The Harley-Davidson™ Riding Academy New Rider Course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of being a safe rider and give you the skills you need to ride with confidence.  The New Rider Course provides you with expert guidance from Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF) and H-D certified coaches.

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COACH STAN

Hello, my name is Stan Palmer. My riding began in 1974. While in the U.S. Navy, I got my license and first motorcycle. In order to ride on base, I was required to take a motorcycle safety class which was no where near the classes of today. 

Later that year I got married and we rode all over California. When I was discharged from the service, we moved back to Rockford. I got a job and worked there for 32 years. As part of my job in the 90s, I did driver instruction where I would give hands on, one on one instruction. 

In 2004 I bought my first Harley-Davidson. I retired in 2010 and took the MSF Rider Coach Prep class at NIU, then began coaching at NIU; which later moved to Harper College. 

Later I became a Harley-Davidson coach and have been coaching at Kegel Harley-Davidson for around 5 years. Over the years I have taught with 18 or so different coaches and about 100 or more classes.

COACH KARLA

Hello, my name is Karla Stringham. I am a mom of 3 and grandma of 5.  I ride a 2017 H-D Ultra Limited, her name is “The General”. 

My first ride as a passenger was 1988, after that I swore never again! Then my husband decided to buy a motorcycle, against my wishes. He persuaded me to ride with him, this time I loved it and I knew I had to learn to ride my own. 

I have enjoyed riding my own motorcycle since 2010. I am an Office Assistant by day and to share my passion of riding, a Motorcycle Rider Coach by night.

 I have been helping others work toward achieving their goals of learning to ride since 2018. 

COACH PETER

In 1991 I walked into a Harley dealer and bought a new Electra Glide - the dealer had to deliver the bike since I didn't have a license and in fact had never ridden a motorcycle. 6/22/1991 I completed a state run Beginning Rider Course (BRC) and then the fun began.

2009 I became certified as an MSF Instructor.

2011(?) I joined the Harley Riders Edge program as an instructor

I coached for the state program as well as Harley (10-20 courses per year).

I am a Life Member of H.O.G. since 1991 and have served several Chapters over my years of riding.

In 1995 I enrolled in the H.O.G. Mileage Award program and at the end of 2019 earned my 200,000 mile rocker (over 250,000 total).

My wife is comfortable as a passenger and we have visited 44 of the lower states along with most of Canada (missing NY, DE, NJ, RI on the bike).  We've been from Portland ME to Portland OR along with Key West FL and Eureka CA and can't say where we like it best - home is Crystal Lake IL.

Our children are grown and have graced us with several grand children we tend to spoil.

I retired in 2020 and to celebrate we took a trip with our best friends - 39 days, 8200 miles and only got rained on for 3 hours. It took us a year to plan this ride and I would like to claim we planned the rain but can't really do that.  

The photo attached is me on the rim of Crater Lake OR - a volcano that has filled with water from rain and snow.

I moved my teaching credentials to Kegel's last fall and am looking forward to getting back to a family business that wants to provide new riders (and old) a "White Glove" experience and encouragement to see a new level of enjoyment, the life changing experiences and friendships that await Harley riders.

COACH DAVE

Hi, my name is Dave Diveley.  I started riding a motorcycle in the year of 2000 after taking the Basic Rider Course. I decided that it was the safest way to learn how to ride a motorcycle. I purchased my first ride in July of 2000, a dual sport motorcycle.

I was introduced to the Gold Wing Road Riders Association November 2001 by a friend and in joining GWRRA it prompted me to purchase my second motorcycle, a touring motorcycle. I had to stretch my legs to get my feet flat on the ground. After joining the GWWRA, I had the experience of riding in a group, the opportunity to travel to meet other GWRRA groups and to enjoy motorcycle rallies. I have been to a rally in the state of New York in May and in the July of same year, a rally in state of Texas. I have traveled to 23 states to date.

A friend suggested that I become a range aid for the Basic Rider Course for a way to make extra money. The range aid is the person that sets up the cones for the exercises for the new students to learn basic riding skills.

June of 2011, I completed the Basic Rider Course instructor prep at Northern Illinois University from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Since, I have average between 10 and 20 classes a year working with many other instructors helping new riders gain the skills to have fun of riding a motorcycle.

In 2020 I joined the Kegel Harley-Davidson riding program as a instructor in learning and last year received state teaching credentials.  I will continue to help new riders to have the experience of riding a motorcycle and to have fun.