Becoming a MSF RiderCoach

[thmastr]

I was interested in becoming an instructor... How do you go about doing that?

[MackeyStingray]

go to a site, ask about becoming a ridercoach. be a cone monkey for at least a month or 2 (the longer the better). see if it's really for you. if you show you're dedicated, you'll get sponsored to take the training course.

[thmastr]

Thanks for all the info.... "cone monkey... doesnt seem like a great fun thing to do... but you have to take the good with the bad I gess!"

Do you have to have a minimum ammount of riding experience? like longer than 2.5 months?

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by thmastr
Thanks for all the info.... "cone monkey... doesnt seem like a great fun thing to do... but you have to take the good with the bad I gess!"

Do you have to have a minimum ammount of riding experience? like longer than 2.5 months?

I manage the Mt. View facility and can give you a bit of insight.

What I look for in a potential new instructor:
Someone-
-that can work well with others.
-that call follow the rules.
-that can communicate well.
-that rides proficiently.
-that is reliable.
-that doesn't act the fool. (you cannot be a squid. Period!)
Passing the training course isn't that difficult, but some people fail.
I have seen many people go through the training to become a Ridercoach, and that can't ride a Demo for crap.

Being a 'cone-monkey' doesn't sound fun to you, but let me tell you what it does for you (and me). The last 10 people that I sponsored spent many weekends on my range learning the curriculum. BY the time they got to the training course, they were damn near fully qualified. They were the best in their class, and when their classmates were stressed out about passing or not, my people were relatively calm and relaxed.

It also lets you and I to see whether you are really able to do the job or not. Whether you have the desire and stamina to be on your feet for 13hrs a day.

Being a cone monkey is like an extended interview. Not only am I looking to see if that person would be a good ridercoach, but they have the ability to see if they want to work here. Some people fit in better at other locations/facilities.

In the 16 years that I've been involved in rider training, I've seen ONE person that could teach with less than a few months of riding experience. It can be done, but the odds are against it. It should be noted that riding on the street and riding a perfect Demo, are two completely different animals.

I'll PM the BARF Rider Coaches that I've assisted in becoming instructors and ask them to comment on this thread. Any other RiderCoaches are welcome to comment as well. This isn't a Mt View 'only' thread. There is also one cone monkey here as well.

[Calyel]

I am not particular to the title of 'cone-monkey' but I guess thats what I am currently.

For me, well I met Enchanter 4 years ago when I took the class myself. I think for sure I was not ready to try to become an instructor at that time, mainly because of my experience level on the road and my own lack of confidence. I think with some practice I could have done Demos but for me it was the confidence. After meeting Enchanter again 6 months ago, I decided to reconsider it and made the decision to at least try it out and see if it would be something I would like doing.

Well my background in loving to teach and having fun and working hard made the decision easier. I do have to say that 13 hour days are tough, but if you can find the fun and rewarding things about it, its not bad at all.

My 'cone monkey' schedule is really hard to keep up with my job and school and traveling. But I would much prefer to learn over a longer period of time than try to learn something over a weekend. I am pretty confident that by the time I get to the instructor course, nothing will be new.

if you have any other questions about my experience so far please post or pm me.

MODERATOR EDIT: In the interest of clarity, I removed the text quoting the entire previous post

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by Calyel
I am not particular to the title of 'cone-monkey' but I guess thats what I am currently.

My 'cone monkey' schedule is really hard to keep up with my job and school and traveling. But I would much prefer to learn over a longer period of time than try to learn something over a weekend. I am pretty confident that by the time I get to the instructor course, nothing will be new.

if you have any other questions about my experience so far please post or pm me.

What have you learned, what information have you gleaned from assisting us on the range and attending our monthly instructor meetings? Has it been helpful to you? Why?

I used the term 'cone monkey' :ape to keep the context of the original question. You know we do not refer to you as a 'monkey' right? We like to think of you as a cone placement badger.:p

[MackeyStingray]

cone monkey's a term of endearment. really. :teeth would cone gofer be a better term?

it's very useful for both sides for the candidate to "intern" before being a full-fledged R.C. you learn what, how and why things are done the way they are and the site manager gets to see and know if you're truly commited to putting the time in. uh, basically what enchanter said.

it was very useful for me to see what the process was and really helped me prepare for the training to be certified. when i went through the training course, i was already ahead of the ballgame.

[slydrite]

how bout cone shagger? :teeth

[thmastr]

thanks a lot for the info and input. It is nice to know that there are "internship possitions" I would have never gessed!

I work with kids teaching them stuff (not a tearcher though).

I find myself very confident with the bike I have now, and with the bike I took my msf course test with. I think I can do it..
The only part of the test where I was marked down was the braking part (I didnt press the front brake enough).

I am now much more confident regarding braking with the front brake. I am even confortable using it in the rain.


Anyway I did not think about 26 hour weekends!. I am already working 30 to 40 hours per week, and I am also going to school.

The only time I have off is during the weekends. So I though this would be an awesome job to have on my (now) free time slot.

I am a workaholic what can I say!

I will definately take a look at it this summer, and if not this summer, then next year for sure!

Teaching is something that I really enjoy. I think that teaching skills that can save a persons life is extremely important, and I would like to be able to be a part of that.

They are going to ride anyway, they may as well be safe about it!

[Calyel]

Originally posted by Enchanter
What have you learned, what information have you gleaned from assisting us on the range and attending our monthly instructor meetings? Has it been helpful to you? Why?

I used the term 'cone monkey' :ape to keep the context of the original question. You know we do not refer to you as a 'monkey' right? We like to think of you as a cone placement badger.:p Cone monkey, cone badger, whatever, it doesn't really matter cause i not a monkey or badger, i am an assistant cone placer. :p

anyhow, I've learned exercises, how to place cones for exercises, what to look for in students how to coach and possible ways to convey information to students. looking for all of the possible ways a student can sit wrong, do exercises wrong, technique wrong is a lot to look for. Practicing while with a coach is very valuable.

Enchanter, I know you don't refer to me as a monkey, but i'm sure i get referred as other things like "pain in the arse" and "socialite" and jazz like that. I am no fool. ;)

(disclaimer: the last paragraph was a joke, and I will make jokes like these in the future unless otherwise asked not to by Enchanter since he will one day actually be my boss. ok carry-on)

[Deeter]

"Cone monkey" is worlds better than what I got durning my internship -- I was the offical Mtn. View "Cone bitch" for a good 8 months! :cry

But coming out for eight months, and helping the instructor by throwing cones and moving stuff around helped me immensely when it came time for me to attend the Instructor Prep course.

I completed the IP at the top of my class, with a 100% on the written test, 3 points on the riding test, and no un-sats on the coaching evlatuation. At no point during the course, did I feel the need to cram for anything, as most of the information was there in my head already.

Taking time out of your weekends isn't mandatory for becoming an instructor, but it sure helps prepare you for the Prep course and usually secures you a place to work once you complete the IP. :thumbup

[argh]

I've gotta say, being a RiderCoach is personally very rewarding. Its amazing to watch someone Get It!

I was Mr. Perfect Score on the IP, but the real world is a lot more chaotic and fun. Oh, and just when you think the cone situation is managable in the IP, you start working at a range where they're like "yeah, we're going to set up 6 , 10, part of 11, and part of 12".
:loco

[grandmastershake]

OHHH I WANNA BE a cone badger. seriously, let me be a cone monkey

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by saturn tech
OHHH I WANNA BE a cone badger. seriously, let me be a cone monkey

Choose a facility that you might want to work for, and contact them about becoming a Rider Coach.

Look here for contact info:
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156898

[mrtnz]

If you want to become a MSF RiderCoach, I would like you to examine YOUR reasons for wanting to be an MSF RiderCoach. (a) If your reason is because it pays well, I think you should reconsider. Sure, I have met MSF RiderCoaches who just do it for the money. However, I also noticed they either didn't have the "passion" for what they did or didn't seem to care about the students' welfare and learning. Yes, some of these MSF RiderCoaches who just do it for the money can be good at what they do. Still, they seem to be "soulless" or have a constant chip on their shoulder, which makes them such an awful pain to work with, and students can find them to be condescending. (b) If your reason is because you think it will make you cool and popular amongst your peers, think again. Being an MSF RiderCoach isn't as glamorous as most people think it is. You work rain or shine and hot and cold. You are on your feet all day. You can deal with really difficult students. Worse yet, you have to deal with some MSF RiderCoaches who can be fooking assholes. Besides, personally, I think you wouldn't want to be boasting about your MSF RiderCoach job, because having the MSF RiderCoach title demands some responsibility whether you are teaching or not. Give it some respect. (c) If your reasons (pick a minimum of two) are because you love riding, you love people, you love teaching, you work hard, and/or you want to give back to the motorcycling community, then this job might for you. If you love what you do, then working will feel like a reward and not punishment. This "passion" will show through your work. Your students and co-workers will definitely feel it. Passion is one thing nobody can fake.

Good luck!

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by mrtnz
If you want to become a MSF RiderCoach, I would like you to examine YOUR reasons for wanting to be an MSF RiderCoach. (a) If your reason is because it pays well, I think you should reconsider. Sure, I have met MSF RiderCoaches who just do it for the money. However, I also noticed they either didn't have the "passion" for what they did nor did they seem like they didn't care about the students. Yes, some of these MSF RiderCoaches who just do it for the money can be good at what they do. Still, they seem to be "soulless" or have a constant chip on their shoulder, which makes them such an awful pain to work, and students can find them to be condescending. (b) If your reason is because you think it will make you cool and popular amongst your peers, think again. Being an MSF RiderCoach isn't as glamorous as most people think it is. You work rain or shine and hot and cold. You are on your feet all day. You can deal with really difficult students. Worse yet, you have to deal with some MSF RiderCoaches who can be fooking assholes. Besides, personally, I think you wouldn't want to be boosting about your MSF RiderCoach job, because having the MSF RiderCoach title demands some responsibility whether you are teaching or not. Give it some respect. (c) If your reasons (pick a minimum of two) are because you love riding, you love people, you love teaching, you work hard, and/or you want to give back to the motorcycling community, then this job might for you. If you love what you do, then working will feel like a reward and not punishment. This "passion" will show through your work. Your students and co-workers will definitely feel it. Passion is one thing nobody can fake.

Good luck!

Now here is a good/valuable post.

Thanks Vicky.