What's new with MotoMark1

Triumph Motorcycle for MotoMark1

2012-02-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have some more good news. MotoMark1 was selected by Triumph Motorcycle Company to drive, test and evaluate the Tiger XC. We will be using it in all of our training, dirt, street and other classes. We will be taking photos and video to share with you and Triumph.

I need to say a BIG THANKS to Jordan and Kristi at Ray Price Triumph for taking delivery, setting the bike up and helping MotoMark1 get ready for this awesome opportunity.

Here is a picture of the new Triumph Tiger XC. MotoMark1 picked this up from Ray Price Triumph on Friday evening. This is a picture of Kristi and Jordan of Ray Price Triumph and Mark of MotoMark1. After some time on the Tiger I can describe it in two words... SMOOTH and SOLID!! Stay tuned :-)

The first of things to come...

2012-02-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

It's official I have retired from the Highway Patrol!! We are pushing MotoMark1 full speed ahead in 2012.

1. We are offering Private One to One Instruction during the week, not just weekends. This is our "Advanced Street Skills by appointment only. We use Instructor to student radio communications and HD Digital recording camera.

2. We are also allowing students to bring their spouse or significant other with them to class this year. This will help keep them motivated and will allow them to do something together instead of spending the day a part.

This is just the beginning, MM1 will have more news to come so please keep checking in. Thanks, Mark

Holiday Greetings!

2011-12-15T06:28:00.001-08:00

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We had a successful year, and are planning some new things for next year. A Holiday eNewsletter has been sent out with a great Christmas message AND the opportunity to purchase specially priced gift certificates valid for all of 2012. Sign up for our eNewsletters HERE if you want to keep abreast of all the great things in store for MotoMark1 next year.

Spring Newsletter is out!

2011-04-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

We sent out the Spring eNewsletter last week with the Breaking News about joining up with Team Powersports of Garner. The training season is getting underway and we have lots of classes available. New classes were added at Team Powersports. You can find them listed in the newsletter or on our website on the Schedule page.

Our featured student this issue is Jeffrey Harris of Raleigh, NC. Read about his close call out on the road and how MotoMark1's training helped him. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming Newsletter, let us know. We love learning how our training has helped our students out in the real world.

Enjoy the Spring and remember to DRIVE on purpose!

We're joining the Team!

2011-04-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Mark Brown, MotoMark1 & Team Power Sports of Garner partner to deliver off road training, both ATV and Dirt Bike. Our first class will be an ATV course on Saturday April 16th & we have folks registering as we speak. Look for our dirt bike courses & Adventure Courses soon!! Check out our street courses @ MotoMark1.com

We look forward to working with you!! We will have a big announcement in 2012...

And remember to Drive on purpose!

Exciting News for 2011

2011-01-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

These are tough times for many people. We want to do our part to help, so we are reducing our class prices. We want to make sure everyone that WANTS training GETS training. Remember, we also provide financial aid to those that need additional help in covering the cost of our classes. Our FIRST priority is getting the education out to the folks that want to Drive Safely!

Here is a summary of our new and reduced prices.
Precision Maneuvering - $295
Advanced Street Skills (Private Training) - $50 per hour
MSF Dirt Bike - $245
Adventure Off-Road - $495

We have some more exciting events planned for 2011 including the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Annual Benefit Ride and the BMW MOA International Rally in Bloomsburg PA. Keep your eye on our EVENTS PAGE for all the places we'll be this year.

Always remember to Drive on Purpose!

Special Holiday Offering is here!

2010-11-04T13:50:00.001-07:00

Finally! We've come up with a great special that we think you will really like. You can buy a gift certificate for yourself or a loved one that will allow you to take a class at a special discounted price. You'll have a full year to redeem the certificate and your savings will depend on which class you chose. It will be good towards either the MSF Dirt Bike Class, the Precision Maneuvering School or for private training. Get the details HERE and purchase one today!

Also, don't forget about our entry in the "Love A Local Business" Contest. Please vote for us to win a grant.

And always remember to Drive on Purpose!

Vote for us!

2010-10-21T11:22:00.001-07:00

So we've entered a contest to win some grant money to keep the knowledge flowing! Intuit is sponsoring "Love A Local Business" contest that will award grant money as prizes. We need YOUR help! Please follow the link below and give us some encouraging words.

We'd love to hear what you have to say about us and your experiences with our training.

A great savings opportunity is soon to be available to YOU as this holiday season approaches. We're currently working on a special Christmas Gift Certificate that will be good for the entire 2011 year. Keep your eyes open for the upcoming announcement!

Drive on purpose.

Our First eNewsletter is out!

2010-10-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

The HOT weather is over! It's time to ride! Nothing feels as good as heading out on a beautiful, cool, fall day to enjoy the fresh air and see all the amazing colors. Why not get out and learn to Drive that motorcycle or brush up on your skills this fall while the weather is perfect? We've got courses scheduled this fall for both on-road and off-road. We're getting new brochures, business cards and for the first time ever, a new eNewsletter! It includes these stories:

● About Mark Brown
● Tamela Rich Drives
● Helmet Cam Critiques
● Fall Training

Tamela is a recent student that had quite an adventure! You can sign up for future eNewsletter by visiting our website here. If you missed this issue and would like to see it, shoot us an email and we'll be glad to send one out to you! If you're a past student that has a story worth sharing with our other students, please let us know and YOU could be our next feature story!

Brakes

2010-09-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

The fall riding season is upon us! The temperatures are dropping and soon the leaves will be too. Don't forget to practice your basic skills including your braking.

You probably remember your first lessons about braking--that the front brake does all the work. You may have also heard a lot of people talk about how easy it is to skid when you hammer the rear brake, so perhaps you've eased up on using it. But it's important to use both. Combination braking is always best, with both hand and foot brake applied with smooth study pressure, right to impending skid. If you happen to lock the rear wheel, always look for an avenue of escape and keep the brake locked. If you keep your head and eyes straight you will skid straight. If you need to know how to handle your bike in a real braking emergency, check into our Precision Maneuvering School--we devote a significant portion of the class to real-world braking.

Remember to DRIVE on purpose!

Some extra tips...

2010-05-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Tire pressures are very critical to how any vehicle handles or maneuvers (wheel barrows and riding lawn mowers included). There are just too many motorcycles being ridden around with tire pressures of 20 pounds or less. Check your tire pressures often and with an accurate gauge.

Spinners don't count. When riding toward vehicles waiting to cross your path or turn in front of you, take a quick look at the wheels. The wheels may be your first indicator that the vehicle is starting to move. Do not focus your attention on the wheels, but a quick glance or two while approaching the vehicle should give you an idea of any motion. Hands moving with steering wheels of vehicles turning left in front of you can give you some idea of possible motion as well.

Use the vehicle that you are following as a shield. The idea here is not to be on someone's bumper, but to follow at a distance that should allow you to get through the intersection or past the potential obstacle even if someone should decide to turn as you approach them.

Remember that if you train with precision, you'll ride with precision--and react properly when your hide is on the line! Come see us if you want to make 2010 your best riding year ever.
Drive Safe,
Mark Brown.

Ahh!!! Spring is here...

2010-04-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

and let the fun begin. We had a great training day on Saturday, March 27th with the Combat Vets group. Combat Vets are an awesome group of guys that went with me last year to work on Brad's house. We worked all weekend painting, pressure washing, staining, fixing steps and doing yard work. For those who don't know, Brad is my best friend that was involved in a motorcycle crash and has brain damage. The Combat Vets came through when no one else could.

The Combat Vets showed up bright and early on Saturday morning for class and were ready for some hard training. We started with a little classroom instruction and then got on the bikes and began our driving mission. They guys were a little unstable at first but they did not give up and everyone began to grasp the concept of DRIVING a motorcycle instead of riding a motorcycle. After training for a few hours we had worked up an appetite for lunch. So we worked on our group riding manners by covering formation riding, hand signals and practice on the way to and from lunch. Once we returned to the training site we practiced our crash avoidance techniques utilizing the "brake and escape" course which simulates a car pulling out in front of you and your avenue of escape is minimal.

The guys worked very hard and by the end of the day began to look smooth, safe and fast as they negotiated the hard and challenging cone patterns that only a select few can accomplish. MotoMark1 thoroughly enjoyed working with the Combat Vets. They brought a great attitude to the course and as a result were able to accomplish more than was expected.

MotoMark1 encourages everyone to take a refresher class especially at the beginning of the motorcycle season. We would like for you to attend our classes since we are considered one of the most intense schools in North Carolina. We are not easy but we do get results from our students. We have a better student to instructor ratio than most which gives the students more personal and one to one training for positive results. Please practice and train hard for serious results. You will act the way you train. If done lazily and nonchalantly then that is how you will react in a real world situation. "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat."

Remind your friends to sign up online at www.MotoMark1.com and remember we have a Ladies only class on May 15th.

DRIVE on purpose,

Mark Brown

March update

2010-03-10T10:20:00.000-08:00

Motor drivers spring is right around the corner and the riding season will be open in full gear! Please remember to check all your personal protective equipment (PPE) helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves etc.

We have a Precision Maneuvering Class in Holly Springs on the 27th of this month. The Combat Vets have reserved this private class for their group. You can also schedule a private training class for your special group or family. Please call for pricing quotes.

There will be an MSF dirt bike class and also an ADV Off Road class on April 3rd & 4th, mark your calendars and schedule yourself a fun time with 2 days of off road and one night of hardcore training.

DRIVE on purpose.

Safety and Motorcycle Inspection Seminar

2010-02-22T11:33:00.000-08:00

Capitol BMW is hosting a new customer safety and motorcycle inspection seminar this Friday evening, Feb. 26th, at 6pm. The seminar is free of charge, but we do ask that you RSVP to Jon Ross, Service Manager at Capitol BMW, so that we will not have too many attendees.

The seminar will cover proper riding technique and strategic street survival skills and is being given by Mark Brown of Motomark1 Specialty Vehicle Training company. After Mark's seminar Jon Ross will be giving some pointers on motorcycle pre and post ride inspection.

We expect that the seminar and inspection briefing will take approximately 75 minutes. Coffee, Cokes, and Water will be made available free of charge.

Feb 2010 Tips

2010-02-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

MotoMark1 had a very successful brain storming meeting in January 2010. Our calendar is online and ready to accept registrations. We already have a full class for March 27th. We are offering smaller class sizes this coming year to give our students more personalized instruction.

MM1 will be offering some new training techniques for this coming new year. Please check out our website for more details. www.motomark1.com

On the safety side of things please remember to conduct a very detailed pre-ride safety inspection especially if your motorcycle has been sitting in the garage over the winter months. One thing I always do is run premium fuel in my bike. I'll fill it up with racing fuel periodically to really clean it out and it gives me great joy and I love the smell of real high octane fuel! IF they made racing fuel in a men’s cologne I'd buy it ;-)

Also please practice your emergency brake and escape techniques in a parking lot before going out on the road.

More next month and remember to DRIVE on purpose!

Mark

2010 Schedule

2010-01-24T16:21:00.000-08:00

Time to look at the new schedule for 2010 and pick out your favorite class to attend! We're doing all our street training in Holly Springs, NC this year. Our off-road classes will be done in Harrells, NC.

We also have a presence on Facebook now! Come follow us and become a fan. Post your own stories, pictures or videos of your class experience. Let's spread the word so more folks can learn how to DRIVE their motorcycles!

A Great Rally Event is done.

2009-08-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

We have recently returned form the BMW RA Rally in West Virginia and it was FANTASTIC!! The scenery was awesome and so were the people. The MM1 team had a great time serving you. I must thank the ones that helped to pull it off. First, our team Aida, Graham, Chris, Elsie, Ron and Bill Shaw worked tirelessly to get everything in order. If it had not been for them none of this would have been successful. I am truly blessed to have the best team anyone could ask for.

OF course I can not forget the students!! It was a great pleasure to meet and work with all of you. We had 22 students during the Rally and gave 2 seminars on off road DRIVING, my students know what I’m talking about. You guys did great! And no one complained about being tired or the weather. MotoMark1 students have a special DRIVE inside them that makes them strive to be better and safer. MotoMark1 students are hungry to learn and always want to challenge themselves to go to the next level. To say they are unique is an understatement. Our students encouraged and motivated our team and we loved the energy that was present.

One of the highlights for MotoMark1 was when Bill Shaw introduced me to David Hough. Being able to meet and have coffee with Mr. David Hough was awesome. He is a true gentleman and a pioneer of motorcycle training. He definitely deserves to be in the AMA Hall of Fame. We were able to discuss motorcycle training and the future of where it should be headed. Our conversations were fun, enjoyable and knowledgeable. I could sit a talk with him for hours. This mans insight is incredible when it comes to making others safer and better.

Thank you again to everyone that attended and helped make our first rally a success. We look forward to more in the future.

DRIVE on purpose,

Mark L. Brown

Special Event Planned

2009-05-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

We have exciting news about a class being offered at the BMW Riders Association International Rally!! Check out the recent press release for details...

Subject: RA Rally Adventure Rider Clinic, July 23-26, - Canaan Valley, WV
This course consists of 4 hours of seminar and off-road motorcycle riding instruction on a closed course that has been groomed for beginners, yet has challenging areas for more advanced riders to hone their skills. The course enables riders to transition from the basics of off-roading to the more complex techniques needed for multi-day trips on dual-sport machines. This course combines the skill-building of the basic off-road course with advanced techniques for single track and obstacles.

You’ll learn skills that enable you to transition from asphalt to double track, single track, and fire trails. The fundamentals of straight lines, turning, body posture, and braking are combined to handle obstacles, stream crossings, and tight single track.

We'll teach you the fundamentals and demonstrate real-world challenges so that riders can assess terrain and risk, then make good choices using skills practiced here. It's a course that builds confidence and breaks down barriers without destroying you and your gear.

There will be four classes offered during the rally. including one on Thursday afternoon, two on Friday, and one on Saturday morning. Morning classes will begin at 8:00am and run till 12:00 noon. The afternoon class will begin at 1:00pm and run till 4:00pm. Classes will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, so register now to confirm a spot in your preferred class!

BMW RA Rally Adventure Rider Clinic Details
Length: 4 hours (½ day)
Age: 6 years old - Adult.
Class Sizes: maximum of 10 students.
Motorcycle: bring your own motorcycle.
Minimums: Safe off-road or dual-sport motorcycle with appropriate tires for dirt riding and fuel for 4 hours of riding, spare spark plug and basic tool kit (plug wrench, etc), DOT helmet, jacket, sturdy pants, gloves, eye protection, over-the-ankle boots. Hydration packs (CamelBak, canteens, etc) are recommended for all seasons. Long sleeves recommended for summer.
Location:BMW RA National Rally in Canaan Valley, WV
Price: $75
To register, or for more information, please visit www.motomark1.com/dbsra.html

MotoMark1 Adventure Rider Clinic. Sgt. Mark Brown, aka MotoMark1, has been a North Carolina State Highway Patrolman for over eighteen years and is the training coordinator within the Special Operations Motor Unit. He is also the lead police motor instructor for North Carolina State Highway Patrol and when not on his R1200RTP, Mark can often be found helping “civilian” students understand the finer points of off-road riding.

Fortunately for the RA, Mark has agreed to teach several 4-hour adventure riding clinics designed around his eight hour MSF-certified class. If you have aspirations of taking your GS to Baja, Copper Canyon or even on a local fire road, consider Mark’s clinic as an investment in your future. Regardless of your skill level – beginner or advanced – Mark and his instructors work with each rider to help them identify and improve any shortcomings. This is accomplished by working on a number of essential and fundamental off-road skills that include, but are not limited to, posture/riding position, turning, riding over obstacles, climbing, traversing and descending hills, and proper braking techniques. Each exercise is also designed to build confidence and foster a positive mental attitude, which, in the end, facilitates learning. As a result, everyone improves.

Working on 2009

2009-01-08T11:57:00.001-08:00

We're spending most of our time these days working up our 2009 plan. Our 2009 training schedule is in the process of being updated and instructors assigned. We are also working hard on a new website update that hopefully will be launched early this year. We're going for a complete overhaul and new look that we think is very exciting. This will eventually include online registrations for all our courses. Keep checking in at www.motomark1.com.

Another new development is the plan to attend several rallies and gatherings in 2009 to help promote Motomark1. So far we are looking at the BMW National Rallies and have an eye open for more. If you have a group meeting/rally that you would like us to attend, give us a shout and we'll try to work it in the schedule!

Check out our new Blog!

2008-12-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

We've created a new blog! You can now check here often to see what's new with Motomark1.

Wintertime is renewal time for many and that includes us here at Motomark1. We're reviewing lots of the aspects of our training, sites and goals for the future. It has been a hard year for us in 2008 with many pitfalls. Having endured family hardships as well as company growing pains, we are looking forward to 2009 with a renewed enthusiasm.

We are still on the lookout for a new site for our training here in the Triangle area. We are going strong out west and down east, but have a need for something closer to home here in central NC. We're working on our schedule for 2009 and have some exciting new things planned, so be on the lookout! Keep an eye here and on our website for things to come...