A couple of female friends have recently either got into riding or are going to a larger capacity bike, I have gone for a ride with them a couple of times. This got me thinking about advising new riders. When my kids were learning piano they had to do scales (basic notes in an order or something like that) I was trying to work a way of adapting this to riding.

I ended up suggesting the following

Finding a carpark with no vehicles around and doing figure 8's, (this helped 1 girl who was terrified of right hand turns, after this she went very well)

After 10 mins of that, work out a route around town with lots of stop, start, up, down, roundabouts. The main thing with this is to know where they are going so that bike control can be the main area of concentration and not deciding at the last minute which way to turn.

I haven't suggested open road as I dont think that gives a new rider much in the way of experience

Any one got some good tips

PS these riders are 30+ and have not had the benefit of falling off dirtbikes for 10 years. Hahaha

Cruising some quiet back streets is a good way to practice stops/starts and cornering.

 Practicing hill starts would be a good thing too. 

H.A.R.T courses
http://hart.honda.com.au/

Deca courses
http://www.deca.com.au/courses/motorcycle-and-scooter-training/

Toprider courses
http://www.toprider.com.au/Pages.asp?PageID=44

The courses at Broadford are great fun........

What you are doing is bloody great.  Good attitide towards new riders.

Quite a few tips, will get back and post.  For now,  continue what you are doing but  make a point of watching the riders eyes.  Pick you car park, and watch them do a reasonably tight turn.  Do their eyes drop to to road?  They should always be pointing their chin in the direction they want to go, eyes up to maintain their balance (horizon reference).  Have then ride towards you, put your hand up when you want them to stop.  Speed is not importaint, technique is.  Again, eyes up, not looking at the spot they are about to stop.  Reach out gather squeeze, four fingers.  When near complete stop release front to stop rebound finish with rear.

The most importaint tip I give riders is to never look where they are going!                        Look where you want to go.  World of difference!

i went from nothing to my harley and i did the figure 8 thing in my court and practiced allot of slow speed turning, it helped me heaps. i also read alot about riding, and watched many video's one of which helped me the most - twist of the wrist 1 and 2. Also practicing emergency braking once a week is a good thing. It helps to keep on top of how good your bike can pull up.  Also paying attention to what is going on around you, i've seen one particulla female rider almost rear end other bikes more than once.....

T1