Police Motor School

[Maxum96]

Here's the deal, I'm only in my 3rd day of motor school and it's kicking my a$$. I've been riding for years and I knew the school would be tough, but I never thought I'd have this much trouble. I managed to high side the bike coming out of the alley turn today. First time I've ever high sided a bike. Even though it was at low speed, it shook me up. I ended up a bit banged up and bruised, but got back on the bike.

So here's my question. For those of you that have been through the school, did you feel like I do when you went through the school? I felt several times like just throwing the bike down and walking off. I really want to succeed at this and pass, but damn this is tough.

[YorkHogRider]

Maxum hang in there. Been there done that in 2003. Was the hardest school I've ever been to but very rewarding in the end. Take lots of ibuprofen and remember to have fun with it. Where else can you get paid to scrape up someone elses bike?......lol. Its easy to get frustrated but relax and go back at it. It felt like sometimes all I did was pick up my bike all day. Remember the basics and practice them often and build on them. If I remember correctly the guy who did the best in our school had just gotten his motorcycle license the week before and had little to no experience. Seems like the more time you have on a bike before the school, the harder it is. Stick with it.

[gman116]

Maxum-It's been 5 years since I went through the school, but I remember feeling the same way you described like it was just yesterday. I came home the first few days with a defeated attitude and wondered how I was ever going to make it through. I don't know how, but at one point a switch was thrown and it all just started coming together. I think it was the constant repetitive instructions from the instructors (especially keeping those eyes up...you know what I mean). Hang in there, it will "click" for you at some point and you'll do fine. Let us know how it goes.

[Maxum96]

Thanks for the words of encouragement gents. Oh yeah, "eyes up"! I heard that enough today. I think I was just looking for some validation in my feelings. The analytical side of my brain knows I'll make it through. The rest of me just hasn't figured that out yet! Thanks again.

[nixdad]

Dude. Hang in there. I went through three years ago. Made it to the second to last day and then washed the hell out. I switched departments and haven't had the opportunity to get on motors yet. Don't lose focus and keep working hard. Yeah it sucks at first, but gets easier each day. And wait til it all clicks!

[Mtclassic]

Keep working at it. It is extremely hard to really get the head and eyes up. Your head will be up but your eyes will be looking down or at the cones etc. When you finally get this and trust that it works and everything will start working. find a focal point beyond where you want to go, something up high and a distance away. I have done 8 full marathons and several 1/2 iron man triathalons and I can say motor school beat the heck out of me. Up until the last day I was having difficulties with some of the excerises. All of the sudden I got the head and eye thing to actaully work by finding references points in the distance and bang just like that I had it down.

[ktd1597]

It's your third day so you've come pretty far and you'll find that very soon it will click and you'll be well past the frustration level.

Remember your first week at the police academy??

[Maxum96]

Just realized something today. I'm riding an 09 ElectraGlide that is 6 inches longer than the other bikes. The instructor took my bike into the intersection and promptly dumped it. He had a hell of a time trying to run my bike through the exercise. He kept running over cones. But not much I can do about it. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[Squad864]

Hey Maxum,
How you been ? Hows that POS working out for ya ?
As far as Motor school goes.... look down, go down.
Hang in there buddy, you'll be fine. Take care.

[Maxum96]

I've been busy. I haven't been on the forum much because I got a new project and I've been spending every free moment working on it. I've been real happy with my POSE. I haven't put as many miles on it as I'd like. Kinda wish I'd waited a year and got one of the 09's with the bigger wheels and new frame. But I'm keeping mine. How's everything on your end?

[Squad864]

Its all good here, as far as the 08 to 09 thing some of the guys that have 09's will wish they waited on the 10's and so on and so on.
I'm happy with the way mine is set up now, even with the savings us Coppers get at Milwaukee HD, I'd still take a bath by trading up.

Take Care, Ride Safe.

[hxturbo]

Maxum,

Hang in there. I have ridden my entire life but found out I didn't know anything about riding once I got in motor school. My biggest problem was trusting the instructor and the bike. I am about to cycle out and wish I was back in motor school just starting my career on motors. The best time I have ever had in 25 years of service was on motors.

Motors has made me a much better rider in my personal life and has saved my butt several times knowing how to forecast and brake properly.

Remember.....head and eyes and power in and power out.

Good luck.

Steve

[jomedic]

Like everyone else said, hang in there. I know I'm repeating everyone but yea,... head up, stay up, head down, go down.
When it finally clicks you'll know it. Even the 09 will get through it but it will be a new experience. Heck I took the course after 20 years of riding and I made it. I was frustrated too but believe us all, it will click and you will do it. Then you can be cocky about it and enjoy it. Keep safe!

[696]

Sounds normal at this point, just keep trucking along.
696

[Maxum96]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Today was better day as things started to click and I'm starting to get it. Thanks for listening to me b*tch and moan.


Doug