Off-road training
You might wonder what off-road motorcycle training has to do with teaching riders road skills? In short – everything!
Off-road motorcycle training (provided it’s from a professional, accredited training school that specialises in off-road skills for road riders; for example, an Auto Cycle Union (ACU) or Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA)-approved centre) can teach skills that are not typically taught on other types of advanced rider training course.
Off-road riding courses specifically teach riding skills that, if not second nature to you, could lead to an incident or worse on public roads. The types of skills you can learn on a good off-road motorcycle training course include
- riding safely on slippery surfaces, such as loose gravel, wet leaves, mud or smooth surfaces (like paint, metal)
- how to achieve more grip through your tyres to avoid/minimise the loss of traction
- how to brake safely and stop your motorcycle on surfaces of all grip levels
- low-speed manoeuvres (for example, tight steering, safe touchdown and setting off) to avoid dropping your motorcycle
- advanced balance and road/terrain reading
- recovery of locked-up brakes and front/rear wheels
- picking up a dropped motorcycle without injury to self/others
- improved use of motorcycle controls.
All of these skills are relevant for all road riders. In fact, they’re essential if riders are focused on taking every measure they can to be safe on public roads!
These types of courses can also improve a rider’s confidence, approach to riding and mindset. Knowing why you do what you do, and trusting/believing in it, can develop rider confidence in a way that balances the actual riding skills that have been learned.
Furthermore, off-road training can help riders to control their emotional state so that when a potentially dangerous riding situation occurs, they can avoid panic or ‘body locking up’ (which can very easily happen if the rider has a fright). Panicking or locking up can lead to incidents. Off-road motorcycle training can help the rider remain calm, decisive and relaxed by ‘training in’ these states of mind during the skill development.
Other benefits of off-road training can include
- keeping fit/active – great health benefits
- enjoyment of riding in natural environments where no other vehicles may be present
- the ability to adapt to situations rapidly and in control
- the immense fun and pleasure that comes from this type of riding.
There are many types of off-road training, which can be confusing if you’re trying to pick a course that will deliver the benefits listed above. Off-road training can sometimes be confused with training in motocross, enduro, trials, speedway, rallying or green-lane riding.
All these types of riding are carried out off-road, but the courses teach skills that are specific to each sporting discipline. They will not necessarily help you to achieve the skills, confidence and competence that can come from an off-road motorcycle training course for road riders.
Make sure you thoroughly check that the off-road motorcycle training companies you’re considering offer off-road motorcycle training for road riders. A good indication might be if the training company’s courses are approved by insurers; for example, you may achieve an insurance premium discount upon completing the course. Local council road safety officers may also be able to provide advice on who you might consider.
Off-road training is not a ‘silver bullet’ that will make you the world’s best rider.