Who rides on military posts/bases?

[Comanche]

Last Friday, I needed to go on to Fort Hood. I have a post sticker on my trike and showed the gate guard my retired military ID Card. He asked for my MSF certificate. I have a couple both the BRC and the ERC from two wheels.

However, I also showed him the Trike riders course completion card and he said, "This is no good."


That got me thinking, (dangerous move for me) There is not an MSF course for trikes and if they (military officials) do not know about the GWRRA or the former TRI trike courses I expect problems for trike riders wanting to enter a military facility.


Maybe we need to get the GWRRA involved. Just a thought.

 

[Scalp Hunter]

comanche:
there is a msf course for trikes in killeen. Contact Chet who is with the local Gwrra chapter in killeen. He conducts the course once a month in Killeen. Thus far he has conducted 4 or 5 courses in killeen.

 

[curley03]

I've always had trouble getting on base with my motorcycles . They don't like 2 wheel M/Cs. Only way back then was to take the mandatory BS course every year or just not ride on base. Worst of the worst was any air training base. At Keesler AFB, Ms they used to get their jollies catching anyone who started their cars engine before buckling up. A friend got a speeding ticket for going 19MPH in a 15 MPH zone. After that he used to drive 5MPH and really pissed off a lot of people. It was all a big game trying to stay out of trouble and still have fun. 32 years of service and only got my car thrown off base 2 times....:Flag:

 

[Comanche]

comanche:
there is a msf course for trikes in killeen. Contact Chet who is with the local Gwrra chapter in killeen. He conducts the course once a month in Killeen. Thus far he has conducted 4 or 5 courses in killeen.

That's right. I forgot about him teaching for Perk Bearden with MSF. I knew that Chet is a GWRRA instructor, but did not remember that.

However, that does not solve the problem that people that take the GWRRA trike course and not the MSF course will be denied access to post on their trikes.

Bearden charges $180 for the trike course where a GWRRA member ends up paying $35.00 for the same course.

This is not about me as I have both the ERC and BRC cards when I was on two wheels. Many newer GWRRA trikers may not have taken an MSF course, but will or have taken the one sponsored by GWRRA.

 

[Saltywheels]

Have had to ride thru a couple of west coast bases, Ord & Vandenberg. No problems there as I flash both the MSF 2-w & the GWRRA Trike card & just for good measure my DHS id. Got a lot of curious -about-trike questions, but was not challenged.

 

[Blondie Gal]

We went thru Lompoc in August, right beside Vandenberg. That's got to be one of the prettiest areas I've ever seen - the fields and meadows are straight out of Harry Potter!

 

[Calman]

I've never had any problems getting on or off a base in VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, MS, LA, TX, OK, KS, AR, or TN with my trike. If traffic is really slow some gate guards who are curious about a triked-out 750 Shadow will pull me into the "Inspection Lane" and BS. Could it be that particular gate guard was applying his own interpretation of base policy?

Maybe it would be a good idea to check with the PMO/Vehicle Registration Office at Ft. Hood and see what the base regulations on motorcycles actually states.

 

[Charlie D]

comanche:
there is a msf course for trikes in killeen. Contact Chet who is with the local Gwrra chapter in killeen. He conducts the course once a month in Killeen. Thus far he has conducted 4 or 5 courses in killeen.

Question? Is this the same nonsense course that was at Tri ralley in Branson the last two years when they denied any Stallion riders from participating because Stallions are so new no ones qualified to teach how to ride? Then being told that the instructors don't have any idea about the dynamics of a Stallion trike and that GWRRA should mabey have a course approved in about five years when more stallions are on the road! Like I should wait till then to learn how too ride.. The question was also asked or TRI Pres. Bob Larson, who said sorry ....no answer go ask the instructor... yea...Charlie D.

 

[Charlie D]

Scalp Hunter: No disrespect to Chet at Kileen Texas (Ft Hood) home of the lst Cav Div. of which I am a past member. If he has a course for stallion riders I would be intreested in talking to him for further info, Thanks Charlie D.

 

[Comanche]

The last thing I was trying to do and would ever do is disrespect Chet Roby. He is one fantastic instructor and a great addition to which ever organization he is a member. I had forgotten that Chet teaches a MSF trike course. He and Maria are also the Texas GWRRA safety directors.


My post was not about Chet at all. It is about the military not recognizing the GWRRA safety courses. It will be up to the GWRRA leadership to work with the military at DOD level to have them accept their completion certificates. Currently, the only (at least at Fort Hood, TX) the only certificate they accept is the MSF taught courses.

 

[Scalp Hunter]

Scalp Hunter: No disrespect to Chet at Kileen Texas (Ft Hood) home of the lst Cav Div. of which I am a past member. If he has a course for stallion riders I would be intreested in talking to him for further info, Thanks Charlie D.

Charlie D:
I don't know if he does or not. But I will see him this thursday and let you know. I'm thinking he does, but I'm not sure at this point. Will get back to you thurs evening or Friday.

John

 

[Comanche]

I asked Gene Knutson (Chief Riding Instructor for GWRRA) about this and was his response about the DOD and GWRRA instruction. Kudos for them being pro-active, and big BOOS to DOD and Homeland Securityh for not being responsive.


Written by Gene Knutson.

"As for GWRRA courses, we have twice petitioned the Department of Defense and Homeland Security to have our courses recognized. Due to the fact that MSF is the only authorized agency at this time to conduct motorcycle classes for the military, we are not finding it possible to also gain this recognition."