As I learned in Special Forces, all training and skills are perishable. I was told I wouldn't walk for six months once and pronounced Expectant to Die another time from separate motorcycle wrecks. I kept taking training courses hoping to find out if one would remind me of what happened the time I lost seven days of memory. Although I was a former Motor Officer, my brain injury erased whatever happened to me and it never has returned. However, I became addicted to the training and I've taken all of MotoMark1's courses, BMW two-day off-road and authority courses, police courses in NC and MO, Alconbury Driving Centre (UK police trainers) RideSafe and Skid-bike Course as well as numerous others, more than twenty in all. Never regretted a dollar spent on training and neither has my wife. While expensive, the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina is second to none in their facilities, courses, instructors and professionalism.
My goal is to get others to understand the value of training in my short course so they go on to the real professionals. I can't say enough about Mark Brown, former North Carolina Highway Patrol Motor Officer Trainer and he is the most focused of all course instructors I've had in ensuring you get the training that will get you home safely. Some other courses are sometimes oriented to making you faster on the road or track or off-road. Lee Parks is an outstanding instructor and I think I've done all his courses, including his 'Mancation', a memorable week where we did trials, highways, shooting and more. These courses all help you stay alive and better hone your skills, but there is a difference.
I was disappointed that others didn't see the value of training as every course I took made me better every time so I developed my own course, B.E.T. Your Life. Mainly oriented at beginning riders, I cover the Bike, Equipment (protective rider gear), and most importantly, Training. Training may prevent you having to employ your ABS on your Bike or use your protective padding in your Equipment. I also train individuals on both country, gravel, backroads (seems some urban areas have no gravel roads left in their county now) as well as on road. I'm just in the early, beginning stages of developing my 'motorcycle retreat' where you can camp and ride in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, shoot, fish, or just sit around the campfire and talk motorcycles. As Mark says in his instruction, I teach you 'A' way, not necessarily the only way, but A way so you can combine your experiences and previous training and see what works out best for you.
Hope I haven't hijacked the thread. I just wanted to show how passionate I am about training, perhaps because I've come so close to death multiple times. I'm not looking for business, just take the opportunity to educate where I get a chance. My way of giving back.
Dannyleo
Let's settle this the old-fashioned Navy way, first guy to die; loses.
Motorcycle Adventure Addict
Former Action Guy
Leatherneck/Devil Dog
Motorcycle Officer
Firefighter
Paramedic
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, then got too fat to wear it.
Motorcycled to the Arctic Ocean North of Prudhoe Bay.
Stood on the Artic ice, said, "Been there, done that."
Turned around and drove straight to Key West, Southernmost Point in the US.
I didn't have any room for t-shirts on that little 13,500 mile journey
