The retired sgt. major that lives a block from me and mows my yard looked at my bikes awhile back and said he rode in the early 80's. He knows that I was in the army back in the day also.

A week later he knocked on my door and asked if I could ride him over on a bike and then follow him home. He had passed the written test and got a learner's permit which required a licensed rider along with.

He said he bought a new bike. I agreed to go the next morning, ride him over and follow him home. My wife was laughing. She wanted me to ride by the house when I picked him up. I knew what she was up. I think she was going to take a photo of me going by with a dude on the back and put it on social media.

The next morning I picked him up on the Freewheeler and got to the dealer 16 miles away. There they took a pic of him with his new Street 500. Check Reiman's facebook page.

When the pager work and process was done. I told him to follow me and I would go 50 and take the side roads home not the highway that we came in on.

Well we got it to his garage but not without stalling a few times and visiting at least one ditch. It seems that he had not retained any of the skills from the 80's.

Now he wants me to teach him how to ride. I told him about the free courses that Illinois had and he knew about them. But he needs a rider along with him to go any where.

Yes I have ridden for over 61 years but I am not a teacher. I even argue with myself on occasions and don't take my own advice from time to time.

I got my three sons small bikes from age 9 and on. They just went out into a nearby field and learned on their own.

All I can think of is just having him follow me on rides until he gets it.

I can't let an old army vet down.

 

Good on you. I know how you feel....but there's still a lot of good info/data floating around that skull you can impart. Hang in there!

 

I would not teach him how to ride. If he crashes, you will feel responsible. Tell him to take a msf course.

 

If there is a MSF course or similar available near by he might want to consider taking a beginners course. Not to rain on your parade or good intentions but he might just be better off learning proper procedures from a trained instructor who can observe what he knows and offer professional assistance. After that you guys can tool around until he gets his endorsement.

 

Two dudes on a bike?

 

Tell him you would be happy to ride with him, and let him learn from following you. After his BRC. Or at least after he signs up for the next possible class. My son's took it last year. It was free for Vets.

It's a proven way to improve rider safety. You're not.

 

It's ok as long as you say "no homo" when getting on the bike.

Tell him you'll give him some pointers and help him out if he agrees to sign up and take a MSF course.

 

msf best thing. i had not ridden in 40 yrs. took course and like a light bulb coming on great way to learn or refresh God Bless

 

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I would definitely persuade him to take an MSF course but help him the best you can in the mean time. Having an inexperienced rider follow you can be unnerving. Make sure he gives you plenty of space between you.