Recommendation for MC operator training course around Austin

[Achim]

Hi,

I suddenly feel the urge to take a DPS approved motorcycle operator training course (no jokes, please). Since I've been riding for about 20 years I guess only one of the courses for experienced riders would fit. Any recommendation for a good provider of such a course in the vicinity of Austin?

Achim

[scratch]

Hi Achim,

I don't have an answer to your question, but perhaps someone at one of the more reputable motorcycle dealerships in Austin (such as Lone Star BMW) could give you some direction.

Just curious, what makes you want to get riding instruction now?

[kurt]

I recommend Jon Elliott and the TRIC Course in Austin.

http://www.totalrider.com/

Great guy, used to be an APD officer, but does this full time now.

[buck000]

I agree with txmedic. I only started riding 2+ years ago, but began this addiction by enrolling in the basic course of Jon's at T.R.I.C. He got me started off right.

I took the ERC course this year (me? experienced? shyah, right...anyway...), and Jon taught it. It was just me (there voluntarily) and a custom cruiser owner (there, er, at the state's behest ;) ), and Jon tended to blow through the lectures and range drills. He probably would've let us practice more if we'd asked, I'd bet.

All in all, highly recommended, from this novice, anyway.

[bluedogok]

MotoFun is another one, they have locations in Round Rock (at RPM Raceway on I-35) and took over the South Austin location (Burger Center for the riding part) from the previous operator.
http://www.motofun.net/

I have also heard some good things about the Total Rider program in Hutto. http://www.totalrider.com/

[Achim]

Just curious, what makes you want to get riding instruction now?

I received a ticket for changing lanes without signaling. I really don't need anything on my otherwise spotless record. Therefore, I'm taking the course. I will probably learn one or two things, so it's not all that bad.

[Tourmeister]

:tab Good grief! They actually ticketed you for that! Did you do something to irritate the officer? When I drive there (Austin) I seldom if ever see people use a signal to change lanes. Imagine if everyone got blipped for that!? Bummer dude, now you can't use the class to get out of something more fun, like when you go squiding on Beth's bike ;-)

Adios,

[AggieVFR]

The officer must have transferred there from College Station. They're anal like that. I can't give you any specifics about the local courses for Austin, but I enjoyed the one I took in Houston. It was just HOT! (end of July) Sorry to hear about the ticket.

[irondawg]

I've heard lately that the Austin LEO's have to make a quota now so are looking for everything and anything.

Hmmm...my license plate and inspection is covered in dirt...not good.

[Achim]

I've heard lately that the Austin LEO's have to make a quota now so are looking for everything and anything.
It actually happened on IH-35 near Georgetown. I also had the strong impression that the officer was mainly trying to meet a quota.
That being said, I hate it when people change lanes without signaling. I always do it and, in hindsight, could kick myself for being too lazy a few seconds (I was riding with only my right hand on the handlebar, hence didn't signal once.) ;-(
Like I said, one can always improve.

[scratch]

Sorry to hear about the ticket, Achim. At least it gives you a good excuse to take the course... :wink:

[Tourmeister]

:tab I wonder if you could make the argument that bikes are not required to have turn signals for state inspection purposes and thus the nonuse of the lighted turn signal is not an offense per se. Of course, you would have to make the argument that you signaled with your hand and he just missed it :-P But if you didn't... well... bummer :-)

Adios,

[Achim]

:tab I wonder if you could make the argument that bikes are not required to have turn signals for state inspection purposes and thus the nonuse of the lighted turn signal is not an offense per se. Of course, you would have to make the argument that you signaled with your hand and he just missed it :-P But if you didn't... well... bummer :-)

Adios,

One could make the argument that if there are turn signals you have to use them. So, I don't think that argument would have saved me. :(

[Tourmeister]

One could make the argument that if there are turn signals you have to use them.

The point is that the vehicle code does not require electrically lighted turn signals on a bike. Hand signals are perfectly legal. So even if you have electric lights, you are not required to use them over hand signals. ;-) Of course, I could be out of my mind hehe.

Adios,

[Achim]

So, now I've finally taken the advanced motorcycle operator course. Here are some of my impressions.
I signed up for a course with T.R.I.C. (http://www.totalrider.com/) in Hutto. The trainers there (Jon and Lisa) were very friendly and even allowed for a private lesson just so I could take care of this :angryfir: ticket as soon as possible. BTW, The T.R.I.C. personnel teaches their courses on a parking lot behind Hutto Highschool.

First Lisa and I tried to go through the course on Sunday (Jan 4th) afternoon, however, since a basic training course was running late (Jon mentioned something of a "challenged audience" ... I bet that judgement could have been applied to most of us at some point), the place was not going to be available until late in the afternoon which would have required me to come back (from Buda) and take the rest of the course. So, we decided to do the whole course on Monday (today).
Hence, I spent a number of hours in the freezing cold weather (45F or so) on Monday improving my riding skills. Even though I think I'm not the worst rider, having somebody experienced pointing out areas of improvement (in my case mainly head movements) does really help.
There is a theoretical and a pratical portion of the course. The theory is mostly well-known best practices (checking your bike before riding etc.) and it can only serve as a starting point to a good discussion about how to do things best. Fortunately, most of the time I was practicing. There are 9 practices each focusing on one area such as braking, swerving etc. Each practice takes about 20 minutes to complete. While in theory I could do all these things on my own I have never made such a focused effort. Also, it's probably necessary to have somebody pointing out your mistakes such as braking only with 80% of what's possible. Some of the practices were somewhat difficult on my (old) VFR and would have been way easier on the S3, especially the low speed slaloms. As soons as I could increase the speed a little bit (during the cornering exercises) things became a lot easier. Doing the same exercises on the little 125s or 250s T.R.I.C. uses for their basic course is a piece of cake but that's no excuse for me because in the real world I'm glad I don't have to ride on those bikes (had done this for long enough already). :mrgreen:

So, I think the course helped me and I probably should have taken some kind of course anyway or at least practiced on my own. I also can recommend T.R.I.C., they proved to be friendly and very flexible (schedule-wise).

[buck000]

Nice write-up. Come back and take the E.R.C., you have to use your own bike for that.

The practice range is just a short ride from my house. I go over there once in a while to practice some of the slow-speed stuff.

[Chirpy]

Hmmm.

That sounds like fun. I'm just 9 miles away in Taylor. Wonder if he'd let me take the ERC on my motard :twisted:

Do you flunk for wheelies?

Jon's a nice guy though, an off-hand comment of his resulted in my buying the VTR over a ZRX. :chug:

Looking forward to getting one kid out of diapers so I can start riding again...

Daryl

[Achim]

That sounds like fun.
It's fun but it's also a little bit of work. You basically train your skills for a couple hours (without a real break in my case). It's easier to go on a day ride through the Hill Country. But then again you wouldn't learn as much ...