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John Kousaie, Woodbridge resident, maneuvers a curve on his motorcycle during an Advanced Cornering Clinic at Camp Upshur aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on Aug. 29, 2013. The course is an advanced course for students who have completed both Basic Riders Courses.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Ellis

Motorcyclists learn life-saving skills

29 Aug 2013 | Lance Cpl. Samuel Ellis Marine Corps Base Quantico

Bright red, blue, green, and silver motorcycles flew over the blacktop at Camp Upshur aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on Aug. 29, 2013, as 12 motorcyclists participated in the Advanced Cornering Course.

The one-day event, which was the last of its kind for the summer, covered topics such as entrance speed, cornering judgments, braking techniques and body posture while coaches taught and advised while students practiced what they learned.

“We are going to coach you on everything from head to foot,” said Mike Couture, rider coach. “We are going to coach you on body position including how your feet are on the pegs.”

Motorcyclists who participated in the event found simulated roads designed to test their handling of corners, regardless of whether they owned a cruiser or sport bike.

“The participants find the extent of their skills and capabilities of their motorcycles out here,” said Dave Waters, lead instructor for the Advanced Cornering Course. “This is not a track. This is a cornering class and some of the skills taught are life-saving skills.”

Those who attended the class previously completed the two Basic Riders Courses, offered aboard base, and met the requirements for base motorcycle riding.

“It’s a great way to spend the day,” said Leon Begeman, class participant. “The fact that someone will look at you and tell you what you did wrong, helps. I was a Basic Rider Course instructor in Maryland for 10 years, and they still point out my mistakes.”

Overall, the instructors seemed happy with the model training conditions found at the course.

“The day was ideal,” said Waters. “There are dry corners and wet places that create a great training environment.”

Although this is the last Advanced Cornering Course for fiscal year 2013, there are future classes pending, based on the budget for fiscal year 2014.

For information about future classes, visit the Quantico driver’s training website at www.quantico.usmc.mil/activities/?Section=DTB.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil


Marine Corps Base Quantico