MSF Rider Coach Spotlight - AJ

I was not born into a motorcycle family as my father never seemed to be into motorcycles. However, my mother is very into motorcycles, I’m sure she convinced my dad to get me one. When I was around 6-8 years old my parents gifted me a Suzuki JR80 and we headed off to Delle with my uncle to learn how to ride. I often get envious of how we teach students, how to ride, through the MSF and Utah Rider Education, I didn’t have that luxury. Let’s just say there was a lot more tears and for many more days than most people who go through the BRC course.

I eventually stopped riding dirt bikes and didn’t ride anything. My mother became a coach with Utah Rider Education and insisted I take the BRC course. I took the course and was hooked again. Luckily, we were able to purchase a  Suzuki TU250 from Utah Rider Ed and I had my first street bike. I rode that thing everywhere on every rode that had a sub 55mph speed limit. I’ve seen a lot of pretty Utah back roads due to this. In fact some students, to this day, have the ability to ride that very bike in class.  

"It’s been my goal to ride anything that has two wheels, scooters, dirt bikes, trials, sport bikes, cruisers, etc. I highly recommend everybody do the same."

After I got enough riding years under my belt I figured it would be fun to give coaching a shot as all the coaches I had met at that point were so fun, cool, and easy going. I was able to pass the intense coaching training and became a coach with Utah Rider Education and have been doing it ever since. 

In the MSF basic rider course handbook on page 2-3 there is a picture of every type of motorcycle. I remember saying to myself, I want to ride all of those. It’s been my goal to ride anything that has two wheels, scooters, dirt bikes, trials, sport bikes, cruisers, etc. I highly recommend everybody do the same. After all variety is the spice of life. 

Today, you can generally find me on a dirt bike in the mountains or desert testing my abilities. You’d be surprised, as I am, with how much overlap there is in what you will learn from the BRC and all types of riding you do. It truly is the motorcycle (2-wheel vehicle) fundamentals. 

Hope to see you out there! 

• AJ