| Author | Message | ||
     Cudajohn |
Fatalities prompt sport bike safety course By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer Posted : Thursday Jun 12, 2008 12:53:27 EDT NORFOLK, Va. — All sailors and Marines who ride high-performance racing motorcycles, also known as sport bikes, will soon be required to complete a one-day safety course. Under a rule now awaiting approval from the Navy Department, all personnel, including civilians, need to complete the course to maintain a base access sticker. In conjunction with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, it will be available first in Norfolk, San Diego, Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., then spread to Navy and Marine Corps communities across the U.S. and overseas. Adm. Jonathan Greenert, U.S. Fleet Forces commander, says too many service members are getting injured or killed on high-performance motorcycles. “We need to arrest that trend,” he said during a safety course Wednesday on Naval Station Norfolk. So far in fiscal 2008, 30 of the 32 sailors and Marines killed in motorcycle accidents were riding sport bikes, according to a message from the Naval Safety Center. That’s compared with fiscal 2007, when 66 percent of Navy motorcycle fatalities and 78 percent of Marine motorcycle deaths involved sport bikes. Called the “advanced sport bike course” the one-day session includes classroom lessons on risk assessment as well as riding evaluations on an outdoor range. Since 1972, military motorcycle riders have been required to complete the basic rider course to obtain a base access sticker. Now sport bike riders — who make up half of the 25,000 motorcyclists in the Navy and Marine Corps — will need to complete additional instruction. Sport bikes, because of their design and high power, are not as simple to ride as a traditional motorcycle, according to Don Boroski, motorcycle safety manager at the center. “They are an unstable platform, which is why they are maneuverable and fast and outperform the rider 90 percent of the time. The horsepower ranges up to 180hp,” he said. “You are not going to teach a guy how to fly a Cessna and then put him in an F-18.” Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (AW) Amilcar Andrade started riding five months ago and said he’s grateful for the additional riding lessons. “This is a really good course for me,” he said during a break in the class. Originally from Cape Verde, off western Africa, Andrade said he bought a motorcycle to save money on gasoline, but now he just enjoys riding it. And his Suzuki 600 Katana is how he commutes to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 on the Norfolk base. “If the weather is good, that’s my ride to work,” he said. Rear Adm. Arthur Johnson, commander of the Naval Safety Center, said sailors and Marines perform with confidence in high-risk environments every day on duty, whether that’s on a flight deck or in on the ground in Iraq. “We want to create that same mind-set in sport bike riders,” he said. Johnson said individual commands will be held responsible for compliance with the program. The rule is expected to become official in two weeks, according to Naval Safety Center spokeswoman April Phillips." ************************************* I am glad to see this because when one as$hat on base gets a sportbike a week later 5 more guys get a bike for the first time. There was an incident where a guy sold another guy a Lightning. W/o any riding experience ever let him pull away (on Base). He immediately wheelied right into a late '90's Z-28 door. T-boner! I tried to buy the bike because it was messed up but the guy was determined to learn. I like his determination but the same guy later hurt himself doing something stupid on the same Lightning. Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, and brains save both. -Erwin Rommel | ||
| Nevrenuf |
Since 1972, military motorcycle riders have been required to complete the basic rider course to obtain a base access sticker. 75-79 USN. don't remember ever taking a motorcycle safety course. someone wasn't doing their job. and i had the bike at charleston, phily, norfolk and jacksonville. hopefully they'll make sure no one gets through the cracks and misses out on the training.} | ||
| Tramp |
The US mil. dropping a ball? well I never! They should order streebike eval & training for all military motorcylists, not just sportriders. Their asses all belong to Uncle Sam, and as such, should be further insured against damage. This is an intelligent expenditure of tax dollars | ||
| Hughlysses |
You've had to have MSF or equivalent to get base stickers for a bike since at least the mid-1980's on Navy bases. I like the admiral's quote above. | ||
| Rotzaruck |
They should order streebike eval & training for all military motorcylists, not just sportriders. Yup! All or none. I think they are basing decisions on the wrong factors. An idiot like me could find himself on those stats on ANY kind of bike. How much will they spend determining what's a sport's bike and what's not? I could mess up pretty bad in a Cessna too. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Helping to teach and demo for this class in September. Will be hosting and showing off the Buells to the Gang that think that Liter Bikes are all the schznit. The class is directed to people to use their own bikes. The other portion of this is to get rider education and bike selection ideas prior to them purchasing the kawasuzihonyami cruise missile. Should be a fun class  Pics as they happen. | ||
| Tramp |
Actually, Buell & HD should offer service personnel a break on their products, being as they're manufactured in the country that these ladies and gentlemen serve. Until then, the American GI will do better, dollar-for- HP, with an asian motorcycle. I find it a tad scary that a segment of the class may be used to pressure US service personnel to purchase one brand over another. When HD/Buell offer them a significant active-duty discount, then the argument might be made conscientiously | ||
| Cudajohn |
I am actually going to get $600 off MSRP by ordering through Military Auto Sales (overseas) but they turn around and charge you a "COURTESY DELIVERY FEE" at $299, and that's after the $255 Inland Freight Charge. Does anyone in the States sell XB's at MSRP? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
There is a specific program that is available to the active and deployed military members, it has been in place for many years. It is through AFES/BX/PX/NEX Auto sales. When I was deployed, the Command knew I did Harley sales, so for 6 months I was servicing that contract out of Fort Bliss TX for Returning Service Members. The military has always supported Harley, they do a nice job of returning the favor. And I was asked to be at the class as an ALTERNATIVE to the Import bikes by the Command. It might have something to do with that I have sold the C.O. and his Chief bikes that they asked me to be there. (I have had 13 bikes only the last two were from Wisconsin) | ||
| Tramp |
That is reassuring- What are the specific benefits of this program you mention? You cite the program (which i have no reason to doubt, and i'm sure it's generous) but I don't see what the benefits actually are. | ||
| Seanp |
So what constitutes a sport bike? Is it engine size? Nope, because there are 600cc sport bikes, and 650cc cruisers. Is it riding position? Not really, because you can get risers for a sport bike, and clip-ons for a standard. Is it some sort of DMV classification? Doubt it, because those smacktards don't even know what a Buell is in some states... So how the hell are they going to determine who is on a sport bike? What's the real difference between an FZ1 and an R1? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The overseas Auto group allows you to purchase domestic cars or domestic bikes (Harley & Buell) while deployed/underway/overseas for 90 days. Contact your AFES/BX/PX/NEX rep for current program availabilities and specifics. And as far as what a "sport bike" is... I am sure that Dept of the NAVY will have a standard definition of what they consider one to be. they have the naming of parts for everything. | ||
| Bill0351 |
Several of the guys in our company looked into buying a bike during our deployment to Iraq. If anyone is thinking of doing it, email their price with all fees included to your local dealer. Most of us ended up finding out there was no net savings. They tend to get guys with a big chunk of deployment money burning a hole in their pocket. My dealer (not a sponsor) offered $1,000 of the price of a new BT and $500 off the price of a Sportster to anyone with a military ID. That was just my experience with the program, and only from the HD end of things. That was also well over a year ago. Bill | ||
| Tramp |
So, this 'program' is really just an import break on domestic machines for deployed service people. That's not any significant break on the purchase price of a domestic motorcycle for a US service person, it's just a transport break for deployed personnel. HD/Buell should really implement a price break on their product for all US service personnel. | ||
| Bill0351 |
HD and Buell used to do a thing where your warranty would not count deployed days. I am not sure if they do now. That was pretty cool. I wonder if the $1,000.00 and $500.00 price break was official HD policy or something the dealer in Manitowoc WI was just doing on his own. It was a great deal. He sold me my old Sportster at $500.00 under MSRP and threw in shipping and set-up. I thought that was pretty cool of him. All I had to so was show him my military ID and I think they made a copy of it. Bill | ||
| Bigdaddy |
HD/Buell should really implement a price break on their product for all US service personnel. Here here (and the retired ones too!)  (tongue firmly in cheek) | ||
| Thesmaz |
I bought my Uly through Exchange New Car Sales and got a good deal on the bike but because I had it delivered overseas I had to pay shipping from the factory to the East coast and then from the port to Germany (which is where ALL of the HD/Buell's are delivered when purchased in Europe). The best part about ordering from tem is that you don't end up paying sales tax and you can usually wheel and deal with them to get a better price. Here is Italy it's a pain in the azz to get plates and motorcycle endorsement on your Armed Forces in Italy license. You have to have motorcycle endorsement on your stateside license, you have to complete the MSF BRC if it has been more than 90 days since you've owned and ridden a bike otherwise you have to take the ERC. You also have to have an interview with your commander prior to even being allowed to take the MSF course. You can't ride you bike on or off base until you've completed the course so the day before the course you have to have someone who has the AFI motorcycle endorsement ride your bike to the parking lot next to the range and after the course is over you still cannot ride. You have to go get a 30 temp license because you have to complete a mentorship ride(s). The rides with the mentor are on local roads and you are watched on how well you handle your bike in all types of situations (curvy roads, high traffic conditions, in the inner city etc, etc). If you took the BRC, two mentorship rides, ERC just one, then you park the bike again until you have the squadron motorcycle safety person and a second interview with your commander to get your three page application completed. Then you can finally go get your license and plates! The roads here are really slick, even when dry, because there is marble in the asphalt and they can be downright treacherous when they are wet! The drivers here are all crazy but surprisingly enough the Americans here cause more of the wrecks usually by driving too fast. Oh and we have to go through this entire process every three years! I have no problem with additional training for motorcyclist but I also think that folks that only drive cars should have additional training and safety briefs, that goes for stateside too (everyone not just military). | ||
| Redhatbuell |
Air Mobility Command has had a Sportbike Training Course for a while (I R an instructor  ). As designed the course would be difficult/imposible for a non-sportbike (u-turn between two gates 15' apart, etc.) So far the feedback is pretty positive. We are really pushing the being a mentor to your fellow riders and riding the Pace. Also, I got my Ma Deuce through AAFES while in Turkey. AAFES buys a block of bikes every year betting on the come and if you aren't too picky you can get one hell of a deal on a bike they couldn't sell. I got my '02 for Father's Day in '03 for $3000 off. | ||
| Tramp |
? I could easily u-turn an FXR, a vintage Triumph or BSA, any 1970s japanese standard or any airhead BMW between 15' gates....  ... In fact, most of the above-cited mnotorcycles have MUCH tighter steering radii than my S2T or most Ducatis | ||
| Steve_mackay |
As designed the course would be difficult/imposible for a non-sportbike (u-turn between two gates 15' apart, etc.) The police training requires officers to do a U turn in 8' on an HD FL. Doing it in 15' would be a walk in the park for those guys. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The local cops will be getting to test the Police ULY in 3 weeks. I get to be there for that lil exhibit too. Morning on the Tarmac, then afternoon on the dirty and bendy doing a lead and follow behind the Orange CityX Pics as they happen. | ||
| Barker |
"The police training requires officers to do a U turn in 8' on an HD FL. Doing it in 15' would be a walk in the park for those guys." FL, Yes. Some sport bikes, no. I have seen a ducati that cant do the 20' box. It was the bike not the rider. A whole team of of MSF coaches could not make the box. | ||
| Xl1200r |
^^ Sounds like they needed to slip the rear wheel a little to get the job done. I have seen a Buell XB do turns inside a 104" box | ||
| Easy_rider |
Since 1972, military motorcycle riders have been required to complete the basic rider course to obtain a base access sticker. I worked at a Navy "base" that employed close to 3000 civilians. As I recall, the requirement to take a course to get your tag started in '89 ('bout the time someone realized lots of newbies were wrecking sportbikes). Lots of older riders were convinced they wouldn't learn anything. I didn't hear a one say that they didn't think the course was worthwhile once they took it. I expect the advanced rider course will get the same reaction. |
