Machine Control

Just come across these videos from https://www.i2imca.com/About.asp

There is a Triumph connection and I really want to do machine control courses 1 & 2 asap. A chance to learn things on your bike that might save your bacon.

Counter-steering

I've recently been experimenting with this and found that pushing the bar is less effective that pulling it.

And about the courses

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=255188332078365

 

Booked!

It's bound to be wet in October!

 

Exactly! That's what I found. Push = good, pull = better, push + pull = best.

I was just a little surprised as there is so much stuff on counter-steering out there and not many mention pull.

 

Thanks Flyby, good to know another local Bonnie has done it. So are you going up to York too in October? I'm doing MC1 & 2 on 10/11th Oct.

 

Well I love it and I've only done 1200 miles. I'm planning on a suspension upgrade but can't really fault it, except I find the seat a bit firm after an hour or two. I wouldn't be surprised if you have one by October. Look forward to seeing you there. Simon

 

Hi Billy,
The course 1 is from here https://www.i2imca.com/MachineControl.asp

Actually I saw a promo video for the Superbike school recently and they do very similar training for handling skills and confidence etc.

i2i just use a clear bit of tarmac with weeds growing through rather than a decent track.

 

I haven't mucked about on a bike since I was a teenager really, apart from a year or so with a trials bike anyway. Since passing my test in the early 90's everything I've done has been on the road and like most people I suspect, I haven't tried new things to develop my confidence, skills and understanding on how bikes work.

One thing that stands out from this course; all the advanced riders say you have to be able to stop in the distance you can see is clear, so your speed into a bend is governed by this rule.

The other rule is don't brake on a bend.

That doesn't make sense and Tom Killeen who runs the course (and is an advanced rider/assessor/observer, instructs the police etc etc, grew up on bikes, off road, does track stuff etc, etc) thinks so too. His answer is to teach you to brake while cornering so that you don't have to find out if you can or not one day when you DO need to stop in the distance you can see is clear.

We covered so much stuff that really should be taught at CBT level. I thought I was reasonably proficient at slow U turns, not my best thing, but managed okay. I went from controlling the speed with the clutch and rear brake to rolling along on tickover, no brake, no clutch, full lock and one light hand on the bars, in both directions. One way is always harder than the other!

I never expected to be able to do a tighter and tighter slalom course at 40mph one handed, or braking to a virtual stop one handed or cornering and braking at the same time, one handed.

It's amazing how well Tom explains and demonstrates everything in such a progressive way, you just find yourself having a go at the next thing, making a few mistakes but then getting the hang of it.

It was great fun, he's funny and engaging, very well read, plays the piano, rides a bike like a stunt rider and does all the advanced stuff on and off road.

If you get a chance, do it. Lots of older guys there, a couple of women, a few who've been before, a few who passed their test this year and lots of advanced IAM/Rospa guys, all sorts. If you are a bit more interested, watch to two video links at the top.

And the Speed Twin was brilliant!