Hitting the road: Base motorcycle classes prepare summer riders Published June 6, 2014 By Brian Shreve Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- "Get your motors runnin', head out on the highway." But first, it's wise to be prepared and to learn from the best right here on base. The Robins Motorcycle Safety Training program is in its peak season, with anyone born to be wild - or those at least interested in finding out if they are - flocking to the MST Range for classes. A two-day basic rider course is offered for the novice biker as well as a one-day experienced rider class, BRC-2. The program is working to get instructors certified for an advanced rider course, according to Donald Johnson, senior rider coach for more than a decade. Johnson is also the director of the Robins Riders Motorcycle Group, the base's official motorcycle club. "We're trying to give people a training progression that covers all my riders," he said. "We have different types of riders - sport bike riders, cruisers and sport tours - so we want to make sure we're able to give everybody training all the way up the line." Requirements for the courses include a base ID, permit and perhaps most importantly, a motorcycle, as they are not provided by Robins. Johnson said it's imperative that riders learn on his or her own or borrowed motorcycle because problems could arise if students were to learn the basics on a different sized bike than those they would be riding later. The motorcycle classes take place once monthly and are free of charge to all active duty military personnel, dependents and Robins civilians. The Motorcycle Safety Training Range - located near the PAVE PAWS radar site - is open for riders at all times unless classes are in session. One crucial component of the training is the safety rules specific to Robins riders, which are a lot different than they are for "downtown folks," Johnson said, particularly when it comes to clothing. Under Air Force Instruction, while riding on the installation, sturdy, above-the-ankle footwear, robust pants and long outer garment sleeves are required; a state regulation helmet, eye protection, and full-fingered gloves must also be worn, as well as a reflective top. All active duty Airmen must follow these strict guidelines on and off base. The classes also include an orientation of local roads and hazards unique to the areas surrounding Robins and training of the proper mindset involved with operating a motorcycle. "We try to instill in them that it's not just about their lives, but that their lives affect a lot of other people," said Johnson. "For a lot of people, when they recognize that fact, they change their ways of riding." Class sizes are based on the number of rider coaches - all volunteers - available. Each coach is limited to six students for full-sized ranges like the one at Robins. There are currently 12 rider coaches teaching the courses. Johnson added that a primary incentive for motorcyclists receiving their training at Robins is that they save a lot of money while acquiring more experience than they would taking required courses off base. "Downtown, it's going to cost you $250 to take a basic riding class. If you take it here on this installation, you pay nothing. You then pay $10 to take the road test, and you're done," he said. "And here we teach the same classes, but we teach a lot more because we're allowed to do a lot more and because we have to follow the curriculum more closely." This month, Robins motorcycle training will be June 19 through 20. Those interested may sign up via the Robins home page at www.robins.af.mil, or by visiting the 78th Air Base Wing Safety Office, in Bldg. 215.