RiderCoaches

All RiderCoaches at Motorcycle Training Academy are seasoned riders and have been hand-selected for their experience, attitude, ability and dedication to excellence in training. Each RiderCoach has been certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Safety Training program through an intensive process including 75+ hours of hands-on training. All RiderCoaches are regularly evaluated and also attend annual skill updates.

Click any RiderCoach to read their bio.

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  Phil Chastagner
  Phil Chastagner

  Phil “Chaz” Chastagner grew up in Augusta, GA. His love for motorcycles started with his first job, sweeping floors in Vic Krenshaw’s Harley Davidson in Augusta. Although his parents hated motorcycles, Phil started riding at 14 and has never stopped. Riding is his passion. He tours on his Harley Davidson Road Glide in the US and has traveled “backcountry” in the US, Canada, Alaska, Mexico and South America on adventure bikes. While in the Marines he rode in Europe and Australia. Phil believes that educated riders are good and safe riders. “Educated and well trained riders are good for our motorcycle community.” Phil is a retired Marine SNCO and currently resides in Denver, CO and Spearfish, SD.

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  Kyle Davis
  Kyle Davis

  My name is Kyle Davis, originally from a small town in East Texas. I’ve been active duty Army for 18 years and in Colorado Springs since 2012. I enjoyed riding dirt bikes and Four-wheelers as a kid and as I got older it carried on to motorcycles. I ride a 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide Custom. I have taken many MSF courses over the years and every time, I saw my confidence and skills grow. That’s when I decided to become a RiderCoach. I look forward to seeing you on the range!

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  Earl Edwards
  Earl Edwards

  I started riding motorcycles in 1980 in Grand Rapids, MI. My first motorcycle was a 1980 Honda 500 CX Deluxe, modified with a Vetter fairing with radio and luggage rack. After returning from Germany, I bought my first Goldwing in El Paso TX. I took some safety classes to learn how to ride safely. After several tours overseas, my family and I settled in Colorado Springs, CO.

  I became instructor in 2001 to teach people how to ride safely. Over the years, I have owned five different Goldwing motorcycles. I currently ride a 2005 Anniversary model Goldwing. Ride safe and keep the shiny side up.

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  Dan Foster

  Dan Foster

  Hi, my name is Dan Foster. I’ve been riding motorcycles since 1968. Although I favor sport bikes like my 2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE, I also have a 2012 BMW K1600 GTL, which I’ve ridden across the U.S. I’ve also rented and driven motorcycles across Europe. I have greatly benefited from taking several MSF motorcycle courses and enjoy teaching as a MSF RiderCoach. My motto is to keep learning and practicing. I hope to see you at any of the many MSF motorcycle courses that MTA conducts.

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  Tony Galles
  Tony Galles

  Tony's love for motorcycling began at the age of 14 when he worked after school and weekends for a BMW and Yamaha dealer. A military career kept him away from bike ownership at times, but his passion for motorcycling has endured. Tony is a BMW GS rider and a former PPIHC competitor. He'’'s ridden extensively in Europe and South America and enjoys helping others advance their riding skills.

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  Max Hansen
  Max Hansen

  Hello! My name is Max Hansen and I started riding motorcycles when I got out of high school. I started on a KLR 650 to get my feet wet and I now ride a Z900. Since I started riding I have been in love with it and both my jobs involve motorcycles. I became a RiderCoach in 2018 and I still can’t find a better to spend a couple days than coaching. I have a ton of fun and love what I do. I look forward to working with any new and experienced riders!

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  Chris Horton
  Chris Horton

  Chris got into motorcycles in 2008 while in Iraq; a co-worker introduced him to the sport and he was hooked. His previous experience as a kid were stealing a ride with his uncles on their dual-sport bikes. On his mid-tour leave from Iraq in June 2008, he took his BRC course and immediately started his riding career on a 1986 Honda Shadow 750 and a 2008 HD Super Glide. After a minor riding accident in 2010, Chris learned the value of honing his riding skills and completed the BRC2. His Army service limited his riding mileage, however, it has not stopped him from developing increased riding skills and perception and a deep passion to teach and share experiences with other riders. He now has over 50,000 miles logged and loves riding at every opportunity. He owns and maintains his 2020 HD Street Glide Special and his wife's 2021 CanAm Ryker. Chris retired from the US Army in late 2020 and now teaches motorcycle safety courses full time. You may run into him on our Colorado Springs ranges as he stops by frequently, even if not actively coaching. Chris has completed many training courses and looks forward to assisting you in achieving your goals. He started as a MSF RiderCoach in August 2019.

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  Garrett Larson
  Garrett Larson

  Garrett is a Colorado native, born and raised here in the Springs. He was an Arabic and Pashtu (Afghan dialect) linguist for 10 years in the regular Air Force and is now working full time at Peterson SFB in the Reserves as a Personnel Systems Manager. Garrett's first experience with motorcycles as a young boy was riding on the back of his dad's touring bike and going camping in the mountains of Colorado. This instilled a desire to learn how to ride in him that was not realized until he was already over 30 in March 2013 when he took a Basic RiderCourse with MTA. He enjoyed the class and riding so much that he came back for the full line up of courses offered at MTA. Garrett has been a RiderCoach with MTA since May 2016 and you can catch him coaching all year long in many of our Basic, Advanced and Police Style (his favorite!!) RiderCourses. He is passionate about riding and helping others get the most out of the experience and stay safe on the streets. He rides a Harley Softail Heritage Classic and a Harley Road-glide Limited (pictured).

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  Leslie Larson
  Leslie Larson

  After joining the Army in 1994 and travelling all over the world, Leslie ordered her first Harley-Davidson motorcycle from AAFES in Iraq. Upon return, she was ordered to take a BRC by her Chain of Command. She was asked to then become a RiderCoach. She has been a RiderCoach since 2005 and is also a certified motorcycle technician. She also now rides a Kawasaki Versys 650. Born and raised in a biker family, so say becoming a RiderCoach saved her life!

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  Dave Miles
  Dave Miles

  Dave was trained as an MSF RiderCoach 28 years ago while stationed in the Air Force at Peterson AFB, CO. In his long career, he helped re-activate the base motorcycle safety class at Lajes Field, Azores. He has also taught classes in Sacramento California and Shreveport Louisiana. After a couple of deployments due to 9/11, he was back teaching Robins AFB. Soon he was a RiderCoach leader at Robins AFB, driving a range/classroom move and developing quality control measures for all instructors to meet. In July 2008, he retired from the Air Force and returned back to Denver. Dave has been working with multiple companies in the past 12 years. He really enjoys coaching students to be their best and having fun in his classes. He is very interested in attending a RiderCoach Trainer class, so he can pass his knowledge and mentor new RiderCoaches.

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  Michael Neal
  Michael Neal

  Michael has been riding off and on as a kid in the early 1980's. Diving into Flat Track and Ice Racing in 2006 winning Colorado Amateur State Championship in 2014. That is when he got his forst Harley Davidson Street Glide. That's his daily ride. Been touring across many State line. Decided to be a RiderCoach in 2022 and made that his full time gig.

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  Beverly Palumbo
  Beverly Palumbo

  I’ve come to Motorcycle Training Academy from the western slope of Colorado and have really enjoyed my second summer of working as a RiderCoach. Riding motorcycles is more than a hobby for me, it’s a life style! I spent most of my time stirring up dirt and adventure riding my dirt bikes as a youngster. My first street bike I bought from my dad in 2008, a 2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide and when I upgraded to a Street Glide in 2010 I have never looked back!!! 2011 I joined the Hardly Angels which was an all women’s motorcycle drill team. Eight years on the team taught me how to handle 800 pounds of motorcycle with 2-3 women on it like a small dirt bike. As a member on the team it sparked the idea to pass along my skills and knowledge to help make riders aware of the dangers and give them the skill needed to stay safe on the streets. Every day on the motorcycle is a day to learn something new while being a safe, cautious, and courteous rider!!!

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  Jeff Portwood
  Jeff Portwood

  Motorcycling has been a part of my life ever since I can remember holding on to the back of my Dad’s bike on the way to baseball practices. I earned my first dirt bike when I was eight years old and have been riding ever since. Hopefully that 1986 Honda XR80R is still making kids smile somewhere. Riding on the dirt or on the street is a passion that I love sharing with my family and friends. Also, being a rider coach allows me to share that passion and love with my students. I currently ride a Honda CBR929RR and a 1981 BMW R65 for my street fun. When playing in the dirt I take my KTM 250 EXC.

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  Greg Schmitz
  Greg Schmitz

  Greg started riding in 1994 after taking an RSS (former BRC course), purchasing a Honda Gold Wing GL1500 as his first bike. He became a RiderCoach with CMSP and MSF in 1996 after taking an ERC course and realizing he had picked up too many bad habits. Currently riding the ‘Yellow Submarine’ a 2003 Honda Goldwing. Primary riding is and has been commuting to and from work, sometimes as much as 200 plus miles per day riding between customer sites. The only riding that he manages to get in during the weekend is teaching the BRC and ERC courses when not spending time with his family.

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  Jesse Seale
  Jesse Seale

  I have always had a passion for motorcycles from a very young age. I was fortunate to have parents that supported me and showed me the world of riding. I love the freedom that riding a motorcycle provides; it allows me to get out of town and explore the beautiful state we live in as well as, the open road. Being a rider coach gives me the opportunity to teach people how to ride safely so that they can go out and enjoy the hobby I am so passionate.

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  Seneca Smith
  Seneca Smith

  My passion for motorcycles began in 2014 when I bought my first, a 2002 HD Fatboy. I've been around motorcycles all my life. I've ridden a few, I have some experience with dirt bikes and quads. Once I got my knees in the breeze riding my Fatboy through the twist and turns of the Appalachian mountains, I was hooked. I'm Virginia born, Pennsylvania raised, and I've lived in Orlando, FL majority of my life. Now, It's been 18 years since I enlisted into the Army. Over these years, especially when I was a Drill Sergeant, a new passion for instructing and teaching took me over. Becoming a Ridercoach was a logical choice.. I'm still on active duty serving here in beautiful Colorado Springs. Still riding strong, I'm on my third Harley. You'll see me sporting a 2021 HD Street Glide Special these days. If our paths ever cross, you will understand my passion, I look forward to seeing you on the range. Ride on!

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  Harrison Sundgren
  Harrison Sundgren

  My name is Harrison Sundgren and I have worked for MTA since 2009. I started riding dirt bikes when my family moved to Colorado in 1995. I have been riding street bikes since 2003. I currently ride a BMW F650.

  My favorite part of riding is getting to experience the beautiful scenery of Colorado and getting to spend time with family and friends.

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  Kent Sundgren
  Kent Sundgren

  I have ridden motorcycles since I was about 12, started on a Honda 50 that I begged my dad to get for me. Since moving to Colorado Springs in late 1995, I've been involved with both off road and on road riding. I've had the good fortune of participating in the training of new motorcycle riders for 16 years and hope to continue for many more.

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  Troy Wallace
  Troy Wallace

  A Colorado native Troy started riding in the 70’s on a Honda MR50 (3-speed with a clutch) and learned to trail ride on a family ranch outside Cripple Creek, CO. The motorcycle bug stuck with him until he switched from motocross to jetski racing in the late 80’s. Troy jumped back into the motorcycles in the early 2000’s and has been on a roll ever since. After honing his skills off road on a dirt bike, he moved up to adventure bikes. He’s logged thousands of miles off road in Baja, Colorado, New Mexico and Moab and is known to have an obsession for all things motorcycle. Troy currently rides a Yamaha Tenere 700 and a Honda 450x.