Navy Motorcycle Safety

[CMDRDAVE]

I have not been a big fan of the way the Navy has been dealing with motorcycle riders over the last few years.  I understand that the statistics for deaths and injuries to Sailors and Marines were getting ridiculous and something had to be done.  It just seemed to me that the unwritten policy was to make riding a motorcycle on base as miserable as possible until no one would do it.  I am pleased to say that it looks like things may be making a turn for the better.  Last Friday I attended the Motorcycle Rodeo in Norfolk, VA and made a few observations.

+1, The Exchange had started to stock a few items of motorcycle gear (helmets, reflective vests, gloves, etc) about 6 months ago.  This week the local exchange opened a 600sf mini-CycleGear in the store.  Now they are selling actual protective gear at the exchange.  Lots of textile gear, some leather jackets, no leather pants.  Still it is gear that is much better than what I see 80% of the people riding on base wearing.  It is a step in the right direction.

+1, Promoting track days by not excluding them anymore. Any mention of the track had been removed from any Navy motorcycle event I had ever been to.  I think someone has finally figured out that young sailor who buys sport bike want to go fast and the best place for them to do that is at a track school in a relatively controlled environment.  A local (4 hours away) track school (Cornerspeed) was in attendance at the rodeo with several race and track bikes on display and two instructors.  I was surprised to see them there, but great publicity for them and another good step for the Navy. 

+1, The Smart Ride magazine that they are distributing has several references to track schools.  "If you like to bike on the streets, then that's cool, but you got to try to do some kind of track day, you'll love it" - Nicky Hayden.  There is also an article by Keith Code mentioning his work with the Marine Corps "Sportbike Speed and Direction Challenge Track Day, and several times mentions California Superbike School.  Full magazine here  http://safetycenter.navy.mil/media/seashore/SmartRide/2009/Smart_Ride09.pdf

-1, Poor attendance at Rodeo.  There was a lot more that could have been done to promote this event.  A lot more can be done to promote ATGATT and Track Events.  I don't think a majority of sailors will ever be ATGATT or will the Navy ever flat out endorse track events, but I have been surprised before.  I think this a all a good start, they just need to keep it up.

-1, Epic Fail on the cover of above magazine, but I'll post that in Racing and Trackdays.

[mstevens]

I was disappointed when I read about the MSF Sportbike course and learned it was military-only and that I couldn't take it.

When I was a kid you could get motorcycles in the BX (if you can call an AMF Harley a motorcycle) as well as scuba gear with no certification. Maybe the military was less risk-averse then, or maybe military members were more prone to take care of themselves. The rate of motorcycle injuries and deaths among military members seems to have escalated significantly lately.

I'm really glad to hear that a note of reality has crept in (i.e., that training and experience beat prohibition every time) and that some more decent gear is becoming available in the exhanges.

[redxblack]

I blame it on Tom Cruise squidding it up in Top Gun!

[Scotzman]

Here in San Diego, they have track days and command rides almost every month, also, Lee Parks does his Total Control class every few months that's free for military.

On Camp Pendleton you don't have to wear a reflective vest anymore because accidents were still on the rise when they'd wear them, so they figured they're not doing anything so what's the point.

[slowpoke13]

I just completed the MSRC (Military Sportbike Ricers Course) here in Yokosuka, Japan (actually, it was in Yokohama) last week. It was "facilitated" by a couple of guys with decent track experience. Including one that does regular track time at a semi-local japanese track (pisses me off - a new track is opening less than an hour away 2 months after I transfer - nuther story).

It was a day long class. morning was spent in the classroom. The usual things; reviews of cornering techniques, line placement, etc. The afternoon was on the range. They undid some of the lessons taught in the BRC and ERC by demanding riding with the balls of your feet on the pegs and trying to brake with 2 fingers. And, leaning more and keeping the bike upright in the process. Circuits were taken in 2nd and 3rd gear. Track time was encouraged. It really was a lot of fun. I had just put on a new pair of shoes and it did a wonderful job of scrubbing the rubber.

Last month, they had a moto rodeo that included the Shirobai. If you've never seen them ride, ohh my lord... the stuff they do at speed and at <5mph would make your jaw drop. Youtube it.. it's just wow...

In Japan, the vests are mandatory for all riders day or night. Doesn't bother me. I've got a day-glo Aerostitch darien that everyone recognizes and the usual Icon orange thing. The exchange here has a small rack with some helmets, gloves, and vests. No other riding gear yet as there really aren't many riders. I'm the only active rider at my command (~270 souls).

[teddy037.2]

been waitin' on the MSRC... my tags are up next august.

was thinking about taking the ERC before that, anyway. since it's free n'all 

[Scotzman]

It's good that the MSRC/ERC are good for three years, but the MSRC was actaully pretty fun. Also, getting out of work to go ride

[slowpoke13]

It's good that the MSRC/ERC are good for three years, but the MSRC was actaully pretty fun. Also, getting out of work to go ride

My DH was so demanding that I attend, he was going to cut me orders. It was perfect. I plan on taking it more often than every 3 years.

[amcloud]

I was disappointed when I read about the MSF Sportbike course and learned it was military-only and that I couldn't take it.

When I was a kid you could get motorcycles in the BX (if you can call an AMF Harley a motorcycle) as well as scuba gear with no certification. Maybe the military was less risk-averse then, or maybe military members were more prone to take care of themselves. The rate of motorcycle injuries and deaths among military members seems to have escalated significantly lately.

I'm really glad to hear that a note of reality has crept in (i.e., that training and experience beat prohibition every time) and that some more decent gear is becoming available in the exhanges.

It is a waste of time.  The MSF Sportbike course is very elementary.  It generally seems to be full of squids with squared off tires.  I am not part of the navy, or military for that matter, but I work on a Base as a civilian engineer and have been required to take it a couple times.  You aren't missing much.

[brent9632]

I'm in the army and the navy has taken all its leads from us. All these DOD mandated safty courses are very educational and i have learned something each time i have attended. There was actually one SM is my group who had take the BRC, ERC and sport bike course all in one course of 2 weeks. i think that is excesive but that is was his change of command wanted after he upgraded to a 09 busa from an ninja 250. i just go with the flow on these issuses. i sign my lil counseling statment that says i will not ride "recklessly" every month and say Hooah.
 

[Scotzman]

It is a waste of time.  The MSF Sportbike course is very elementary.  It generally seems to be full of squids with squared off tires.  I am not part of the navy, or military for that matter, but I work on a Base as a civilian engineer and have been required to take it a couple times.  You aren't missing much.

Maybe, but Admirals mandate that our bosses let us go for the day or week to go ride and do these courses, some of which are track days sponsored by Kieth Code. I'm not going to complain to get paid to go ride whether doing figure 8's in a parking lot or riding on a track.

[Scotzman]

I'm in the army and the navy has taken all its leads from us. All these DOD mandated safty courses are very educational and i have learned something each time i have attended. There was actually one SM is my group who had take the BRC, ERC and sport bike course all in one course of 2 weeks. i think that is excesive but that is was his change of command wanted after he upgraded to a 09 busa from an ninja 250. i just go with the flow on these issuses. i sign my lil counseling statment that says i will not ride "recklessly" every month and say Hooah.
 

In the Army, do you have to wear the reflective vests? I know what the Navy and Marine Corps are doing, but curious what other branches are requiring.

[brent9632]

In the Army, do you have to wear the reflective vests? I know what the Navy and Marine Corps are doing, but curious what other branches are requiring.

The reflective vest or belt is only required for night and low visability riding. most of the time you can just get away with wearing a bright colored long-sleeve shirt during the day. A vest or reflective belt is required if in Uniform.

[kopfjäger]

The reflective vest or belt is only required for night and low visability riding. most of the time you can just get away with wearing a bright colored long-sleeve shirt during the day. A vest or reflective belt is required if in Uniform.

Long sleeve shirt, but no protective gear.