Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Training Course Track Layout

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 9, 2011 | 11:47 PM
  #1  
09RKC's Avatar
09RKC
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Default Training Course Track Layout

Hey all!

I just got done with Memphis Whitten's basic rider course. This "this is a mc" course is for new riders but everyone I talk to say to take it anyway. By the time it was over I felt a little bad for one of the students, she had much trouble.

Though I've got 35yr riding I thought it'd be fun, and by the 3rd day it was. That 400lb Buell Blast is a far cry from my 800lb RKC! Felt like my 6'4" 250pb frame was on a unicycle <g>.

The instuctor pointed out some bad habits I've gotten used to. It's actually hard to have to think about what I'm doing as opposed to just doing it but well worth the effort.

Anyway, I'm on a training kick now and would like to 'build' a layout I can use in a church/school parking lots. I have cones and several 1/2 tennis ***** to play with and have used small sqares of duct tape at various spots, so if a cone goes down I know where to put it.

Does anyone know where sample course layouts are available online? I just want to get ideas. I'll emulate Whitten's course best as memory serves but I'd like to have more ideas too.

Tkx!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 12:46 AM
  #2  
vhmike73's Avatar
vhmike73
Road Captain
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 49
From: Watervliet, NY
Default

Check out Jerry "Motorman" Palladino's "Ride Like A Pro" site (click here) and go through the "Practice Guide" section...there is some information on how to set up some of his exercises there.

Or, see if your local Community College has a parking lot already painted up with the course- I know there are a couple locations near me (NY's Capital District) that have ALL the painted markings already set up.

I remember when I took the MSF course (never having ridden prior), the instructor said the few who'd ridden a long time on permits would be his toughest students, since they had developed bad habits they'd have to correct- and they usually thought they 'knew it all'. Good to hear you had fun and learned some stuff!
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 01:24 AM
  #3  
09RKC's Avatar
09RKC
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Default

I don't need to impress anyone so I didn't go in with an attitude, but being a tougher studient is correct! I told the other two (never ridden a road) that they had the advantage of not having to un-learn anything. They cleaned my clock on a few things <g>, it was fun!

Tkx!
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 10:02 AM
  #4  
Harleypingman's Avatar
Harleypingman
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Default

Send Harris Neil an email and he'll send you, FREE of charge, his 40 page course in a pdf file which includes diagrams for various drills (e.g. offset cone weave, figure 8, etc.):

motorlessons@hotmail.com

Carl
 

Last edited by Harleypingman; Apr 10, 2011 at 10:09 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 10:07 AM
  #5  
thecort's Avatar
thecort
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Default

Originally Posted by Harleypingman
Send Harris Neil an email and he'll send you his 40 page course in a pdf file which includes diagrams for various drills (e.g. offset cone weave, figure 8, etc.):

motorlessons@hotmail.com

Carl
Always looking to improve & learn. How much does it cost?
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 10:10 AM
  #6  
Harleypingman's Avatar
Harleypingman
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Default

It's free; I've edited my previous post to clarify that there's no charge. It's very similar to the RLAP exercises.

Carl
 

Last edited by Harleypingman; Apr 10, 2011 at 10:22 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #7  
captainjack's Avatar
captainjack
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 3
From: Memphis. Tn
Default

+1 on Harris Neil and also there is a layout in southwest tech parking lot, I also saw the motor cops practicing in the lot beside Sears automotive at Woodchase the area was marked off when they were there, planning on going to check and see if it still is, so I can practice my skills there
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 10:07 PM
  #8  
Deep6's Avatar
Deep6
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Default

Thwe Ride Like a Pro Video comes with a fold out Exercise Guide that has the course lay outs. If your just looking for some exercise layouts you can check out Some Police & Civilian Motor Exercises at these sites:
http://www.ci.coppell.tx.us/police-m...tition/courses
http://www.gwta.org/rider_ed/ridingd...dingdrills.htm
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 10:23 PM
  #9  
monstead's Avatar
monstead
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
Default

Hey Doug...I'll hook you up. I have the MSF course measurements along with the RLAP layout. I'll (try and remember to) PM you tomorrow. Still have your email from back when you hooked me up with the ramps for my bike for the Pitbull lift. Still at comcast.net?

Hope all is well...haven't seen you around in over a year!
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 10:23 PM
  #10  
stamper5498's Avatar
stamper5498
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 527
Likes: 1
From: TEOC, MS
Default

there is also a painted course behind Southern Thunder in Southhaven at the convention center or whatever that thing is called. also the Sheriffs dept practices on the back side of the parking lot as well. exit 287 off I55 facing the interstate. it is a full sized course unlike Bumpus Modified course
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE