Choose your new BMW at Clarks

National news

FAST BIKES' STEVE GRIGGS COMPLETES BMW RIDER TRAINING ROAD SKILLS LEVEL ONE

08/09/2010

BMW Rider Training’s Road Skills courses allow riders from novice to seasoned expert to improve their riding ability in the company of some of the UK’s best instructors. One of the most popular elements is the Level One Refresher – aimed at those who’ve had a long break from riding and want to build confidence and relearn old skills. Fast Bikes’ sales manager Steve Griggs was in just such a position, having not ridden for three years following a minor crash. He wanted to get back in the saddle and chose BMW Rider Training to do it with.

“When I was offered the chance to go on the BMW rider training course I was very excited but nervous at the same time. I work on a sportsbike magazine – something I dreamed of doing. My dream also involved being an awesome rider, out there with the road testers and riding the best bikes in the world. The problem is, I came off my GSX-R600 three years ago and it really shook me. I’d not ridden since then…

“But while that put me off, it was only for a while. I want to get back out there – and I asked if BMW Motorrad would help me. They suggested a refresher course to get back into the swing of things. I’d spend two days with an instructor and a fellow rider in a similar position, we’d have our riding assessed and improved. Sounds good!

“I was still nervous when I arrived at the B&B in the Brecon Beacons but I unpacked, settled in and headed down to the bar for a couple of drinks and to meet my fellow riders. To my surprise I found Matt Roberts, the BBC MotoGP commentator. He was in the middle of his direct access course and having the time of his life getting to grips with riding a bike.

“The first day of riding was kick-started by a top-notch fry up, followed by a short trip to the BMW Rider Training centre where I met my tutor Kevin. I started to feel like I was in good hands. Kevin settled my nerves very quickly and got me going over all the basics of machine control and riding which I’d forgotten or was a little rusty over. I know it’d have come back to me on the bike, but this little preparation gave me a big head start. And then I was introduced to the bike I’d be riding: the BMW F 650 GS.

“The tuition I received was amazing. Kevin struck the right balance between helping when I needed a tweak without barking in my ear and spoiling the ride. One of the themes that I really connected with was riding to road conditions as well as speed limits. The Brecon Beacons are a beautiful area with some wonderful roads – and some badly surfaced, twisty ones!

“The real key, though, is observation and road position, two things I know I took for granted. Working on this over the two days, I found that I was much more aware of the road ahead and was picking up on hazards – and clear, safe roads where you can enjoy yourself – much earlier than before.

“Before taking the course I was worried about being back on a bike, worried about embarrassing myself, worried even that I’d have forgotten how to ride – but god was I wrong. It all comes back so quickly – and you go far beyond that original level of riding with a competent instructor like mine. As if that wasn’t enough, all this was done on some of the best roads in the United Kingdom. I’d like to thank all the people involved with BMW Rider Training, you’ve given me the confidence to get back out on a bike.”

BMW Road Skills offer a range of courses from the Refresher Level One to Advanced Level Three. Prices start at £519 for a two-day course including optional kit hire and two nights accommodation, a range of BMW Motorrad bikes are available for hire. For more information or to book a course, visit www.worldofbmw.com or call 08000 131 282