Interesting read this thread. I’ve not done any formal training on the bike, but IMO you can never stop learning about your riding. I often sit and reflect on how my ride has gone when I get home and have a quiet moment.
I've been riding on the road since 1966 and had no training of any sort until about 1999 ish. I'd bought a new Honda VFR800 around that date and Honda were offering a 2 day course called the Honda MAC course to anyone who purchased a new Honda over 600cc. IIRC there was a max of 2 rider on each course and the instructors were retired police motorcyclist and boy could he ride. In fact my instructor was the local police motorcyclist who used to give us grief in 1966 onwards Fast forward a few of years to 2003 and some of the old habits had started to creep in again so I did the IAM course with SCAM, South Cheshire Advanced Motorcyclist. The first 3 oberserved rides were somewhat boring and then the pace was picked up and became more enjoyable and informative. SCAM in those days had social rideouts every Sunday through out the year and from early April to the end of September/October on every Wednesday evening, great group. In my opinion if advanced training gives you just a couple of pointers on how you can make progress safely and arrived home safely then I'm all for it.
Interesting to read this and got a similar impression from a mate of mine who was suggesting I do the course. I would get a lot out of the hazard spotting and bike control, but there seems to be an emphasis on making progress that puts me off. The mindset of constantly looking to make progress (albeit safely) seems to add a risk factor that, as a predominantly leisure rider, doesn't seem necessary.
Yep...that's kinda where I was as well. However my trainer did say that he has a trainee who has passed at bronze and she is exceptionally happy at that (maybe it was silver, can't quite recall); but the point being she successfully made the most of the training but the bit she didn't do was the speed/progress element and that is what prevented the gold. However that was fine...the course gave her what she wanted. It is understanding that that may be useful. The course itself can only benefit you as a rider...in all other areas though. It's well worth the 10-15 quid to have a ride out and assesment...a coffee and a debrief.
Agree 100% on the "learn every ride" approach. I've been unfortunate enough to have had three accidents on road bikes and being honest, only really "learnt" from the last one, 17 years ago, which was the only one serious enough for hospital treatment but could have been much worse. I've done the Bikesafe course since then which is worth every penny IMO, observation being at the core of the riding evaluation. I would say that the "making progress" or "go faster" line of thought is a natural part of motorcycle riding and no rider wants to sit behind slower moving traffic. Learning a series of bends or a new route, then using that knowledge to "make progress" is a major part of the joy of motorcycling.