Motorcycle dealerships and training schools across the country are signing up to a new scheme backed by Kawasaki to create a UK-wide network of approved training bodies.
Kawasaki Rider Training Services (KRTS) was launched in July 2016 and offers professional rider training to industry leading and MCIAC (The Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre) endorsed standards.
When launching the scheme, Mark Spiller, Kawasaki’s marketing manager, said the company plans to create ‘around 60 KRTS training schools associated or affiliated to our dealer network’ within the next three years.
The facilities at the schools and dealerships remain independent but are officially endorsed and branded by Kawasaki.
Those who take the course will learn to ride on new, well-maintained Kawasaki bikes – the KLX 125 for Learners and CBT courses and the ER650 for full licence courses.
Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable of road user groups. Statistics published in June 2016 by the DfT, Welsh Government and Transport for London all highlighted an increase in motorcycle casualties in 2015, against a backdrop of static or declining casualty figures for most other road users.
That said, statistics published by the DfT in November show that between April-June 2016, there was a 5% fall in the number of motorcycle KSIs, compared with the same period in 2015.
Good news that Kawasaki are marrying up with other training bodies into an integrated group. We need more of these throughout the country from Honda who have training scheme of their own to other less known manufacturers and independents that should accept a responsibility to their customers.
PS It was probably poor weather conditions that reduced the KSI rate spring of 2016. I know I didn’t do as much riding as normal.
Bob Craven Lancs
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I wish Kawasaki well in this new endeavour. As an aside, I notice that they are using the KLX125 for CBT and A1 learners. For those who may not know much about motorcycles, the KLX125 is an “adventure” type motorcycle with a 830mm (almost 33 inch) seat height. I do hope they have a few smaller bikes for the “shorties” amongst us.
Martin, Suffolk
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