Mentoring!

[Strika]

When I came back to bikes again after my initial 18 months of riding, it was some 5 years in between, with no riding at all and not a lot of experience from past ownership. I probably only did 3 or 4 thousand klms on the two bikes I owned first. I pretty much knew zero!

I however, got lucky. When I came back to riding I joined a Riding club. This club did a ride every Sunday, rain hail or shine all year round. They are still going and I am still a regular attendee on rides today, which is some 15 years from when I joined. When I joined this club, as I said, I knew Zip! It was from the xperienced riders that I learned a little. However, one of the more experienced riders in the club, and still today one of the fastest and safest road riders you will see, took me under his wing and basically mentored me!

He taught me loads of stuff, from basic mechanicals to full on engine strips and rebuilds. We did head gaskets, and valve adjustments as well as the usual routine maintanance issues. He also, at almost every stop did a debrief and offered thoughts on riding technique to help me go faster, safer! Within 12 months, I was passing him and then went racing as a result of the skills I learned.

That said, without making it formal, is anyone interested in perhaps trying this with some of our newer riders, who may well benefit from a little knowledge and experience?

Just a thought, I'm game if others are!

[Buck]

Mentoring or leading people down a dark path. A bottomed out R1 comes to mind and a photo of a 9 with its front wheel clawing skywards still on full lean. No thanks Marty but i could do with some social niceties hints and personal grooming pointers.

steve

[ZXR750]

Strika I think that is a great idea. Some months ago AMCN did an artical on exactly that.
When I was learning to ride I was lucky enough to have a very experienced rider trainer give me several unoffical lessons mainly on road safety eg positions on the road into and out of corner and creating buffer zones etc. I don't ride enough to qualify to give lessons or tips other than that but there are many very good experienced riders on this forum who do regular rides that could help out. The only down side is there are also an equal amount of riders whose ego's are greater that their ability that may also want to offer assistance. I was once at the PITS and over heard a couple of guys trying to teach a new rider on a Hyosung GT650 how to get the knee down on the road. This rider was a P plater and did not have very much ability. I did not hang around to see the results.

[javaman]

I'm interested ... rode the bike around the blok yesterday and seems fine

Funny how the weather turns really great when you're not on a bike ?

[robracer]

Marty like you I have had many years experience (23 Years) I have been there plenty of times before & did not mind doing it, but have been burnt from a previous experience & have lost the desire to help others in the capacity of mentor, I just don't want to know about it anymore... maybe time will tell & I will change my perspective but for now its a no go zone.

[Naked Twin]

Rob what are you saying, you help at the drop of a hat.

Tend to agree that you don't want just anyone mentoring, I believe everyone has the right to hear my opinion, problem is that it is not always that informed and what works for me doesn't necessarily work for you. I tried to offer some assistance to newby at a track day not that long ago, I knew what I was trying to say (based on superbike school) but did not relay it in a way that he could understand, it was only after he went and spoke with the EC crew that he said now I know what you are talking about. So yes I think it is great but you really want the right people doing it not just egotistical num nuts like myself

Strika you got lucky, I have also been lucky to have met a guy slightly older then me (hell the guy is over 65 and can ride like a demon) that has taken the time to show me and others some of the best roads around the country and share some stories about old day racing. I tell you some of these older lads have some awesome stories and know some roads you would never think to go down, I have been shown a hill climb circuit near Wollongong that even the locals don't know about.

Nick

[Wattie]

i have all the advice you need, how to ride slow, how to lay darkies, and how the lean the carnt!

but in all honesty, i think responsibility is the key.

people dont want the responsability (spelling).

most are happy to offer advice and say "follow me" to a fellow rider and off we go.

i learnt to ride on the road a bit from my old man, but most from just following people. you shit yourself every now and then and you learn heaps.

you learn little things off many different people. not everything off one person.

time is another issue. not everyone has the time needed to teach brendan how to ride.

oops did i mention a name?

[the kid]

I have been lucky enough to have my own mentor , Thanks Cath

[Benno]

Is it mentoring when you spend most of your time trying to catch Mal as he smashes through corners leaving me behind?

[hoffy]

yeah, I think it is a relationship that will naturally develop amongst people..it can't be "OK..Now I am your mentor"..

[Blurr]

I agree with the 2 boys above. The relationship needs to be built as a mentor before you can teach anything. opinions will vary as will riding styles but th willingness to sit back and listen is the first step that alot of people struggle with and therefore slow their learning curve from the very begining.

I have been on a few rides and get togethers now and know first hand that most people are here are willing to offer advice and riding tips when needed. all in all it makes for a good club

[Slow and wobbly]

I have a lot of experience on the road, like many others here, but I would be hesitant about sticking my hand up to say that I am anyones Obiwan.
Newbies to riding should without a doubt glean something from experienced riders but should not put all their faith in one person alone as a mentor. I know many different people that are complicit riders but every one of them has a different style and approach to riding based upon their own experiences. Newbies should perhaps look more towards a holistic approach and attend group rides where they can ask questions and obtain advice from a broader spectrum.

As far as maintenance and general care of a motorcycle goes then I am more than willing to assist anyone with what I know and what I have learnt but I would never proclaim myself to be the all knowing either.
The basics are, well basic, and I would be happy to pass on the general info of how to's in regard to everyday checks and maintenance.
Been a while since the last maintenance clinic...... I'll throw this out there as part of this discussion...... If it is feasable I would be willing to run a clinic covering basics and a bit more here at my home. Input would come from all members not just myself. I offer this up as my garage is completely set up for servicing, repairing and hacksawing ( ) motorcycles. If we ran a clinic like this then it would be completely free of commercial bias and would be organised by and run by members - alot like this website BBQ, Bar, Accomodation not far away from the garage either.
Register your interest if your interested.

[brendanzxr]

....

[Wattie]

I'm needing for a mentor, help would be great if anything pop's up.

i reckon you and frank would make a great match, very much in common

[hoffy]

I'm needing for a mentor, help would be great if anything pop's up.

i reckon you and frank would make a great match, very much in common

Vote 1 : Yeah..Frank should mentor Brendan.

Hey Brendan, do you need Frank's Phone Number & Address