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Harley-Davidson Offers Free Riding Academy To All U.S. Military
- Thread starter akbeemer
- Start date
pauls1150
MOA #24991, south of Los Angeles
Always a good move to train, and another good move P/R-wise...
But I find it questionable that they'd actually "teach" a newbie on a deck that is not only wet, but also moving with the waves... and is there Really enough room to teach them about hard braking, U-turns and Figure-8's... and I thought safety vests are required when riding on any military installation?
But I find it questionable that they'd actually "teach" a newbie on a deck that is not only wet, but also moving with the waves... and is there Really enough room to teach them about hard braking, U-turns and Figure-8's... and I thought safety vests are required when riding on any military installation?
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
I think you are referring to the shot of them training on the Yorktown. I believe the Yorktown is a decommissioned WWII carrier and is now a floating museum in the Charleston harbor. There is probably not much in the way of wave movement to be concerned about. Although the WWII era carriers had wooden flight decks, on every carrier I've been aboard the flight deck was covered with a very abrasive coating. It looks to me like the same has been done to the Yorktown so even in the rain the traction level would be good. Also, since the ship is decommissioned and under civilian control as a museum, the military rules on safety vests would not apply.
I also think the shots on the carrier deck were taken as a PR move and that the real classes are held elsewhere.
Where's the fun in that? Wouldn't it be a hit for the ages if a newby rider rode right off the end of the carrier deck? A scene right out of a Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon.
pglaves
#13338
Where's the fun in that? Wouldn't it be a hit for the ages if a newby rider rode right off the end of the carrier deck? A scene right out of a Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon.
Well, as many instructors - wait, they're coaches now - can attest, that wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility. Lots of students run off of ranges or into perimeter fences, curb stops, or ditches.
I personally never had the courage to be an instructor.
shortythorne
shortythorne
Maybe they are practicing their "had to lay it down" move 
.
.Maybe they are practicing their "had to lay it down" move
Of which any cruiser rider worth his leather vest will tell you is a valuable skill to learn.
drew
Over the line
Maybe they are practicing their "had to lay it down" move
Of which any cruiser rider worth his leather vest will tell you is a valuable skill to learn.
Stereotype much?
pglaves
#13338
Stereotype much?
Nope.
rad
Retired from riding
In California we are instructors again, as of this year
Well, the ones who elected to retrain; me, I retired instead
natrab
New member
I was under the impression that motorcycle training is mandatory in the military for those who ride motorcycles on or off base. Currently, it's the MSF BRC course, which is the same as the H-D course from what I know. I also know Total Control (who recently took over the state program for California instead of MSF) has recently won the contract with the US Navy to provide training to their personnel.
I'm not sure if they have to pay for it out of pocket or not. If they do, then this could be a good encouragement to get people riding who didn't want to pay for the course.
I'm not sure if they have to pay for it out of pocket or not. If they do, then this could be a good encouragement to get people riding who didn't want to pay for the course.
ka5ysy
2011 R1200RT
HD is being very pragmatic about this. When I was teaching the HD Riders Edge courses I had the privilege of training multiple military classes and it was a lot of fun and appreciated by the troops, especially since I am an Army veteran.
The new Riding Academy program has changed the classroom portion and still uses the original riding course for now until instructors can get certified in the new range layout which is coming soon.
Make no mistake though, HD puts a lot of emphasis on promoting HD and its products to the point of somewhat aggravating a lot of students who have no intent of ever riding or purchasing HD iron.
Most military folks are into sport bikes, which is why the requirement for training before riding on base or to reserve meetings.
The new Riding Academy program has changed the classroom portion and still uses the original riding course for now until instructors can get certified in the new range layout which is coming soon.
Make no mistake though, HD puts a lot of emphasis on promoting HD and its products to the point of somewhat aggravating a lot of students who have no intent of ever riding or purchasing HD iron.
Most military folks are into sport bikes, which is why the requirement for training before riding on base or to reserve meetings.
greenwald
New member
Just a few comments from an 'instructor' who has taught a half dozen of the new MSF curriculum courses just last month alone, and will again this weekend:
Yes - training is mandatory for members of the military. My son is the Motorcycle Safety Officer for his BCT (Battalion Combat Team) at Ft. Carson (CO) and monitors any soldier operating a motorcycle to have the MSF BRC on record as a minimum. They are also required every couple of years to take a more advanced course (BRC2 {the old ERC}, ARC, UBBC, etc.). In addition to that, when returning from a deployment, they must again take an advanced course to demonstrate proficiency. He will have to this fall when he gets back from current duty in the Middle East. And 'yes' - he pays for that out of his own pocket, since the military didn't force him to own a bike.
MSF rolled out a completely new classroom curriculum and range footprint/exercises for 2015, resulting in about a 30% attrition of RiderCoaches. Time will tell if it's a better mousetrap - I have some concerns.
H-D rebadged from "Rider's Edge" to the "H-D Riding Academy." Uses the same new MSF format, but with a heavy dose of self-promotion for their product lines and dealership amenities - marketing strategy?!
A final comment on H-D. I enjoyed my Motor Officer time on H-D bikes (I actually have more miles ridden on H-D than the average Harley owner does in a lifetime), but chose not to own one - just didn't fit my riding needs/preferences. H-D and the bulk of their customer base have spent decades building and promoting their motorcycle sub-culture and lifestyle. Once you do that, it's not stereotyping - it's an earned reputation, and you have to expect to take a few shots from the sidelines from time to time.
Subman
New member
Can't speak for the other services, but Navy has for some years offered MSF BRC at no cost for Sailors...the base where I was the XO started these about 6 or 7 years ago & still does them. Advanced Rider and Sport Bike courses are likewise at no cost...and yes, all Sailors who ride on base must have a safety course completed.
