Phil Carpenter has been riding since the third grade and can safely estimate over 250,000 miles road riding since that time. When Phil took the MSF BRC he did so after asking one question, “What do I have to do to become a Motorcycle Safety Instructor?” When the answer came out he would first need to take the BRC, he filled in the application, submitted the fee and sat down right on the spot. Why? To better put into words and pass along, the strategies and skills that can save the lives of motorcyclists.

The beginning of Phil’s riding career began on a Rupp minibike. From there a series of machines followed. A Honda SL70, Hodaka 100, Hodaka Combat/Wombat, Yamaha 100, Suzuki 250, Yamaha 250 and 360 Enduros (both hijacked from his brothers), Suzuki GS550, Honda V45, Kawasaki 900, Honda Interceptor 750, Kawaski Concours, Yamaha FJ1200, and a Honda CBR900RR. The last three of these he still owns and between them accrues a little over 30,000 miles a year. “ A cold and/or rainy day on a motorcycle is better than the same day in a car”. If you don’t see him riding on the road then you may catch him at one of several track days where he has ridden each of his current motorcycles at Grattan, and Gingerman.  

Phil’s number one advise to anyone on a motorcycle. “Ride your own advice”.

Rhonda rides out of Grand Rapids where she lives with her husband, Kelvin. Her first bike is a Honda VTX 1800 Retro that she rides everywhere she goes except when there is ice on the roads. Her second bike is a Kawasaki ZX6R for an occasional change of pace. Rhonda began riding twenty-one years ago and has ridden nearly 250,000 miles since then. She has ridden in all 48 continental states, and hopes to ride to Alaska someday. She usually rides 11 or 12 months each year. She believes that the best way to get there is to "Ride There". Her husband rides a Honda Valkyrie and a Kawasaki KLR 650 dual sport bike.

Rhonda also rides with the Grand Rapids chapter of the CMA. She helps with the Tuesday ice cream rides that leave from both Johnson Park and the Marathon station at 3 Mile and the East Beltline. She’d love to have you join them for a ride any Tuesday evening from May through September.

Rhonda has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and music from Cornerstone University. She also enjoys photography, walking, bicycling, camping, tending flowers, yard work, riding, and taking long trips on the bike.

Since she loves riding so much she wants to share the freedom and exhilaration that only comes from a good ride with others. She wants others to learn to ride responsibly and safely and learn to do it well, so they can enjoy the open road as much as she does. She knows that the better rider you are, the more you love it. That’s why she wants to help others learn to ride, and learn to ride well. Come take the Basic Rider Course then start putting some miles on your wheels.

Steve is our program coordinator. He has his Bachelors Degree in Education from Ferris State University and his Masters in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. He is a retired Graphic Arts Instructor and currently Executive Director of the Otsego Chamber of Commerce.

Steve is not only is a RiderCoach, he does all the coordination of the grant and maintains the quality standards of the program. This includes all grant management, site development, RiderCoach selection and training, motorcycle range set up, and motorcycle upkeep. In his spare time he loves to ride.

Steve has been riding since the late 1960s and has had several motorcycles. Steve currently owns a purple and silver ’01 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. But don’t let that fool you; you might just as well see him running around on a 50cc scooter or a liter sport bike. Every bike is a challenge and Steve enjoys them all. He claims to be a “Motorcycle Whisperer” – he offers to take your “unruly” motorcycle and he will teach it some “Alpha Male dominance” so it will respond to your control or input. He has many satisfied friends when he returns their bikes.

Before coming to the GRCC Motorcycle Safety Program, Steve worked for Ferris State University as the Director of Professional Development and Training Institute and administered the FSU Motorcycle Training Program. Steve believes that every time you get on your motorcycle, that is the time to practice proper technique and develop your skills. Never get on your motorcycle without ALL your proper gear. Head to toe needs to be protected, and always buy the best possible gear you can afford.

Biography coming soon.

Gary lives in Grand Rapids, and works for St. Mary's Family Pharmacy. He's married (Mary - art teacher) and has 2 daughters (Alexis & Carissa). After graduating from Ferris, he set out to realize two lifelong dreams: restoring and flying antique airplanes, and motorcycles. In 1970 he bought a Suzuki 250cc dirt bike, and learned to ride with some friends. He also began working on old airplanes at the Lowell airport. He bought a Triumph Bonneville around 1974. He got his airframe and powerplant mechanic rating in 1976. Gary bought a H-D Softail Custom in 1998, he needed a touring bike for the 75th anniversary of Route-66, so he found a 1999 Road King Classic for that trip (2001).  For his third trip down Route 66, he upgraded to a 2004 Road King Classic.

Gary coachs MSF because he believes that he owes others for so much of what he has learned in life. Many people have given him assistance or advice and expected nothing in return. It's now his turn to return these favors, and he believes helping others to become safe riders is the way to do it.

Gary is most satisfied when the students realize that motorcycling is as much mental skills as physical skills, and no skills are of any value unless you practice them. Life is a continual learning experience! "You never reach the point where you can't improve...and have fun doing so."

Phil lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Susan (who also rides her own motorcycle), and their three daughters. Phil is a graduate of Kalamazoo College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He has been a football player, football coach, a partner in a large Grand Rapids law firm, and co-owner of a motorcycle dealership. Today, Phil has his own law practice as an SIU attorney and teaches business courses at Grand Rapids Community College.

Phil started out riding metric cruisers (his first bike was a Moto Guzzi EV1100 – an Italian bike) and now rides a Yamaha FJR 1300, a sport-touring motorcycle. He enjoys touring, as well as long distance endurance rides and is a member of the Iron Butt Association®. Phil has successfully completed several IBA rides, including the Saddle Sore 1000 (1000 miles in less than twenty-four hours) and the Bun Burner Gold (1500 miles in less than twenty-four hours). He dreams of someday riding in the grand-daddy of all endurance rides: the Iron Butt Rally (11,000 plus miles in eleven days).

When not riding alone, with his wife, or with friends, Phil enjoys working on his bike (“farkling” – customizing the bike with functional additions that are typically not bolt-on accessories). His other interests include cooking and reading.

Phil’s advice: Motorcycle riding is inherently a dangerous activity. One must, therefore, learn to manage the possibility of danger or risk an increased likelihood of causing damage to one’s bike or, worse yet, personal injury. Although all of the dangers associated with motorcycling cannot be eliminated, one can greatly reduce the risk of peril. When motorcycling, learn to observe everything around you – what’s happening in front of you, to your right and left, and behind you. Anticipate what those around you are doing and what they may do – even if their action is contrary to good judgment and “the rules of the road.” Finally, be fully aware of your abilities and those of your bike so that, should bad things happen, you are prepared to take the appropriate action to avoid a mishap. The ability to perform these tasks is a skill that begins with education and continues – but never ends – with practice. The Basic RiderCourse is a great place to begin one’s education; honing one’s skill takes a lifetime. That why I say, “Luck favors the prepared mind.”

Richard rides out of Jenison, Michigan. He recently retired after thirty-three years with Steelcase.  He likes to participate at church, family, motorcycling, skiing, fishing, hunting, cooking. He has two children  Danyel 28 and Justin 26, three grandchildren Hannah 5 and Logan 3, and Connor (Born January 4, 2005) Son-in-law Adam and Daughter-in-law Missy.

Richard believes that this program saves lives and life is a very precious thing.  He also believes that we should enjoy life and motorcycling is one sport where you are completely exposed to the elements and all of your senses seem to be exaggerated.  The wind, sun, rain, smells, temperature changes,  and the feeling of being one with the machine is awesome!

Currently he has 3 motorcycles.  This stable of motorcycles includes a 1999 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic,  2001 Harley Davidson Fatboy, and last but by no means least, a GS500E Suzuki.  Some day Richard would like to get a dirt bike and take to the trails. Along with a fishing pole I may find some hard to get to water that is crying to be fished.

Be smart and get the right start  ..take the Basic Rider Course. Remember: no matter how experienced or good you think you are there is always room for improvement and growth.  Practice and learn all you can ..it just may save your life.

Chris lives in Walker, MI with his wife Kellie, and daughters Kelsey (13), and Emmalee (10). If you have Chris for a coach the chances are good at some time during the weekend you will probably see his family. They like to come and see the classes and bring him something cold, or hot to drink.

Chris has been riding motorcycles since he was about eight years old. He has owned several dirt bikes and purchased his first road bike in 2000 (a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom.) After that his wife (Kellie) got a job at the local Harley dealership so he got a deal on a Fatboy. He's also owned a Super Glide and a Beull Blast.

Chris has been a RiderCoach for about five years and really enjoys working with all the other coaches.  He really likes meeting all of the students that come through the program too. One thing he hears a lot from students is “I feel like I’m holding the class back”. Chris says, "This is a Basic Rider Course, which means most of the students have very little or no experience operating a motorcycle.  Trust me, even the experienced riders, who enroll in the class, have learned something new.  So, don’t worry about holding the class up, we’ll make sure you’re up to speed."

Chris also works on the Program bikes during the winter to make sure they are in good shape for the upcoming classes.

Rick Paul lives and rides out of beautiful Gourdneck Lake in Portage, MI. He is retired and plans on riding many safe miles with his wife of 32 years, Marti, and their friends. Rick has been riding motorcycles since 1971. His first motorcycle was a Suzuki 500cc. Over the years he has owned several different motorcycles, all street bikes. His current motorcycle is a 2002 BMW 1200 LTC.

Rick took the Experienced Motorcycle Safety class in 2002 and thought it was a great experience. The class taught him new skills that he had not been using.

Rick says, "MSF classes will help you develop the skills and knowledge to begin a great adventure. To become a responsible rider you need to make a commitment to safety. The Basic RiderCourse will give you the foundation to build upon. To become a good motorcyclist you need to spend a lot of time practicing. Every time you go for a ride it's another opportunity to improve your skills. Ride defensively (like your life depended on it) and safely!"

Biography to come.

Biography to come.

Biography to come.