95% of all Harleys ever built are still on the road today...

[ZLDRider]

It's a fine line to walk, telling jokes or stories and also staying on track.

 

These are fast paced classes and it is easy to get off track and get behind.

 

I usually save my stories or jokes for when I see people starting to nod off. This usually happens after lunch and after being on the range all morning. People are tired and they just ate. All the blood goes from their heads to their stomachs and I start seeing heads bobbing during videos.

 

We try to make it fun by getting them up and playing some games/competitions, etc. while still covering all the topics.

 

My other crowd pleaser is the advice I give when we discuss animals.

 

"General rule of thumb: if the animal is small enough to eat in one sitting, just run over it. Don't try to break or swerve".

 

That usually gets a chuckle.

 

Then I follow up with an explanation of what I mean in more detail. This is usually when somebody asks if I've ever hit an animal. It's easy to get caught up talking about these stories or my friends' stories. I've been fortunate in that I haven't hit anything larger than a Hoot Owl but, I've had some close calls. Several of my buddies have hit deer, Moose, and a Buffalo. That rider is now called "Buffalo Phil". ;-)

 

Another buddy of mine has a hilarious story about when he hit a Doe and cut her clean in half. He managed to stay upright, though.

 

But, I digress...

 

[chag67]

My only beef is the arrogance of some Harley owners. There are 25 motorcycle owners in my office, 10 of which own a Harley. I bought my first bike last March. I purchased a 2005 Suzuki M50. Something "small" to see if I would actually enjoy riding. I never had rode a motorcycle until I bought the M50. I now have a 2007 Yamaha Venture. I absolutely love riding.

 

I don't talk motorcycles to only one of the Harley owners in my office. This guy is an arrogant arse. He was making fun of my M50 because it wasn't a Harley. He tries to make fun of my Venture but has since stopped. I was tired of his "jokes" so I made it point to ask him where is bike was when I didn't see it on a beautiful day. About once every 2 months he would have it in the shop getting fixed for something. The next time he tried to joke about my non-Harley bike, I told him that I like to own a motorcycle that spends more time on the road than in the mechanic's garage. He doesn't talk to me any more about motorcycles.

 

I have great conversations with all the other motorcyclists, Harley owners or other. I don't judge other Harley owners based on this one jackleg.

[MasterGuns]

So, you're saying your classes were very boring and people were falling asleep, huh?

 

Well, our outfit tries to make the class fun and stimulating because we feel if people want to participate and are having fun, it helps them learn.

 

But teach your classes however you want to.

 

 

FYI, when I was a MSF Instructer I was assigned that as an additional duty while in the Corps. I was responsible for teaching the course to any Marine that wanted to operate his bike on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Ca. I taught those MCF courses from 1993 though 1996 when I retired. Any Marine with intentions to ride their bike while on active duty had to complete this course, period. I and two other instructors (but I was senior) taught the course in a Marine Corps classroom and reported directly to the Commanding General. The classes were only provided on Saturdays and if the course was not completed successfully, the failing student (Marine) was banned from operating his m/c period; on or off base. That was the regs at the time. Don't know what they are now. Classes were taught from a Marine Corps Institute lesson plan and the skills tests was established by the MCF. The course had to be taught in less than 6 hours. So, there was no time for joking around or civilian type grabass. JFYI.

[chag67]

I took the motorcycle safety class on the Air Force base I work at and it was 2 days, 8 hrs per day.

 

There was some joking during the classroom period but the field testing was all serious.

 

The class was required for all active duty military. And recommended (but not required) for civilians working on base. I took it because it was free and have me a discount on insurance. But I learned a lot more than expected and I am very glad I took it.

 

To ride on base, EVERYONE has to wear over ankle boots, long pants, long sleeve, eye protection, dot approved helmet, full fingered gloves, and reflective (at night). Active duty military has to wear reflective day and night.