Share your experiences here with the rest of our folks!

Click here to have your comment added!

From: Denise_Powell@Dell.com

Holly Gardner!

Just wanted to give you an update.  We both got our endorsements and we bought a bike...a 2002 Suzuki Intruder 800 (pic is attached).  It just felt right when I sat on it...good size and balance (and a nice looking bike, if I do say so myself).  This one will actually be mine.  Mark will practice on it, then he wants to move to something a little larger...maybe not much in size yet, but maybe a little longer to fit him better. We have been practicing around on the back roads and on a new road that is basically just a parking lot right now and our confidence levels are improving.   We have been practicing our starts and stops, running through the gears, weaves, figure 8's, etc.  I even drove it to work last Friday.  I only had to work half a day, so I did not have to worry about afternoon traffic.  I took all back roads from here to Cool Springs.  It took me about an hour, but was quite enjoyable.  We are now looking for one for Mark, so we can actually go somewhere (right now we have to take turns on this one).  Just thought you would be interested in hearing how we have progressed.  Hope things are well with you.
Holly

Thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I came having never riden a motorcycle by myself. I was definetey outside of my comfort zone when I put my leg across the bike on Saturday morning. By Sunday afternoon, I was ready to buy my own bike. The instructors were awesome. Ken and Charles teaching together is a great match. If I didn't get the needed help on one side of the course , I got it on the other side. They are so on the same page. Looking forward to continuing to develep my skills (in a parking lot for a while guys!!) and am grateful for the knowledge that this course provided for me.

Dee Kulas
Mt Juliet, TN
PS. Charles, Tell your girlfriend I said "Hello!!"

Demetria M. Kulas, MT(ASCP)
Clinical Support Services Specialist
Client Support Services
HCA Information Technology & Services

HCA at Metroplex
490 Metroplex Drive
Nashville, TN  37211

I just attended the Basic Rider's Course at the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Hermitage this weekend, and I would just like to say it was well worth it.  My coaches were Bruce Elkins and Mike Pate, and they did a great job.  The techniques they showed are very applicable to riding and will help me be a safe rider when I do get a bike.  That is another thing, prior to this class, I had only been on a dirtbike for a total of about 30 minutes and that had been 2 years ago!  They helped everyone build confidence, and it was a great weekend, very well worth it.

Daniel
Nashville, TN
 

Hi Folks,

 

My Class with Mr. Charles Banniza was a very enjoyable experience. He is one of the best instructors that I have ever met. He does not teach the
test, he teaches you how to ride using real world experience, structured
materials, and up to date video's. His vast knowledge and the way he
presents it will pay dividends for me for years to come. As a retired
Special Forces Sgt's Major, I have instructed soldiers from around the
world and I would recommend Mr. Banniza to anyone.

V/R
Mark P. Richardson, Contractor
Asst Regimental Force Protection Officer

 

 

 

Mary Kathryn

 

Just wanted tell you how much I enjoyed the course I just completed (03/02/07-03/04/07) and how enlightening it was.  A special thanks goes to John Owens and Don Tucker for the tremendous job they did teaching not only the classroom portion but the riding portion as well.  They kept the course educational as well as enjoyable while offering encouragement and emphasizing safety.  Thanks again!

 

Marty Sanderson 

 

 

Hi , this is Tyler Chrisman and i just got done with my course.   It was fabulous and Charles was the best coach!   The others were good also but the hole thing was great and every thing we done helped me learn to ride and also saftey for riding.  Well it was a great experince and hope i  can go back and take the experinced class because its fun .    

 

                                                              Sincerly, Tyler Chrisman

 

 

 

Dear Mary,

I would like to thank you for providing the opportunity to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course that was offered in Murfreesboro, TN on October 28th through October 30th 2006.

This course provided a great deal of tremendously valuable and detailed information in regards to the dynamics of safe riding. The instructor's emphasis on safety provided a greater awareness of the importance of developing safe driving skills.

I obtained my motorcycle license in the State of Maine in 1978 and have enjoyed riding for a total of approximately 30 years. I learned a great deal from this course and would recommend this course to anyone that is just starting out or anyone that may have been riding for a while.

I would enjoy the opportunity to develop instructor skills and assist in providing future training's. Please let me know as instructor training's become available.

Please express my sincere thanks to John Bruce and his assistant instructor for their dedication as well as their professionalism.

Thank You. Eldon Espling 

 

 

 

 

Helllo,

 

  I just got my endorsement for my Tennessee Motorcycle Lincence and I would like to thank my coaches John Bruce and Ed Brennan for a fantastic job in the classes.  I must admit, I haven't driven a bike in 20 years and that was about 10 Mins.  Looking back, I was lucky I didn't get killed.  I can hardly wait to get my bike and get some practice in BEFORE I get on the main road.  Thanks again for this course.  I know I'll be safer that not taking it.

 

Again, Great Job!  Your instructors were the greatest!

 

Dave

 

 

Hello,

 

A special thanks to Michelle, Ray, Tim and Dan...I attended the Basic riders course 9-29 to 10-1-06 in Cookeville. You all are amazing! I really appreciate all your instruction and help. You all seemed to really enjoy sharing your knowledge and were never once short or impatient with us. I had an amazingly fun weekend, even though I was very nervous at times (HATE the "box", LOL) I will be a better rider because of the 4 of you! Thanks again...

 

The old lady...Sally Pharris

 

 

Hey Charles,

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the class this past weekend. I got a lot out of it and I admit that being 51 yrs old and never on a bike, I wasn't too sure about what I was getting into. I'm a retired cop and had to respond to my fair share of motorcycle wrecks over the years. As you know they are never pretty.  You and Tim did an excellant job! I mentioned to Tim on my way out that the sign of a good instructor was one that was always interested in the subject material and not just going through the motions. It was obvious to me that you and Tim never tire of passing your experience on to new students and it really showed. Again I wanted to say thanks and I hope that our paths will cross again.
Sincerely,

Mike Lambert ( the guy you had to keep telling to look up and relax!)

 

Hello.

I'm writing to thank you all for the service you provide to the motorcycling
community.  I completed the MSF basic riders course at MTSU in October of
'04, but I only recently got my '82 Honda CB650 running and back into riding
condition.  And today I had my first close call.

I was riding about 50mph down a 4-line divided highway in the right hand
lane, with a minivan in the left lane a bit ahead of me and an SUV running close
on his bumper (he only seconds before had pulled up beside me).  The van began
braking for a left hand turn across the median.  I started to shift to the
right side of my lane, because I could see something bad coming.  Sure
enough, the SUV whipped into my lane instead of braking behind the van.  His right
front fender just about scraped my boots before I leaned the bike under me
and slammed the throttle to get away from him.  Because the MSF course had
taught me how to swerve to avoid obstacles, I was able to maintain control of the
bike in the high-speed manuever.  Of course, they didn't teach me the choice
words and hand gestures I offered him after all was said and done.  Maybe
that's in the experienced riders course? :)

So, thank you MSF and my instructors (Charles Banniza and Jimmy Prater) for
teaching me how to ride safely.  It sure saved my skin today!

- Daniel Humberd

 

 

Hi Ed,

This is Marco Pouliot, I graduated your class this morning.  You mentioned
that you knew a good route for me to take.  I would like your input.  I will
be leaving from Ft. lauderdale going to Chattanooga.  You and Bruce did a
great job teaching us how to ride.  Students are a reflection of their
teachers, we did well because of you.
Thank you kindly,    Marco

 

Hey Ed.

Just a quick note of thanks.  I was in the basic class july 15-17 or so here in murfreesboro with you and Jeff.

I called Mary Catherine as you asked and will forward this to her as soon as she sends me her address.

anyway, after receiving my certificate on sunday, i went monday and got my new license with motorcycle endorsement.

that was an adventure in its own.

 

The next weekend we left for portland, oregon for vacation.  i reserved a harley davidson sportster 1200 for the week and went with my brother in law for 5 days of day trips from his home in oregon.  The coast at Cannon beach, Mt. Hood, the Hood River, the Columbia River Gorge, three waterfalls along the old columbia river road, winery area/vineyards south of Portland and the Tillamook cheese factory.  In all we did about 600 miles of touring. Not bad for someone who just did the basic course the previous week!

 

Anyway, everything you guys went over in the class I encountered except rain.  Imagine, Portland and no rain!  Highway interstate driving, rush hour traffic on the way home in the evening, twisty roads, blind turns, narrow curves, combination curves, emergency stopping(i'll get to that later), 97 degree weather at the beginning and 55 degree weather at the end, road hazards(holes, boards, loose gravel, animals-no deer, dogs), cars that don't look for you pulling out.  It was great!  What a first ride!  the only thing i don't remember you guys telling us was that if you are following a lead motorcycle, don't get hypnotized looking at it, keep the 12 second look up.  I missed a hairpin turn by watching my brother in law's bike and had to run off the road.  fortunately, I knew how to make an upright stop, kept my head up, straightened the bike and put on both brakes before hitting the sand.  Didn't loose it at all.  Just had to restart and figure out what happened. 

 

Well, I plan to write up the trip including you guys from MSF as heros in helping me pull this off.  See you on the road.  SEMPTER FI.

 

Thom Phillips

 

 

 

Dear Mary Kate:

 

I wrote to your earlier, but someone got onto my computer and changed it over to their email account, thereby cancelling my unsaved email to you!!!  Here I go again.

 

I wanted to share with you my experience at your Cookeville trainning site. First, I want to tell you it was truly a rewarding experience.You should be commended, for your  leadership abilities in selecting and staffing the Cookeville site with the dedicated, experienced, talented and superb caliber of people as Rider-Coaches that I was exposed to. For three grueling days we reviewed:state laws and  regulations, intense two days hands on riding experiences in all types of weather, safe motocycling techniques etc...I haven't riden a Motorcycle in 25-30 years. When I found out my grandson Robbie, was having trouble passing his DMV exam, I decide to convinced my Grandson Robbie he should attend your course with me. I knew if he passed this course by concentrating ,staying focued he could easily demonstrate he is an excellent bike handler. So to motivate him to stay and complete the course I signed us both up.   I have not been so impressed after taking any courses like I was after this course. So I sat down to think about what made this course so exciting and so very useful . It was not difficult " It was the outstanding , down to earth, experienced  yet practical  and very talented people you have assembled at the Cookeville site.

 

These people are:Charlie Strayer, Dan Belliveau (both served as our Rider-Coaches)   and two dedicated people (Michelle & Tim Sullivan) they stopped everyday to see if we or our coaches needed anything. Also, Tim served as one our final skills evaluation observers.  Whatever you do, keep people like these who are very experienced, professional, dedicated, talented,  and have a world of practical experieces to share with novices like me. These comments are written by a former Naval Officer and a Flyer and a retired Teacher, Principal and a Superintendent of Schools. and now Bike Rider who needs lots of practice and some day will be a much better Rider. Thanks to Dan, Charlie and Time.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Edward R. Gilley, Sr. Ed.D.