Poll: What is most likely to make you speed less often?

A Puncture!

“The basic riding lessons teaches you about how to use the controls properly, track time adds nothing to that compared to actually riding on the roads. A days riding course at the track would not teach anyone about basic controls compared to riding for one whole week on the road which people are capable of doing themselves. People don't ride enough and forget inbteween”

Bollocks. There is a whole lot more to using the controls really well than what is learned in a basic riding course (which will get you around in a fashion). Off the street is the best place to learn things such as trail braking (keeping the suspension in the optimum range), clutch-less shifting (which is easier on the transmission when done properly), smooth but hard braking, and a parking lot is best for slow riding techniques such as brake-torque riding. Screw up on a track, and you have lots of clear run-off space and no cagers to run you over while you are on the ground.

Not to say there are not good on-road classes, but they should be used to compliment off-street training, not as a complete replacement. For the doubters, be a pillion to a really good rider (say BSBK or AMA champion level) and see how much smoother they do everything. Or (this is US centric) listen to what Eric Trow, owner of Stayin' Safe Advanced Rider Training (on road classes) had to say about a track clinic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON4dbdZuOHk
 

I hear what you say.

I just feel that "one on one" advanced rider training on the road is the best way for rookie riders. Out on a track in a group of riders does not teach a rider about bike control other than what you might learn yourself? Or not as the case may be if a riders bike control skills are poor in the first place.

I recommend anyone to have advanced rider training if they are lacking confidence or even just plain scared of their bikes. It was harder for us and yet easier in some ways when I learned to ride. Yeah people jumped straight on a 250cc bike with L plates and no prior riding experience. Imagine RD250s and such like? But then again there was so little bloody traffic back then and any cars on the road were slow. But riding a 250cc bike was a hell of a danger with no prior riding experience at all, not even basic training. You learned fast yourself or..... ?

1970s Bike salesman with fag hanging out of mouth..... "Right, heres your keys, clutch lever is there, throttle is there, thats the front brake and thats the back brake, bring it back when the first service is due...... "