More than a few new Spyder owners are experiencing some trouble finding a suitable three-wheeler training course, or getting their Spyders through the state licensing test. I realize that most of us aren't in this to be troublemakers or political activists, but for those who are interested, I'd like to open a discussion about how we got where we are, and what needs to be done to make it reasonably easy to get a license to drive a Spyder.
Let's note that for many years the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has been the primary "rider training" organization in the USA. The MSF is funded by the major motorcycle manufacturers, and tasked with developing training courses, certifying instructors ("coaches") and helping states to set up their motorcyclist training programs. The buzzword of yesterday was that the industry wanted to "invest" in rider training.
The MSF has provided curricula to the state and private safety programs, under contract. And for many years, "motorcycle safety" meant taking one of the MSF courses from a state or private training organization.
Several years ago, the MSF decided to get into the training business--not just developing courses and certifying instructors, but actually delivering the training courses. The key to doing that was to take over a state's motorcycle safety program. For instance, in Pennsylvania, the MSF first hired the PA coordinator, then (with all the numbers in hand) submitted a bid to PA to adminster PA's motorcycle training program. The MSF won the bid, and ever since has been conducting training and managing fees in PA.
One problem with that is that the MSF has historically been opposed to three-wheeled motorcycles. The training curricula has always been specific to two-wheelers. It's not that a Spyder or sidecar driver can't learn something from taking a two-wheeler course, but that some skills (countersteering for instance) are not appropriate for three-wheelers, and in some situations could be dangerous.
The main reason the MSF has not (until recently) developed any three-wheeler training is that their agenda is to support the needs of the major manufacturers, none of whom made or marketed three-wheeled motorcycles. (except for a brief period of three-wheeled ATVs that were subsequently banned because of safety concerns)
While the MSF was discouraging three-wheeler training, the Sidecar Safety Program developed a novice sidecar course, and this course was subsequently adopted by the Evergreen Safety Council, redesigned to accomodate trikes, and renamed the "Sidecar/Trike Education Program." The S/TEP is administered nationwide by the ESC, with certified instructors, on a parallel basis to the MSF curricula.
BRP is really the first major manufacturer to be making and marketing three-wheeled motorcycles. And, with BRP pressure, the MSF has developed what they call the "3BRC"--a three-wheeled version of the "Basic RiderCourse" used by most states for novices.
(continued)
Let's note that for many years the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has been the primary "rider training" organization in the USA. The MSF is funded by the major motorcycle manufacturers, and tasked with developing training courses, certifying instructors ("coaches") and helping states to set up their motorcyclist training programs. The buzzword of yesterday was that the industry wanted to "invest" in rider training.
The MSF has provided curricula to the state and private safety programs, under contract. And for many years, "motorcycle safety" meant taking one of the MSF courses from a state or private training organization.
Several years ago, the MSF decided to get into the training business--not just developing courses and certifying instructors, but actually delivering the training courses. The key to doing that was to take over a state's motorcycle safety program. For instance, in Pennsylvania, the MSF first hired the PA coordinator, then (with all the numbers in hand) submitted a bid to PA to adminster PA's motorcycle training program. The MSF won the bid, and ever since has been conducting training and managing fees in PA.
One problem with that is that the MSF has historically been opposed to three-wheeled motorcycles. The training curricula has always been specific to two-wheelers. It's not that a Spyder or sidecar driver can't learn something from taking a two-wheeler course, but that some skills (countersteering for instance) are not appropriate for three-wheelers, and in some situations could be dangerous.
The main reason the MSF has not (until recently) developed any three-wheeler training is that their agenda is to support the needs of the major manufacturers, none of whom made or marketed three-wheeled motorcycles. (except for a brief period of three-wheeled ATVs that were subsequently banned because of safety concerns)
While the MSF was discouraging three-wheeler training, the Sidecar Safety Program developed a novice sidecar course, and this course was subsequently adopted by the Evergreen Safety Council, redesigned to accomodate trikes, and renamed the "Sidecar/Trike Education Program." The S/TEP is administered nationwide by the ESC, with certified instructors, on a parallel basis to the MSF curricula.
BRP is really the first major manufacturer to be making and marketing three-wheeled motorcycles. And, with BRP pressure, the MSF has developed what they call the "3BRC"--a three-wheeled version of the "Basic RiderCourse" used by most states for novices.
(continued)
