Advanced rider training can mean different things to different people. In many ways, it's a flexible concept—something riders can tailor to their own goals, experiences, and priorities.

 

For some, advanced riding is about performance. It means riding and cornering faster, braking harder and deeper into bends, overtaking with more precision, or adopting off-road techniques like grass track-style braking. It could include developing motorcycle gymkhana control skills or becoming a true master of the machine’s physical limits.

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For others, the focus is on race-inspired techniques and a deeper understanding of bike dynamics—traction control, suspension loading, throttle control, smooth transitions through bends, and how to manage weight distribution effectively. These riders often debate the merits and safety of methods like trail braking, covering the levers with two fingers, or using the rear brake more actively.

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My perspective

 

Personally, I see advanced riding through a different lens:  To me, it’s about developing sharper observational skills, reading the road more effectively, and understanding how hazards form and evolve. It means planning further ahead, adopting a road position that maximizes visibility and safety, and making decisions that are smoother, smarter, and safer—not just for me, but for everyone sharing the road. The road isn't a racetrack, it presents ever increasing and changing hazards

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It’s about control, yes—but not just over the machine. It’s about control over your environment, your reactions, and your mindset. Riding defensively, riding with purpose, and being constantly aware of how small decisions can make a big difference.  Organisations like IAM RoadSmart and RoSPA adopt a 'recognised' system of roadcraft that the Police and other emergency service riders use and around which they promote advanced riding that studies have shown, indicate that riders trained in this system are less likely to be invovled in road traffic accidents. 

 

A Reality Check for the Riding Community

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Motorcyclists continue to make up a disproportionately high percentage of road traffic accidents. Whether we like it or not, much of the responsibility lies with how many of us choose to ride.

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Experience alone doesn’t automatically make someone a good or safe rider. I often hear riders say, "I've been riding for 20 years"—but in many cases, it’s the same year repeated 20 times, without meaningful growth or reflection. Yes, there are skilled and safe long-time riders out there, but from what I see on the roads, many simply aren’t.

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Statistics show that some of the main causes of motorcycle accidents are a riders lack of observations, unsafe riding and poor decision making.  Learning how to brake sharper, drop a machine to minimize impact and swerve more are only trying to deal with the outcomes as opposed to recognising the causes and avoiding situations before they occur.

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Conclusion

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Advanced riding is about learning to identify and prioritise risks, anticipate situations more effectively, and develop heightened road safety awareness. It's also about recognising how our actions can impact others, and riding with consideration and responsibility.  It certainly isn’t just about riding faster or harder—it’s about riding safer, not just better. Whether you’re chasing lap times, improving control in tight spaces, or simply aiming to get home safely every day, the real mark of an advanced rider is someone who keeps learning, keeps questioning, and never assumes they’ve ‘arrived’.

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You can have the best motorcycle riding skills in the world—but they’re of little use if your decision-making is poor. Without the ability to recognise hazards, read the road ahead effectively, apply a flexible riding system, and exercise caution when needed, those skills fall short. Advanced riding also means giving due consideration to other road users and making sound, responsible choices at all times.

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