MSF RiderCourse for Armed Forces

Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army safety centers, the Military Sportbike RiderCourse is a next level training program designed for military riders who have already completed the basic RiderCourse. The course is now also available for the Air Force, Coast Guard and the Marine Corps.

The goal is to provide riders with a way to further develop personal riding strategies and decision-making abilities to help them minimize their risk, says Dr. Ray Ochs, MSF director of training systems.

More than 1,600 armed forces personnel have already taken the Military Sportbike RiderCourse. The U.S. Navy requires that all personnel who own sportbikes take the Military Sportbike RiderCourse after completing the Basic RiderCourse. The courses expansion to all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces comes shortly after CNN reported that more Marines had been killed in motorcycle accidents than under enemy fire in Iraq.

The one-day Miltiary Sportbike RiderCourse includes three hours of classroom training focusing on riding behavior such as attitude and risk assessment. Other classroom topics include braking proficiency, cornering techniques and traction management, important skills for sportbike riding. Four hours of hands-on riding builds on the classroom discussions, allowing riders to develop their skills. The Military Sportbike RiderCourse is taught by MSF RiderCoaches who receive additional training and certification.

Military personnel taking the course will also receive a Sportbike Survival Guide booklet written by riding instructor Nick Ienatsch with a foreward from AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies.

With this new course for military riders, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation advances its ongoing effort to provide innovative programs and curriculum, all developed with one goal in mind - to fulfill its mission of improving rider safety, says Ochs.

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