Alameda County Sheriffs motorcycle class rocks!

[h4ven]

The reservation form sternly advises all fields must be filled out, but lots of the fields are LEO only information (sponsoring training officer and agency?)

I just put 'none' in those and hope I hear back. If I can get in then I'll do Beginner on May 3, Intermediate on May 4th. Then I'm already signed up and good to go for RFR Z2 RR2 on the 10th, and Novice School on the 11th!

W00t!

Good luck... I registered back in February and the earliest beginner class was for May 3

 

[hppeng]

I took the 3 March courses (Basic, Inter, and Advanced) and I'm happy to say I got my advanced certificate. My other classmate in the advanced course also made it. It is a very difficult course and you should not go there unprepared, even the basic one. Practice your U-turn in the parking lot before you go. Make sure you can make it in the 18-feet area or even less.

In the later part of the advanced course, I found myself dancing in the "eliminator pattern", circling and doing figure 8. What a fun.

To those who understand, we even did the "double pass" in the eliminator.

U-turn in the 16-feet inclined street is also very fun, too.

I and my other classmate are the 5th and 6th people who earned the certificate of the advanced course in the past 3 years since they started the course. What a joy.

HP

 

[hppeng]

if you took the MSF class, how does this basic class compare to MSF? if not, can you share what were the drills?

The basic class in ACSO is WAY HARDER. You will only be frustrated (or feel very challenging) if you go there unprepared, no matter how many years of riding you have.

I saw people having hard time in the basic course, even though they ride 30, 40, or 45 years.

HP

 

[h4ven]

I'm just afraid of the weight and size differential. I can do pretty tight turns on my ninja250, but who knows on one of their bikes...

Anyone else joining me on May 3?

 

[gmcsid]

I took the 3 March courses (Basic, Inter, and Advanced) and I'm happy to say I got my advanced certificate. My other classmate in the advanced course also made it. It is a very difficult course and you should not go there unprepared, even the basic one. Practice your U-turn in the parking lot before you go. Make sure you can make it in the 18-feet area or even less.

In the later part of the advanced course, I found myself dancing in the "eliminator pattern", circling and doing figure 8. What a fun.

To those who understand, we even did the "double pass" in the eliminator.

U-turn in the 16-feet inclined street is also very fun, too.

I and my other classmate are the 5th and 6th people who earned the certificate of the advanced course in the past 3 years since they started the course. What a joy.

HP

Contratulations on the advanced cert ! That is not an easy one to get. Me and another guy in my class were #3 and #4 for the advanced certs.

My favorite was playing follow the leader with Raleigh.

 

[gmcsid]

The reservation form sternly advises all fields must be filled out, but lots of the fields are LEO only information (sponsoring training officer and agency?)

I just put 'none' in those and hope I hear back. If I can get in then I'll do Beginner on May 3, Intermediate on May 4th. Then I'm already signed up and good to go for RFR Z2 RR2 on the 10th, and Novice School on the 11th!

W00t!

You won't hear from them. Just show up with a check on the day you signed up for.

When I filled out the registration I just put civilian in the fields that didn't apply to me.

 

[mnb]

I'm just afraid of the weight and size differential. I can do pretty tight turns on my ninja250, but who knows on one of their bikes...

Anyone else joining me on May 3?

You don't have to use their bikes. Actually, it's $50 extra to rent one. But unless you can easily turn in 2 parking spaces on your bike, I'd recommend renting theirs.


Like so:
_______
| | |
| | |
| | |
<-18' ->

It doesn't have to be exactly 18', but most parking spaces will be 17-19' wide for two spaces.

You won't hear from them. Just show up with a check on the day you signed up for.

I heard back from the administrator confirming my place in the class. I think her name was Vicki. But I registered about 3 months in advance.

 

[hppeng]

Contratulations on the advanced cert ! That is not an easy one to get. Me and another guy in my class were #3 and #4 for the advanced certs.

My favorite was playing follow the leader with Raleigh.

Yes, follow the leader is my favorite, too.

I actually want to take the adv cource once every year just to refresh my skill! I found the 45 mph decel/180 turn challenging.... Need to work on that.

HP

 

[hppeng]

I'm just afraid of the weight and size differential. I can do pretty tight turns on my ninja250, but who knows on one of their bikes...

How tight you can do? Based on the bike you have, I guess you need to make it within 15 or 16 feet.

I have a Honda CB750 and I can turn in something like 15-feet. I have another bike, a BMW K1200 and I can make it in 19-feet (I assume it is the limit since I locked the handle bar all the way).

HP

 

[GottaRollWithIt]

HP,

Nice to see you around here. I see that i brought a couple of you here...
Congrats on the advanced cert!

Obviously you could frickin ride! I shoulda taken some pics - some of that stuff was Youtube material!

 

[h4ven]

How tight you can do? Based on the bike you have, I guess you need to make it within 15 or 16 feet.

I have a Honda CB750 and I can turn in something like 15-feet. I have another bike, a BMW K1200 and I can make it in 19-feet (I assume it is the limit since I locked the handle bar all the way).

HP

I think I've been able to push my bars close to full lock, but really, really slowly and really nervously. Not sure how wide that went, but I've only practiced in really open areas and don't really focus on lines too much.

I'm definitely renting their bike. No way am I risking my bike and if I get to try a different type of bike, why not?

 

[bluesboy]

if you took the MSF class, how does this basic class compare to MSF? if not, can you share what were the drills?

Much harder then MSF class, but lots of fun. They had us doing u-turns on the incline 15'9'' is the amount of space you have to do it in or you are in the gravel.
Weaving though cones. Quick stop from 30 mph.
Rent their bike if you can. In my class of 10 6 people droped the bike at some point. One guy broke his clutch lever(his own bike) was still waiting for a tow when class was done.One women went to the hospital, they locked her bike up for her.
So yes it is harder then MSF.

 

[bluesboy]

You won't hear from them. Just show up with a check on the day you signed up for.

Raleigh said in our class that anyone who shows up with payment would be allowed to take the class. He wouldn't turn anyone away. Whether that is ture or not I can not say, since I signed up for the class.

 

[hppeng]

I think I've been able to push my bars close to full lock, but really, really slowly and really nervously. QUOTE]

You need to have a harmony between your throttle control, friction-zone, and rear brake. It should not be too slow so you're nervous.

Another thing is about "wheel placement", which I rather call it as "dipping your front wheel".

Take your time. Find a parking lot to practice and think it through. You may need to drop your bike to learn.... No big deal! Just push it up and practice it again and again (at least that is how I got there).

HP

 

[SDEddie]

this class will only be good if they teach me to be Frank Poncherello and find a guy to be Jon Baker for me.

 

[h4ven]

Anyone joining me this Saturday?

 

[egrep]

Just signed up for Jun 14/15! Vickie's a nice lady once you get ahold of her. *busy*

this class will only be good if they teach me to be Frank Poncherello and find a guy to be Jon Baker for me.

Maybe you can get that on video somewhere?

 

[ex911]

4 sure that exists on vid somewhere

 

[Whodat]

I took the basic course yesterday July 12. Very good class, got a lot out of it. There were only four students yesterday. If this class were better known I think they would be full with waiting lists. Money well spent.

 

[mnb]

I took the basic course yesterday July 12. Very good class, got a lot out of it. There were only four students yesterday. If this class were better known I think they would be full with waiting lists. Money well spent.

Cool, I knew you'd like it.

At the recent CHP open house, one of the motors officers said how can you have confidence and skill at high speed unless you have it at low speed first? I think he nailed it. In many ways, I think low speed maneuvering is more difficult because the bike has less force keeping it upright, so a strong sense of balance and a light and well-honed touch on the controls is necessary.

I really believe that any rider, no matter what type of riding they are most interested in is, would benefit from the class there.