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Bought this book last week. "The Police rider's handbook to better motorcycling" ISBN0-11-341143-X
I joined IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists! I know!!) and they advised us buying this book. Thought I had better show willing after being a member for a while, but it is really good, I mean really good, and worth paying the £11.99 for it.
Just thought I would mention it.
I'm getting my blue flashing light next week.

Police riding is a far cry from riding. Did that for several years in a prior life, very dangerous, but there will be some good tips in it.

Spent a few years as a motor-cop. Saxtron is right. Not the kind of riding we do, but I still use the techniques I learned in the two-week cop school in Seattle. Other than learning to hover a helicopter, doing a lock turn on an 800 lb. cop bike, on an incline, and leaned over so that the floor board is all the way against the engine case without dropping the bike, was one of the hardest things I ever did. Of course, there was that ceremony many years ago where I had to say, "I do." That was pretty tough, too.

Easiest thing I did after about 150,000 miles on 80 cubic inches of top heavy slow iron was transfer out of it lol. Was very lucky, not skilled, lucky, not to discover gravity in all that time. Too many distractions, too many chances to die. I would get off my shift and get on my bike to go home. Once on a real motorcycle I thought I died and went to heaven. Used to shake my head thinking "dang, tomarrow I have to ride that lead sled again for 10 hours.". A 1340cc rattle trap and kidney killer, I can't believe I lived through it and still like bikes.

Just don't get too carried away with the "System"....yeah, riding right into the kerb on right-handers and on the crown of the road on left-handers is all well and good BUT.....

1. There's a lot of crap in/near the gutter... saw a bloke come off a BWW 1100 RT big time going down Fish Hill just by the emergency braking lane anout 1/2 way down on the right hand bend - he was too near the edge and the loose pebbles in the lorry trap had migrated into the carriageway. They acted just like marbles under his tyres and off he came, landed with bike on top of him. We rushed to pull it off him but luckily the pebbles were so loose the bike just pushed him down into them instead of crushing him.

2. The crown of the road/gutter is often very greasy and is a favourite place for diesel spills from overfilled tanks on bends. Don't ask how I found out about this one...

3. On left-handers, oncoming cagers tend to float across the centre line to cut the apex....just into the place where the "System" wants you to be...

but apart from that some good info in the handbook - just temper it with a bit of moderation

Jan

Oh yeah, thanks for the advice.
I like the bit in the book when they state you should "say out loud the observations/ hazards you see as you ride along!!"
I think it goes something like this....
" Oh *$*£$$$ a car has just pulled out in fr......."

Jon

Another book that I found to be very helpful is "Smooth Riding The Pridmore Way" Advanced Motorcycle Skills through Confidence and Control. Reg Pridmore writes a lot about his riding history, but also provides proven methods of riding that I have used. Being a fairly new rider, with only 9,000 miles under my belt, his methods have helped me a great amount. I use his tight corning line and it has saved my butt when cagers have crossed the double yellow on a very twisty road. Using two fingers on the throttle and two on the brake lever along with two on the clutch lever and two on the grip have really smoothed up my riding.
Dave

Satxron, feel free to chime right in here. But, things I still use are: ALWAYS 'cover' the clutch except maybe on open highway; Remember, 'where the eyes go, the head goes, where the head goes, the body goes, where the body goes, the bike goes'; translated, this means if you're too 'hot' into, say a left curve, and there's that tree, pole, whatever, on the outside of the curve, DO NOT look at at. Put your chin on your left shoulder and keep looking thru the curve, the bike will lean over farther than you think, and by all means, keep some power to the rear wheel. Gyroscopic principle will keep the rubber side down. Same holds true for slow speed maneuvering. How do those motor-cops do those tight U-turns practically staying in one lane? Its all about head and eye placement, using peripheral vision, and riding the grey area of the clutch keeping power to the rear wheel. Also, find some deserted surface where you can get the bike up to about 60 mph and practice max front braking. You'd be surprised just how fast you can bring even an 850 lb. bike to a stop. WARNING. If you simultaneously lock up the rear brake, DON'T let off until bike comes to a full stop. Learned that the hard way despite what my instuctors told me. Fortunatley, in those younger days I bounced better than I listened. If you're gonna be dumb, ya gotta be tough.

I took the IAM test and found it really useful learning from more knowledgeable ones.

Jan (speedy) is right when he says, dont take it too literally. The system is always improving and adapting to new driving hazards. The people you learn from will be seasoned riders, genuinely aiming to improve your skills and reduce accidents. I cant sing the praises of the course enough Splodge- how long have you been at it ?