Will they help my riding? Why? How? When?
(I thought that it would be better to have this in a separate topic)
(I thought that it would be better to have this in a separate topic)
I didn't find that either dirt or track courses significantly improved my skills in the long term - there just wasn't enough time in a single day to absorb everything. That's not to say that I didn't learn anything from them, just that building new skills requires more repetition than can be obtained in a day or two. But they were incredibly fun, and I'd totally recommend either to anyone who is considering it.
A few seasons of primarily off road riding have altered my riding habits, though. Dropping the bike offroad is commonplace, and you learn quickly to not bother trying to hold it up - you'll just hurt yourself for no good reason. You'll also get much better at dealing with low traction situations and avoiding target fixation - there are trees, roots, rocks and slippery spots everywhere, so you get lots of practice looking where you want to go and letting the bike bounce around underneath you through obstacles. Low speed balance skills also get a good workout.
Street riding for me is much more about predicting what traffic around me will do than bike control. So except for theoretical emergency situations, perhaps the most noticeable benefit on the street is just that I have more attention to devote to traffic without thinking about controlling the bike as much.
The major drawback of getting dirt or track experience is realizing how boring street riding actually is on the roads around here.
I honestly feel bad for you guys. What did you city slickers do for fun when you were growing up, dances at the community centre every Friday?
Brutal
Dunno, guess we just gained maturity and the ability to act like adults.
I did total control, and I have done formal dirt training twice (plus a bunch of rides). Dirt is much, much harder, and much more fun. As someone said above dirt teaches a level of concentration that is leagues above 'hang off look where you wanna go'. Every rock log tree and rut is a fun peril to negotiate. In Toronto commuter traffic dirt experience is most valuable.I'm doing the Total Control course next weekend after considering a track course and dirt course as well. I think for city riding it probably has the most usable content. I also plan on doing one training course per year, so I will probably end up doing a dirt and track course as well at some point.
I have a few years of dirt experience, on everything from little CT Baha's to a WR450F. I agree that it teaches you the little things; balance, target fixation, slipping tires and crashing bikes. I haven't done a legitimate course for dirt, but every little bit of practice helps! Dirt is also WAY more of a workout. When I had to pick up my little CBR, it felt like a feather compared to being out of breath and tired then picking up a big nasty 450!
Some "lady" with a few beers into her dropped it. Lesson learned about letting anyone touch my bike! I've kept it shiny side up since purchased, over 8000km ago.So you've been down on your 300 have you?
Some "lady" with a few beers into her dropped it. Lesson learned about letting anyone touch my bike! I've kept it shiny side up since purchased, over 8000km ago.