How many M/C instructors here??

[Tab B.]

Well you folks mostly know I'm not shy about saying I was an instructor. I was proud to be a part of something that was good for the sport. I wasn't an authority then, any more than I am now, just another enthusiast. I think I got just as much out of the experience, as we gave to the students. Geez the folks I taught with. A bunch of M/C nuts just like what I enjoy here. Also, I was in there during the earlier, and I think, original curriculum. Oh, and Diamond_Jim, if you are out there, Lisa is one of the reasons I "retired". Just wanted to plain enjoy life with her.
Anyhow, how about a show of hands. How many of you are currently involved? What country? How many out there used to be? Heck, even how many are considering it?? {Please DO!!}
I know there are different organizations in different countries. Care to share with us?

[kay]

I'm no instructor and don't think I can ever be one but one thing I can say for sure is that if it weren't for the instructors, I wouldn't be riding now.

I have a great amount of appreciation for their efforts (although I did destroy their bench by crashing into it. Tehe.)

[87gsxrnut]

Not anymore, although I do train some people on a personal basis. I was an MSF instructor for about a year and a half.

- Nut

[Tab B.]

Kay, I honestly don't know what the requirements are to be an instructor in Japan. But I can tell you what you really need. Ya just gotta love these damn things. I think you have that covered nicely. See what is required and give it a thought. I've bugged Palanon a little about it. He'd make a good one too.
SHREK IV, the M/C instructor.

[Tab B.]

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

Not anymore, although I do train some people on a personal basis. I was an MSF instructor for about a year and a half.

- Nut

Not the least bit surprised either.

[palanon]

Originally Posted by Tab B.

I've bugged Palanon a little about it. He'd make a good one too.
SHREK IV, the M/C instructor.

I'm not keen on the idea that Harley and the other manufactures are having such a large influence on the MSF courses. Plus, it's pretty tough to convince me to do it if you won't.

Could see it now:

Shrek as Darth Bandit -" I swear, if you put your foot down one more time in the off set cones, riding that baby Buell, I swear I'm going to snap off your feet and then go to your house and crush that new Road King you plan on riding !! "

Oh yeah, that could be fun, in an evil sort of way.

[Apertureguy]

I've been considering it for when I retire from the Software industry.

I've contacted the local MSF class instructors, but they haven't called me back.

[sunny]

I'v considered it. But I haven't a clue about who to contact about it.

[inspiron]

I am not a licensed instructor, but I do organize and lead maneuver trainings through MotoTreff.ch, a Swiss motorcycle forum where I'm a moderator.

I've been told that it costs something like $20,000 to get an instructor's license in Switzerland, so I won't be doing that anytime soon...

[palanon]

Originally Posted by inspiron

I've been told that it costs something like $20,000 to get an instructor's license in Switzerland, so I won't be doing that anytime soon...

That's a little pricey to become an instructor. If, however, you got paid and had a student body that's willing to learn... maybe. I happen to be one of the minority that believes that a Graduated License program in the U.S.A. would be a good thing.

All kidding aside, one of the reasons I don't want to be an instructor for NH is the lame ass requirements. I know, some folk say any training is better than nothing, but......

In my State you have 2 basic rider classes ( for simplicity's sake ), cruisers ( mostly Harley ) and RRs ( T-shirt & tennies ). If you take the MSF class, you don't need to take a proficiency test. I believe the MSF class in my state is done on the baby Buell ( Lightning ? ). I think you would have to run over and kill someone to fail this class. The other choice, show up and take the proficiency test.

Not many of the students are going to be riding 250 cc bikes or their equivalent. Most are going to be on a 1200 Sportster or an R1 the next day.

The proficiency test is even worse. Many, many people show up to take the test on Honda 50s or similar near Moped type bikes. They know they can't do the coarse on the bike they plan to ride so, they take the test on anything small that has a registration plate on it.

At this point in my life, I am rather mellow but, no matter what Tab says, I don't have the ability to put up with that crap. Someone ( probably me ), would get hurt.

Now, a private school, with real students ? That I could do. After all, I love my track instructors. I just wish that a lot of them weren't half my age !!

[ORBrit]

I received a letter of invitation from Team Oregon asking if I would consider becoming an instructor for them.
Both my instructors on my last course (Rider Skills Practice) said I would be a good candidate during my debrief.
The letter says "Your instructor identified you as having the skills and enthusiasm we're looking for. Our instructors take their responsibilities very seriously, so when they make a recommendation like this I listen carefully."
I'm considering it as I feel it would make me a much better rider and I would love to be involved with helping other riders "survive the mean streets".

Receiving a recommendation is pretty much the only way in with Team Oregon I believe.

[KD57]

The instructor kicked a guy out of my wifes MSF class. They told him under no conditions should he operate a M/C on public streets. That's pretty balsey, told him straight up he's an idiot. Probably saved his life tho..I would never be an instructor, but appreciate the people who are and has to deal w/ the public. I was a motocross school instructor for several years, but it was a one on one situation, and most were advanced riders to start w/, and had already been racing a while. My son teaches the beginer riders under 12 years old. He is very good w/ kids.

[Tab B.]

Paul, you need to do a little more research. Harley's presence in the MSF, in our state, is small. It is limited to their own education program that uses the MSF curriculum. I think there are only a couple of Harley dealerships that participate in our state, and that is likely because they are the only ones with enough space to have the regulation size range. The instructors they use, may come from the state ranks, but I assure you, the ones I have met ALL ride Harleys. It is indeed intended to be part of the "PR" machine. They are the only ones to use the Buell "Blast"{400cc single}. So a non Harley riding instructor wouldn't have to worry about dealing with any of that. I too question the wisdom of using the Blast as a class bike. In very nervous hands it will be VERY wheelie prone. The bikes the state uses are sized from 125 to about 250cc. Most are chosen on that wonderful balance of cost,,, and cost.
A little humor!! Seriously, that and most of the bikes aren't very intimidating, the way it should be.
What "lame ass" requirements are you talking about? The minimum requirements in our state were {when I was involved} 2 years minimum riding time and you had to be currently riding, and own your own bike. I don't know if the requirements have changed, but back then, that would get you in the door,,,, and that was before you got "interviewed". Precious few of the instructors had that little experience. Believe me, the chiefs looked for weaknesses, and would work with you to minimize them, or you would be out.
When I went through in 92, one of the instructor candidates in my class, was a then current expert class racer, who flunked out the year before. So while it may not be rocket science, it sure isn't a cruise to the beach.
As far as the skills being taught, and how they apply to cruisers or sportbikes, the laws of physics don't differentiate between bike classes. Yes, there may be big differences in the intensity of application of said skills, but the same skills just the same. Every beginner starts roughly at the same place, regardless of what they ride.
Political issues?? You know that will be a problem from time to time. I did my best not to concern myself with any of that. I was there to be part of the gang that did the work. We were the people that worked with the students face to face. Where the rubber meets the road, or boot to footpeg. That is what I enjoyed. Even though I am not involved now, that doesn't mean I can't be a booster.
Geez, If I keep going I might have to move this to the "rant" thread!

[Clint]

Tab, I think Paul was referring to the inadequate requirements to become licensed, not those for instructors. He's saying that taking a simple course on a ridiculously small bike gets you your license, and that's not wise.

[Tab B.]

That might be the case, but we have to start somewhere. Just as much as anything else, we should promote education as much as possible. With increased awareness, I would hope that more, and better curriculums might be possible. Oh well.

[ORBrit]

I think the mileage and time in saddle requirements are flexible.
When I was invited to join Team Oregon, I had exactly 1 year and 5000 miles under my belt.
I'm a firm believer in the tiered license system used in several countries where engine displacement license categories exist.
Part of the problem over here is that so many people ride unlicensed so trying to introduce different categories is pointless.
Over half the people on my first course - the Intermediate rider training had ridden for years - just had never got their license.

[Tab B.]

ORBRIT, good luck with that. I think you will enjoy it. I'm sure the requirements vary from state to state. Yes indeed, in this country we do have a few up hill battles as far attitudes, images, etc. I'm on the fence as far as a tiered system. I agree completely on the benefits, and from a selfish standpoint would enjoy the small bike market it would inevitably create, like the ones in the other countries. It's that just a very tiny part of me doesn't like the idea of more rules and laws. It is probably a little naive' of me to think we could improve our sport without a few more laws, even if they are really good ones.

[kay]

Originally Posted by Tab B.

Kay, I honestly don't know what the requirements are to be an instructor in Japan. But I can tell you what you really need. Ya just gotta love these damn things. I think you have that covered nicely. See what is required and give it a thought. I've bugged Palanon a little about it. He'd make a good one too.
SHREK IV, the M/C instructor.

Tab, I would love to do it if I could. But I just don't think I will be ready in many more years. There are no instructor license here but that's because the skill sets of those guys are already very high and I don't think they need anything to proove that you are good enough to be one. They just see you ride and that's it. A lot of them, if not most, are retired bike cops so that alone shows you how good you have to be. In other words, being able to ride the courses is not enough. You need the perfect riding form as well.

The riding schools here are all privately operated. Those certified by the gov't can conduct tests and give out certificates which you can submit to the Licensing Office and have an official riding license. This is where I learned how to ride initially.

The all women's riding school I go to is not certified and therefore do not take first time riders with no license. They focus more on teaching better skills for those who already have licenses.

Then we have similar "better riding schools" that are run be the police. These are really inexpensive (about 80cents for a whole day class!!) and incumbant bike cops will teach you. So these are really good.

But aside from the all women's riding school, I have never seen a female instructor. We have female driving instructors so female are not banned from the profession. I just don't think it attracts female.

But if I can learn to be skillful enough, I would love to do it. I really think I can motivate some of the girls to ride because some of them simply give up before trying, thinking they are either not big enough or not strong enough.

[inspiron]

Maybe the US could learn something from the EU, if they would open their minds ...

- Restricted to 34 horsepower for 2 years for under-25 riders;
- License test requires the rider to demonstrate skills (maneuvers and road test with passenger);
- License test can only be taken in full safety gear;
- Helmet laws for bikes, trikes and quads;
- Insurance required to get a bike registered;
- ...

Sure, we've got squids on bikes getting killed every weekend, but you can say if they were licensed (which they must be) that they knew better.

[KD57]

If I remember correctly, when I got my license I was 13 years old, and restricted to 100cc or less. I had a beginner permit, and had to ride in view of a licensed rider over 21 years old for a year. When I was 14 or 15 I was thoroughly tested on the road w/ a state trooper, then I received my full license, but still limited to 500cc. When I turned 17 I was finally released to ride what I wanted. Guess that was too much trouble for the state, sometime between than and now they quit doing that. Now all you have to do is take the M/C course, go buy a 170 mph bike and ride, basically w/ no road experience whatsoever.