USAF Sportbike Course

As I've stated in my last few posts, I attended & completed a USAF Sport Bike Skills Course. I am now certified to teach this course to other USAF & DOD riders. I can say without hesitation, this is the single best thing I've ever done in uniform that wasn't in an aircraft. I feel PRIVELEGED to have taken apart of this program. I would like to publicly thank Jason Cook for taking the time to pass this knowledge to me.
www.jndmotorsports.com

I am not going to try to "teach" anything with this post, I'm just going to give the high-lights. All this info is for sportbikes only.

1) There were nearly 1800 mishaps in a 10 year period that were studied to develop this course. 165 were Class A disability or Fatality. To put that into perspective, the USAF has lost less than 50 people in Iraq.

2) 86% of the mishaps were operator error. Incorrectly negotiating a curve acounted for 32%. The "at risk" group is 18-27yo males.

3) Proper suspension setup is a something that pays huge dividends but is extremely neglected by a large number of riders. Since us VFR riders don't have a fully adjustable suspension...

4) Don't neglect your tires & don't go cheapo when it comes time to choose tires. They are the single most important component after the rider.

5) Protective Gear: NO SKIN BELOW THE CHIN. Need I say more?

6) Don't be a douchetard squid on the street. There is a time & place for everything & stunting/racing on the street is phenominally stupid.

I'm not going to go into the riding part since it's impossible to teach someone riding techniques over a computer. I will say the riding exericises include:
throttle control
body position/lean angle & counter steering
braking techniques, stage 1 (friction zone on the pad), stage 2 (control stop), stage 3 (quick stop) & stage 4 (emergency stop)
constant radius turns
swerving & weaving
decreasing radius turns
multiple corners

This course was not easy & I was nervous as to whether I passed the eval. I did, but I know I can do much better & will do better in the future.

Another part of the course is kind of touchy. The instructors must have the willingness to tell a person sport bikes are not for them & they should sell the bike. Of the 5 people that took the course that was our final eval as instructors, only 2 passed.

I must say it again, this course is beyond outstanding. Anyone in the USAF/DOD will be seeing it soon enough.

The Chief Instructor training the instructor candidates rode a non street legal race prepped ZX-10, no lights, no mirrors, no signals, no license plate, slicks, race body work, the whole package.

The 6 Instructor Candidates:
07 ZX-10
Ducati 999 (don't know the year)
06 GSXR 1000 (the year before they slapped on dual mufflers)
01 GSXR 1000
00 CBR929RR
00 VFR800fi (wonder who that was?)

The 5 students on Saturday:
Ninja 250 (really, I'm not kidding)
07 ZX-10
total ragged out CBR600 (it still had carbs)
06 CBR600RR (stripped, sanded & ready for paint)
07 R1

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Thanks for the update KC.

Training is tough, but its so much fun!

I wish more people would sign up for classes like this...wherever they are taught. If you don't do well that just means you need more practice. And there is nothing wrong with that, we all learn at a different pace.

I certainly wasn't the fastest rider at the track day I did and I realized how much I need to focus on proper/ smooth braking. But it took some time getting used to using the breaks at 90-100mph to slow down to 60mph. They only way I'll learn is keep practicing.

KC, you will find that its very addictive to hang off...next time you are at the Dragon be careful LOL!

BZ

 

One of the guys here Dennis Kuhn helped develope that course supposedly. He races, and is kinda full of himself, granted he's not a bad rider, nd can ride circles around me. Rumors of this course coming to Europe have been circulating for a few years now, hopefully we'll see it soon. I've taken the MSF basic, and experienced courses, and honestly they didn't do too much for me. I'll never do a figure 8 in a parking lot with my VFR, but some of the other stuff they teach is useful, but something tailored to sportbkes would be really nice to take.

 

Yes, Dennis Kuhn is one of the founding fathers for lack of a better term. He is featured heavily in the video.

One of the biggest problems we face in the military is attitude. When riders hear about another requirement/class, the first words out of their mouths are something to the effect, "GREAT!!! ANOTHER F'N CLASS I GOTTA TAKE!!! WHEN WILL THEY LEAVE US ALONE?!?!"

The way I see it, any free training/education is a good thing. Also, do I really need an excuse to get out of work for an entire day to go ride a motorcycle? I mean, your commander says that's your duty for that day. Why that is a hard sell is beyond me but it is. Trust me, you'll see the course. Once AMC blesses it, which the most assuredly will, it will spread all over the DOD. I'll say it again, it's more than worth it. You have my personal 100% satisfaction guarantee that you'll like the course.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

KC:

I meant to ask, what do you mean by you tell people a sportbike is not for them and they should sell it?

BZ

 

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not against the class in fact I'm all for it, but all we've heard here for the past 1.5+ years is that it's coming, Dennis can't even say when we're going to get it. Last year we just got a new MSF type course, except for the fact that it's too small of a range and the MSF won't approve it. Typical military crap, kinda reminds me of the new for 20XX VFR800/1000. I did meet Dennis and he's not a bad guy at all, I just want a chance to take this course built for sport bikes, VSthe other type bike that has alot of rumble/vibrations when they are operating.

 

I didn't mean to imply that you had the attitude, I was simply thinking out loud. All to often, when a USAF rider hears they have to take another class, they usually have that reaction. Normally, it's the young, dumb & full of _____ crowd that reacts like that. To change that reaction is one of my personal goals as a Rider Coach

I'll say it again, trust me when I tell you, you WILL enjoy this course. If you don't, you need to check your pulse.

How it works:

The USAF wants you to get your permit/endorsement

Take the BRC before or after you get the permit/endorsement

Take the ERC after you've got some experience under your belt or whenever you get a new bike

Get some more experience under your belt & if you ride a sport bike, take the USAF Sport Bike course

If after all that, you can't pass the USAF Sport Bike class, you're asked to get some practice & come back in 30 - 60 days. If you still can't pass, the instructors are to make a judgement call as to whether that person should still operate a sport bike. In the military, your unit commander can order you to stop riding (sport bike or not) & I know of at least 2 people this has happened to. This "power" is why I take this course so seriously. If a person can't operate a sport bike safely & effectively, I'm NOT putting my name of a certificate of compentency. It's a tough call to make but I'm not going to put my name on anything unless I've seen the light bulb come on. With one guy on Saturday, you could actually see the light come on. He just wasn't getting it & suddenly, out of the clear blue, he relaxed, the light bulb came on & he was having the time of his life & doing the exercises correctly. I've only participated in teaching this one class so far but the gravity of the situation is very apparent to me. To the best of my knowledge, no one will ever be turned away unless it is REALLY, REALLY obvious that person should not be on a sport bike. It's then the instructors responsibility to take that person aside & explain the situation. It sucks to say it, but some people just don't have the skills to do certain things. Those people should be identified & told so. It's not nice, but it is reality which we all know can suck sometimes.

Of the 5 students, only 2 passed the eval. The best part, the thing that made the entire week of freezing in the rain worth it? Not one of the 3 who failed the eval walked out with a negative attitude. All 3 were enthusiastic that they could come back with some practice & knock it out. One took it as a challenge & said he would be back & soon. That's what I want to see, someone who, whether they passed or not, walks out with the right attitude, wanting to come back & give it another shot. It's like I said in another thread, the sport bike community needs to start mentoring & guiding each other. That's the most effective way we can help our community as a whole.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Thanks for the explanation KC!

The system sounds just like the one at DAFB.

I could not agree more with 'policing our ranks'

I love when someone does not pass and is excited to come back to just the BRC. You can see the light bulb was glowing dimly! And they know it too! Unfortunatley most peopel act like assclowns when they don't pass.

Its my belief these people were never serious about learning to ride from the start.

BZ

 

Hey KC do you have the opertunity to attend the Keith Code course? He brings out the ZX-10 with the lean aid tool and all for the class. I missed it last spring but will be attending it this summer. Also, will be attending the pilot course for the USMC version of the Sport bike course soon.

 

I've certainly had the oppurtunity but never really had the chance. My duty schedule is crazy. For years, I've been wanting to go to Vegas to attend one of the racing schools. I want to go to one that provides everything including the bike.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

How do you post a video? Does it work the same as a pic?

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

KC-10,

Is AMC the first command to receive this opportunity? Have you heard of any others getting it?

 

AMC is the 1st to implement this course. If the USAF blesses the course, which it will since the course is that good, it will start spreading out to the rest of the USAF & then the DOD. After all identified military members are trained, look for the possibility to have DOD civilians & even spouses trained.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Hello All

I am also a certified MSF RC here at Spangdahlem AB. We do have a condensed range and it is MSF approved.
I am curious about the sport bike course you guys are discussing in this thread. Where is it taught? At a range or at a track? What are the speeds this course is tought at?
I would like to say to Cook that everybody can get something out of the MSF course. I have experienced riders at my classes that come over there with a big head :caked: and it is kind of deflated after the course, after they have to admit to themselves that they did learn something, that they are not as good as they thought they were. Honestly, it is easier to teach the BRC because the riders are more open than the ERC students sometimes. Breaking bad habits is not an easy task!! :smile:
Also I am volunteering my time and it is always terrible to hear (granted i did not teach cooks class :wink: ) that they did not get anything out of it.
I think the sportbike course could be very beneficial if the speeds are faster than in the ERC. That is the only thing i don't like about the MSF. The speeds are not realistic. But we have to be safe. Keep the rubber side down!!

Mel

 

I'm working on finding out what info I can release to you.

Our course is conducted on our approved MSF range just with different cone placement.

The speeds are as fast as you want to go. Things like gravity & physics usually dictate that speed, not one's ego. I saw 45 mph during one exercise. And then I totally blew the exercise since I was look at my speedo instead of paying attention to what I was doing.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Hope they do open it up to civilians. I'll be able to weasel my way on to Vandenberg for it then. :vtr2:

 

I should have said civilian government employees. I really don't ever see them letting the general public in.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

The USAF Sport Bike Course saved a life today, MINE.

I was riding along trying to break in my new leathers. I was trying to practice body position & lean angle but the roads in S NJ really aren't too twisty. I ventured north into Hunterdon County in search of more challenging roads. After nearly 3 hours of riding (& one run in with the local police described in the "Dealing With the PO PO" thread) I found myself paying more attention to the approaching rain clouds than my riding. I have no clue how fast I was going since I rarely look at my speedo when I'm in the twisties. I let my comfort factor dictate how fast I go. I was on a down hill curve that looked harmless enough. Since most of the roads in NJ aren't too twisty, I really didn't think much of this turn, just as I don't think much of all the rest of NJ roads. Turns out, it was a decreasing radius with a guard rail on the opposing side of the road. The hill has a minor crest halfway down & this crest is banked opposite what the rest of the road is. That's what nearly got me. As I hit the crest, it un-settled the suspension. There was a car (a M-B) in the oncoming lane 1/2 way into my lane (you know, trying to be Mario Andretti & going inside out thru the turn) & I ran out of room in my lane since I blew the entry big time. I target fixated on the car since he was in my lane & I was on a direct collision course with the 3 point star on his grille. To say I had all kinds of thoughts of my riding skills & ways to correct the situation running through my head would be total BS. I simply reacted. I got my fat ass off the seat, leaned WAY OFF the bike, got the bike into the turn & rolled on the throttle. In what amounts to be no surprise now that I actually think about it, the bike settled down, picked a line & blasted thru the turn with more than 4 feet between the car (1/2 in my lane) & my bike. The rest of the ride was un-eventful with the exception of almost getting plowed on the RT 70, Rt 72, Magnolia Rd & 4 Mile Road circle. That's no big deal since that happens just about every time I ride that circle.

Lessons Learned:
1) DO NOT TARGET FIXATE!!!
2) Leaning off the bike helps & helps big time.
3) Rolling on the throttle thru the turn will settle your bike down & cause it to go right where you pointed it.
4) Looking thru the turn is the simplest & most effective way to make a bike go around a curve without nasty things happening.
5) Riding in full leathers gives a sense of total security. At least for me it does.

I will say it again, this Sport Bike Course is the single best thing I've ever done in the USAF that didn't involve an aircraft.

Ride Safe & Ride Well :thumb:

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

KC:

Funny how the training helps, eh?

Makes you wonder why more people don't go through training???

Glad you kept it up and made it home brother.

BZ