In Kenya a rider is not required to take formal training but our professional rider training will substantially reduce your risk of being in an accident by teaching you the physical and mental skills necessary to ride safely on the road. After all, riding safety and riding skill are aspects of the same ability - the ability to control the position and speed of your bike relative to everything else on the road.
With Basic and Advanced Rider Training sessions we have a full range of training courses available to meet the needs of all riders. Our aim is to deliver flexible, individually tailored courses which are aimed towards your general or specific needs.
Courses are open-ended to allow you to progress at the pace that suits you not our instructors. Additional courses may be suggested if we feel it would be advisable or if you want them. If you have a particular weakness, courses can be customized to suit it. Training is available on request and can be provided in your premises.
Our training courses include the following aspects:
MRT is not a test, you will receive instruction all the way through, but you must show that you understand all the theory parts and you can perform all the practical elements. The last part is a ride out on the road you must show that you understand the rules of the road and that you can negotiate a variety of road situations correctly and safely.
Although this is not a test, we will not issue a certificate until you have demonstrated that you can do all of the above. A novice rider having taken MRT will still need further training and practice before they could pass the motorcycle test.
This is an outline to help you understand what to expect. The course consists of 5 elements and they must be completed in order. MRT starts in an off road site.
ELEMENT A. INTRODUCTION
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We will check your licence and your eyesight
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You will be told about the aims of the course
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We will explain the importance of the correct clothing and equipment
ELEMENT B. PRACTICAL TRAINING
You will be taught the controls of the motorcycle, and how to use them. Basic machine checks:
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How to put the machine on and off its stand
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How to Start and stop the engine
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You will wheel the machine left and right showing proper balance
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You will bring the machine to a controlled halt by braking
ELEMENT C. RIDING
You will receive instruction and at the conclusion of this element you will be able to:
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Move off and stop the machine, showing proper observation and proper use of both brakes
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Ride the machine slowly and under control, including a straight line & a figure of eight
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Perform the u-turn maneuver and an emergency stop
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Change gear satisfactorily (if applicable)
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Carry out simulated left and right turns showing proper observation, use of signals and control.
ELEMENT D. THEORY SESSION
During which you will have to show that you understand:
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The Highway Code
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Legal requirements
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Vulnerability
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The importance of: Observation, Being visible, Anticipation, Defensive riding, Hazard perception, Road positioning, following distance, Weather changes, Road surfaces
ELEMENT E. 2 HOUR RIDE (MINIMUM) ON THE ROAD
During which you will negotiate a variety of road situations such as roundabouts, junctions, pedestrian crossings, gradients, bends, traffic lights, obstructions, etc. You will also perform the U-turn and emergency stop again.
Advanced Motorcyle Training
Passing your motorcycle test is just the start of your motorcycling. Every year thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in road accidents as a result of human error. Many accidents involving motorcyclists are not the fault of the rider, who usually comes off worst. You need to do your part and learn to handle your machine in a safe, systematic, smooth and progressive manner.
There is an enormous amount of things for you to consider whilst you are riding, things like road surfaces, potential hazards, actual hazards, road positioning, use of gears, etc. Many riders like to go on track days predominantly to use the speed of the bike in a relatively safe environment; it is also a good place to practice your handling skills on bends.
However our roads are not racetracks, when you are on the road you have to consider many things. For this you need to practice your Roadcraft.
The main thing you need when riding is INFORMATION,
For example, consider a simple bend in the road. You need to know which way the bend is going, how tight it is, what the road surface is like, position of any junctions or driveways on the bend, what is after the bend, what is coming the other way. Once you know these things then you can decide how fast you can enter the bend, which gear to be in, your road position for entry, through and exit.
To gain the information, you need to hone your Observation skills. Many riders do not notice the signs that are there to help you. There is often a bend warning sign, sometimes with a junction marked on it, sometimes there is SLOW written on the road, often there are chevrons on the outside of the bend.
Apart from the road furniture that is there to help you there are other things that you can do, for example, look across the bend can you see where the road goes after the bend. Is there any oncoming traffic? Any other hazards round the bend? You might not be able to see across the bend but it's always worth a look. Position yourself on the approach so that you can see around the bend as far as possible, taking into account anything that you have already seen such as junctions or oncoming traffic.
The above is just a simple example of some of the things that you need to consider, your surroundings change all the time and you need to be concentrating all the time.
At SMART RIDER we can help you hone your skills, often we are pointing out things that are quite simple but make a big difference to your safety. It is not uncommon for students to say things like. "Well, I hadn’t figured it that way."
Why not come along for a couple of hours and see if we can improve your safety. It's not expensive and it could save your life.