Mike Abbott MBA, RoADAR (Dip), DVSA RPMT 800699, ACU Coach #62210
I started riding motorcycles at the age of 14 on local wasteland next to Southend Airport. In the 1960’s I was a ‘Mod’ with a Lambretta (finally a GT225), and later a ‘Rocker’ on a ‘Chuck’ customised cafe racer based on a Triumph T110.
I’ve worked mainly in the automotive industry including an apprenticeship at Ford Competitions/AVO, and working for Perkins, Pektron, Schrader, Magna, Watts, Hill & Smith PLC and Dunlop, as well as in other industries including Pharma, Medical and Aerospace.
In 1976 I bought a Triton to rebuild, which was finally completed in 1983. I rode a borrowed Suzuki GS 750 to the TT, then bought a Kawasaki GPZ1100 A3 for the following year. This was followed by a large number of mainly Japanese ‘Superbikes’, ending up with a Suzuki GSXR1000 K8 which I sold in 2022. I currently ride a KTM 950 SM which I bought from nearly new in 2007, which has also been all over the UK, Ireland and Europe.
I started racing motorcycles in 1989 on a Yamaha TZ 350H bought from Neil Tuxworth, (later of Honda fame) and was the Forgotten Racing Clubs ‘Novice of the Season ‘ at the age of 39. I still do the occasional classic bike trackdays, but retired from racing in 2005.
I was awarded an MBA from Sheffield Hallam University in 1993, sponsored by Dexion, and became a qualified FE Teacher (FAETC) in 1997.
In 2004 I spent 3 weeks riding around New Zealand on a 640 KTM Adventure. I’ve often toured central Europe, and rode the Nurburgring in 2005.
In 2009 I began a new career in motorcycle training, suggested and sponsored by Job Centre Plus. I completed the RoSPA Advanced Instructor’s Course and began delivering RoSPA ‘RideSafe’ courses in Nottinghamshire, followed by becoming a DVSA Post-test Trainer in 2010. I also became a civilian assessor for Lincs Police BikeSafe, and subsequently road trained and certified the Notts Police Motorcycle Off-Road enforcement team, local Fire Service and Blood Bike riders.
In 2012, I was asked to design and deliver ‘SharpRider tm’ DVSA ERS based workshops for Derbyshire County Council. These workshops were subsequently delivered in Derbys, Notts, Leics and South Yorks, subsidised by the local Road Safety Partnerships.
Also in 2012 I founded the British Superbike School with the support of the South Yorkshire police. This was originally a Notts Motorcycle Forum safety initiative to try and tackle sportsbike crashes. Most riders over 40 years have not received any training, as the current licence test was only implemented in 1990. They are a difficult group to engage with, so it was thought that race track training would attract the higher risk riders.
The challenge then was to design a rider safety course to encourage appropriate on road behaviours, and to increase the level of rider skills, covering high speed braking, cornering and throttle control. The result was ‘best practise’ within DVSA and Roadcraft standards, with additional practise in handling emergency situations, which can be achieved more safely on a track, with no roadside or traffic hazards. The intention was to reduce panic reactions, which were a known cause of crashes, by increasing confidence and practising appropriate automatic responsess to hazardous situations.
We were helped in setting up by the ACU, by Peter Boast and Geoff Baldock both licenced coaches
In 2015, I created ‘Twang tm’, a half day workshop for young riders for Safer Roads South Yorkshire, helped by Dave Bryant, a DVSA learner trainer and owner of the Retford College of Vehicle Technology.
In 2016, I qualified as an ACU Road Race Coach, and ‘The Superbike School’ became ACU/FIM accredited and found to be ‘excellent’. There is no official ‘manual’ for riding a race bike. You have to have held a National Road Race Licence to qualify for the course, so are assumed therefore to be competent.
We had had to create our own track riding manual, as none exist, with the theory based on Cossalter’s ‘Motorcycle Dynamics’, and John Bradley’s ‘The Racing Motorcycle’ trilogy, and others.
I was then asked to present at a Staffordshire’s Young Riders Conference in Stoke-on-Trent.
In 2017 I flew to LA and spent two weeks riding around California, Utah, Nevada and Colorado with Rob Magill, on a borrowed Kawasaki ZXR1200 ‘Eddie Lawson Relica’. I’ve also ridden a Harley in Alaska.
In 2022 I was approached to guest on the National Young Riders Forum. Following many meetings and discussions,‘Twang’ became the basis for ‘Twango’ a video lesson produced for secondary schools.
In 2024 I responded to Tony Campell, the MCIA’s CEO, for a new approach to motorcycle safety. Following research, the critical problem with PTW braking was identified. I was invited to present to the IJMS (International Journal of Motorcycle Studies) at Nottingham University on ‘Motorcycle Braking’ on 28th July, and again at the RSGB’s National Road Safety Conference on 17th November.
In 2024 The British Superbike School was added to the MCIA’s register of ‘Elite’ training providers, and I joined the National Motorcycle Council.
I also recently joined PACTS, following an interview, and have submitted a proposed new strategy for PTW Safety. I sit on the Motorcycle Safety Group.
Over the past 15 years, I have personally provided post-test training for over 500 road riders, and for over 2,000 track riders, now via a large team of over 20 licenced ACU Road Race Coaches, many selected and trained in house.
I am currently working with PACTS and the MCIA on rider safety, particularly young riders, emergency braking, and the implementation of mandatory licensing for all commercial PTW trainers, in line with the Law, and all other vehicle training.
The Superbike School training and theory is reviewed yearly in response to ongoing research, now in partnership with the University of Wales.
British Superbike School 