Your Comments About Us
Extracts from letters and e-mails to us
'Advanced Day'
Just a quick note to say thank you very much for Saturday.  You finally got my head sorted about cornering again - so much so, in fact, that I wasn't one of the many slowing down in the bends on the ride out yesterday and I managed an impromptu u-turn when a small group of us got lost (and the only one who didn't go up on to the curb or have to back-paddle to complete it!).  Needless to say, I carried on down the road screaming "I did a U-turn!" into my helmet and a big grin on my face.

I would certainly recommend your services to anyone else (if fact, I did yesterday).

 

'Born Again'
Thank you for the most wonderful day, my born again course has inspired me to get back in the saddle! Brian was fabulous and I thank him for his patience and good humour.

 

 

'Advanced Day'
It was like someone suddenly flicked a switch.  Everything went from careering at me at a rate of knots, my getting to roundabouts and signs before I knew it and everything being a bit too fast, to suddenly slowing down and staying slower even as I got quicker.  It happened pretty much in an instant.  

I knew then I wasn't just looking ahead, I was seeing!

Since then, things have gone from good to better and my riding has smoothed out and become far more controlled and much safer and more enjoyable, I feel.  I'm dealing with everything much sooner and I'm now at the stage where I'm able to overtake and often more than one vehicle at a time, still having time to consider options, get outs and alternatives.

 

'Born Again'
Had a great day. Brian really made me feel confident that I could ride and
handle such a big bike. In the end I used a R 1150 which I didn't think I
could handle at 10am, but I was riding on the road with it at 4pm.

Will recommend to friend and will book another session once I got my bike.

 

Web Site
"In an interesting article (as all the pieces in this site) Malcolm Palmer of Cooper Bike Training reports on the history of Advanced Riding Training in UK"  From www.ommriders.com

 

'Born Again'
Great day - Great training - Great idea.

 

Blue Riband Advanced Award
A worthwhile and enjoyable experience.

 

'Born Again'
An excellent course - exceeded my expectation.  One-to-one tuition ensured good understanding.  Counter-steering was a revelation - I'd read about it but hadn't believed it.  

Both instructors were first class.  Found it good fun and it's a perfect way for people to relax and enjoy it.  The smile on my face after the ride to Henley and back summed it up - I'd forgotten how much fun biking is.

Many thanks to you both.  See you for the Advanced Day.

 

Advanced Day
Generally V. good for time available.  A valuable boost to confidence.

 

'Born Again'
Just a short note to say many thanks for a brilliant day last Saturday. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and found the course very useful. I certainly feel a lot more confident about getting on a "strange" bike in the future, and the advice on getting used to the feel of the bike, especially in low speed situations, was invaluable.  Although I've ridden a lot in the past, these sort of tips were the sort of things that I'd probably overlook. It's amazing how such a simple thing such as turning my head to look where I wanted to go somehow works - the bike just went where I wanted it to without me having to worry about balance. Also the method of counter-steering, despite defying logic, works amazingly well.
Thanks again for a great day

 

 

'Born Again' (recent DAS pass)
Belated thanks for the Born Again course. With a couple of weeks between me and the training day, I can say it's really made a difference - my confidence is up and my ability, I think.  In particular, I'm applying the counter steering technique, and remembering to look round corners and keep the throttle open as I turn. Not everything has sunk in though - e.g. road positioning round bends. This is easier to apply in the country than in London, I think. These things will come hopefully.

How long do you think before I should start considering advanced training. My own view is that I would be ready to consolidate what I've learned on Born Again in a couple of months - i.e. some time in August. 

 

 

Blue Riband Advanced Award
I fully appreciate the time and effort that you and your team put into such a scheme and I am so pleased that I took the training. I feel that I have achieved my primary goal of being a safer rider.

You having email really helped and your promptness of getting material and information to me was appreciated.


'Born Again'
Anyway the important thing is the training was absolutely what I needed and you delivered it so well; I gained a heap of confidence getting to understand what my bike can do (and can't do !!). I have applied all you taught and I now slip round roundabouts with some ease and junctions are almost good. Departing (pilot term) from rest in a straight line from say a traffic queue leave me drifting a little as the bike accelerates away as slow (traffic) speed, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I was exceptionally cautious I must admit on the first rainy day this week - my wife (bless her) phoned up just before I left work to say a biker in Evesham two cars in front of her had dropped his bike on a 90o bend at relatively slow speed because the roads were slippy!! I'm sure with no braking the bike will go round just the same, but I'm not positive so I'm still being cautious and very gentle - but not keeping the bike totally vertical!! but neither leaning over as far as I would in the dry.

Long e-mail sorry - but I got a lot from it because you put a lot in it yourself and I am pleased to have made your acquaintance. Give it a couple of months to iron out some of my inhibitions and then I'd like to come back and get on the road again with you to ensure I'm improving my road sense too.


'Born Again'
I've just had an enjoyable day with Brian doing the "Born again" course. I'd like to find out when you reckon I might consider doing some advanced training, bearing in mind Brian's "Albert Hall" principle.

 

 

'Born Again'
The day with Brian was excellent, the things I learnt have stuck and made me better.  And it didn't rain, unlike every day I've been out since.  As soon as I feel a bit smoother and can relax more of the time, I'll book up for the Blue Riband. 

Look forward to seeing you soon. 

 

 

Blue Riband Advanced Award
I had my first training day with Barry Emmens and very much enjoyed the day. 

 

 

Blue Riband Advanced Award
Don't know if you remember me - I did the BMF Blue Riband with you at Cooper Reading a year and a half ago....  Terrific training that changed my attitude and approach to motorcycling and made me enjoy it much more!  This year, I did the RoSPA advanced training course and attained Gold!  

 

 

'Born Again' & Advanced Day  
So by you reprogramming me to think bikes, I am in the job I enjoy amongst a load of mad people who eat drink and talk BIKES.  

 

 

Advanced Day  
You would have thought that, after 40 years of riding motorcycles, most of the riding skills would have been learnt, wouldn't you?  All I can say about that is, if you want a surprise . . . give them a call.  Another bonus - you have a laugh as well1

Mike Warrilow  (Chairman, BMW Club, in the BMW Club Journal)

 

 

Advanced Day  
I feel overall the theory and practical aspects were in good proportion.  I enjoyed the 1:1 ratio and also felt improvement - so the whole day was beneficial.  I'll let you know how I do on the 'famous' right hand bend.

All the best.  

 

 

The web site:  
Good looking site you got there. Makes a change to see a site that isn't majorly cluttered and in gaudy colours.

 

 

The web site page 'Games' (from the Visordown.com 'Survival Skills' forum):  
It's not often I recommend other sites but this is logically laid out and clearly explained!  Very impressive.  Definitely worth a look!  

(. . . and over 200 people did!)

 

 

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Evening Telephone: 01635 34782
or e-mail us at : mailto:enquiries@cooperbiketraining.org.uk

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© Malcolm Palmer  2006