Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic

[kerrfunk]

I took the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic Saturday in Frederick, MD. Tracy Martin was the instructor.

A bit about me: I'm 40, on my second bike (had a 82 GS 550L), I started riding in October 2008 (about 16,000 miles ago). Got my license through the MSF class, took a refresher in the ERC, and then I took the Ride Like A Pro (New Jersey) class twice (5/2010, 7/2011).

I would take RLAP again, and I would take TCARC another time, too. Different speeds, different skills, different things learned. Bang for buck I'd go RLAP -- it was less than half the cost and it felt like we did more. There was classroom time in TCARC, which was worthwhile. (RLAP had no classroom time).
RLAP was slower-speed maneuvering, and TCARC was much more focused on the turn at a little higher speed, with emphasis on a dropped body position.

Both times when I did RLAP(NJ) there were two instructors (Bill and Al) and 6-8 students. Two instructors was nice, cuz one could narrate while the other was demonstrating.

My TCARC would've had two instructors if there'd been more than six students, but turned out there were just three students, so we all got to ride more.

I'm there on my 82 GS 1100 GL in all its glory. The instructor's on a Yamaha FJR1300 and the other two students are on BMWs (one of em brand new but the rider had been riding for years). It was pretty funny to listen to these guys talking about paying for their $18,000 bikes and tell stories of getting rims repaired for $200 instead of buying new ones for $800 and I'm thinking "I bought an entire *wheel* for thirty bucks to harvest the splines. You could buy ten of my bikes for one of yours

So the class was good. I liked RLAP more, but it was good to get a feel for leaning low into a turn and to operate more at a normal speed than RLAP's parking-lot speed. (we're talking 15-20 mph vs. 5-10).

Also the instructor evaluated our suspensions and yeah, mine's lousy (especially the front damping... there's like none). So I may be looking to change that.


Who's taken any of Lee Parks' Total Control classes?
Ride Like A Pro?
what'd you think?

Like I said, I'd take either of 'em again just for the practice.



By the way, for you L-lovers... The instructor had a thing or two to say about my buckhorns

[TheCafeKid]

I've not taken either, but I have very much adopted the TC philosophy in my riding. It has not only made me smoother and faster but more confident and a much greater understanding of how YOU dictate everything that happens underneath you with body position/posture, actually getting your head down and turning your head rather than just moving your eyes (incidentally theres a good article on that by Keith Code in the new MC issue about foveal vision and how you basically only have a 20 degree field of vision to either side moving just your eyes...get your head around folks!)

While I've not taken the lee parks course, I WILL be doing so. Just reading his book over and over and putting those things into practice (and it does take practice and constant maintenance to change all of the incorrect things you've engrained in your riding habits) have helped me immensely. Quite awesome really.
If you're into pounding twisties, the TCAC is definitely a good idea. It teaches you that if you're grinding hard parts, you're probably doing it wrong...

[Baatfam]

Several of us Northern IL GSR members took the Total Control course a couple of years ago...

Did you also take the skills day?
The second day, the skills day, is a full day just to practice what you learned. It is what really makes the course worthwhile.
The instructors are there to help and answer questions, but mostly you just ran whichever drills you wanted to run...
I honestly felt clueless after the first day, but the second day pulled it all together.

[cowboyup3371]

How would you compare it to the ERC course? I'm sure both have their good points and I'll be signing up for the ERC once I get the bike running.

[Baatfam]

How would you compare it to the ERC course? I'm sure both have their good points and I'll be signing up for the ERC once I get the bike running.

Cowboy...maybe someone else can answer that, but I have never taken the ERC.
Heck, I never took a beginners course...back in '72 we just rode around on the back streets until we felt confident and then went and took the test

[kerrfunk]

I did ERC and found it to be a repeat of the skills from MSF basic rider course, but on your own bike (and free in PA ). Worthwhile but nothing new or mindblowing. Glad I took it, but I don't really see me taking it again, unless it's with someone else.

I thought RLAP was a great "next step" after ERC. It had both old and new stuff, and when I was done with it I knew I wanted to take it again. Stops and starts, weaves, slow-speed multiple turns... RLAP picked up where ERC left off.

TCARC was a lot more focused on the one thing of turning at higher speed. Good stuff, worthwhile, but almost singularly focused.


If it wasn't clear, I highly recommend the RLAP , and I recommend TCARC or ERC over taking nothing at all.

[bruin]

I have the opportunity to take the ERC for free through the military. A couple of guys are also certified instructors and offer several courses of both the BRC and the ERC every year. I took the BRC in 2009 with them. Every spring when the schedule comes out, it is a mad dash to get on the list (it's usually full in about a week). Due to construction this year, there were only three chances for the ERC and I have prior military commitments for all of the dates. Crap! Looks like I will be waiting another year for it.

[kerrfunk]

By the way, Bob, the skills day wasn't offered -- it was just 7 hours between the classroom and the range. But with only three students we all got a little more time anyway.

Here's the other two guys:

[82Shafty]

Kerrfunk:

Seeing that you're an "L" guy.










Greg on his Bandit:



Greg falling in love with my L :



Mark:

[82Shafty]

I, for one, enjoyed the faster paced riding of the LP class. However, I do follow JP and have learned a lot from his DVD's. Excellent techniques were demonstrated that I could go out and practice in a parking lot.

Back to the LP class:

My friend and I both agreed that after taking the class, a set of twisties that maxed out our skills became a real snooze after taking the class.

However, I find that it's extremely easy to fall out of the riding groove.

[TheCafeKid]

I, for one, enjoyed the faster paced riding of the LP class. However, I do follow JP and have learned a lot from his DVD's. Excellent techniques were demonstrated that I could go out and practice in a parking lot.

Back to the LP class:

My friend and I both agreed that after taking the class, a set of twisties that maxed out our skills became a real snooze after taking the class.

However, I find that it's extremely easy to fall out of the riding groove.

I agree it's definitely something at least at this stage with really only one season of putting it into practice I have to make an effort at doing every curve, every time. Not so much so that it's distracting, but it's easy to revert to those often bad habits you rode with for so long. I would guess after a couple full seasons of doing it that it becomes you're new habit. Which is a good thing. And I also agree that twisties that you felt you were pushing to your max comfort level on before almost seem laughable after putting this to use. I found myself hunting down tighter corners, or going faster, which I realized wasn't necessarily a good thing. So I've had to cap myself a bit to leave a margin of error. Which is why I really want to do some track days to find out what my new max comfort level is..
It certainly is confidence inspiring, and as he teaches confidence begets confidence. Believing that you can make a corner at a given speed and lean angle really does have an effect on whether or not you will.
Besides the added skill set, what I took away from his book was a bit more on overcoming that "lock up" stage of fear where you get in a little deeper or hotter than you'd planned and then stop making intelligent and correct decisions...that alone is worth the cost of the book or course..

[gbw]

Good for you for continuing your motorcycling education and working hard to be an even better rider!

How would you compare it to the ERC course? I'm sure both have their good points and I'll be signing up for the ERC once I get the bike running.

I have taken the BRC, ERC, and LP's Total Control, and now I am a TC instructor. The ERC is ok but I was disappointed. The BRC takes you from not knowing anything to being able to operate a motorcycle's controls and ride well enough to get your license. The ERC is supposed to take you to the next level but I feel it falls far short of that goal. The next level is better achieved with other advanced training like LP's Total Control.

I took the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic Saturday in Frederick, MD. Tracy Martin was the instructor.

I've never met Tracy but I understand he was the first instructor for TC and helped Lee take the content of his book and turn it into a curriculum. A friend of mine who lives in DC took the course from him and got a lot out of it.

Did you also take the skills day?
The second day, the skills day, is a full day just to practice what you learned. It is what really makes the course worthwhile.
The instructors are there to help and answer questions, but mostly you just ran whichever drills you wanted to run...
I honestly felt clueless after the first day, but the second day pulled it all together.

I think that Total Rider Tech, who teaches TC in the midwest, invented the skills day and as far as I know is the only one that offers them. So, taking the course anywhere is good but taking it from Total Rider Tech is the best

...then I took the Ride Like A Pro (New Jersey) class twice...I would take RLAP again, and I would take TCARC another time, too.

I've never taken the RLP but it sounds like a good class. Also be aware that TC is offered in Level 1 and Level 2 (even more advanced) and Lee is starting to offer a combo L1/L2 class that is taught on a track

Regardless of the course you choose, continuing education and practice is a GREAT idea! Good for you!

[FreshmanJoe]

I have signed up for the advanced rider course through il state university. Anyone know anything about it. I would love a proper education on good riding habits and this is the only thing in my area. Anyone know if this is like the courses you guys are talking about?

[82Shafty]

I have signed up for the advanced rider course through il state university. Anyone know anything about it. I would love a proper education on good riding habits and this is the only thing in my area. Anyone know if this is like the courses you guys are talking about?

GBW was disappointed in the ERC course.

[kerrfunk]

I have signed up for the advanced rider course through il state university. Anyone know anything about it. I would love a proper education on good riding habits and this is the only thing in my area. Anyone know if this is like the courses you guys are talking about?

I am pretty sure this is the "ERC" we've mentioned here, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Experienced Rider Course.

Take it. It'll freshen your skills. Stops, starts, basic procedures. It won't be anything mindblowing, and it might be disappointing, but even at $20, it's always good to get a little refresher.

Then go to http://ridelikeaproin.com/ to sign up for the nearest Ride Like A Pro (which for you would be Michigan City, Indiana, which is 160 miles from Normal, IL).

or

then go to http://totalcontroltraining.net/HTML/Schedule.html to sign up for the nearest Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Rider Clinic (which for you would be Villa Park, IL, which is 120 miles from Normal, IL).