Safety Report - June 2025

Gary Klinker

A Weekend of Training

I just finished a weekend full of rider training. Starting with the Knock the Rust Off day in 1F with Buell Bob and the group. The day started out cool and cloudy but ended up a very nice day. I want to thank Bob for his work doing this every year. It is a great chance for people to get ready for the riding season by sharpening their skills and checking out their bikes. We always get some good questions, and I have a chance to do some one-on-one coaching with the riders. I really hope more people take the opportunity for this free training next year. I also want to thank Trooper Anna for attending with her State Patrol bike.

The following day I attended the ABATE and Be Crash Free training at Wisconsin H-D-as a student. I try to attend some type of continuing education motorcycle training every couple of years. You can never get enough and there is always something to be gained by having professional instructors critique your riding technique and make improvements. This was another free chance to get advanced rider training that many more people should have taken advantage of. The exercises were varied, and the coaching was very good. We worked on cornering, decreasing radius turns, late apexes, braking from higher speeds, bike control, and maximizing traction by leaning into the corners-chin over the mirror. Safe Rider’s own Les Mlsna was involved in the coaching along with the Be Crash Free guys. This is the company Safe Rider is working with to develop our new registration system.

On Saturday after Knock the Rust Off, Shawn and I rode to Slinger for Polack’s Memorial Service. It was a real testament to a full life of motorcycling and making thousands of friends. Polack was an integral part of ABATE for the entire life of the organization. The outpouring of love showed that. There were past Executive Directors and Regional officers from all over the state, along with hundreds of members, friends and family--we are all family. Marlene was also an important part of ABATE. When I was ED she was the Membership Director and was a member of the Board. She has always been right there by his side all the way. We thank her for sharing his time and talent. He will be missed, and Marlene and the family are in our prayers.

Safe Rider BRC classes are filling fast but you can still take advantage of the BRC2 advanced classes. Don’t wait too long or you will miss out. Get out there and ride carefully.

Ride Safe,

Gary