Knight_Rider
Member
Hey guys,
I've been coming to this forum for over a year now, but decided to register today so I can express my opinion regarding the centennial m1 exit training course. I recently completed it, passed and everything, but was not happy with a number of things. Here's a brief explanation in no particular order:
1. INSTRUCTORS: While some of the instructors were helpful, the lead instructor ran the course like the military. This is because he still thinks he's in the military. He reminds everybody of this fact at least 3 times a day. This approach takes away from the fun one should have during the long and exhausting two day course.
2. INSTRUCTIONS: Instructions, at least for new riders, are hurried and vague. While there is time allotted for repetition of skills, the initial explaining of each exercise and skill needs to be demonstrated with more accuracy and detail. They take a more of a "get on the bike" approach, which is good at times, but not so good with the more complicated skill sets.
3. PARKING LOT: Absolutely horrible. Uneven, cracked, gravel, you name it.
4. BIKES: Maybe worse than the parking lot. There is a selection, but the newer cbr 125 get grabbed fairly quickly. Then what you're left with is older, malfunctioning cbrs, titans, marauders. Some of these bikes operate with chokes, again, not particularly helpful to the newer rider. Clutches are pretty bad. And after speaking to a few people at the course, many of the bikes don't shift into neutral while they are running, which means your left hand is pretty sore by the end of the day, holding in that clutch lever. Oh, and when the riding portion of the course begins, they gathered all 35 of us into the parking lot, and let us loose to pick the bike we wanted. If you want a newer bike, be prepared to sprint for it because others will.
5. FAILURE RATE: From what I recall, there were about 8 people who failed the course. These people have the opportunity to redo the test one week later only if they pay $50. There are two problems here. First, this is the highest failure rate I've heard of after having discussed failure rates with other riders who have taken the test with RTI and Learning Curves. I believe this may have something to do with the quality of instruction. Second, there are other courses around that offer free retests. How realistic is it to expect someone who failed the first time, and doesn't own or have access to a bike, to pass the second time around with a brief 45 minute practice session prior to the test?
In the end, my advice to those in search of a satisfying m1 exit course would be to look elsewhere. If you have any questions about Centennial let me know. I'd be more than happy to answer them for you.
I've been coming to this forum for over a year now, but decided to register today so I can express my opinion regarding the centennial m1 exit training course. I recently completed it, passed and everything, but was not happy with a number of things. Here's a brief explanation in no particular order:
1. INSTRUCTORS: While some of the instructors were helpful, the lead instructor ran the course like the military. This is because he still thinks he's in the military. He reminds everybody of this fact at least 3 times a day. This approach takes away from the fun one should have during the long and exhausting two day course.
2. INSTRUCTIONS: Instructions, at least for new riders, are hurried and vague. While there is time allotted for repetition of skills, the initial explaining of each exercise and skill needs to be demonstrated with more accuracy and detail. They take a more of a "get on the bike" approach, which is good at times, but not so good with the more complicated skill sets.
3. PARKING LOT: Absolutely horrible. Uneven, cracked, gravel, you name it.
4. BIKES: Maybe worse than the parking lot. There is a selection, but the newer cbr 125 get grabbed fairly quickly. Then what you're left with is older, malfunctioning cbrs, titans, marauders. Some of these bikes operate with chokes, again, not particularly helpful to the newer rider. Clutches are pretty bad. And after speaking to a few people at the course, many of the bikes don't shift into neutral while they are running, which means your left hand is pretty sore by the end of the day, holding in that clutch lever. Oh, and when the riding portion of the course begins, they gathered all 35 of us into the parking lot, and let us loose to pick the bike we wanted. If you want a newer bike, be prepared to sprint for it because others will.
5. FAILURE RATE: From what I recall, there were about 8 people who failed the course. These people have the opportunity to redo the test one week later only if they pay $50. There are two problems here. First, this is the highest failure rate I've heard of after having discussed failure rates with other riders who have taken the test with RTI and Learning Curves. I believe this may have something to do with the quality of instruction. Second, there are other courses around that offer free retests. How realistic is it to expect someone who failed the first time, and doesn't own or have access to a bike, to pass the second time around with a brief 45 minute practice session prior to the test?
In the end, my advice to those in search of a satisfying m1 exit course would be to look elsewhere. If you have any questions about Centennial let me know. I'd be more than happy to answer them for you.
