Advanced bike training is a bit like exercising more or cutting down on alcohol. Alan Dowds reminds us that we all know we should be doing it – but we keep putting it off.
However, now Honda is making it easier for you to pick up some additional street riding skills. While Big H finished its work with the Ron Haslam Race School some time ago, it has been working on something else for the past few years. And here it is – a partnership with Rapid Training firm, which will see a UK-wide official Honda training scheme. Anyone who buys a new Honda over 125 cc will receive a free £250 voucher, which covers an exclusive Honda training course. And Honda owners will be able to get training at low cost through their local dealer.
It is a one-day program at over 20 locations across the country, with two participants per instructor. Training is based on the road, with an approach that is tailored to the riders and their skill set – meaning you get tuition that is appropriate for your skill levels. Rapid and Honda understand that there is a wide range of skills, and the scheme is aimed at experienced as well as new riders.
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back to school…
I went to the launch event for Honda’s new training program based at Blyton Park, near Doncaster. It’s a short track, built on an old airfield, but big enough for some fun, with an interesting mix of corners and short straights. I’m on a brand new Fireblade, which might not seem like the ideal device, but is actually spot-on: I’ve had a proper ball all day with the screaming power, low-down grunt, and laser-sharp chassis.
However the purpose of the Honda Rapid Training scheme is not to get you back on track fast. It aims to improve safety and make you a better rider in every way, with a focus on the good stuff like vision, machine control and reading the road ahead.
I’ve done a few training courses in my time and there’s always something interesting about them. This time, what I liked most was a simple exercise: go around the track using only two gears and try not to use the brakes. Of course, this is the antithesis of a normal track session, but it forces you to slow down, giving you more time to think, and be as precise as possible with your position on the track. Just a few rounds of that exercise were really challenging and fun: and when I went out for the final session, I really felt the benefits.
The instructors (mostly ex-cops and some ex-racers too) were great, and we also spent a short session on the road, looking at vanishing points and keeping an eye out for hazards, making good progress as well. There’s no doubt about it: spending some time with an expert looking at your ride can’t be a bad thing, and if you’re getting it for free with your new Honda purchase, even better…
Did your appetite increase?
If you are interested in this type of training, more information can be found at your local Honda dealer or here www.rapidtraining.co.uk.
