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McEntire's Motorcycle Safety Program sports new rides, courtesy of Honda

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Ed Snyder
  • 169th Fighter Wing
     With motorcycle ownership, safety must go hand-in-hand. Fortunately McEntire Joint National Guard Base has a group of dedicated motorcycle safety instructors available to train riders. The training they provide not only enhances rider confidence and enjoyment, but fulfills a mandatory requirement for all who wish to ride motorcycles on government installations.
    
     Longtime RiderCoach since 2006, Tech. Sgt. Gene Hart from the 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron, recalled that McEntire instructors have averaged 20 classes per year and have started long before he began. "We have been servicing Army and Air Guardsman as well as Active Duty personnel. We also have had a few retirees and dependants of servicemen too," he said. 
    
     Recently, Carolina Honda loaned two Honda Rebel 250 motorcycles to the base for use in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course at no cost to the base. "These loaner bikes allow us to have motorcycles available for members that are seriously considering taking up motorcycling. This allows them the opportunity to learn the basics before they make their purchase," said instructor Maj. Wade Rivers, from the 169th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity office. "These bikes are excellent machines to learn to ride on. Their power is not overwhelming and the 'cruiser style position' allows for a comfortable, upright seating position. The loaner bikes are provided to us at no cost and are replaced with new units each year when we renew our loaner agreement," concluded Rivers.
    
     The MSF is the internationally recognized developer of the comprehensive, research-based, Rider Education and Training System (RETS). RETS curricula promotes lifelong-learning for motorcyclists and continuous professional development for certified RiderCoaches and trainers. Their mission statement simply states: To make motorcycling safer and more enjoyable by ensuring access to lifelong quality education and training for current and prospective riders, and by advocating a safer riding environment.