In South Wales we have the Dragon Rider Scheme this is heavily advertised at the riding school level and most of the popular bike meet up points have Dragon Rider posters or leaflets on display . Dragon Rider is the ERS, in a lot of areas it is combined with BikeSafe (Do Bike safe on the Saturday and the Dragon Rider on Sunday is often on offer). I think a lot of people ignore Bikesafe/ERS/advanced riding training as they dont think they need them. Add in the folks that may only ride the summer period but did a Bikesafe/ERS/advanced rider training a few years ago but the skills/knowledge has atrophied to nothing. I ride all the year round in all conditions it shocks me every year when the first warm dry weekend of the year just how terrifying some peoples riding is. Your comments regarding the general standard of hazard awareness in the driving/riding population is spot on!
@malcolmstewart31094 ай бұрын
Useful heads-up on the Dragon Rider Scheme thanks. Seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery though, with the Cardiff and Newport areas omitted.
@thebrowns53374 ай бұрын
You could have used a jetski on that road in the first part of this video! And it was a very interesting video too. The viewer commenting about progress and ragging it was me. I'm about to start my DAS and have a healthy amount of excitement but anxiety too - mainly because I keep hearing exminers want to see you make progress and I had assumed that meant just focus on getting up to the limit ASAP. Thankfully I watched the video you suggested (and this one) and you've put my mind at ease. I have no problem with being able to explain why full speed isn't always good and now I feel this is acceptable, rather than just a focus on speed - so thank you for the clarity you provide, it's reassuring. I've subscribed for that reason - quality, thoughful advice clearly based on experience and logic, that gives reassurance.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your comments here, and for subscribing. I hope that you enjoy your das, our students do, and I wish you well with the journey of learning to ride. Please let us know if how you get on. All the best
@robinmcphail344 ай бұрын
During my 40 odd years biking, I've learnt the following: Never put your bike where your brain hasn't been. Constantly think " What if?" Never, ever assume anything because people do the most insane, irrational things. The law may suggest you have right of way, a bodybag suggests otherwise.
@davidz84 ай бұрын
I had not heard of the Enhanced Rider Scheme before watching your video, it looks a well structured way to become a safer rider. I have already started looking for a local instructor. Thank you.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
You’re welcome, good luck with it. This link may help you find an instructor www.gov.uk/find-enhanced-rider-scheme-trainer
@norriemasson40804 ай бұрын
None in Northern Ireland I’m surprised at that
@neilsatchell70494 ай бұрын
Great information video as always, I have done my police escorted safer rider course last year which was a great course, and have looked into advanced course Rospa, IAM and have booked onto a DVLA course in June but your information has just made me understand I picked the right course for me and will be preparing prior to my June's course on the road of cold wet Norfolk, just hope the weather improves by then. Thanks again for the informative video.
@mikerider584 ай бұрын
Excellent video, thanks. We're all learning something new every day.
@steve00alt703 ай бұрын
Every training thing is a plus, you can never take enough no matter how little it is. I do have a full bike licence but when I drive my car I do notice that I check my shoulder everytime by habit (rarely drivers do this) when I change lanes. Riders do make better drivers than the average population. The roads would a safer place if every driver did a rider course. I want someone that nickpicks every little I do because my life is valuable. You never feel like you have it all even as an advanced rider even then you will always learn off road/on road. A thirst for knowledge is a good attribute to have. Dont bother with people that think they know it all because they seal their fate.
@hoomannili4 ай бұрын
The thing that put off when I did my RoSPA was the attitude/culture of instructors that "Is either my way or wrong...." or they just need to find something and point it out as an improvement where there is no need". I'm perfectly open to improvements and criticism, but sometimes it looks like they just can't say 10/10. And yes I know the philosophical argument of "there's no such thing as perfect, etc.." And sometimes they're just wrong! and they say "But that's the way we do it". For example linking/straightening bends is not necessarily an advanced or "enhanced" technique. One could enjoy taking a bend safely, accurately and progressively without having to straighten it where little benefit except a couple of seconds of progress is all you get. A Or staying in 3rd gear around multiple bends "could be seen as lazy riding", " show that you can change gear"... The worst of all the comments was "I've been riding for 40 years and never seen this" to which I said "too bad, my 14 year old daughter has seen it during a rideout as my pillion where a car being chased by the police came in the wrong direction at a roundabout and if wasn't because of my planning and good habits it could've ended up really badly." The point is many of these so-called "advanced " courses could easily become adapting to the instructor's style rather than a principle.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your comments. I get what you say and can agree that training could be to mirror an instructors style. I think the value of open and honest discussion between mentor and student cannot be underestimated. Fostering good relationships where both parties can appreciate what the other is saying is important. If I critique a ride I try to give reasons and scenarios to illustrate why I’m raising the point. After that it’s up to the student what they do with it. I’m not the boss, merely a guide. You are free to choose your own path! All the best
@motorcycleman68983 ай бұрын
Agree. Having done CBT, MOD1 MOD2 and IAM in the last 3 years as well as watching many educational videos here I think that the best instructors give positive feedback as well as critical feedback on a student’s performance.
@hoomannili3 ай бұрын
@@MotorcyclePWR Thank you for your response. I agree with you.
@spudgunson4 ай бұрын
Some of those heavy rain shots sent shudders down my back. With regards to you comments on insurance, I recently attended an IAM meeting and was surprised when it was suggested that some insurance companies regard IAM qualified riders as higher risk. Supposedly, they may take the view that IAM qualified riders generally cover far higher mileage annually than other riders. This sounded absurd to me because we are told how motorcycle police accidents dropped dramatically following the implementation of Motorcycle Roadcraft. For some young or newly qualified riders the prospect of a certificate that reduces premiums is important. However, motorcycle training courses should never be about lowering insurance premiums. Its about understanding how to be safe out on the road and getting more enjoyment out of the experience of riding.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
@spudgunson thanks for your comment. Yes i used to hate rain, i quite enjoy the challenge these days! I agree with you completely, and i do think that if insurance companies were able to discount it is at least an incentive for some to become safer. I once wrote to an insurance company and offered them the training experience due to silly quotes, needless to say they never replied!! All the best
@malcolmstewart31094 ай бұрын
Interesting video. As a personal perspective having just passed my MOD2 and having invested the thick end of £1,500 in getting this far, I want to spend a few months getting some real road experience, and just enjoying the riding instead of pouring yet more money into instruction. I'm looking forward to a few months without the ear-piece-ear-ache "position, position, position, your're riding the brake pedal, it's a 40 not a 30, you could have filtered there, blah, blah, blah". You're very right, bends and corners are not taught during DAS, and I'm finding it a huge hole in my knowledge. The whole DAS seems to concentrate on town and suburban riding which, judging by the number of other bikes in the Brecon Beacons yesterday, is exactly the sort of riding most motorcyclists have very little interest in doing. It's left to KZfaq to teach 'Fast sweeping bends and twisties for Dummies'. On paper I'm an 'advanced' car driver. It's likely I will come back for advanced bike training, after I've gained some road-miles experience on my new bike (and assuming I survive long enough). However, I do wonder if part of the reason for poor uptake of advanced riding courses is that people have had a guts-full of expensive training by the end of DAS, fully intend to do more training later, but like me want to get some fun time in first. Trouble is by the time the summer fun is over, and the rain and leaf covered roads and cold-soggy-crotch-experiences have returned, the previous good intentions are long forgotten, life has got in the way and the training school has lost the connection with the former student.
@MotorcyclePWR3 ай бұрын
Some interesting and valid thoughts there. I get what you are saying, especially about the das courses. I suppose it can feel a bit much but the instructor only has a short time to get you ready to be competent enough to pass. With the right provider, post test advanced training can be more relaxed and fun. That said we always get feedback from our das customers that they really enjoyed it. Some even miss it! Ride safe and I wish you well with any further training.
@neiljohnson85892 ай бұрын
I recommend the book 'Motorcycle Roadcraft - The Police Riders Handbook'. Lots of very useful information.
@markhollidge85143 ай бұрын
Another really informative and useful video. Thank you. 👏 My question - having only passed my DA five years ago, I have subsequently done the following training: i2i Machine Control 1 & 2, Bike Safe, Biker Down, IAM Member, Off Road Level 1, together with nearly 50k miles on road experience. Firmly believing that every day is a school day, what route would you recommend next in my 'skills journey' ? Thank you for any advice. Much appreciated. 🙏
@deepestandy4 ай бұрын
Obviously like everything it depends on the instruction given.
@AW8UK3 ай бұрын
Cost a factor for some (although insurance discount appealing). Good explanation of what ERS training should be. After I passed my DAS & when developing on steeper learning curve I was advised by 2 bikers to... "just ride and have some fun" .....very helpful 😅
@MotorcyclePWR3 ай бұрын
@AW8UK many thanks for the comments. Ah, oft given advice that, having fun. Its good to have fun of course, but, we need a bit more to raise the skills too! Hope you are well, all the best
@AW8UK3 ай бұрын
@@MotorcyclePWR 👍👍👍all good thanks...cheers P
@johnmckenzie12694 ай бұрын
I found it useful as part of my return to motorcycles after an almost 30 year gap.
@medler21104 ай бұрын
I think one of the reasons for the low uptake of Enhanced Rider Schemes is publicity, Until a few weeks ago I'd never heard of it, only saw the name when looking for A2 to A licence courses for a family member and assumed it was for those who'd just passed their test, like the Pass Plus for drivers. It actually sounds like something that might be worth considering as an alternative to IAM or ROSPA.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
@medler2110 thank you for your comment, its a fair observation. I think it is a good alternative, if trained properly! Good luck with any further training you do, all the best.
@smith53854 ай бұрын
Thanks for the very informative video. 👍🏻
@speedfinder14 ай бұрын
ANY Structured instruction program where the principal is to improve a riders safety at any price, can only be worthwhile.
@NooBiker3 ай бұрын
Yup, advanced riding is not about collecting a badge, it's about constant practice and implementation of systematic methods of ride planning and motorcycle control.
@motomaggs71644 ай бұрын
Developing and constantly practicing advanced riding skills is of course always a good idea. That said, have you ever considered also developing intuitive riding skills? Humans have evolved sophisticated subconscious biological systems, such as a autonomic nervous system, that without our knowledge is always scanning for danger and influencing behaviour. Additionally, these aspects of ourselves can and do learn over time, helping us to keep safe and one step ahead of our conscious mind. Have you ever had occasions when riding, when, without the prompt of an obvious risk presenting itself, you’ve reacted ahead of what might have been a troublesome situation, or adopted a new safety strategy simply because if felt right? Be interested to hear your thoughts.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
@motomaggs7164 thank you for this, its an interesting thought. I havent researched the area so couldnt give much of an educated response! But i have thought about this previously as most human instincts on a bike are unhelpful, fight/flight/freeze; so maybe a lot of sub conscious appropriate responses are learned from experience. But, you are right that some people do have an amazing sixth sense, is it nature or nurture? Would be interested too in others thoughts.
@dragonjohn344 ай бұрын
really considering doing this, does it help reduce insurance cost?
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
hi, it may do, depends on insurance company. One student has just saved £1600!!
@johnmacdonald18784 ай бұрын
Interesting, I like the system not requiring a test. I don't know of any equivalent here. I like the non test structure. The reason I watch is to improve my riding and safety on the road. To reduce my risk. I have a license. I don't like tests. I do recognize there is definitely room for me to improve. After watching. I looked DVSA Scheme up. the DVSA is the official government driving license issuing agency. So it is an actual government issued standard. I do think this matters if you are choosing a course.
@BC-xu8yq4 ай бұрын
How would I get in touch if I want to do my ERS with you?
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
You can email me at Motorcyclepwr@gmail.com
@chrisowens37814 ай бұрын
So is it worth doing the ERS if you’ve passed an IAM test ?
@aymunali62944 ай бұрын
It's always good to keep on improving you may learn a new skill on the course but I'm not sure. I think if it lowers Insurance it may be worth it too. I think it's good to do some sort of training every couple of years to keep up to date with any new ideas or to get rid of bad habits.
@MotorcyclePWR4 ай бұрын
Hi, thanks for your question. My initial reaction was no, as IAM is regarded as more involved. However, it depends on what you want to achieve, how long ago IAM was and also how good you ERS trainer is. If nothing else, an ERS assessed ride could be interesting to see if there is anything useful to come from it. There is no pressure to commit to any further sessions if it’s not for you. Hope this helps. All the best
@chrisowens37814 ай бұрын
@@MotorcyclePWR thanks I Did my IAM in October last year. I’m always up for learning more.
@Valeman76893 ай бұрын
In the introductory video there's a voiceover and text about "Dwane". "Dwane" is in the UK military and has discovered an amazing invention regarding fuel. One day "Dwane" is in his garage working on his SUV, which is a Humvee. Strangely both he and his mate are wearing American uniforms. His garage is full of American military vehicles. I suspect "Dwane" is not in the British Army. His uniform and daft name gives him away. "Dwane" is from Irish and African American. Yet another scam KZfaq advert. Now onto a decent motorbike video.