August 2022
Speed
Day 1 – Do not coach speed unless the student is wobbly or unstable. You can also coach speed in Exercise 7 (Upshifting and Downshifting) to avoid lugging in 3rd gear. That’s it!
Day 2 – Coach speed that is designated within each exercise. If no speed is defined, coach speed only if wobbly or unstable.
Forcing target speeds should never be a priority. If a student is incapable of achieving desired speeds, provide proper counsel including calling the office to speak with me to consider next steps.
Bike Storage
For TWs remember to turn the petcock to the “OFF” position. Scooters do not always get used. When you start them, remember to check the gas gauge, and if it is low, give it a splash of gas! Please do not actually splash the scooter with gas, but fill it!
Instructor Candidates
Please remember to click the instructor candidate box when entering scores. Many hands make for lighter lifting! As we continue to onboard more candidates, you will encounter auditors on your range. A reminder to keep auditors off the range when bikes are in motion. (At your discretion, you can task them to move cones when bikes are off.)
Tuition Reimbursement
If a student brings a tuition reimbursement form, ask to see their Oregon Trail Card. Print, sign, and mark the box on the form that you verified their card. Include the form with your course file, and you are done.
OSHA Heat Rules – Cooling Periods
Our built-in breaks largely meet the cooling period requirements set by OSHA. Here are some guidelines for higher heat indexes:
- 100-105: take another 15-minute break where it makes sense
- 106-110: take at least two more 15-minute breaks
- 110: call on-call to reschedule class
Make sure to call on-call if you do put in more time, so we can compensate you accordingly.
July 2022
Arrival Schedule
This has always been a tricky issue to remember for us as instructors.
Click here to find the help document with all the times by class type. BRT and IRT classes are resuming this weekend at select locations, lets make sure we are on range at the right time! I mean there’s nothing wrong showing up at 6:30 a.m. for am AM BRT on Saturday morning, but you might get a little lonely!
FYI, you do not need to be classroom certified to teach the range sessions for a BRT or IRT.
Walking Backward
While teaching try to minimize how many times you are walking backward to avoid having your back to running motorcycles. For example, stopping (4) and shifting and stopping (6) exercises, wait to signal start engines until you are nearly at your instructor position. That way you can walk facing your direction of travel and not have running bikes behind you. This should lower your risk of tripping over cones or other injury. Be safe out there!
Reversal to Staging on Riding through Curves
On Exercises 14 and 18 we should be using an R2 back to staging. Instructor B remains in staging. There is no need to have an instructor stop them at the short side of the range behind staging. Remember we are starting to pass off some responsibility to the students like in staging on day-two.
Reminder for Advanced Course Instructors
Sometimes it is easy to forget after a long, successful day with our advanced students, but they need the rider passport, too! They might not have taken an endorsement course from us in recent years. When you get home and have your feet up, don’t forget to complete student status’ and site needs for those advanced courses! Pat says, please and thank you!
OSHA Permanent Heat Rules
Chilled water is required per OSHA when the heat index reaches 80 degrees. We will reimburse you for buying ice. Simply write your name on the back of the receipt and include in the envelope of course paperwork. The large container (5 gal) and dispenser is for students and instructors. Put ice into your water backpacks, bottles, or cups to meet the chilled water requirement.
JUNE 2022
Changing Motorcycles
If a student is registered for a motorcycle and would rather ride a scooter, it is permissible as long as you have a spare scooter available. After Exercise 1, the student must stay on same transmission type.
Demos
Generally, we should be demonstrating from the front of staging and returning to the rear. Two exceptions: Straighten Then Brake and Swerving. In these exercises you can push your bike to the start gate closest to staging.
During Exercise 16 (Low Speed Turning), remember to demo a proper lane change – signals, mirrors, head check.
Grom Clutches
The clutches have been adjusted slightly inward to accommodate smaller hands. We would like to keep them there.
MAY 2022
Expired Driver Licenses
If you see a student with an expired driver’s license, do not turn the student away. Please contact on-call for guidance. Despite what you think, Elvis has not expired.
Upshifting and Downshifting
As dictated under Exercise Guidelines, “Slow students prior to entering short sides of the range.” How much do we slow them? Enough so their speed is commensurate with the skill level expected of a basic rider student on day one. The recommendation is no more than 15 mph on the long sides.
Teaching with Apprentices and Interns
If you are a co-instructor with a mentor-apprentice/intern team, please do you absolute best to stick to the cards. Your modeling is a key feature in the apprentice/intern’s learning process. Also please let the mentor provide the feedback. At this stage in training white board space is limited.
Retests
Remember with retests students that they also receive a retest skills report. Since their next steps may be different than original course participants, these forms are slightly different (hence orange in color). Please do not forget to hand these out whether your retest students pass or fail.
APRIL 2022
R1 and R2 Reversals
A quick reminder of how A2 and B2 positions in R1 and R2 reversals have been moved back to leave ample room for students to make a u-turn – i.e. please do not crowd them as they make U-turns.
Starting the Evaluation
When we return from break, gather students near the starting point of the evaluation, read, then send them from staging to the starting point. In other words, read then send.
Decelerates in Curve
Penalty points are assessed for initiating brakes any time after the leading edge of the front tire enters the painted path until the leading edge of the front tire exits the painted path. Penalty points are not assessed for throttle input in the curve. This includes throttle pick-up, roll-on, and roll-off.
Student Dismissal
When you dismiss a student for any reason (late arrival, improper gear, counseled out), please have them call the office, as you normally would. Please do not say, “the office will reschedule you.” You can imagine the false expectations about a free class.