This is mostly a rant as Ssky0078 write up hits the nail on the head for what to expect from the instructors and course! So if you don't want to read my complaining, hit the back button.:rant:
HOWEVER, whom ever or what ever determines someone to be an "advanced rider" in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania really needs to be re-examined. So be warned, if in PA don't let the quality "or lack there of" of the students distract you from the instructors. FYI, John our Rider Coach and course director @ Site #35 York Motorcycle Club / Riding at York Business Center (CAT Plant) and Roy his Co-Rider Coach were excellent! They were very patient and had a world of knowledge on motorcycling.
The group we rode with today was small. Seven total. Consisting of tool bag #1 on a 1200 Sportster, toolbag #2 on a brand new and without a clue bagger of some sort. One fairly good rider on a full dressed Victory, Some kid who actually improved his technique on a 1980's something Night Hawk (I think), tool bag #3 on a brand new Triumph Thunderbird, (I remember he was on a Thunderbird because everything he said had something to do with his new Thunderbird) and my wife on the FZ6 and myself on the V-Rod.
The class started off with the typical BS, signing in, introducing yourself etc. etc. The instructor stated this is a pass/ fail course and we will be self checking the written portion of the class. The tool bag 1-3 actually failed their written and were proud of their stupidity! The instructors reminded them of the fact that the quiz was self corrected and to fix their caveman drawings. No one else found their stupidity amusing. My wife and I were anxious to get to the course because we could feel our IQ dropping by the minute.
After lunch we were told to meet at the course no later then 1pm. Needless to say tool bag #1 and #3 showed up 15 or so minutes late. Tool bag #2 amazingly was on time with everyone else!
The remainder of the day consisted of the four of us waiting on the tres tool bags to complete whatever exercise we were doing. They couldn't even stage their bikes. Now mind you all three had just recently completed the BRC on the very grounds we were taking the ARC on. Between their collective mechanical issues (broken clutch cable, can't get the bike in gear, blah blah blah) it was all I could do to contain myself. The few times I was able to do an exercise first it was nice cause my wife was behind me and I knew we could actually learn, practice and become better without tool bags messing it up. BUT that was what, 2 or 3 exercises out of 10. Almost a total waste of a day. On a good note, the class is free to PA licensed class C holders. I might have to try and take it again in September. If tool bags somehow show up for that class we can just bail during a break.
HOWEVER, whom ever or what ever determines someone to be an "advanced rider" in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania really needs to be re-examined. So be warned, if in PA don't let the quality "or lack there of" of the students distract you from the instructors. FYI, John our Rider Coach and course director @ Site #35 York Motorcycle Club / Riding at York Business Center (CAT Plant) and Roy his Co-Rider Coach were excellent! They were very patient and had a world of knowledge on motorcycling.
The group we rode with today was small. Seven total. Consisting of tool bag #1 on a 1200 Sportster, toolbag #2 on a brand new and without a clue bagger of some sort. One fairly good rider on a full dressed Victory, Some kid who actually improved his technique on a 1980's something Night Hawk (I think), tool bag #3 on a brand new Triumph Thunderbird, (I remember he was on a Thunderbird because everything he said had something to do with his new Thunderbird) and my wife on the FZ6 and myself on the V-Rod.
The class started off with the typical BS, signing in, introducing yourself etc. etc. The instructor stated this is a pass/ fail course and we will be self checking the written portion of the class. The tool bag 1-3 actually failed their written and were proud of their stupidity! The instructors reminded them of the fact that the quiz was self corrected and to fix their caveman drawings. No one else found their stupidity amusing. My wife and I were anxious to get to the course because we could feel our IQ dropping by the minute.
After lunch we were told to meet at the course no later then 1pm. Needless to say tool bag #1 and #3 showed up 15 or so minutes late. Tool bag #2 amazingly was on time with everyone else!
The remainder of the day consisted of the four of us waiting on the tres tool bags to complete whatever exercise we were doing. They couldn't even stage their bikes. Now mind you all three had just recently completed the BRC on the very grounds we were taking the ARC on. Between their collective mechanical issues (broken clutch cable, can't get the bike in gear, blah blah blah) it was all I could do to contain myself. The few times I was able to do an exercise first it was nice cause my wife was behind me and I knew we could actually learn, practice and become better without tool bags messing it up. BUT that was what, 2 or 3 exercises out of 10. Almost a total waste of a day. On a good note, the class is free to PA licensed class C holders. I might have to try and take it again in September. If tool bags somehow show up for that class we can just bail during a break.