Washington Motorcycle Safety Program
Save Money And Maybe Your Life Too
 Whether
you're new to motorcycling, or you've been doing it for a while you owe
it to yourself, the people who ride with you and the drivers around you to take
the Washington State's Motorcycle Safety Program.
After 30 years of riding motorcycle's I decided to take the class when I
purchased a new bike that was a bit large in comparison to what I had been
riding. After 20 hours of training I was pleased I took the class even if
it did take up much of my Labor Day Weekend.
The course begins with four hours of class time which was held in a local
campus class room from 6 to 10 p.m. on a Friday night. Immediately the
statistics start coming at you - 85% of motorcycle accidents involve riders who
are self taught; studies show that most motorists initially perceive a
motorcyclist as a bicyclist and don't realize until it's too late
otherwise; and balance is 90% visual. Three videos are shown
covering topics such as why people ride, what to wear and how to prepare your
bike for a ride. Other areas discussed include helmet selection, eye
protection and turning your head in a turn. I mention the last since most
riders are not skilled at this crucial move (not that I ever had a problem with
it - heh).
 Day two, Saturday found us all out on the "Range" at 8 a.m. Each
rider is provided a bike and helmet if needed. You are told the night
before to bring rain gear as the show goes on despite the weather. The
first hour is spent learning how to correctly mount a motorcycle and what the
steps are to starting it. After thirty years of riding I realized I had a
bad habit, looking down when I mounted and dismounted the bike. An evil to
keeping the bigger bike upright during these times. Next riders straddle
walk the bike on the range learning how to use the brakes and coast. Boing
- another bad habit appeared in that I don't use my index finger on the front
brake. Finally riders start their bikes and learn how to shift into first,
find the friction zone of the clutch and at 11 a.m. we actually put our feet on
the pegs and rode.
The amazing thing about this is that few riders ever popped the clutch and
stalled the bike. The curriculum is so thorough that by the time it's time
to ride your machine you've been well versed in how to hold it up and manage the
initial use of the transmission. Anyone who was ever self taught knows how
many times they stalled the bike and I'm sure few aver spent three hours
learning about it before they rode it away the first time.
 The rest of the range time is learning how to turn the bike properly in
ovals, make sharp turns and initial braking maneuvers. Riders are then
given time for lunch and then they return to the class room for more verbal
instruction and videos regarding traffic situations and a review of alcohol
statistics and why it's a bad idea to operate the bike under and influences
despite how slight they may be. One key statistic here is that your brain
must manage 2,500 different task analysis at a time when operating a motorcycle,
as opposed to only 700 when driving a car. So if you think the legal limit
of .08 is okay for riding a motorcycle, think again.
The third day began again at 8 a.m. and was spent entirely on the range
learning to use acceleration in turns, stopping at high speed, swerving to avoid
hazards and weaving through cones. Following a lunch break we then
proceeded into the evaluation process that is used to test riders before giving
them their certification from the course. Riders must not miss more than
20 points in order to be certified. Dropping your bike is a minus 21
points and completely disqualifies you from any more testing, however you may
come back the following week and retest with the next class.
There were nine people in the class, only two had riding experience, myself
and a gentleman riding a gold wing. Two were women and the rest were
men. Of the nine of use 6 people dropped their bikes during training, but
only one did so during testing and the rest of us passed. One
disheartening statistic was that no one in the class owned, or was planning to
buy a sport bike. With all the rage in sales of sport bikes these days
you'd hope those riders were getting the same training they need to operate their
machines.
The instructors were top notch! Between the two gentlemen that taught
the course they had over 2 million motorcycle miles under their belts and every
war story you could imagine. As I said before the curriculum is no less
than excellent and I encourage every rider to take the class at least once
despite your skill. I myself will probably return to the class every few
years as a brush up and reality check.
The cost of the course is a simple $100. Once you pass the course you
will be saving money in a number of ways. Many insurance companies offer
riders discounts if they have passed the course. A number of dealers offer
discounts to those who have passed the course and a number of manufacturers,
dealers and clubs will actually pay your $100 enrollment fee. Check with
yours to see if they do.
There is also an experienced rider course offered where riders bring their
own bikes and passengers if they so desire.
For information on the Washington Motorcycle
Safety Program and where you can take a class visit
http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/wmspsite.htm.
TM/Summer 1999
Photos taken and (c) by Nils R. (Nick) Olson No
reuse without permission of the copyright holder
|
