BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Prompted by the posts about the Star Rider (National Motorcycle Training Scheme), what was/is your motorcycle training/history etc.

I didn't have a moped (at age 16) and started with a Honda C90 at 17 years old.

1975/76 completed the RAC/ACU training scheme and passed my test. Went on to become an instructor for same scheme.

From memory, the RAC/ACU scheme folded and was replaced by the Star Rider (NMTS). I seem to remember being able to instruct for this scheme at the basic Bronze level.

In 2005 (after 30 years), decided to take some post test (advanced) training with the IAM. Passed the test and went on (for a short period) to become an observer.

2009 & 2013 took the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test.

During the above period, also completed a "Handle It or Lose It" course which went on to be replaced by Ridewell Tees Valley. Did the latter twice.

For machine control skills, completed the i2i Motorcycle Academy MC1, MC2 & MC3 courses.

Seems a lot but it's nearly 50 years and I've never not had a motorcycle.

Learned to ride around the fields, as you did in '77/78. Got a CD175 at seventeen and went along to the RAC/ACU training scheme in Wolverhampton. I'd passed my motorcycle test before I finished the RAC scheme.

A year or so later and I went back and rejoined then as a trainee then later instructor. They were lots of sensible men riding BMWs, I was 19yr old hooligan on a White & Red RD400. The 'instructor' training was really very little, I had the gift of the gab and the trainees took to me(?) as I was one of them. That instructor training also came with riding advice from the Police. The RAC Scheme took place on Sunday mornings but in the afternoon they'd take us junior instructors out for a ride and we were told to ride like they weren't there, and outside of towns & villages speed limits were considered the minimum. Nowadays the H&S brigade and more would stop that in an instant, back then, they knew what we'd ride like when they weren't there, so their attitude was we might as well show these young whippersnappers how to do it properly.

Fast forward, what is it 48yrs and I'm the sensible man riding a BMW!

No training, I just bolted a sidewinder sidecar on to a Yamaha RD350LC and took my test on it..........

.....since then the only training I've done is on track.

I seem to remember doing a cycling proficiency test at school once I think I wedged a door open with a highway code book once as well.