And Snowed, and snowed.
1st class Rider Training-Cardiff has suspended it’s motorcycle training programme due to the weather conditions. If you have a course booked in you will be contacted to discuss alternative arrangements.
So put the kettle on….put another log on the fire and have a nice cup of coffee.
My last post listed the Top Ten Selling Bikes in the UK for 2008. The news that BMW sales are up on last years sales comes against a backdrop of a drop in overall bike sales.
BMW sales in 2008 were up 15% on the 2007 figures. Taking 41% of BMW sales is the R1200GS.
When the sales for the Standard 1200GS are combined with the Adventure version they amounted to 2,411 sales which would put them way out in front as the UK best seller, but when the figures are split between the 2 model versions they don’t even make it into the top ten list.
This Spring sees a new dealership open in Cardiff and BMW will make a welcome return to the City after Rydale BMW were taken over by the Sytner Group, thus ceasing BMW Bike Sales in Wales in 2006.
The new dealership will be situated on Sloper Road, in Cardiff just about 100 yards down the road from Cardiff City’s new Stadium.
As well as selling first class bikes the dealership will also have a large cafe and coffee shop inside so you can take a break from your decision making. (Go on you know you want one….you only have to decide what colour it will be!).
Me?…….I’m just a tyre kicker me. Bacon Sandwich anyone?
Whilst bike sales did drop last year they didn’t drop as much as car sales overall. Listed below are the Top Ten Selling Bikes in the UK for 2008.
The figures in brackets are they actual numbers sold. 1st Class Rider Training is pleased to see that we helped the Yamaha YBR 125 into Second Place, as we bought two for our studetnts to use, and very popular they have proved to be.
Maybe no surprises with the number 1 best seller, as it has appeared well up at the top of the list many times since it’s launch.
Here’s the List.
1 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. (2156)
I’ve seen a few Fireblades…… but never from behind!!!
2 Yamaha YBR 125 (1866)
3 Yamaha YZF R125 (1813)
4 Suzuki GSX R1000 (1754)
5 Yamaha YZF R6 (1686)
6 Yamaha YZF R1 (1590)
7 Piaggio ZIP 50 4T (1430)
8 Honda PES 125 (1429)
9 Peugeot V CLIC 50 (1306)
10 Honda CBR600 RR (1305)
Well fancy that… a Honda CBR600 was beaten by a Peugeot 50 Clic….. I bet he won’t tell his mates about that down the pub!
At 1st Class Rider Training we use only Police Class 1 Riders as our Instructors, but in addition to this professional qualification, and the valuable experience that goes with it, at ‘1st Class’ we have among our staff 2 RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test Examiners and a RoSPA Diploma Holder.
We run Advanced Courses which allow the participants to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course, and their test fee also includes the membership to RoSPA.
But What is the RoSPA Grading. My earlier post gives information on the different Police Grades (Class 1 being the highest available) but not everyone needs to join ‘the job’ and wear a funny hat before they can have their riding achievements recognised.
RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) has it’s origins in the early fifties and was set up to halt the rise in Road Casualties. It has grown since those early days and now gives advice, guidance and training to prevent accidents of all kinds. Household, Workplace and of course the Road.
The motorcycle test has 3 grades. (Three ‘Pass’ Grades that is- The Test Can also be ‘Failed’)
Gold
Silver
and Bronze.
So what does each one mean. I will look at how the test is run and what is expected of the candidate in a later post but will concentrate here on the Grades and how they are achieved.
What follows is taken from the RoSPA ‘Guidance for Candidates & Training Officers’.
BRONZE
This Grade will be awarded to riders whose performance is significantly above the standard required to pass the ‘L’ Riding Test.
These Riders will also show a knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft ……….. The Ride should be entirely safe, observing traffic signs, responding correctly to hazards and should display advanced riding techniques.
SILVER
This Grade will be awarded to riders who are well above the average. These riders will produce consistently safe and systematic rides but perhaps without the final polish, flair and smoothness of the Gold Riders. They will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the ‘System of Motorcycle Control’. Candidates must be able to ride up to the permitted speed limit where it is safe to do so but vary speed according to circumstances and conditions. It must be emphasised that SILVER is an extremely high grade and is a commendable achievement.
GOLD
This Grade is recognised as the highest riding award available to the Public.
It will be awarded only to the polished systematic rider, who displays a complete understanding and appropriate application of the principles outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft’. The candidate will display a confidence and ability throughout the whole test which leads the examiner to consider that, if afforded the opportunity, the candidate could achieve a Police Grade without further tuition. The candidate’s performance must be consistent throughout the whole of the test and so any lapses may result in a lower grade.
Awards of this grade will therefore be reserved for the very best riders.
********************
Of Course there are other tests and schemes in the market but you can see that nothing else comes close to helping you raise your riding ability to the highest level like the RoSPA Scheme. I agree that any form of further training has value but the RoSPA scheme is way ahead of the game.
The DSA are striving to implement a Register of Post Test Trainers, open to anyone who ‘thinks they can ride a bit’ so you may find yourself being taught by a Butcher, a Baker or a Candlestick Maker. Now nothing against any of these fine professions but they may not be ‘professional riders’ with the depth of experience and training background to warrant you spending your hard earned.
One thing for sure; ‘Thinking you’re good is one thing….but knowing your good is even better.
1st Class Rider Training are running an Advanced Motorcycle Training Course in France in April. There are just four spaces left on this trip.
If you are interested in what will be a Training/Social Trip with a likeable group of bikers then you can view the full details on our Newsletter at www.1stclassrider.blogspot.com
To visit our Newsletter Blog click on the Newsletter Link in the tabs on the left.
The training will be based on the Police System of Riding, Roadcraft, and can lead to a final test under the RoSPA Advanced Test Scheme.
Over the years brakes on bikes have become more and more efficient and nowadays are very effective indeed. Improvements in the Hydraulic Fluid used in braking systems, Combined Braking Systems and ABS all serve to make our brakes highly efficient.
But these innovations are only any use if our brakes are used and operated correctly, and correct braking technique needs practice.
Here are the Five Rules of Braking.
1 Brake firmly only when travelling in a straight line.
2 Brake in plenty of time.
3 Vary brake pressure according to the condition of the road surface.
4 Avoid using the front brake;
*When the machine is banked over
*When Turning
*On loose or slippery surfaces
5 When descending a hill, brake on the straight stretches and ease off in the bends.
Five simple rules which if observed can make all the difference to maintaining the stability of the machine and maximising your own safety.
Practice your braking technique until you are familiar with how your bike will react in different situations and on different road conditions.
Use these Five Rules of Braking to get the best from your bike, without it getting the better of you.
In my previous post I detailed the Five Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes. The top 2 causes being related to Cornering.
This could be down to the failure to read the road and match the bike speed to the severity of the bend.
Here are the Four Principles of Safe Cornering. These principles are the basis of the Police teaching for Patrol Motorcyclists and if applied in conjunction with good forward observation will always result in a safe exit to the bend.
The Four Principles of Safe Cornering are;
1 Your machine should be in the correct position on the approach.
2 You should be travelling at the correct speed for the corner or bend.
3 You should be in the correct gear for the speed of the machine.
and the most important one,
4 You should be able to stop safely on your own side of the road in the distance you can see to be clear.
At 1st Class Rider Training – Cardiff we can teach you to read a bend and help you to understand the adverse affects of the ‘Cornering Forces’ acting upon the bike as we lean into a curve.
Remember these simple rules, especially number 4
Our main website proclaims that at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we use only Instructors who have acheived the covetted Police Class 1 Riding Grade. (Also known as a ‘Grade 1’).
So what does this mean. There has been a recent re-vamp of the Police Grading System and modern day thinking is that there is no Grade 1 or 2 etc. You have either reached an Advanced Level or you have not. They have done away with the numbered system. But how it was, was the Police Driving and Riding Grading System was made up of 5 Grades. Grade or Class 1 being the highest.
On a ‘Standard’ Car or Bike Course you could only acheive as high as a Grade 3, and this was needed before you could be considered to transfer on to the Traffic Department.
Grade 5 was needed to drive a Panda Car
Grade 4 was needed to drive the Divisional Response Van, and a Panda Car.
Grade 3 was needed to drive any of the above, and the smaller cc engined cars on the Traffic Department Fleet. Also the speeds that you were allowed to travel was also curtailed by your driving grade.
After a period of practical, live driving duties an Intermediate Course could be undertaken and whilst this wasn’t used to up-grade your certification it was used as a step up before undergoing an Advanced Course.
It was only on the Advanced Car or Bike Course that either of the Advanced Grades (Grade 1 or Grade 2) could be achieved.
Whilst a Grade 2 was seen as a high Grade, a Grade 1 was reserved for those who displayed an expert ability, matched with having shown maximum safe progress and a high degree of flair. Only a small percentage of personnel achieved this Grade 1.
A Grade 1 was needed before officers could be considered for further training for VIP Escort Work, and the escorting of high risk prisoners.
By using only officers, or former officers with a Class 1 Grade I know my instructors have undergone stringent and extensive training at all levels, and they have an ability to handle and control safely the vehicles in their charge, which is second to none.
In passing this disciplined systematic approach on to our students we can instill in you the foundation of safe driving and riding for life.
1st Class Rider Training by 1st Class Instructors on First Class Machines.
“Safe riding is no mistake”.
At 1st Class Rider Training we believe that if you know what the most common causes of crashes are then you can go someway to avoiding being involved in them.
So here is a simple list of the five most common causes of Motorcycle Crashes.
1 Failing to negotiate a Left Hand Bend on a Country Road.
2 Failing to negotiate a Right Hand Bend on a Country Road.
3 Failing to observe correctly the presence or movement of other traffic at Junctions.
4 Overtaking.
5 Loss of Control.
(Data Courtesy of RoSPA)
Throughout our training we use our knowledge and expertise to pass to you, our students the best ways to get the most from your bike without it getting the better of you. We can teach you how to read a bend, how to match your speed to the limit point, correct overtaking technique and much more. Remember, when you think you have nothing left to learn, it’s time to hand your bike keys over!
For Motorcycle Training in Cardiff 1st Class Rider Training is the perfect choice. Run by Andy Smith, a former Police Motorcyclist. We only use Police Class 1 Riders as our Instructors to ensure the highest lever of Motorcycle Training in Cardiff.
Established in 2003 by Andy after he worked initially for Cardiff Motorcycle School and later United Motorcycle Training, before exclusively teaming up with the local BMW dealership to provide 1st Class Training on Top Class BMW machines. And so it was that 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff was formed.
1st Class Rider Training is based at the Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre, at North Road, centrally sited to be in easy reach of all parts of Cardiff and South Wales. This means that we can carry out CBT in Cardiff on a unique secure site made up of a mini road system with authentic road layouts, traffic signs, traffic lights, a roundabout and box junction.
Our Instructor base has recently been expanded so now you can recieve 1st Class Training right from your CBT through the Direct Access Scheme and up to an Advanced level taking an Advanced Motorcycle Test under the RoSPA scheme.
Looking for Motorcycle Training in Cardiff, there is only one choice.