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[JCZ]

Terrie and I flew into LA early yesterday to attend Ride Like A Pro West Coast.

We did the Fly and Ride, so Mark picked us up at the airport within ten minutes of calling him.  He then drove us to a deli to grab a lunch and drinks for the day.  From there, we went to Mark's home to pick up a third Kawasaki Police bike (he'd already delivered two to the site). 

I drove Mark's suv pulling the bike trailer while he rode his Ultra Classic to the site.  A third guy, Steve showed up on his 08 Road King and the lady that would have made four ended up being a no show (more one on one for us).  After about ten minutes of talking, we got right to it.

We did this training at Terrie's request (insistance) however, I can tell you that I am very glad that I did it too.
With Mark's instruction, explanation and explaining where most people have problems with each of the skills, I was quite surprised at how quickly we all picked it up.  Especially Terrie!  Most of you know that she's relatively new at riding but some of the things that I saw her doing yesterday were pretty impressive for a newer rider.

I could already do many of the things that we did but Mark showed me how to do them easier, more fluid and in better contol.  Some of the things that I learned yesterday that I've never tried before is the turn or U-turn with the forks turned all the way to the fork stop.......and the back and forth from fork stop to fork stop......riding in a circle with the forks turned all the way to the fork stops and the four way intersection u-turns (the iron cross?).

It was also a fun class.  There was a balance of riding, practicing and discussion throughout the day so that it never got boring.  I found myself being excited about what I'd just learned and being anxious to find out what was going to be next. 

In short I'd recommend this training for all.  Having rode all my life and probably picked up a bad habit or two along the way.......I learned a lot about my riding that I didn't know and some new skills.  And a newer rider will become a skilled rider much earlier in their learning curve.  It was money well spent and we had a lot of fun.  Oh yea, and Terrie learned how to pick a bike up by herself.

http://www.ridelikeaprowestcoast.com/

[JCZ]

I forgot to mention........there's a guarantee that goes with it.  You can go back within one year of the date that you take the training to take the training a second time, for FREE!

So the trick is......go take it the first time using one of his Kawaski Police bikes (that's what we did) then go back the second time on your bike.  It's a win....win situation

[Fired00d]

Now that's not a bad deal.

[Wrongway]

JC,
 You were in So. Cal. And didn't give us a call? Man we feel  . Dave

[JCZ]

JC,
 You were in So. Cal. And didn't give us a call? Man we feel  . Dave

Actually, I was wondering why you guys weren't all there taking that course.   Seriously Dave, it's something you want to check out.

To answer your question, we flew in, went straight to the training and straight back to the airport. He's only ten minutes from LAX so it is convienent for him to pick up and for us, too.

By the way, I mention the So Cal GTG to Mark......he wasn't aware of it.  Your next GTG you might want to list in the "Events" section rater than "In Town"......I think it'll get a little more attention from all the other So Cal guys. 

[Ironhorse]

JCZ,

Thanks for the write up, and especially for you and Terris visit. It's always nice to finally put a face to the people you "hang with" on the internet.

I'm glad you liked riding at "full lock" both in the circle and a U-Turn from a stop. Once you learn the technique, it's just a matter of refining it through practice. I could tell that Terri was getting a little fatigued mentally and physically. The course does throw a lot of material at you and she did really well. From when she arrived to when she left, her skill level went from here (hand down at knee level) to here (hand above head). I could tell she was a bit aprehensive at the start, but she seemed to have gotten over that.

Once again thanks for all the help schlepping bikes back and forth and helping me set up and break down.

Mark

[Jock]

Knowledge Is Power!!!

[Ironhorse]

Knowledge Is Power!!!

Yes, and taking that knowledge and practicing it on a regular basis is even better!

[JCZ]

Yes, and taking that knowledge and practicing it on a regular basis is even better!

Oh hell......you mean we gotta practice it?   Oh no


Seriously, just had to know if I could do that circle with the forks turned all the way to the fork stops, on my SEEG.  Happy to report that I've done that a few times already.....both directions.  Also, from a dead stop with the forks turned all the way to the stop. 

You know Mark........having learned how to do that, all of a sudden my bike doesn't seem near as big as it used to.

[Ironhorse]

Oh hell......you mean we gotta practice it?   Oh no


Seriously, just had to know if I could do that circle with the forks turned all the way to the fork stops, on my SEEG.  Happy to report that I've done that a few times already.....both directions.  Also, from a dead stop with the forks turned all the way to the stop. 
You know Mark........having learned how to do that, all of a sudden my bike doesn't seem near as big as it used to.

JC,

I get a lot of calls and e-mails from folks who take the class then and go right home and try that technique on their own bike. And they are always so happy to see that it does work on their bike too. Of course the HD does not turn as tight as the Kawasaki so be mindful of space and clearance. But they do enjoy being able to make those full lock u-turns with a nice lean. It's really a "WOW" factor when other riders see you do it on an FLH.

And yes, size is relative. A lot of folks who are taller and heavier than I am consider the Ultra to be a "BIG" bike. But like you said, once you learn the technique, and the confidence gets rolling, the bike is not that hard to manuver around even at slow speeds at full lock.

Mark

[ak]

  Mark- I,d like to take your class . Can,t do it right away got to many iron in the fire hopefully that will change more sooner that later....JC-will be showing off i,m sure on the nor-cal trip... I,m planing to watch him real closely then i,ll ask if i can give it a try ON HIS BIKE....If i try it on my bike i,ll need to take the lowers and saddle bags off...Does that trick work on Grass (lawn I mean)---AK

[Jock]

I,m planing to watch him real closely then i,ll ask if i can give it a try ON HIS BIKE....AK

There U Go!  Enjoy My Friend!

[Ironhorse]

  Mark- I,d like to take your class . Can,t do it right away got to many iron in the fire hopefully that will change more sooner that later....JC-will be showing off i,m sure on the nor-cal trip... I,m planing to watch him real closely then i,ll ask if i can give it a try ON HIS BIKE....If i try it on my bike i,ll need to take the lowers and saddle bags off...Does that trick work on Grass (lawn I mean)---AK

AK,

When you do strip the bike, wrap some heater hose around the crash bars and secure it tightly with zip ties or hose clamps. Don't use that "peel-n-press" foam pipe insulation as it just shreds off on contact. Also check the bar clearances to be sure that you can go lock to lock without hitting your legs, and that the controls don't bind up. By "trick" do you mean making a full lock u-turn on grass, lawn, or sod?

Mark

[Jock]

Nice tips

[erniezap]

Mark,

You may have a NorCal CVO group class.  Andy, me, HD-Dude, Moto Michael, and maybe Steve D.  How many do yoiu put in a class?