Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) explained

Course 1: Intro

As the name suggests, DRE Intro is all about road riding. In fact, it is more about mastering control of the bike for street use and in turn building rider confidence. This is perfect for those with a fresh licence. But, Ducati insists, even experienced riders will have enough to take away from the course to make their participation worthwhile. As part of the course, riders are taught the correct riding position for street along with schooling on tackling bends, where to look, and how to use brakes correctly and effectively.

Course 2: Precision

DRE Precision is about road riding as well. But, the idea here is to help riders gain better control at faster riding speeds. So, the course is designed is simulate hazardous road conditions and riders are taught effective evasive manoeuvres. The course includes tackling different type of corners, braking in different types of situation and mastering slaloms. Later, riders are also taken on a track to help them stitch together their learning in one go. As with Intro, here too each instructor runs a group of 10 riders who are given both theory and practical lessons.

Course 3: Track

The track experience at DRE is further split into four parts. First, there’s the Track Warm-up for newbies at the track. The day and half program includes both theory and practical lessons, and it focuses on the right seating, the right vision, and the right braking and acceleration techniques.

Next up is Track Evo. Here, the DRE instructors focus primarily on improving the rider’s corner speed and making the riding style smooth and flowing for faster and less tiring lap times. Then, you have Track Master and Champion Academy.

The former, as the name suggests, is for track pros. In fact, this course is designed to help regular track day guys go racing. So, there’s some technical talk too about how to setup the suspension for a given track and how to make the right tyre choice, and as a result extract the best from the bike. There’s also constant mentoring on the riding style, of course.

Finally, the Champion Academy. This is all about celebrating Ducati racing prowess. So, if you are a fan, you get to meet Ducati racing heroes and spend a whole afternoon chatting them up. And, of course, there’s track time too.

Course 4: Enduro

DRE Enduro is the latest addition to the DRE curriculum. And it’s here because Ducati has finally forayed into the more demanding off-road circus for adventure bikes with the Multistrada Enduro. The course is more about techniques involving riding off-road and picking up the bike if you bin it. So, there’s schooling about the right riding position, tackling steep up and down hill slopes, and making best use of the bike’s smart electronics. One is also taught how to beat obstacles and brake correctly on loose surfaces.