :D
 
Very interesting Freudy, thanks for the write up.
-
...my road riding has gone to s**t being based in London...
London riding is the definition of misery. I'd rather boil my nads than go back to commuting across town on a bike.
 
Last edited:
I've done one of these quite recently as well and had the benefit of some one on one instruction as people dropped out. I can't recommend it enough well worth it.
 
Excellent write-up, it was a throughly enjoyable read!

Am very glad to hear you had a fun and beneficial day.
I would like to do BikeSafe in future, especially after reading your review!


- Oli
 
I did a Bikesafe about 8 years ago & would echo what has been said. Well worth the (small) cost for some 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 tuition. As said the officers who do it are enthusistic real world bikers.
 
Very interesting Freudy, thanks for the write up.
-

London riding is the definition of misery. I'd rather boil my nads than go back to commuting across town on a bike.

Totally disagree with you both.

London actually taught me how to ride motorbike properly. I used to commute from east london to west via city road every day for 9 months or so. It was greatest experience ever.
 
Good write up there..thanks for sharing...being observed by a pro would make me on edge especially the do what you like bits..not sure how I'd deal with that lol

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Good write up there..thanks for sharing...being observed by a pro would make me on edge especially the do what you like bits..not sure how I'd deal with that lol

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Joyce told me you had plenty of experience with pros and had no issue asking to do what you like lol.
 
Yep I learned far more riding across Manchester travelling home from College than I ever did lapping the Peak District where I lived
 
Totally disagree with you both. London actually taught me how to ride motorbike properly. I used to commute from east london to west via city road every day for 9 months or so. It was greatest experience ever.

10 years in London taught me how to ride (and drive) like your average Londoner. Took me years to re-learn how to be a polite and patient road user.
I know @soofsayer will disagree! Lol.
 
10 years in London taught me how to ride (and drive) like your average Londoner. Took me years to re-learn how to be a polite and patient road user.
I know @soofsayer will disagree! Lol.

take-it-easy-today.jpg
 
That's a great write up Wayne and really glad you enjoyed it and gained some knowledge, the Cops who do this are real riders too and rarely the stereotype guys with no discretion.

Its funny to look in the mirror when doing high speeds and not worry about a ticket. I remember being in an unmarked car racing to a housebreaking in progress when a traffic car fully lit came up behind me, the first thing I did was check my speedo, was laughing like f13k later with the driver when I told him I nearly jumped on the brakes.

Wearing the buff will endear you to any traffic bikers if you meet them at a burger van or coffee stop, keep the relationship up with them, they are riders too. Most have freebies in the panniers too, like ear plugs, pucks and buffs. (I know this will appeal to your inner Yorkshireman).

JimmyMac
 
Last edited:
Thanks for taking the time to write about your Bikesafe day Wayne, glad that you enjoyed it. Would you do another?

I have done 2 Bikesafe days myself, there's always something else to learn and I was advised to use my Horn more, fair enough.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for taking the time to write about your Bikesafe day Wayne, glad that you enjoyed it. Would you do another?

I have done 2 Bikesafe days myself, there's always something else to learn and I was advised to use my Horn more, fair enough.

I am an advocate of extensive use of the horn!
But it has got me into trouble.......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
On a serious note, I agree with the general trend.
Spending money on education is generally worth more in terms of speed on and off track than go faster bits.......in my humble opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top