Comparing The A.S.S. Levels

Level 1

Prerequisite: Prior Formal Training Recommended

Learn S-M-A-R-T Cornering Techniques

The Advanced Street Skills is designed by street riders ... for street riders. This first learning session offers an environment free from traffic so you can concentrate on the skills used for cornering on public roads. We teach S-M-A-R-T cornering, a uniform and consistent way to approach every corner. Lessons include how to improve throttle control, better select proper entry speeds, read the road and pavement, improve line selection, and introduce body positioning for managing traction and ground clearance. We even offer a drill that will change your perception of how much pavement you have.

Here in the Pacific Northwest and along the west coast recent accident research (Endorse Your Sport) is showing that in 2009: 88% of the motorcycle fatalities were the fault of the rider and that 57% were single vehicle. One of the leading causes is "lane error" (i.e. running wide in corners and colliding with trees, cars, guardrails). All riders should look to improve cornering skills.

This is not an event for aspiring racers, rather it is for riders that prefer to spend their time riding in the mountains, down the coast or are just looking to become safer by improving their cornering skills. There are no special bike requirements or restrictions, no need to tape over lights or remove turn signals. We want you to ride what you ride every day. Come join us and learn what S-M-A-R-T cornering is all about.

Level 2

Prerequisite: Must Have Completed Level 1

Refine the A-R-T of SMART Cornering

This technique-focused session is for those who have completed A.S.S. Level 1. This session spends more time on the physical requirements for cornering - body positioning, isometrics, suspension, throttle and steering inputs. This is not an open track day and is still focused on street riders but offers the ability to ride beyond what you can do safely on public roads.

By understanding how the body and the bike work together you'll start to see the limits. When you increase your skill level beyond what is needed for normal riding you'll be able to scale back and know what your reserve actually is. By exploring your abilities in a controlled environment you are more likely to know how and what to do if you find yourself in a situation that is beyond the norm. Level 2 is all about increasing technique not speed.

During A.S.S. Level 2 you will continue to work on improving throttle and traction control, entry speed selection, smoothing out body positioning while setting up or transitioning corners, and improve turn in speed while decreasing time spent leaned over.

Level 3

Prerequisite: Must Have Completed Level 2

Marking S-M-A-R-T Lines

With this session we will be building from the training of A.S.S. Levels 1 and 2. Riders will utilize their lessons from the previous levels and explore different ways to control the direction and position of the motorcycle with precision.

Drills and lessons cover different types of lines (smooth lines, qualifying lines, and reality lines) to understand the pros and cons of each. Turn points, vanishing points and exit points are incorporated with the different lines so that you will be able to draw the best line for different types of corners.

While entry speed, body position and vision are important components of cornering skill (topics covered in Levels 1 and 2) - knowing exactly where and when to put your bike before, during and after a corner has the greatest potential to maximize traction, maximize ground clearance, maximize visibility through the corner and make the corner easier to negotiate. There is more than one way to ride a curvy road and this level builds your technique so that you can draw S-M-A-R-T lines.

Level 4

Prerequisite: Must Have Completed Level 3

Individually Customized Training for S-M-A-R-T A.S.S. Riders

When riders have completed the prior A.S.S. levels they will have had the opportunity to learn, practice, and refine the S-M-A-R-T cornering techniques. The next step is to identify which individual skills need more work.

In Level 4 each rider is assigned their own instructor and the instructor will work with a maximum of 3 riders total. This ensures individual attention during lessons and drills. The instructor assist each rider in determining the skills needing attention and working out lessons and drills to address the need.

If a rider is better at reading the road and entry speed, but struggling to stabilize while cornering - the instructor can provide coaching to assist with steering input and isometrics. If a rider is struggling to hold their line or body position - the instructor can address the needs through customized coaching and private training. Regardless of the rider's skill level, the benefit is that each rider will have customized training and feedback to help them improve their cornering skills.