Does This Training Program Still Exist?

[Lnewqban]

The last Keith Code's article in MC magazine reads:

 

"Seven years ago, I designed a rider training program specifically for street riders and to date more than 1000 riders have run through it."

 

Read more: http://www.motorcycl.../#ixzz2BYP2KLiW

 

Does this training program still exist?

[bradvanhorn]

The Marine Corps contracts with CSS to deliver a program called Advanced Motorcycle Operator School (AMOS) which definitely does much of what was described. I'll assume for the moment that the quote is referring to AMOS. AMOS was unquestionably the best street riding training I ever received. I in fact did AMOS twice because it's that good. However, I don't believe this training is available other than through the military connection.

 

CSS also developed a second program used by the Marine Corps, called Advanced Rider Track Day (ARTD). ARTD is great but is just a piece of what is delivered in AMOS. CSS trains volunteer coaches - military members and a few retirees and civilians - to run the ARTD program under the supervision of a CSS Coach, usually Pete Castanik and sometimes Dylan Code.

[ktk_ace]

they should totally do a book/ DVD about it imho...

[warregl]

“good” advice gets passed around like a bottle of Mad Dog in a homeless camp.

 

That was worth a chuckle. Our Mr. Code does have a way with words.

[Lnewqban]

Thank you, Brad !

[tmckeen]

how does this differ from the "Military Sport Bike" MSF program that was introduced ?? While I was over on K-Bay I never once heard of the AMOS school, but was one of the first to sign up for the newly mandated MSB course

[bradvanhorn]

AMOS is completely different from the MSF sportbike rider course. MSRC (it actually has a new title which I can't recall) as I experienced it was mainly a refresher of basic MSF training but with a sportbike theme. AMOS is essentially Level One of California Superbike School and some other elements, but oriented to street vice track riding. More to follow when I'm not typing on the iPhone in the airport.

[bradvanhorn]

Adding to my post from yesterday...

 

AMOS starts with intro and tech briefs by Dylan. The riders are assigned to coaches (typically 1 coach to 5 students) and begin a series of steering drills. A couple additional tech briefs are given during the day, often by Dylan, but sometimes by other senior CSS coaches. Mid-day the focus moves from steering to braking. Students do a series of braking drills to establish baseline braking distances, then they get to ride the CSS brake rig. If time permits, the students do the braking drills again; otherwise the next morning is the second round of braking drills. Dramatic braking distance improvements are the norm. Students typically get a chance to ride the no-BS bike and the lean bike, either later on day one or else on day two. Day two then is 5-6 tech briefs and each brief is followed by a riding session on a small road course. Tech briefs generally follow the CSS Level 1 topics but with street themes. The road course is designed to present a few different challenges to the students (esses, decreasing radius, double apex, etc). CSS coaches observe the students ride the road course and flag-in riders as necessary to coach them on their riding.

 

ARTD is a similar but lesser version of day two of AMOS. Typically Pete Castanik supervises ARTDs (in NC at least), but the coaching all is done by CSS certified volunteer military coaches (such as myself). Riders get 3-4 riding sessions and with some briefs in between. Similar to AMOS, during the riding sessions the coaches observe the students ride the road course and flag-in riders as necessary to coach them on their riding. (ARTD coaches have a specific training program to follow, but often we would pair with CSS coaches at AMOS and it was a tremendous experience working with them in this manner.)