My Day Training with "Ride Like a Pro" Jerry Palladino

[Barrycuda]

Where to begin...I signed up for his course, because I hear he is excellent at helping riders with certain things such as slow speed turning, U-turns breaking etc. ALL the stuff I need help with. The one DVD I have : Ride like a pro V , is a good source but being there live is a whole other matter. Course was scheduled for 4 hrs. there was only TWO of us here today! SWEET...like having private lessons. Anyway, while we are waiting, the other rider begins to let me ( and Jerry) know he traded his 07 HD for an 09 and now comes in with a 2013 HD ultra classic, with 4K on the bike. i hear the stories of he is chapter president ,does this event, that event, on and on. Comes with complete HD attire. Nice looking bike. guy is a big guy. 6'3 about 280. nice enough guy. I am saying to myself , oh sh*t, i am gonna F-this up today. I started doubting myself right from the get go.

So....we begin. first exercise is the sloooow weave around cones. I couldn't have screwed up more. Here he is telling me a 15 year old can do it, and I am struggling. Next was the " half circle" around a radius I believe was 24 feet, then it went full circle. Naturally w all eyes on my I am struggling. Eventually, Jerry who has a wireless speaker and amp ( on a cart) speaks me through. In the beginning of this exercise, I was not turning my head. Once I started to listen to the cues, I was making these circles without too much difficulty, but still nervous. So far so good, but still sweating like a cake addict inside a bakery.

next was these right and left "S" turns, this really was the pits in the beginning. After a few passes I was turning my head appropriately and making bits of progress. **Remember, these exercises are going at a speed of 5-7 MPH ** The entire time, I wasn't going fast enough, not getting the proper balance between friction zone and throttle,many times, getting dangerously close to dropping the bike. ( but did not) This took a while, and what I thought was 2 hours was only 45 minutes.

Although being verbally persuaded and badgered to pick up speed, I didn't drop the bike. My partner on the other hand dropped his brand new 2013 HD a grand total of 6 times throughout the day. he damaged his fairing, engine guard, back guard, his leg and his ego.

We take a breather to regroup. Next is the dreaded U turn. he gives 24 feet. I screw up again, bc I can not balance the throttle speed and friction zone and pulls me wide. once he gets on my bike and shows me as if he is riding a 250, I get mad but determined. I follow his lead and verbal cueing and make the adjustments needed and complete the U turn. My guy sadly falls yet again. I feel bad, bc I don't want anyone to fall, but hey I am holding my own. Next is the intersection, which is basically the mother of U turns. 4 u turns in an "intersection' type setting. radius I believe was 24 or 26 feet. That had me sweating bullets. My hands were cramping and hurting from the friction zone and throttle control ( in my case lack there of). after a few passes, I start to be "decent" at it, and finally say screw it and eventually, I do "GOOD". last was the figure 8. an X was marked and we had to go in an S pattern to stay inside the dotted line. I was better from the second part of the day on. I also had more practice to work since the other guy kept dropping his bike, they all came to him to see if he was OK. I do very good at this, stay within the 22 foot radius to which he says don't press my luck and work the intersection again.

Anyway, I completed the course. I am proud of myself and the Bike, we made it without dropping . Afterwards, Jerry told me my head and eyes turning were very good but my biggest issue is getting the right speed for the turns as the slower speeds make the bike drop. Theory wise I know, doing it was a challenge. He also said, I made great improvements from the very beginning and guess what, I did improve!! Lastly, He mentioned the Venture is a hard bike to maneuver, but it can be done. Oh...PROPS TO MILES....I inflated the tires to 40 psi, and they handled like a charm

WHAT DID I LEARN TODAY:

The bike CAN lean more then I was allowing it to out of fear.

I am more confident in making the turns necessary

I need more work on speed and friction zone control to keep the bike from falling

I CAN MAKE THESE TURNS

practice practice practice

Anyone who wants to enhance their skills would be encouraged to take the live course. I am glad I did and feel much more relaxed and confident ( not cocky)

 

thanks for taking the time to read my story. Ride safe...

[ditchdoctor]

I just ordered his DVD and book a couple of days agao. I have never been on a bike the size of the Venture. I don't even have it yet. So I plan on watching that video and doing my best.

 

Steve Taskay

ditchdoctor

[Barrycuda]

I just ordered his DVD and book a couple of days agao. I have never been on a bike the size of the Venture. I don't even have it yet. So I plan on watching that video and doing my best.

 

Steve Taskay

ditchdoctor

 

Steve,

He does all the major rallies and events. His DVDs will help. For me being there live was the kick in the pants I needed. Watching him glide through on MY bike was proof it can be done.

 

Barry

[22lyons]

sounds like an interesting day. thanks for sharing. i would love to take a course like that.

[midnightventure]

That"s excellent. Your partner really had an advantage because the Harleys really do handle easier at slow speeds.

[Wade 2000]

. I would love to take his course. I bought "Ride Like a Pro" on DVD as soon as I got my RSV and practiced a lot, now I'm pretty confident on it but 1 on 1 lessons would be sweet!

[Barrycuda]

. I would love to take his course. I bought "Ride Like a Pro" on DVD as soon as I got my RSV and practiced a lot, now I'm pretty confident on it but 1 on 1 lessons would be sweet!

 

 

Thank you Wade and midnightventure. It was stressful at first. However, I feel better. Remember him stating he was going to be at the HOG rally in Marysville, TN in late May. Maybe you can call to see about if they head up your way a bit.

 

He did say he had students quit his course and break their helmets in frustration. that's stupid. You're there to learn to ride better. Not try to show off in front of him.

[Wade 2000]

I'm gonna check if n when he may be further north. Just curious how much is it $$$??? If you don't mind me asking

[Phoneman1981]

Wow, what an opportunity. Thanks for sharing.

[billmac]

So what did he charge for the 4hrs?

[CaptainJoe]

I think it would be fun to take his course...

 

that being said, i would definately have to use use the garden hose on the crash bar trick before attempting it.

[Barrycuda]

I think it would be fun to take his course...

 

that being said, i would definately have to use use the garden hose on the crash bar trick before attempting it.

 

Thanks for reading phoneman1981

 

Wade, billmac and captain Joe:

 

the cost of a "class" is $150.00. I do not know the class limit. His wife stated last week there were 10 in the class because a group of guys wanted to learn as a group. Not a bad idea if you ride with the same bunch. in my case, I had the luxury of having only TWO in the class. so, that meant more personal instruction, as well as more repetitions because no one else was waiting in line. Sad to say, with the other gent having a difficult time keeping his bike on 2 wheels, it actually gave me almost exclusive time.

As for private lessons one on one, they go for $100.00 hr. so I REALLY LUCKED OUT TODAY, because I was alone doing the course a portion of the day

[M61A1MECH]

Barry

 

Good on you, sounds like time and money well spent.

[pmelah]

i would like to take the course too but i think i will need the foam padding and bubble wrap on me and the bike

[Barrycuda]

Definitely money well spent Steve. As for the padding, look, if I did, it's possible. And I will be practicing a lot. I didn't realize how much energy I used during this course. Part holding the bike at low speeds, part nerves

[djh3]

Jerry is amazing. A group of us rode up to the Leesbug Fl bikefest last year. His group was "performing" Awsome is all I can say. There was a smaller stature gal maybe 130lb and she was flipping a big ole goldwing around that parking lot like it was nothing. I sure need a ton more practice.

[Barrycuda]

Jerry is amazing. A group of us rode up to the Leesbug Fl bikefest last year. His group was "performing" Awsome is all I can say. There was a smaller stature gal maybe 130lb and she was flipping a big ole goldwing around that parking lot like it was nothing. I sure need a ton more practice.

 

He and his gang make it look easy, don't they? In reality, it got easier as the day went on. I must say Dion, we can all benefit from learning some of the techniques. I am planning on working on them daily. My biggest deal is the friction zone/ throttle balance. To build enough speed to not drop the bike. He rode my motorcycle like it was a Honda rebel 250

[MikeWa]

Thanks for sharing. Well written

 

Mike

[dacheedah]

I went to the motorcycle show in Chicago this weekend and told my wife on the way I wanted to take the class, they have one in Michigan. I have the dvd and when weather breaks I will map out some drills on a parking lot to practice with. very cool and congrats

[bill in mn]

Now I want to try some of these skills. Just got 9" of the white stuff today but that will be gone soon.thanks for the post I googled him and there is a bunch of tips there At the bottom of the page

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/jerry-pallodino-ride-like-a-pro-safety-tips/

[Yammer Dan]

Now I want to try some of these skills. Just got 9" of the white stuff today but that will be gone soon.thanks for the post I googled him and there is a bunch of tips there At the bottom of the page

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/jerry-pallodino-ride-like-a-pro-safety-tips/

 

 

Hey if ya try it in the snow I'm sure you will learn something....:rotfl:

 

 

 

I once rode to work , about 10 miles in 6 inches of new snow. I WON'T do that again!!!

 

 

I would love to take that course. Like you Barry I think I'd be a little skittish....

[pmelah]

Hey if ya try it in the snow I'm sure you will learn something....:rotfl:

 

 

 

I once rode to work , about 10 miles in 6 inches of new snow. I WON'T do that again!!!

 

 

I would love to take that course. Like you Barry I think I'd be a little skittish....

 

 

 

 

no need to be skittish thats what they make bubble wrap for :rotf: im gona order several rolls before i take the course :whistling:when im done healing

[Yammer Dan]

no need to be skittish thats what they make bubble wrap for :rotf: im gona order several rolls before i take the course :whistling:when im done healing

 

 

Go back and look at some old posts they were threatening to bubble wrap me... Never could understand that....

[pmelah]

Go back and look at some old posts they were threatening to bubble wrap me... Never could understand that....

 

:rotf::crackup::crackup::crackup::rotfl::rotfl:

[Barrycuda]

I am happy I went. Yeah YD, it was a bit nerve wracking at first. One I saw how the bikes CAN move and did move, I felt better. Mind you I can not say I can ride like a pro. But I can say I can ride better then I did before I started. And I will still be nervous with some of these drills, but I can do them, because I did them at the class.