Skills Check
- A skills check experience in 30-minutes or less
- Minimum range size of 80×100
- Participant rides their personal motorcycle
- Two coaches can manage multiple riders
*Not intended for a novice rider who is learning how to ride for the first time.
FAQs
A free event giving current riders the opportunity to try and practice some MSF curricula components in a controlled, positive environment. This is not a course or class. This is an opportunity to ride under the guidance of a certified coach.
A common outcome may be a humbled realization that the rider isn’t as skilled, or has lost some proficiencies.
To provide a controlled, enjoyable practice session of multiple components of MSF curriculum; enabling the participant to realize the benefits of additional coaching or practice.
Riders who have some experience or who have completed a Basic RiderCourse, on their own street-legal motorcycle.
- Free!
- A non-pressured, non-hassled, supportive environment to assess their riding skills.
- Encouraging and positive, interaction with training professionals.
- Camaraderie with like-minded riders in an enjoyable setting.
Personal street-legal motorcycles are suggested for use. Each motorcycle will be checked by a Coach before the event/session begins via completion of a T-CLOCS Pre-Ride Inspection checklist.
*If you doubt a motorcycle is safe, it can not be used. Training motorcycles may be provided for use.
Different motorcycle types may be used, such as 3-wheel or 2-wheel. However, motorcycle types will not be mixed within a single session.
Similar to a BRC, range management and coaching/tutoring principles apply. Brief riders to the components and path-of-travel.
Minimal front-loading, other than component name and explanation along with the path-of-travel, allow riders to attempt (and sometime struggle) with techniques and strategies.
Demo rides may be provided. After the circuit is running have riders join in when they are ready. The circuit begins at one of the start-gates for the U-Turn. Unlike a BRC, SKILLS Check does not focus on points, procedures, or signals. This is not a course.
Recommendation of at least two Coaches–to–Riders.
Yes. Adequate insurance must be provided to protect all parties involved. Sites/Sponsors should consider comprehensive, collision, medical (personal injury protection), and general liability, to exceed minimums required by the state and MSF. Program entities, participants, Coaches, and equipment must be adequately insured.
Ranges that use MSF insurance can contact Laurie Brehm at LBrehm@MSF-USA.org for insurance options and information. If you use another insurer, contact them directly about special event coverage.
Yes. Minimum age is 16, under 18 requires parent/guardian waiver.
Possible, however, not for the first few (screening) laps.
*Any doubt of rider skills or passenger risk, then a passenger will not be allowed.
Yes. A DOT-compliant helmet, eye protection, long-sleeves, long pants, full-fingered gloves, and over-the-ankle footwear required.
None. The MSF RIDE Day SKILLS Check are conducted only at MSF recognized ranges.
Yes. Signage and Cones to identify registration area and SKILLS Check areas. Paperwork: Incident Reports and Waivers (General Release & Indemnification, and Covid). Cones to set-up circuit as designed. Training motorcycles, if interested in providing.
Typically standard 2” or 3” (small) cones are used directional markers/lanes, where (large) cones are used for Start/Stop and Pause-N-Go points. Larger traffic cones may be needed to separate activities.
This is totally up to the State/Site/Sponsor to provide. Suggestions include a pin, magnet, completion sticker, Next Step info, discount coupon for a class, or other promotions to cultivate excitement.
COACH
As these one-to-one experiences are much more intimate than a course, character traits of successful MOTO Intro Coaches personify:
- a compassionate, considerate, and sensitive social approach
- a balance in humility, confidence, and resolve
- a sincere and empathetic desire to help others
- calm and courteous, enthusiastically provide encouragement
- being inspiring, reassuring, patiently professional and polite
providing compassionate control, direction, and tolerantly timely tips - creative and patient engagement to motivate and reassure
- ability to meet riders where they are (emotionally and physically) without pressure of a “pass vs fail activity” mindset.
- the ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills: verbally helpful, tolerant, with active listening skills to be a patient help-agent.
BRC Exercise #09 is the starting point. Other components may be added to the circuit. Always maintaining a 20’ buffer between components. The SKILLS CHECK experience, by design, does not address many of the processes or evaluation points. This is a ‘practice’ and not a ‘class’ or ‘course’.
Compact, Full-Size (partial), or Full-Size (complete range) circuits of typical curricula components have been designed and tested for effectiveness of rider experience and low-risk efficiency, and may include: U-Turn, Pause-N-Go, Slow-Ride, Curve, S-Turn, Weave, Turn-From-A-Stop, etc.
Not at this time.
It is possible. If a participant is a danger to themselves or others, has insufficient aptitude, or a tendency to panic, counseling out is suggested. Any counsel-out should be dealt with timely, with a concern for their safety and self-esteem.
Drill set-up similar to BRC
Drill 9, adjust for full or compact range
Watch SKILLS Check Coach Video
Top of Mind Considerations
- Be a welcoming, personable, friendly, and responsive coach
- Understand that participants may have had past experience(s) that were challenging or discourteous
- PATIENCE! PERSISTENCE! CALM-TUTORING! TOLERANCE!
Rider Management Tips
- Coaching situational awareness: focus on (i) rider coming toward you; (ii) other riders, (iii) your Co-Coaches.
- Providing timely tips, “Less is more. Fewer, better words.”
- Tutor ‘lessons of opportunity’: stalling, grabbing front brake, eyes down, head-turns, use of rear brake, etc.
- Too many tips of techniques/strategies hinders the experience.
- Our goal is to entice and encourage the benefit of additional classes to become a life-long learner.
- If needing a “chat” with rider, pull them out of path of travel.
- Remember, being chatty… delays ride time and spoils experience. (Participants learn best by doing… not listening.)
