[RANT] Military Sportbike Riders Course

[herm]

never should have let tom cruise in the navy....

[vw151]

Good luck - hope you pass - just between you and I, I won't tell anyone that you've only been riding for 3 weeks and that you like to ride in shorts, flip-flops, and a tank top that says "GO NAVY" written in black Sharpie marker on the back. 

HAHA!

yeah, all things aside, I can see the frustration of being a pretty seasoned rider and having big brother tell you you aren't aloud until you go to some course. 

I guess I can just see that the military was looking to make this happen, this will certainly motivate everyone to get it done. 

[Scotzman]

Do you know who's teaching the required course??

Lee Parks has been doing the training course for the Marines and is set to start with the Air Force; maybe he'll be teaching the Navy course as well.  

If you go in with an open mind you may actually learn something.   [moto]

The classes are taught by MSF coaches. There is a course that Lee parks teaches as well, "Total Control" as it's called; However, it's an additional course and doesn't replace the other course. It's supposed to be really good though, about setting up your suspension, cornering, getting your knee down, all that stuff.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the military does control any and all (most) activities that happen on or off base. Just like PPE has to be worn 100% of the time and if you're in an accident and found without it, the govt can deny paying the medical bills.

[NAKID]

How to define it?  Well I guess we could argue all day about it, but the foot position, the type of suspension, the brakes, the motor, the light weight, the tires.   

Definitely not the motor. What "sport bike" manufactured in the last 10 years is aircooled?

Also, let's look at the 06 620, non adjustable forks, heavier than it's I-4 600 counterparts, small 2 pot brakes. What's left? The foot position?

What about the Aprilia RS50? Based on your specs, that's a sport bike that does 50-70mph with a whopping 6hp...

[Monster Dave]

Isn't a Ninja 250 considered a "sport bike" too?

[Howie]

Definitely not the motor. What "sport bike" manufactured in the last 10 years is aircooled?

Also, let's look at the 06 620, non adjustable forks, heavier than it's I-4 600 counterparts, small 2 pot brakes. What's left? The foot position?

What about the Aprilia RS50? Based on your specs, that's a sport bike that does 50-70mph with a whopping 6hp...

Ducati Super Sport?

[CMDRDAVE]

I really don't have a problem with the requirement to take the course. It really is a decent course for the average rider.  Or the annual training requirements, motorcycle mentors, etc.   What I do have a problem is with the attitude that goes with the policy and making the course available to all who need it.

Maybe it is just me, but when every command finds out I ride a sport bike they treat me like I am 18, never ridden, just bought a GSXR 1000 yesterday and will go out of my way to ride like an idiot and kill myself.  I know these are the type of riders they are trying to help, but that is clearly not me.  But that is the way I am treated.  Period.  Nothing I can do to change that, I have tried.

For many people it has been difficult/impossible to take the course due to time at sea, deployments, schools, course availability etc.  It took over 6 months before I could get into a course, they were all full.  It is never convenient for a command to give up a sailor for a day and will push and push to have you find a "better time" to take the course.

So, let's say 18 year old shore sailor wants to buy a sport bike.  He signs up for the two courses.  Buys the bike, takes the BRC a week later and then takes the MSBRC 2 weeks later.  And has less than 500 miles on the bike when done.  (4 students in my class) All boxes are checked, he is good to ride wherever, whenever.   Now you have Mr. Exact and others, who can't get into a class for various reasons and have not checked all of the boxes, do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not ride your bike.

[NAKID]

Exactly. Plus, the instruction contradicts the recommendations of the MSF. It states that a rider should take the ERC as soon as possible after the BRC, preferably within 60 days. MSF recommends 6 months or 1000 miles...

[Scotzman]

Exactly. Plus, the instruction contradicts the recommendations of the MSF. It states that a rider should take the ERC as soon as possible after the BRC, preferably within 60 days. MSF recommends 6 months or 1000 miles...

They DO push for completing ERC/MSRC with in a short amount of time, BUT the BRC is good for one year. So Technically you just have to complete the next course with in that year and the ERC/MSRC are good for three years now.

I guess attitude is different at each command; we've had some serious accidents-one guy lost both his legs for example-but a lot of us still go to track days and command rides which is supported. Our whole thing is that we hold a safety brief before hand and the more we ride together, the safer we'll be and other riders can provide critiques.

[Popeye the Sailor]

That's the thing. No stipulations on miles ridden, years of experience, or age. Overall poorly executed instruction...

Those stipulations would all be moot.

1) how would you prove the miles ridden? Would they be useful? Sunshine across say, nebraska and 3k isnot the same as 3k in a monsoon in say, the mountains of Oregon.

2) Years of experience? How do we count this? If I rode a motorcycle once when I was 18 and I'm 29 now and buy my first bike, have I been riding for 11 years?

3) Age-like we don't have older people who ride who are morons? The second highest risk group *is* older riders.

What stipulations would make a real difference? Miles ridden is probably the most useful. Would we take the number of accidents during those miles ridden into it?

[Buckethead]

Seriously? This thing is still an issue?

I mean, I realize you're in school. But they came out with this course LAST YEAR. There hasn't been one course in the last 70 some odd weeks you could make it to? Its ONE DAY.

I can understand your frustration. The military makes riding a huge pain in the dick. But you can't tell me you couldn't see this one coming.

[NAKID]

Nope, I've been in school since July of last year. I could miss a day of school, but the OIC says that if I do, I can't continue with my class because I'll miss class.

[Scotzman]

Nope, I've been in school since July of last year. I could miss a day of school, but the OIC says that if I do, I can't continue with my class because I'll miss class.

But....That would be against the CNO's policy which mandates ALL must attend these courses and ALL supervisors must allow the time off to complete these courses without reprisal.

[NAKID]

I understand, however, the course of instruction is pretty fast paced and in depth. The next available course is halfway through ACLS...

[Scotzman]

I think IDC school is on the east coast right? Too bad. In SoCal, they're offering the class 2-3 times a week.