Where to get advanced rider training

“I know everything there is to know,” said no-one ever. We never stop learning and you don’t need us to spell out the consequences when it comes to motorcycling and mistakes. The more riding tools you have, the better rider you’ll be. So how do you become a better rider? A faster rider? A safer rider? Simple. Ride more, right? Yes, but are you learning the correct techniques or have you just picked up the bad habits of others?

The sensible solution is to learn the right way through an accredited riding course where you spend an entire day solely focussed on learning new riding skills, brushing up old ones and building confidence in a relaxed learning environment with professional instructors.

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At first glance, some courses may not seem relevant or interesting to you, but that’s where you’d be wrong. Everything helps and you’ll be surprised by how handy these newfound or brushed-up skills can be – if you’ve dealt with a situation once, you’re better prepared to deal with it again.

You’ll also have fun while learning them. In fact, you might get the taste for a different form of motorcycling or even discover a hidden talent. At the very least, it’s a day off work and on the bike instead.

“Yeah, but they’re pretty expensive, though.” “I’m not a Rossi wannabe, and don’t ride on the track.” Sure, some course costs aren’t pocket change, but let’s look at the bigger picture here: there’s nothing indulgent about investing in your own safety. How can you put a price on that?

You’re not alone if you’ve wondered why several road-focussed courses are conducted at racetracks. Relevant? Absolutely. Where else can you learn in a safe and controlled environment without traffic hazards and speed restrictions? There’s no need to feel intimidated by a big, fast circuit, keep up with the pack or fret if you don’t have all the gear, which is often available for hire. And that can even include bikes!

We’ve assembled a broad range of professional, nation-wide courses as a variety of pathways to improving your riding skills, and many of which we’ve completed and/or recommend. This isn't a comprehensive list of all rider training organisations, rather a snapshot of the different genres and disciplines available for you to hone your skills.

Whatever your chosen two-wheeled discipline, they all help to develop your braking, cornering and posture and ultimately help to get you more comfortable with your bike and what it can do. The difference in your ability and confidence from the beginning and end of the day will astound you. And don’t let bad weather discourage you from booking a course. In fact, it’s encouraged.

Academy of Off-Road Riding
The Academy of Off-Road Riding was founded in 1977 by four-times Mr Motocross and multiple Australian champion Stephen Gall. The school offers motocross, trail/enduro and adventure-bike courses over two and five days across Australia, though mostly in Batemans Bay, Braidwood and Dargle, NSW, as well as Merton in Victoria.

Course fee covers tuition only. BYO bike, riding gear, and organise your own accommodation, fuel, spares, food and drinks.

Two-day enduro: $240 for 15 years and under, $270 for 16 years and over. Two-day adventure: $420
Academyofoffroadriding.com.au

BMW GS Off-Road Training
Manhandling a 260kg big-bore adventure bike beast in the bush isn’t as easy as inspirational YouTube videos make it seem. Fortunately there is loads of adventure bike training you can do to hone your skills. BMW is a leader in the adventure-bike segment and it leads the way with off-road rider training too.

Held in most parts of the country throughout the year, the ‘Adventure Skills’ course (formerly known as Level One) is all about learning the basic skills to get the most out of these big adventure beasts and coming away with a new level of confidence and enjoyment when the bitumen ends.

For more experienced riders who’ve already completed Adv Skills or conquered a BMW Safari, there is the Adventure Expert (Level 2) course and the Adventure Pro (Level 3) course which stretches the comfort zone of even the most experienced adventure rider.

Then there are specific courses on sand riding, adventure preparation, ladies only as well as a four-day adventure masterclass ($1695).
With the right technique, anybody can pick up a 268kg R 1250 GS Adventure. Exclusive to owners of BMW GS models. Hire bikes available.

VIC: Broadford and Krusics Ride Park. NSW: South Maroota and Dargle. QLD: Queensland Moto Park, Gold Coast and Toowoomba. WA: Moondyne. Dates and locations are regulary updated, so click HERE to see the latest calendar.
$695 per level. Two-day course, includes lunch and refreshments.
www.gsoffroad.com.au

California Superbike School
The international school’s four levels follow a specific curriculum, except Level Four, which is a tailored program that you do as many times as you like.

Everybody starts from Level One – regardless of experience – and you’re coached as an individual and according to your skill level. It’s all about confidence and control and you come away a far better rider than you could ever hope. This is not race school.

Level One addresses the most common rider errors and covers five drills including the importance of throttle input, turn-in points, quick steer, rider input and two-step turning. Level Two focussed entirely on vision, and Level Three on body positioning. All of it translates to everyday riding and even answers questions you probably didn’t realise you had.

The school is at the top end of rider training for many good reasons: you learn from excellent coaches, you can do it on a 207hp BMW S 1000 RR hire bike (which isn’t as intimidating as it sounds) and you learn on Australia’s most revered and iconic circuits: Phillip Island, Sydney Motorsport Park, Morgan Park and Queensland Raceway.

$575-$625 (track dependent)
SuperbikeSchool.com.au

HART
Honda Australia Rider Training, or HART, offers a wide range of courses nation-wide. These include off-road riding for kids, obtaining your learner’s permit and licence, off-road and adventure bike courses as well as a few advanced road-riding courses, the third of which is geared towards track riding.

HART’s Advanced I/Road Skills course (from $199), for learners and returning riders alike, is designed to add new skills as well as enhance and refine existing skills. The half-day course is conducted in a closed facility to refine bike control and riding techniques.

Advanced II ($299-349 depending on location), meanwhile, sharpens your riding skills through correct body posture, rider input and knowledge.

The senior off-road course ($199) is intended for all skill levels and covers corninger, braking, obstacles, hillclimbing and traversing on HART’s off-road track.

VIC: Somerton, NSW: St Ives, QLD: Slacks Creek.
Advanced road: $199-$349, Off-road: $199
HART.Honda.com.au

Maschine
Maschine is a motorcycle adventure tour and training company that’s been the logistical powerhouse behind the likes of the BMW GS Safari and KTM Adventure Rallye.

The company also offers a range of fully-supported tours for adventure riders including the TransTerra Four-Day tours such as Hunter Valley to Barrington Tops, NSW, as well as Batemans Bay to Bathurst to name a few.

The range of adventure-bike courses are for all makes and models, from specific one-day masterclasses on cornering, attacking hills or sand riding, core and intermediate courses to comprehensive four-day boot camps, which cover skills such as GPS navigation, trailside repairs and survival skills in addition to lots of riding skills.

Check Maschine’s website for future national dates (subject to re-opening of borders) as all listed courses are currently NSW-based (Port Macquarie, Tea Gardens, Anna Bay, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry).

$450 for one-day masterclass courses (includes lunch and snacks), $1895 for four-day Adventure Academy.
Maschine.com.au

MotoDNA
If you’re based in Queensland or NSW then you’re probably familiar with MotoDNA. The school runs road and track courses for beginners and experts alike.

The Streetskills course ($295) comprises six classroom sessions and six track sessions and covers essentials such as emergency braking, hazard avoidance, cornering and line selection, vision and body position.

Trackskills ($395) ups the ante by providing a more tailored approach to coaching based on you and your skill level.

The school uses video shadowing to analyse your ride techniques.

Streetskills $295, Trackskills $395, VIP coaching $900 (can be shared by up to 3 people)
NSW: Sydney Motorsport Park. QLD: Lakeside Raceway, Norwell Motorplex.
MotoDNA.net

Stay Upright
The Australian company kickstarted way back in 1981 when a pair of Police motorcycle trainers took their knowledge to the masses. Today, the national school is a go-to for rider training. It offers a variety of courses for learners, road riders and track enthusiasts (of varying levels) as well as adventure riders.

A standout course is Roadsmart 3, which focussed on cornering and braking. Topics covered include the best lines to use on the road, and why, as well as an introduction to track lines. It also demonstrates techniques and methods to help you get the most out of your spirited road riding while reducing risk. Roadsmart 3 is a one-day course and ranges in price between $399 and $459, depending on location. Ideal for confident road riders, new track day riders and riders who have completed Roadsmart 2.

Want more? Try Tracksmart Lapmaster ($299) to improve your Roadsmart skills or taste track life or the Adventure course ($330-$350 depending on location)

NSW: Luddenham Raceway. Wakefield Park, VIC: Broadford and Hoppers Crossing, QLD: Cairns.
Stayupright.com.au

Trials Experience
Putting around on a 60kg bike without a seat is like riding a tuning fork – everything from body position and balance, ’peg weighting and ultra-fine lever control is blatantly magnified and precisely honed. This is a must for off-road riders for learning to tackle obstacles effortlessly, but the slow-speed skills and finesse learned are incredibly handy for road riders for weaving through stationary cars, petrol station forecourts and tight U-turns without putting a foot down. Going so slow has never been so much fun. Warning: trials riding is highly addictive.

VIC: Macedon Ranges and Oakleigh trials club. NSW: Bilpin. QLD: Canungra and Glen Echo Park. ACT: Canberra.
$229-$395
TrialsExperience.com.au

Wheelie Zone
The name says it all. This half-day course is held at Sydney Motorsport Park and Sydney Dragway on the last Sunday of every month and costs $550 per person. For that, you learn on a purposely modified motard (or quad) and leave at lunchtime with the skills and confidence to pull 12-o’clock wheelies, stoppies and drifts before breakfast – all on private property, of course.

$550
Sydney Motorsport Park and Sydney Dragway
Wheeliezone.com.au

Know of any other rider training organisations or experiences that you've heard about or completed? Drop us a line in the comments!