"Rider Skills / Practice"
Michael A. Wexler
I will discuss the following riding skills: Pre-ride inspection, starting procedure, friction zone braking, turning, counter steering, swerving, and advanced turning and braking. I will also touch on street riding strategies as well as "rider radar." Will also offer practice exercises riders can use to hone their skills.
I was Born on November 6th, 1964 in Leroy Hospital in Manhattan, and raised in Queens (Elmhurst, Whitestone, Roosevelt Island, Woodhaven & Forest Hills). My first ride was on the back of a Harley in 1969, when one of my mom's "cool" friends showed up and took me for a ride; I was wearing flip-flops, shorts, tank top & no helmet and was NOT instructed on the finer points of motorcycling and was scared to death. Somehow still, the seed was planted and at age 14 I started hanging out with older people who had motorcycles. I taught myself how to ride and got my motorcycle license when I was 17. Got my first bike (a 1984 Honda V65 Magna) the following year and had my first crash shortly thereafter. When I brought my motorcycle in to the dealership to have it repaired, the sales rep suggested that I take a "motorcycle safety class" and handed me a business card for Trama's Auto School. I thought it might be worth checking into, and I called the school. The school sent me to their range at Floydd Bennett Field in Brooklyn to be evaluated by the owner, Gasper Trama. Gasper suggested that I would probably benefit most by taking a "beginner" class, even though I already had my license. Since I had just crashed, I thought it sounded like a good idea and took the four day class. That class with Gasper was what I feel, my "proper" introduction to motorcycling; I learned what it was to actually ride. As often as time allowed, I took Gasper up on his "open range" policy which meant that I could come down and practice on the range anytime there wasn't a class there. I was fortunate enough to take an experienced rider class the following year with Gasper as well, to better learn the limitations of my bike. Whenever I had the chance, or bought a new bike, I took another Experienced Rider Class so that I could better understand my motorcycle's limitations in a safe, controlled environment.
Several years later, I was out on the range practicing when Gasper approached me. His class was over and he was waiting for the next batch of students to arrive and he watched me practice. He gave me a few pointers and encouraged me along, because that was who he was.. a teacher, a mentor. A few weeks later I came down to practice but unfortunately the practice ranges were full of students, so I just sat patiently, willing to wait for the class to end. Next thing I know Gasper is putting cones in my hands telling me to set up the range. When I began to protest that I was not able to do it he said "you have been here more times than I could count and that I probably remember the placement of the cones as well as he did." I was officially adopted as a "range rat;" this meant that I got to come down and help out during classes for free, and if I was lucky, Gasper would share a few of his pearls of wisdom to help make me a better rider. The following year, during a break in class, Gasper approached me again. This time he asked me if I would ever consider becoming an instructor. Thinking it was a joke, I said "sure, why not" not realizing he was serious, or that I even had what it took to become an instructor. Several weeks later this HUGE binder appears from the school along with a schedule of classes! This was surely a joke and I immediately called the school to advise them that a mistake was made. Gasper assured me that no mistake was made, and that he would like me to become one of his instructors. Since he thought I could do it, I gave it a try. This was the hardest class I ever took as an adult - far more difficult than most of my college classes, grueling, physically demanding, and yet, invigorating. It was during this class that I was humbled by the knowledge of just how little I knew about motorcycles and motorcycling.
Oddly true to his word, I started teaching for Gasper immediately after graduating my instructor prep course, and was taught what it meant to be an instructor. While the MSF class was filled with a HUGE amount of information and facts, Gasper was the one who taught me how to disseminate it. He taught me the difference between average and good, and even showed me a hint of what it was to touch upon greatness. He brought out the best in everyone whose lives he touched, whether on the range or personally and I teach on in his memory, hoping that I can accomplish 1 percent of what he has done for the "art" of motorcycle safety.
WHEN: Friday 2PM
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