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 | Instructor Name: | Gary | | Been Riding Since: | a teenager | | Instructor Since: | with PSS since 2003 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | BMW Dakar; Kawasaki KLX 250 | | I started my two wheel riding at age 13 on a Cushman motorscooter. My friend, Pat Chipps, and I rode from Clarksburg, WV to Quincy, IL, over 700 miles, two up with all our gear, bald tires and no money. We worked our way across country for food and gas. I've ridden in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa with a short stint racing MX in the late 60's and early 70's. Although I ride the street, my preference is and always will be dirt roads and trails. You can share some of my adventures by joining me in a street or dirt class. Be safe! |
 | Instructor Name: | Karl W. Balzer | | Been Riding Since: | 1983 | | Instructor Since: | a couple of days ago | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 2005 Yamaha YZF R1 1976 Honda CB550 four | | Wow! You are reading my profile? welcome... Here is what you need to know about me and the time that we will spend together. It will be FUN, challenging, and tiring. I want you to learn from my mistakes that i have learned through riding as a child in a grape vineyard with no instruction other than there is the gas and there is the clutch. I will facilitate and coach you to the best of my abilities to become the best rider that you can while you are on the range, and hopefully you will remember the words that all the rider coaches and I give you. I am fair honest and hard working. what this translates to is motivation in the classroom and out on the range. You will feel as the lessons progress you will improve, how much is up to you. Come out and ride, it sure does feel different!! |
 | Instructor Name: | Pat Barnes | | Been Riding Since: | 1965 | | Instructor Since: | 1992 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 1983 Suzuki GS650G, 1995 Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster with Velorex sidecar | | I have always been fascinated with motorcycles. My brother and I built a mini-bike in 1961, out of a bicycle frame and a neighbor's lawn mower engine, and I've been riding ever since. I rode my first street-legal motorcycle in 1965, right after I got my driver's license, and bought my first motorcycle in 1967, a 1965 Honda S65. Then I moved up to a Honda CB160, and later had several Honda 305s. Although most of my riding is commuting the I-5 corridor, I really enjoy long distance rides - my favorite was riding from Seattle to Anchorage, and back. Being a motorcycle safety instructor allows me to combine two things I love, teaching and motorcycling. |
 | Instructor Name: | Mike Basse | | Been Riding Since: | 30 years | | Instructor Since: | 2006 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 1998 Harley Davidson Road King | | I knew the first time I threw a leg over my father's horse and rode a mini-bike as a child I was hooked on horsepower and two wheels. Somewhere along the line the two came together and I've never looked back. There is something very magical and liberating about riding around in the elements and the freedom that comes with that experience. It's my cheap form of mental therapy, and I've been told by all who've know me that I have "issues" anyway. I've had the good luck and pleasure of riding in Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and lots of real estate in the good old US of A and one thing I've learned along the way is that motorcycle riders are a very special breed of folks who know how to enjoy life to its fullest! It's in my soul, that's why I'm addicted. |
 | Instructor Name: | Pete Chartrand | | Been Riding Since: | 1998 | | Instructor Since: | 2004 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 1998 Honda VTR100F (Superchicken) | | I was once told “If you want to become a better motorcyclist, become an instructor”. This statement along with some other encouragement (thank you Bruce Scott) led me to being a Rider Coach. I enjoy sharing the experience of people both just learning to ride motorcycles, or simply discovering a new aspect of riding. Every class I’m involved in I learn something new. It seems I’m always first a student, then an instructor. As a Sportbike rider and a track day enthusiast I am a big advocate of practicing on a closed course so skills become second nature for out on the road. I encourage people to seek out training that is a little challenging, such as the Experienced Riding Course or the Total Control-Advanced Riding Clinic. My goal is to have my passion for motorcycling spark a desire in all students to search out more advanced training and become the best motorcyclist they can. |
 | Instructor Name: | Jennifer Grant | | Been Riding Since: | 2000 | | Instructor Since: | 2003 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 1988 Honda Hawk; 2003 Kawasak Z1000 | | If you asked me 8 years ago if I would ever ride a bike, the answer would have been a "heck no". I was terribly afraid of them, even after
I had become a passenger riding in Europe. Over time, my trust of
motorcycles grew and I decided to take the plunge...I mean the safety
class so I could learn how to ride. After a long, extensive search for
what I felt would be a good learning bike for me, I began practicing
riding out on the street. I took things slow and only rode where I felt comfortable at first and finally graduated to I-5. I have found that all of my skills I have gained have come from continuously practicing through a variety of classes. I have taken the Basic class, the Experienced class, and Lee Parks' Advance Rider clinic on top of just refreshing my skills in parking lots on a regular basis. To put things simply, I owe a great deal to those that have taken the time to teach me, so I in turn have felt that teaching would be a great way to share the joys of the motorcycling experience with others learning to ride or wanting to brush up on their skills.
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 | Instructor Name: | Tom Hadley | | Been Riding Since: | 1969 | | Instructor Since: | 2003 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | Honda Goldwing | | I enjoy life and riding is very much a part of that. I have ridden with some of the best riders to ever ride a motorcycle. So, I learned a lot from them and with the experience that I have gained throughout the years of riding.
This is why I love teaching a sport that I love.
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 | Instructor Name: | Gregory Hamblen | | Been Riding Since: | 1990 | | Instructor Since: | March 2005 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | Suzuki, Volusia, 2004. Next bike Suzuki V-Strom 1000 | | I bought my current bike in 2004 brand new. As of January 2006 I have 30k+ on it. I like to ride, rain or shine. I have extensive training in instruction and many years ago was an elementary school teacher. I spend hours on my bike and just love the freedom feeling that is gives me. My priorities during each course: 1. Safety Safety Safety. Safety for you, Safety for your fellow students, and Safety for the instructors. This is both on and off the motorcycles and both on and off the range. 2. Fun. If you are riding a bike and are not having fun, I'm either not doing my job correctly or you need to get off the bike. 3. You learn to ride safely and improve during each exercise. 4. Encourage all students to consistently seek improvement, before, during, and very importantly, after the course. |
 | Instructor Name: | Herb Larson | | Been Riding Since: | | | Instructor Since: | | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | | | First took the course in 1981, thought I knew how to ride, and quickly learned there was a lot I didn't know. I did the course numerous times as a student and finally in April of 1998 I was at a point in my life and career where I could start teaching it. I enjoy working with students and get real pleasure when I see the light come on with some particular skill where they might be struggling.
Motorcycling should be fun and when it is you learn more. I try to treat every time I get on a motorcycle as a learning experience. I learn from just about every class I teach. I know now that even though I've been riding for some time there are a lot of methods and techniques that I haven't perfected or even tried. That only means I need to ride more!! See you out there.
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 | Instructor Name: | RJ Myrup | | Been Riding Since: | In the dirt as a kid and onto pavement in my teens | | Instructor Since: | February 2005 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 08 Kawasaki KLR650, 00 Suzuki Katana 750 | Without any training I somehow made it through my college years without mishap on a motorcycle. I thought I was good enough because I read books and practiced riding skills. Still, I kept having those "close calls" and decided to take a Novice course. During the class I realized that having my endorsement didn't mean that I knew how to ride. Half of the students in the class had never even ridden a motorcycle before and by the end of the course there were riding just as good as some of the experienced riders I knew. There were times in the class when I didn't understand why my instructors were kept telling me to "look more", "squeeze more smoothly" and "press more" because I thought I was doing fine. About a week after class reality came speeding at me head-on and it was their voices in my head telling me what to do. At the advice of the instructors I went back to the parking lot where we did class to practice on my own when the space was not in use. I got there early and watched a class while I waited. This guy, Bret (who is with the school), wandered over to me and gave a great introduction to the program. Now I spend a lot of idle time doing these motorcycle courses with other motorcycle enthusiasts. It obvious that people like to ride motorcycles, but it goes to a whole new level when you have an instructor's coaching to help you improve. Join me in a street class, in a dirt class or maybe you can spot me up on a trail!
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 | Instructor Name: | Richard Peake (peaker) | | Been Riding Since: | Started riding when wheels were square (1959) | | Instructor Since: | Beginning my second year | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 2002 Harley Davidson Road King Classic | | I originally started the Rider Coach Program to keep busy in my early retirement, but since then I've found that I enjoy it even more. Helping beginning and experienced riders alike in shaping and contributing to their riding skills and road knowledge is very rewarding. Riding a motorcycle becomes a passion in many, so lets ride informed and safely... |
 | Instructor Name: | Roy Puchalski | | Been Riding Since: | Off and on since 1975 ( I prefer on) | | Instructor Since: | 2004 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 2000 Yamaha Royal Star Venture, (touring bike) | | This M/C riding is the best! It's the most serious, LEGAL fun anyone can have. To me, bikes are like Lays potato chips, I can't have just one! I'll admit it! I'm a M/C addict! (Hello, my name is Roy and I've been bike free for . . . ZERO days!) I've been riding on and off road for many years, mostly for fun. I figure if it's ever like work, I'm doing it wrong. Someone once said "there are more important things in life than M/C's" but don't believe everything you hear. On the road of life there are riders and there are passengers . . . RIDERS WANTED! |
 | Instructor Name: | Mari Puglia | | Been Riding Since: | 2001 | | Instructor Since: | 2006 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 1984 Honda V65 Magna, 1974 Indian ME100 | | I have been in the passenger seat of motorcycles all my life, so the next natural step (for me anyway) was to get into the front seat! I took the Basic class in 2001, and have been in love with the road ever since! According to my dad, the perfect number of motorcycles to own is “one more,” which apparently also applies to Volkswagens (one of the other loves in my life). When I first started to think about becoming a motorcycle safety instructor, I was hesitant, but soon discovered that it was something that I loved to do. Being able to share my passion…no, that’s not right…addiction for motorcycles with others was more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. Motorcycling is not for everybody, but we strive to guide those willing to learn to ride within their limits and to do it safely. |
 | Instructor Name: | Dave Rowden | | Been Riding Since: | 2000 (also rode 7 years earlier in my life) | | Instructor Since: | Began Instructor Training in May, 2007 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 2005 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic | | Motorcycles have intrigued me since I was in the single digits. Finally, when I was 11, I got to spend some time riding my cousin's mini-trail 50. I was hooked. My parents were generous enough to buy me a 1970 Kawasaki 100 when I turned 14 (the legal age to obtain a license to legally ride motorcycles in Oklahoma at the time but, I digress). After that, I owned a 1975 Honda CB500 Four, then a 1978 Kawasaki KZ 1100. I sold the Kaw after we married, and didn't ride for about 15 years. For some stupid reason, even though she had a bike before we met, I didn't think she would want me to ride. After we moved from Oklahoma to Washington in 1997, I saw a H-D Sportster 883 in a parking lot with a For Sale sign on it. I asked her if we could stop and take a look at it, she conceded, and then asked me, "Do you want to buy it?" What!? HELL YES, I WANT to buy it, but I never knew you were still interested. Turns out, she was more than interested. I now have my Ultra Classic and she has a 2006 Road King, and ride all we can, considering our busy schedules. Come and join me on the range. We'll learn together, be safe, and probably have a little fun along the way. By the way, I'm not a Harley snob. The freedom and joy derived from riding, as well as the responsibilities, are the same no matter whose two wheels you're on. |
 | Instructor Name: | Clint Scott | | Been Riding Since: | 2000 | | Instructor Since: | 2005 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | Honda ST 1100 ABS/TCS | | Motorcycling is a fantastic sport and there are few things I enjoy more than riding. The freedom, exhilaration and challenge of riding are something non-riders can’t appreciate. We know when the temperature is changing or the wind is blowing. We feel the chilly air in a valley on a country road and smell that farm miles away. We are experiencing our environment. That said, motorcycling is an activity with some risk. Fortunately, this risk can be reduced with training and practicing of essential skills. If you take my class you will find I will challenge you to become a better rider from whatever skill level you are at today. My classes are intense but we have fun. We can all become better riders and I always learn something new from my students. Everyone brings something to the class, even if it’s just a good question. See you in Class!
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 | Instructor Name: | James Steenson Sr. | | Been Riding Since: | 1972 | | Instructor Since: | 1991 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | Aprilia Mille RSVR, Aprilia Futura, Honda Hawk GT 650, 1/2 of a Norton Commando 850 and any Ducati I can borrow (hint, hint) | | Tragically; I am currently undergoing treatment for depression as caused by the inability to locate enough discretionary income to afford more than two Italian bikes at a time. Quite remarkably, my utilization of cornball humor (the output of which is profligate and some would say unwarranted) is completely unimpeded in the quest to put my students at ease and make their journey into motorcycling fun and rewarding. If you want a serious, self important, highly structured (nay, rigor-mortis like) rider coach, I’m sure that your needs can be met by another training site. However, if you want a rider coach who, by way of direct comparison to himself, makes you feel rich, famous, and destined for motorcycling fame, then I am that coach of your motorcycling destiny. |
 | Instructor Name: | Bret Tkacs | | Been Riding Since: | 1989 | | Instructor Since: | 1997 | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 2000 Ducati Monster, 2002 Suzuki SV650s, 2005 Yamaha FJR1300A | | I eat sleep drink, and dream about motorcycles... I love riding and love working with others to develop or improve their riding skills. I have three priorities while I'm teaching, first is safety (of course), second is that you are having fun! (I do believe that's the point of riding?!) and third is that whatever your skill level is, I help improve your riding. Whether you are a new rider or an experience racer I will work to help you move to the next level as a rider! Come and play with me and you will never forget your experience with Puget Sound Safety! |
 | Instructor Name: | Jim Ward | | Been Riding Since: | Started as a teenager and on and off since then. | | Instructor Since: | Became certified to teach in WA about 7 years ago. | | Current Bike(s) Owned: | 1999 Suzuki Bandit 600S. 1982 Honda Goldwing GL100 | | I have ridden many different bikes over the years. While I was in the
military and moved around, I had the opportunity to be licensed in several
states and ride their roads. California - fast and between cars, Idaho -
part year (snow) and many potholes, Connecticut – turnpikes and tollbooths.
Washington – rain and showers.
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