Welcome to SURVIVAL SKILLS RIDER TRAINING
We're one of the UK's longest-established
advanced motorcycle rider training schools

CONTACT

Starting out or looking to extend your riding skills? You’re in the
right place!



"The best bolt-on accessory fpr
any motorcycle is THE RIDER"

Why Survival Skills Rider Training?

...because it's a jungle out there
Motorcycle cornering against blurred trees

Strengthen your SKILLS

We’re with you every step of the journey, from your first steps into advanced riding

Motorcycle rider looking at mountain scenery

Enhance your ENJOYMENT

We help you establish realistic goals with a clear timeline for personal development
Biker on twin headlight motorcycle

Refresh your RIDING

We work with you every step of the way to make sure your vision becomes your reality

What underpins Survival Skills?

...what we've learned ready to pass onto you
Biker on twin headlight motorcycle

Crash
ANALYSIS

We've been investigating motorcycle crashes and learning from them, so you don't learn the hard way
Motorcycle cornering against blurred trees

Riding
PSYCHOLOGY

In preparing for success, we first have to understand how a rider's brain copes with failure

Motorcycle rider looking at mountain scenery

Coaching
TECHNIQUES

We've looked in to the way the latest safety training is delivered in other fields to bring it to motorcycle coaching courses

Changing the way we think about rider training

Survival Skills Rider Training offers more than just 'advanced training'
We developed 'client-centred' training years before other courses & pioneered using the INTERNET to deliver online coaching to riders anywhere in the world - wherever you start, here's where things get better!
gloved hand turning key in motorcycle ignition
ON-ROAD COACHING

discover our unique BLENDED LEARNING approach to on-road coaching

Learn more
motorcycle emerging from laptop screen
ONLINE COACHING

discover how to benefit from the Survival Skills approach ONLINE in the comfort of your own home

Learn more

On-Road Coaching

Discover our UNIQUE 'blended learning' approach
to on-road rider coaching - a 21st Century approach
to improving your motorcycling skills!

The essential goal of ALL motorcycle training is to equip you, the student, with the skills and knowledge to control your machine confidently while riding in a way that manages and minimises the risks of riding, therefore effective coaching involves understanding how we learn:
· exploiting a variety of teaching approaches - deliver the same message in different ways is known as 'multimodal learning' and it's long been known to lead to better learning outcomes for the trainee. 'Blended learning' (also known as 'hybrid learning') is simply a modern and up-to-date take on this style of coaching in which traditional face-to-face on-road coaching is combined with online theory and question-and-answer sessions. Blended learning has proven highly effective in many fields, everywhere from schools and colleges to healthcare and clinical skills training.

·  blended learning boosts retention and performance - combining online theory modules with hands‑on practice boosts learning - the first allows you to revisit the materials and absorb the concepts at your own pace, the second offers you the chance to applying them in a practical riding session under the guidance of your riding coach, while the final online session acts as reinforcement to cement knowledge and skills.

Any EFFECTIVE course of coaching is delivered in a series of steps:

· priming - having set the overall coaching goals for the course, delivering the necessary theory during the pre-ride session introduces you to the key concepts you'll need on-road. 
· application - once on the road, this is your opportunity to apply those concepts under expert guidance.
· feedback - delivered briefly at intervals during the on-road session, the post-ride session allows for more in-depth analysis, including suggestions for future personal development, thus confirming and reinforcing the on-road coaching session.
· reflection - the final step is down to you as you go away and think about the new skills and knowledge you've discovered from your course, and decide how to apply them to your riding and the materials we'll provide post-course will help you reflect effectively.

An effective course of coaching isn't just about what you learn - it depends very much on how the course is designed and delivered. At Survival Skills, we've put a lot of thought into this aspect of our training:

· duration - each training session lasts a minimum of FOUR hours; one hour online for the pre-ride theory, at least two hours for the in-person on-road coaching session, and finally a second one hour session to review the on-road session.

· flexibility - the 1-2-1 structure allows you to fit the course into your busy life whenever it suits you; online sessions can be scheduled day or evening, the on-road elements can be delivered mornings, afternoons or even mid-summer evenings.

· intense, not drawn-out - all coaching, particularly on-road training, is mentally and physically exhausting, and over-long sessions rapidly lead to physical and mental fatigue. And once a course becomes an endurance test, you stop learning. And you still have to ride home at the end of the day with dulled reactions. Shorter courses keep you fresher and more receptive. 

· quality over quantity - by delivering intensive and highly-focussed 'hits' of coaching exactly where you need it, when you want it, Survival Skills courses are short, sharp and highly-focused, making your learning as efficient as possible.

Confidence: BUILDER

New test pass? Graduated to a bigger or different style of bike? Back to biking? Struggling to recover from a crash? Get the personalised help you need. 

Survival: SKILLS

Helping you developing the 'Spidy Sense' instincts that keep you safe on urban streets plus essential collision avoidance and evasion skills

Performance: BENDS

Sessions focused on cornering,  delivering a toolkit of technique and knowledge ensuring you have the  skills to tackle twisty  and challenging roads.

Bespoke

Got a specific issue you want to solve? Tell us what it is, then we'll put together a course specifically for you.

Short
Two hour intro
£enquire

Choose a 'Riding Refresher' or a 'Riding Assessment'

Bronze
One session
£enquire 

Choose one topic

Silver
Two sessions
£enquire

Choose two topics

Gold
Three sessions
£enquire

Choose three topics

Ready to book? Use the Contact Form

What do our trainees think?

Here's what our students have said about their own Survival Skills courses
Jon Wilmer (MAG)
"I had a great day on the 'Performance: BENDS' course. It was exactly what I was looking for. A bit of a "Health Check" and a review and improvement program. The theory parts were a really useful check on what I *thought* I knew and the practical exercises were well-paced and built steadily over the day. I was especially pleased to learn a couple of new skills, particularly around planning for bends. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I would happily recommend your course to anyone. After all, it's a jungle out there and you can never have too many Survival Skills!"

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Jason Knight
"The observation stuff you do really made me think. I thought [insert name of well-known advanced school run by ex-police here] covered it all but that was like a 5 on the scale where what you do is a 10. I never realised you could get so much information as you ride!" 

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David
"I certainly feel that you have made a significant difference to my ability to observe, anticipate and respond during my riding”

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Jim ‘Melons’ Lynn

"I've done BikeSafe and dabbled with the IAM, but the most practical and genuinely lifesaving training experience I've had...the course was short and intense but implanted deep subliminal awareness." 

________________

Julie Bishop

"I did my CBT and pottered about on a 125 until I took my Direct Access test. I had done about 700 miles by the time I did the course. I had a real confidence problem going round corners... Kevin was really helpful and the training was geared towards me and my specific problems and getting more confidence on the capabilities of my bike. The training was done at my pace and by the end of the session I was cornering with a lot more confidence. I had a huge grin on my face all the way home. The course is definitely worth doing" 

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Conrad Webb

"I just wanted to thank you for the two days spent on your Survival Skills course... much was new and very, very beneficial... I must say that your instruction methods are brilliant. The accent on assessing each situation based on a set of flexibly defined variables is without doubt the key to safer and more enjoyable riding. Treating each road and circumstance individually gives the necessary flexibility to cope with all situations and minimises the potential for difficulties. I have already put much of what you taught me into practice. Once again thank you very much" 

________________

Tim Bicknelle

"An excellent day's riding, which gave me things to think about and even better to practice before taking the second session. Well worth it for all levels from beginner to knee-down. If you are after some more knowledge give Kevin's web site a visit"

________________

Murray Sheppard

"The main things I got from the lesson was defensive riding techniques, risk assessment, road position and changing road conditions. There was a lot to take in and remember, but not too much to overburden my little brain. Already, much of what he warned me about has manifested itself in London traffic" 

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Andy Forrest
"I booked a one day course with Kevin to focus on cornering skills, slow control and emergency manoeuvres. I was very impressed with the whole thing, from the informative emails before the course, and the approx 1 hour pre ride online briefing, the day itself, and then the follow up online briefing (also around an hour) and assessments and follow up documents. Kevin is clearly a very experienced and knowledgeable rider and the advice and tips he gave me were very useful and informed. He also provides a radio link so he can direct the training in the ride. As well as being impressed with the quality of the training, I thought it was excellent value for money. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending him."
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Stephen Thomas
“At the Warren (south London) doing BikeSafe today... recommended I do IAM/ROSPA based on what he saw  - best rider this year”

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Bev

"You've given me a good sense of what I can do to improve, rather than just hoping I will”

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Bryan Scattergood

"A pleasure to cover the material with someone who clearly knows it so well, and who also cares about the subject. The course managed to pack an awful lot of advanced material into the time. I'll be working on applying the lessons for a long time. You'll be at the top of the list when I want a refresher course, or if someone asks for a recommendation” 

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Karen

"Your teaching style really works for me - I feel that I control the bike rather than vice versa"
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Martin

"Enjoyable and useful..... gave me confidence that a lot of what I was doing was OK, but also some good ideas on what weaknesses to work on. Found the low speed stuff and the observation bits particularly useful"

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Peter

"Last weekend has reaffirmed my knowledge and it's been a great method to sanity-check one's roadcraft and riding skills, as I'm sure they lapse once one's too over confident over time. Thanks again"

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Angus

"Thanks very much for all your time and hard work, and especially your patience when I seemed to have "lost it". I'm not sure what I expected when we started but the results speak for themselves. A fantastic improvement in all aspects of my riding, I feel far more in control and much safer"

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Peter

"Apart from a Bronze Rider course before I bought my first ever bike, this would be the only other tuition I've ever had for a motorcycle. So the question you might ask was it worth it? Well, this time last month I would have said no. I would say YES now. He isn't judgmental, he just offers you different ideas, lets you try them out, and then quite rightly suggests that you use what you think suits you and makes you safer. The course has something for the expert and definitely there's something for the novice. Real motorcycling isn't about getting from A to B fast. It's about getting from A to B period! Kevin will help you do this without a doubt" 

________________

 

Ian Pattie (IAM)
"I took a 'Performance: BENDS' course with Kevin to try to give my confidence a bit of a boost as I had been doing a lot of commuting... he listened carefully to my riding history... Kevin has a wealth of knowledge, information and techniques he is only to willing to share and I found a few of his little gems extremely useful. All in all a great trying day with a thoroughly nice bloke."

________________

Barbara Alam
Thanks for a very enjoyable day yesterday. The bit about counterweighting and counter-steering was most useful - it's so easy! I have also been practising taking the weight off the handlebars to let the bike steer itself a bit more - it works. The braking advice also helpful. My slow speed manoeuvring is a helluva lot better than it was, I am much more confident about handling the weight of the bike now.
I feel a lot happier, more like the bike is a bit of me and not some big heavy thing I'm sitting on. I wish I'd done your course a year ago. I just want to get home from work without bruising / breaking / denting anything, especially myself, and you helped with that objective immensely.
"Ordinary Training?
No. EXTRA-ordinary training!"

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Tim

"I didn't particularly think I had a problem with low-speed manoeuvering, so the improvement I achieved after 10 minutes was something of a revelation. Taking a bit more time approaching bends - braking earlier, being a bit clearer about the line - feels miles better. Hanging back in traffic an extra car's length or so made my journey home today seem easy. Much of the value for me has been in having the judgement of an objective expert on what I do well and what I do badly. Oh, and it was great fun!
I'm more than happy to endorse the course - everyone should do one”
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Ian Pattie

"Most people are quick to criticize but not so quick to give praise, the following comments are heartfelt and honest, and you have my permission to use them on any advertising or marketing you may wish to in the future. I found the two days excellent, the balance of riding and theory was, to my mind, perfect. I know that we spent more time than usual talking, but that was MY preference as I like to understand what is happening and why, prior to trying it out practically. The skills taught during the two days have already shown an improvement in my riding,
I cannot thank you enough for the slow riding skills, especially the counterweighting, how I wish someone had taught me this twenty years ago! To be quite honest I don't really know how I managed without it" 

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Marina

"Thanks so much for the course today. I learned such a lot" 

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Colin

"I'd highly recommend... the course”

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Sue

"I am totally exhausted and it was worth every penny"

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"I swear that Kevin is the most sensible talking, straight-up, common sense biker I've ever seen in 20 years”

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"I've done some other training. I like the Survival Skills approach”  

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On-Line Coaching

It's the 21st century - why is motorcycle training still using
coaching methods first used back in the 1950s?

Online Coaching - short courses delivered online

Get top-notch help from Survival Skills Rider Training but in the comfort of your own home at a time convenient to you, anywhere in the world! Taking training into the 21st century!

Discover the Survival Skills approach to rider coaching in your own time at your own pace in your own home.



The Survival Skills Eight Week Online eCourse - a fresh approach to advanced training from one of the UK's longest-established post-test training schools.

EXPERIENCE carefully-crafted theory
CONFIRM & ENHANCE what you already know
DISCOVER new & out-of-the-box thinking
TRY OUT relevant practical exercises
LEARN FLEXIBILITY in your approach to riding
ADD ADAPTABILITY to cope with the ever-changing roads
DOWNLOAD FREE resources
ASK your own questions
ENGAGE and work with a BTEC-qualified coach with an NVQ in distance learning

SURVIVAL SKILLS because it's a jungle out there

New e-Courses start first Friday of every month

Find out more

One Hour Session
£40

Pick from our set courses
or tell us what you need for a bespoke course

Eight Week eCourse

(for a limited period) £79 

Fifty+ individual modules spread over an eight week period covering all aspects of your personal development as a rider

AFTER SALES HELP

£ FREE

Forever online support, whenever you need it, however often you need it

Ready to book? Use the Contact Form

Presentations & Books

Survival Skills Rider Training Rider coach Kevin Williams has been writing articles about aspects of advanced motorcycling since the mid-90s. As well as publishing a series of books on better biking, Kevin writes magazine columns in the UK and New Zealand and has a thriving Facebook page with almost 10,000 followers. 
Presentation to crowded room
IN PERSON

we bring affordable presentations to clubs and groups at your location and also deliver regular webcasts to online audiences.

Prepare to have 'by-the-book' thinking challenged by scientific research.

Learn more about a Survival Skills presentation to your group
Part of Survival Skills book cover
IN TEXT

as well as publishing a series of books on better biking, we have taken the 'better biking' posts written for Facebook and created a huge archive of self-help articles. It's almost certainly the biggest and best motorcycle rider self-help resource on the internet.

Discover the Ko-Fi archive
& sign up today
Happy trainee with Ducati

YOUR ride | YOUR Way

Starting out? Newly qualified? Developing rider? Experienced? Need to gain confidence? Fix a problem? Wherever you started, wherever you're headed, here's where things get better!

At Survival Skills Rider Training you'll find a wide range of riding courses at all levels from novice to advanced, to suit all kinds of motorcyclists.

Quite simply YOU, the trainee, come first at Survival Skills, so WHY SETTLE FOR LESS? Get the very best in independent advanced training.

Ready to book? Use the Contact Form

Got Questions? Some Answers!

Sorry, Survival Skills Rider Training can't offer learner training for riders on L plates - you'll need to go to an Approved Training Body (ATB) basic training school for those course. 
But we can help you out with ONLINE COACHING SESSIONS - let us know your problem and we'll put our heads together online to come up with some answers. 

I'm based in NW London and have start points at various locations around London that take us straight onto nice roads for your training session.

I've worked to gain an independently-assessed BTEC in post-test rider training. I'm also a qualified e-tutor with an NVQ in distance learning techniques. But more importantly, I'm always looking to improve my coaching with the latest ideas from sports coaching and education to keep them up-to-date. All my courses are carefully-structured, employ proven teaching techniques and aim to set you understandable and achievable goals at all times to maximise your ability to learn from me.

I'm a qualified e-tutor with an NVQ in distance learning and thus perfectly able to discuss any riding issue you might have via a personalised session online at time that's convenient to you. You can learn better biking skills right from the comfort of your own home.

Unlike on-road training where a learner taking CBT or DAS must be accompanied by a DVSA-approved instructor from a training school, there are no such rules for ONLINE COACHING - therefore you can book one of my online sessions any time you like to help you with any issues you might have.

REMEMBER - if you think you can learn from a YouTube video, you can certainly learn from a focused one-to-one online session with an experienced rider coach!

I spent sixteen years earning a living as a courier, riding well over half a million miles all weather, all year. What it taught me was that it doesn't matter how good our training is if we can't stay out of trouble.

No matter how good our theoretical knowledge and technical ability, we have to understand how, when, where and why things go wrong, then what to do about it - to stay out of trouble whenever we can, and to get out of trouble when we can't avoid it. Survival Skills advanced motorcycle training courses are, by deliberate intent, highly relevant to real-life riding. Survival Skills does NOT deliver one-size-fits-all training, there's no 'style' needed, and there's no need to pass a standardised test. Instead, each and every course is designed around YOUR existing skills, addresses YOUR particular needs and wants, and tackles YOUR personal weaknesses.

You won't learn skills you are unlikely to need. That's the Survival Skills method.

IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEL - full details are in the booking package you'll receive by email, but in short under Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have a statutory 14 DAY cooling-off period beginning the day after the course was confirmed by email in which to claim a full refund and Survival Skills will also voluntarily offer a full refund if you cancel the course 10 DAYS before the first day.

​For later cancellations the minimum deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE but so long as you give 48 HOURS NOTICE of a cancellation, I'll reschedule the course for another convenient date with no charge. If you cancel the course with LESS THAN 48 HOURS NOTICE, the deposit is non-refundable, a new booking must be made, and the full course cost will apply. 

IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER - I don't believe we gain anything by splashing around in rain or riding in poor conditions. In my experience, training in poor weather simply makes the course less enjoyable and you won't learn. So ALL training is weather-dependent and if the Met Office issue a weather warning it's likely I will change the start time or postpone the session.
If we go ahead and the weather DETERIORATES mid-session, I may recommend abandoning the session and rescheduling to a mutually convenient date. 

There will be NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES for any weather-affected session. 

Learn more about
Survival Skills Rider Training

01.

Founded in 1997, Survival Skills Rider Training was one of the first independent advanced rider training schools in the UK. Since running our first post-test courses, we've helped thousands of bikers to improve their riding and achieve their biking dreams.

02.

Survival Skills has always been at the forefront of advanced training, adopting technology like radios and on-bike cams long before they were 'the norm'. We've adopted new thinking from other safety-conscious fields, incorporated as 'insight training' and 'resilience training' into our coaching. 

Most recently, Survival Skills has introduced 'blended learning', delivering theory sessions live online, reducing the length of on-road sessions . making them both less exhausting and easier to fit in to your own schedule.

Committed to providing excellent standards of education and training, you can be sure that you can take your riding to the next level with an advanced motorcycle rider training course from Survival Skills.

03.

Still wondering why you should take an advanced course with Survival Skills? Why? We’re sure you’ll be blown away by the improvement to your riding after a course with Survival Skills.

Even when you've taken training elsewhere, Survival Skills will show you new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways to tackle old problems.

Come along with an open mind and go away a better biker!

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Ready to book? Use the Contact Form


THANKS FOR VISITING
SURVIVAL SKILLS RIDER TRAINING
| WHERE THE TRAINEE COMES FIRST

...because it's a jungle out there

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