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Ride Like a Police Officer

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Good luck. I agree with just saying your going riding.... I wouldnt be more specific if I were you. And Lunatic... when you go I wanna look at going also!!!
 
Today was the first day of the course. Half day was theory and the rest of the day practice on Harley Road Kings. A very nice course so far. By the end of today's class Harley's felt as if they are 125 cc cruisers. Three more full days to go, lets see what all is taught but it looks like a very intensive and high paced course. They don't waste time. Both the instructors are Cops and are lead instructor for Police Training. Learnt a new thing which was totally opposite to what I have been doing for years, Mount from the Right Side and not from the Left as we all do...it gives you more space as the handle bar is not in your way. Also, never call a Motorcyle a BIKE in US as they take it offensively, especially the COPS...Call it a Motor or Motorcycle. Also, I have only noticed only two sports bikes so far and probably 150 of Harleys. Americans are big on Harleys and anything else that is not American especially BMWs are a big NO. I have to admit I have never seen or heard so many Harleys on the road. It is a constant reminder of why Harley is such a big brand. Our American brothers just love it. I will keep updating, so far we are working on Friction Zone and slow speed exercises. This course is definately a must for Cruiser riders.
 
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Subscribed! Looking forward to your next report.
 
Another busy day. Losts of practice with new challenges thrown in. 90 degree turns and 90 degrees pull outs; 180 degrees turns; 8 shape challenge. Fun day. You can't imagine how many times the harleys were dropped. But your friend did not drop once. Don't want to jinx it. I can't stress more that this course is worth the money and a must if you want to be in control of your Motor..Overall, my impression about our American brothers is that they want to buy Big Motorcycles without doing any training. There are some guys in the group who have been riding for years and did not know about Friction Zone or Slow speed controls. I am sure now that Canadians are better riders, may be I am wrong but so far I think I am right. Again, just saw one Sport motorcycle and tons of Harleys. We practice near a highway and believe me, I constantly hear Harleys passing by. Totally New skill learnt today...90 degree pullouts from stand still in just 5 feet of space.
 
Totally envious... I wanna learn too :(
Hope you are having an amazing time!
 
Thanks for the updates, I can't wait to do this myself in the spring!
 
Sounds great. Think any of the skills can be translated to ss riding??
 
This is a no nonsense place. Doug & Jerry are hardcore old school trainers. They are not there to please you when you are practising, they are there to teach you the skills, the way they should be taught. I have taken pro rider courses both at Humber and RTI, I passed my M with no points at Humber. I have good riding experience from India too. I am not saying this to impress you guys but just to let you know even with all this I still find this course challenging. The Pro Rider courses in Toronto as just 5% of the skills you will pick up here. They train the Police Officers, so expect the same skills if you complete all the three levels. As I have said earlier, this is a Must have course for Cruiser guys, not so much for SS bikes as all this is focussed on Better Motor Skills. Cost might be factor for some but then I paid lot or money for Humber one day course and this 4 Days and you get to ride Road Kings for 4 days. Also, they test you on the last day and the test is going through each exercise 4 times. Do talk to them about charges for retaking the course or test as they are very strict on test. There is a girl in our group, who is doing the course second time. She says that from her earlier class of 7, only three were allowed to go to traffic speed exercises and in the end only 1 cleared the course. But then the positive side is if you are able to clear all three levels, you will ride like the Cops competing in the competitions. I would like to add there though, in our group there are 7 people including me, all of them have Harleys with NO or hardly any Experience. There is one person who has just 50 miles on his Harley. May be, the higher failure rate is also for the reason that these guys are riding motorcycles beyond their skill
 
Actually this course sounds similar to the one in the UK that will result in a reduction of your insurance premiums if you pass it. That one is run by motorcycle cops too. I think this is the kind of course that should be run here too, something that will lead to familiarity and comfort handling your bike under circumstances more often found on the street. I'd sign up for one if it was run here.
 
All good experiences come to and end. So, finally the course is over. Last day was hectic. We started with emergency braking with two sharp turns (evasive). Started at 15mph then 20 then 25 and at last 30 mph. Everybody had to complete the whole sequence before moving on the next speed level. Only two of us were able to complete and reach upto 30mph. This is intense and not like the one any of the colleges teach here. You had to do evasive manouver, then straighten the motorcyle and do emergency braking without stalling the motor ( no skidding of tires), then while you are rolling check mirrors for which way is safe to go and immediately take sharp left or right turn with another 90 turn after that. It was quite challening and interesting. Out of Seven, two quit all together as they kept on dropping the motor. These guys try really hard to get you going but for some it is bit tough. Only two of us were allowed to take the test. Test is doing all the exercises without dropping the motorcycle. If you trip a cone you get one more chance to do that. You are only allowed to drop the motorcycle once. If you trip a cone you have to take the exercise again but if you drop the cone on the same exercise again you fail. If you want to Master the test you have to do every exercise perfectly in two sets. Like, you have to do 180 degree turn from left and right, if you want to master the test you must do these turns twice in each direction without any error. If you do any error in the exercises you can't Master the test, you will just pass. My buddy, dropped his motorcycle and then he tripped two cones on the 90 pull out. It was my lucky day, I could finish all the exercise and Master the test also. No mistakes at all.

I really liked the course overall but the only thing I did not like was that not everybody was allowed to take the test. Only who could go to 30 mph on Road speed exercise were allowed to take the test. Only I was given the certificate, no one else got the certificate also. I believe, they should have tested everybody on slow speed and then only test everybody on the speeds they were comfortable at. Doug is a retired Seargent and still behaves like one. Larry is still working as a Police Officer and is very nice and friendly. I think Doug has come up with this idea of only giving the certificates to who completes and passes the test. We all strongly suggested that they should atleast give a certificate to everybody. I know it will ultimately end in trash can or in a box, but out there it does hold value.
Anyhow, back to the course. Well I think it is very well worth for the money. It is a very enjoyable and demanding course. Those guys really work very very hard on every rider. If you are not able to perform, it not because they did not try their best, it is because of you not getting it. The environment is very friendly and they would answer any of your questions. Also, they make sure you get the basics right so you can excel. Again, I will say, I personally believe, Canadian riders are more experienced. There in States, everybody wants and sells the biggest Harleys and then the rider realises it is a beast to handle. This course certainly made me learn more control of my motorcycle when I need it the most. I would highly recommend but do talk to them about atleast getting certificate, then I also believe, any Canadian rider will be able to go the stage where they do the Test. We are better riders as we go from smaller to bigger motorcycles as our skills develop.
Here are few points for fun....1. Never call a motorcycle a BIKE there..it is either motor or motorcycle. 2. Never wear Tommy shirts there. 3. Never joke about Harleys, they get emotional about it...4. They hate Sport Bikes(oops Motorcycles) 5. There is only one Motorcycle Brand in the World...HARLEY 6. This course is the only place where you get to beat the S***t out of somebodies HARLEY without the fear of AFTER LIFE.
 
Yep!! I am beyond jealous!!

Lunatic... road trip in the spring?!?! I wanna gooooooooo!!! :)
 
C109Knight said:
All good experiences come to and end. So, finally the course is over. Last day was hectic. We started with emergency braking with two sharp turns (evasive). Started at 15mph then 20 then 25 and at last 30 mph. Everybody had to complete the whole sequence before moving on the next speed level. Only two of us were able to complete and reach upto 30mph. This is intense and not like the one any of the colleges teach here. You had to do evasive manouver, then straighten the motorcyle and do emergency braking without stalling the motor ( no skidding of tires), then while you are rolling check mirrors for which way is safe to go and immediately take sharp left or right turn with another 90 turn after that. It was quite challening and interesting. Out of Seven, two quit all together as they kept on dropping the motor. These guys try really hard to get you going but for some it is bit tough. Only two of us were allowed to take the test. Test is doing all the exercises without dropping the motorcycle. If you trip a cone you get one more chance to do that. You are only allowed to drop the motorcycle once. If you trip a cone you have to take the exercise again but if you drop the cone on the same exercise again you fail. If you want to Master the test you have to do every exercise perfectly in two sets. Like, you have to do 180 degree turn from left and right, if you want to master the test you must do these turns twice in each direction without any error. If you do any error in the exercises you can't Master the test, you will just pass. My buddy, dropped his motorcycle and then he tripped two cones on the 90 pull out. It was my lucky day, I could finish all the exercise and Master the test also. No mistakes at all.

I really liked the course overall but the only thing I did not like was that not everybody was allowed to take the test. Only who could go to 30 mph on Road speed exercise were allowed to take the test. Only I was given the certificate, no one else got the certificate also. I believe, they should have tested everybody on slow speed and then only test everybody on the speeds they were comfortable at. Doug is a retired Seargent and still behaves like one. Larry is still working as a Police Officer and is very nice and friendly. I think Doug has come up with this idea of only giving the certificates to who completes and passes the test. We all strongly suggested that they should atleast give a certificate to everybody. I know it will ultimately end in trash can or in a box, but out there it does hold value.
Anyhow, back to the course. Well I think it is very well worth for the money. It is a very enjoyable and demanding course. Those guys really work very very hard on every rider. If you are not able to perform, it not because they did not try their best, it is because of you not getting it. The environment is very friendly and they would answer any of your questions. Also, they make sure you get the basics right so you can excel. Again, I will say, I personally believe, Canadian riders are more experienced. There in States, everybody wants and sells the biggest Harleys and then the rider realises it is a beast to handle. This course certainly made me learn more control of my motorcycle when I need it the most. I would highly recommend but do talk to them about atleast getting certificate, then I also believe, any Canadian rider will be able to go the stage where they do the Test. We are better riders as we go from smaller to bigger motorcycles as our skills develop.
Here are few points for fun....1. Never call a motorcycle a BIKE there..it is either motor or motorcycle. 2. Never wear Tommy shirts there. 3. Never joke about Harleys, they get emotional about it...4. They hate Sport Bikes(oops Motorcycles) 5. There is only one Motorcycle Brand in the World...HARLEY 6. This course is the only place where you get to beat the S***t out of somebodies HARLEY without the fear of AFTER LIFE.
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Curious... where there many females taking the class?
 
Cat13 said:
Yep!! I am beyond jealous!!

Lunatic... road trip in the spring?!?! I wanna gooooooooo!!! :)
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For sure! Looking forward to it already!
 
There was one...She wasn't that hot...BUT...Harleys made her LEGS very HOT. I will qoute her, "Heat from Harley goes right into the most initmate parts"
 
Just another bit of informaiton...You need leather jacket for Road Speed exercises only. For the slow speed you just need a full sleeves shirt and gloves.
 
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