Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Ride Like a Pro V

Jerry "Motorman" Palladino is a motorcycle police officer (Motorman) who put out a series of motorcycle training videos that teach riders of all skill levels the same skills that Motorman learned in the Police Motor School.  Motorcycle officers ride the big Harley-Davidsons and once Palladino learned proper riding techniques he realized his prior  years of riding experience amounted to "1 year of experience repeated 20 times" - he made the same mistakes over and over again before he got professional training.  He realized the motorman skills were essential to safe handling of a motorcycle and made these videos to bring the same skills to the everyday motorcyclist like you and me. 

V is the newest volume in the Ride Like a Pro series and Motorman has taken it to a new level.  Now he says you can just get this video and learn all the motorman skills from it, not having to watch the four old videos.  That is a very welcome change.  I recommend also starting with the Learn to Ride the Easy Way, which is his introduction to the three simple techniques that underlie the whole skill of motorcycle riding.

That's right - 3 simple techniques.  These techniques are fundamental, but so few motorcyclists know and use them that there are many more injuries and deaths than there should be.  The techniques are not natural and are counter to natural instincts so they must be learned and practiced regularly to instill them in your subconscious. Motorman's advice boils down to these three important points:

1. Keep your head up and turn your head and eyes and look where you want the bike to go.

2. Use the friction zone on your clutch with proper throttle interaction

3. The rear brake is controlling; it stabilizes the bike at low speeds. Stay off the front brake when the bike is leaned.

Knowing and using these 3 techniques is vital to your success.

Most of the training is at brisk walking pace (3 mph) because slow maneuvering is the hardest handling for a motorcyclist to master. Tight turns and precise maneuvers at parking lot speed separate the riders from the wannabes in the motorcycle world.

The DVD shows the entire motor officer training course Palladino went through as well as step-by-step methods for completing all the maneuvers with improved camera angles and overhead and rider views of the techniques. A diagram of the proper line thru the turns is also shown and what happens when it is not followed.  Common riding mistakes are shown and dissected so you don't have to make them yourself.

Palladino's teaching is demonstrated by both men and women who handle their 800 pound Harley-Davidsons with ease. The women are nice looking and weigh about 110 pounds, so size is not the answer, technique is.

The knowledge gained by following the techniques shown in this DVD is invaluable and will instill renewed confidence in your riding.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day