We’ve all pondered the question at some point: what if we could train exactly like the pros? We pretend to be LeBron James fading away in the driveway, or Josh Allen threading a needle on the gridiron. But the reality is, most of us can’t simply walk onto a professional field and run drills with the absolute best in the business. In the motorcycling world, however, that door was recently thrown wide open at the BMW MOA’s MotorradFest.
Entering its fifth year, MotorradFest, or M’Fest for short, was born of a pressing need. Historically, police motorcycle training and competitions have been heavily Harley-Davidson-centric, leaving a growing roster of BMW Motorrad officers without dedicated training environments. M’Fest was created to fill that void, giving Motorrad law enforcement, first responders, and civilians a rare opportunity to meet, train, and test their limits alongside elite instructors. Held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds and the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, the event transformed the open asphalt into a crucible of high-level precision riding.
The curriculum, designed by the BMW U.S. Rider Academy, drew on their decades of expertise as an authority on motorcycle instruction. Crucially, the paddock was open to all motor unit officers, regardless of the badge on their tank. But in a departure from traditional law enforcement training, civilians were also invited to hone their craft and run the courses on any brand of motorcycle.
BMW Authority Bike Ambassador Quinn Redeker led the operation. A former police motor officer and instructor in California, Redeker now travels the globe to compete, demonstrate, and offer elite training to police agencies and civilians alike. With a resume boasting over 100 police competition entries, taking top honors in nearly all of them, and a background in racing motocross and desert events since the age of nine, his expertise seamlessly spans street, track, trials, and dirt. Out on the Lebanon tarmac, Redeker didn’t just instruct; he demonstrated exactly what was possible, setting times and carving lines that left attendees in absolute awe.
The paddock was an impressive mix of 68 participants, blending everyday civilians with seasoned law enforcement officers. Naturally, the iconic BMW RT-P authority bikes were represented in force, but the popular Harley-Davidson police editions were also out in high numbers. This created a fantastic, albeit unofficial, battle of the brands, adding a friendly undercurrent of camaraderie to the weekend. To ensure smooth, safe progression, riders were sorted by experience into Novice, Intermediate, and Expert groups. The structure ensured that everyone could push their boundaries without feeling overwhelmed by the pace.
Thursday and Friday focused on training across two distinctly different layouts. The Precision Course was an intense practice in slow-speed control. It demanded mastery of the friction zone and subtle rear-brake inputs. Riders were tasked with exercises like plucking a tennis ball from a pedestal before placing it on another ten feet away, or competing in the notorious “slow race,” where the ultimate goal was to cross a distance as slowly as possible without putting a foot on the tarmac. It was an enlightening lesson in managing a 600-plus-pound machine when speed, and more importantly momentum, were virtually non-existent.
Contrasting the slow-speed technicality was the Speed Course. While the name conjures images of a high-speed pursuit straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, the reality was a punishing test of rhythm, spatial awareness, and exact inputs. Broken into nine distinct zones, the layout forced riders through a dizzying maze of cones. It required a relentless, physical rhythm of rapid acceleration, heavy braking, sharp turns, and immediate acceleration all over again.
The frequency of dropped motorcycles was staggering, but it was actively encouraged. Every tip-over proved a rider was pushing past their comfort zone in a safe, controlled environment. It quickly became clear that heavy-duty crash bars and sliders weren’t just bolt-on accessories; they were absolute necessities for the weekend. The sharp grind of scraping metal and the heavy thud of machinery hitting the asphalt became the defining soundtrack of the fairgrounds, reaching a fever pitch during Saturday’s exhibition runs.
With bragging rights on the line, riders took to the speed course to test the limits of what they had absorbed. They rode on the razor’s edge, fighting the clock while being heavily scrutinized by judges who scored every cone touched, every foot dabbed, every course deviation, and every dropped bike. But the core philosophy remained focused on technique. Lead instructor Aaron Rankin set the tone early, emphasizing that raw speed meant nothing without precision; the fastest times would ultimately belong to the riders who laid down clean runs with minimal deductions.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Saturday night, the atmosphere shifted from intense concentration to inspired camaraderie. Riders gathered to reflect on the weekend, comparing battle stories, the sections they conquered, and the zones that bested them. It was a powerful display of community, with veteran motor officers freely sharing secrets with civilian novices and bridging the gap through a shared experience. It reminded everyone in attendance of the incredible bond that motorcycling creates.
Because of the overwhelming success and demand, the BMW MOA has already locked in dates for 2027. “We recognize the value of this event for all riders,” explained BMW MOA Executive Director Ted Moyer as the dust finally settled on the tarmac. “Whether you are law enforcement riding your motorcycle professionally, or a new rider trying to improve, these skills learned this weekend translate to safer, more confident riders.”
The 2027 M’Fest will take place from September 9-11. Spots are expected to fill, so if you want to push your riding to a level you didn’t know you were capable of, register early at mfest.bmwmoa.org.
Events of this caliber are made possible entirely by our members’ support through programs like our Saturday Night Special Fun’Raiser. You can directly contribute to next year’s event by purchasing a ticket to win the custom BMW R80/7 built by Black Wolf Custom and Touring.
