Like every other Dutch motorcyclist, I got my motorcycle license by taking lessons at a driving school. In my case it was in Leiden and that was a very good basis for my further motorcycle riding experience. A lot of attention was paid to, among other things, change direction quickly and even possibly riding into the roadside. The latter to avoid a collision or a fall.
But then… How do you learn to ride a motorcycle better? Here are some tips.
Time for the next step to better motorcycling
After a few years on my first motorcycle I wanted to improve my motorcycling. Together with a friend I followed an Advanced Driving Training (VRO) of the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association (KNMV).
VRO of the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association
The KNMV has been training people for decades and therefore has a lot of experience. At the time, the VRO1,2 and 3 existed, nowadays they use other names such as VRO tailor-made and VRO Expert. Prior to the VRO tailor-made, you can decide what you want to focus on. You choose from various programs. Will you be working on the perfect bend or do you focus on braking, for example? At the end of the day, you’ll be more handy than ever with your bike and you’ll go home with a big smile. The training has been developed together with motorcyclists and specifically responds to your needs. This training is focused on public roads. You will learn to better observe your surroundings and anticipate possible risky traffic situations. The training is not only fun, but also very instructive.
In the VRO Expert, the emphasis is also on awareness of the fact that not all exercises succeed at once, i.e. prevention is always better. This training focuses on, among other things, braking in the turns, aquaplaning, obstacles on the road and riding into the roadside.
VRO 1 (VRO tailor-made)
Logically we started with VRO1. This training is similar to the VRO tailor-made, to improve your riding technique and your riding skills you do all kinds of exercises. For example, braking exercise, riding up and down kerbs and ramps and excercises on a seesaw for motorcycles.
All this happens on a closed circuit,so you can ride undisturbed and safely. In our case, it was the Police Circuit Lelystad. The training courses are given by highly experienced instructors of the KNMV.
You don’t have to worry about your level or the type of motorcycle you ridee. This training is really a great experience for everyone. The great advantage of this training is that you do it on your own motorcycle. At the end of the day you are a lot more confident and therefore safer on your bike.
VRO 2 (VRO Expert)
We were so enthusiastic about the VRO1 that we did the VRO2 pretty soon after. This one is similar to the VRO Expert. The level of the exercises and also the speeds with which you do the exercises are a bit higher. And you also get a little wet during the aquaplaning training.
With my Ducati 996 I did the VRO2 again. After that I was thinking about the VRO3, which is more focused on circuit riding. But, meanwhile, I discovered circuit driving skills trainings Holland (CRT) through a friend, and decided to continue training with them.
Circuit Driving Skills Training Courses Holland (CRT)
CRT organizes track days on the TT circuit in Assen.
Also at CRT you don’t have to worry about your level or type of motorcycle. You can indicate what your level is and then you are grouped riders of the same level. You ride, divided over the day, five times for about 20 minutes. That doesn’t seem like much but believe me, it’s very intensive and concentrated riding.
A track day is a very cool training! If you are on the TT-Circuit for the first time or if you still want to gain experience before you ride with the group of experienced riders then you will be assigned to the less experienced group. For more information, please visit the CRT Holland website. You arrive at the track at around 8 o’clock in the morning and then an extensive briefing is given. You are already assigned to the group of your own level. Then you go onto the track with the instructor assigned to you and via a tight timetable. Riding behind your instructor, you’ll learn how to ride the best lines. You will also learn where the brake points are and what is the best posture on your bike. As the day progresses and confidence grows, the speed increases. The atmosphere is really great and the organization of CRT is perfect. Everything you see during a race is present at the track . For example, there are timekeeping, marshals monitoring the safety of the track, tyre and suspension services. Of course there is also the adrenaline 😉
Learning to ride a motorcycle better is addictive
The only downside of these courses is that they are quite addictive, haha. In the end I drove many times towards Assen to enjoy the beautiful TT-Circuit. I find riding the Ducati 996 on the track a lot more fun than riding on public roads. What makes it even more fun is that you see the same people more and more often. Together with them you grow in motorcycling.
To learn to ride a motorcycle betterand therefore safer, the VRO of the KNMV is a very good choice. The circuit days of CRT are a nice continuation. I’m sure after one of these training sessions you’ll feel better and more confident on your bike. As a result, you enjoy motorcyclingeven more.
For more information about these trainings, please visit CRT and KNMV.
Lots of fun and many safe miles.