Michael - I'm interested in your notes from taking the class this weekend....have fun!
So I just completed my ERC with TEAM Arizona --
http://www.motorcycletraining.com/Fantastic!
I got lots of 1-on-1 instruction through each part of the course. And we not only went over technique, but we got to practice everything several times each step of the way.
[moto]
Things I learned:
1) Look where you want to be. - Most people know this, but most people don't do it correctly. Looking where you want to be means to look to your destination, not just ahead of your motorcycle. For example, a U-turn means you would look to the other end of the U immediately when you start the turn; not at the apex of the turn, which is what I normally did.
2) No breaking during a turn, but only use rear brake (not front at all) if you have to. - This was interesting, especially because so many people don't use their back brake at all. First, you need to get to correct turning speed before you enter in a turn. But if you were to use your front brake after that then it would compress your suspension in the front, whereas the back brake would just slow you down. This is more of an issue at really slow and tight turns.
3) What happens when your back tire locks up and you start to skid? Let it skid. - Don't take your foot off of the back brake if your back tire is skidding, especially if it is skidding out sideways. The reason is is a locked up back tire will simply follow the front and straighten itself out. However, if you suddenly release that tire it be as though you suddenly turned the handlebars and you'll topple over.
4) The left side of the lane is usually the best. - Make that person behind you see you better by being right in front of him.
5) Slow down, and then punch the gas a little bit before you hit a bump.- This lifts pressure off of your front tires and extends the suspension, but then you should lift your butt a little bit to not put too much pressure on the back. If you're a big guy like me, this is an interesting trick to master.
6) Turning a Monster tight at a slow speed is difficult- The trick is to lean far way from the turn, increase the throttle and feather the clutch.
7) If you have to slam on your brakes in the middle of a turn, straighten first. - This is really important because if you slam on your brakes while you're leaning, you'll run the risk of losing control and flying off of your bike. If something jumps out in front of you, straighten your bike before you touch the brake at all (even if you have to go off the road a little), and then stop.
Leather is best- "In studies of 'survivability' of various garment materials to a 50 MPH ride on asphalt, for example, denim lasted no more than FOUR FEET before wearing through. Kevlar, on the other hand, lasted EIGHTEEN FEET. But standard motorcycle quality (about three times heavier than fashion jacket material) lasted EIGHTY-SIX FEET. That's more than 20 times as effective as your jeans in protecting your hide."
9) Never lay down a bike- If you're about to t-bone a garbage truck, ride your brakes until impact. With only 2 extra seconds on the bike, it would mean the difference between hitting the truck at 23 mph versus 45 mph.
10) Look at head -- way ahead- If you're on the freeway you need at LEAST 2 seconds of space between you and the car in front of you, but you need to look down the road about 12 seconds to have enough time to plan for what's ahead.
In a recent study it was shown that in a 30-minute commute if a person followed the 2-second rule and slowed down to maintain that 2-second distance each time someone cut in front of them (instead of going around them or riding close behind), the total travel time was only increased by 1 minute and 30 seconds.
11) Never look down, never look where you don't want to go- Especially in problem situation -- let's say you hit some gravel on a fast turn and your bike is wobbling, don't stare at the wall you're about to hit, instead look to where you want to go and don't slam on the brakes. Eyes always up, feet on the pegs, look where you want to be, and ride it out.
12) When you come to a stop, stay way behind the person in front of you.- Keep it in first, keep your hands on the handlebars, and if someone behind you isn't able to stop in time you have room to move to the side of the car in front of you. And now that skidding semi truck is their problem and not yours.
There was a lot of other great stuff, especially the practice on the course, but that's all I care to write for now.
Let me know if you have any questions.
[moto]
