Smooth Science

One of the most common causes of street crashes is panic combined with improper braking technique. So says Reg Pridmore, three-time national Superbike champion and owner/head instructor of the CLASS riding school. Our friend Derrel Whitemyer attended the school last spring, and relates his tales on page 68 of this issue.

In Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way, Reg teaches three cornerstones of good, safe riding: control, smoothness, and focus. Control is the core of his philosophy, in fact, and the promised end result of using his techniques.

The first subject he covers in the book, however, isn’t a physical action — it’s the mental preparedness you need to ride safely on the street and track. Reg hammers home the point that maintaining your focus is the foundation for survival. Allow yourself to become complacent, he says, and you’ll become a statistic.

Farther along in the book, Reg explains his techniques for throttle control, clutch use, braking, body movement, and cornering. Although many of his explanations use examples from track riding, all of these skills are needed on the track and the street. And, in most cases, Reg points out realistic street situations where you’ll use his techniques.

In his chapters on street strategies and special conditions, Reg brings up everyday and emergency situations, and gives some good advice for dealing with them. He offers tips for defensive riding (including his thoughts on which line to take in corners) and dealing with hazards, and includes a section on riding in the rain.

Another chapter covers equipment basics, like bike maintenance and proper gear. The final chapter deals with two-up and group riding. The book covers such a broad range of skills topics, there’s little chance you won’t find something in here that’s useful.

So, if you can’t make it to one of Reg’s CLASS school sessions, you can still pick up this book for a very reasonable 25 smackers. And if you’re a racing fan, particularly a fan of Reg’s, you’ll be happy to know that the book is filled with photos and tales of his exploits on the track. While you may not get to meet the man in person, you can at least own a piece of the legend. RB

SOURCES

Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way $24.95
Whitehorse Press
107 East Conway Road, Dept. RB
Center Conway, NH 03813
800/531-1133
Available on www.greaserag.com