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Riding Safety Expert To Teach At Festival

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

HUDSON - Motorman was born in the Bronx, raised in upstate New York and has spent most of his life in Florida. He's part entertainer, part educator, part entrepreneur.

And he can handle a 750-pound Harley-Davidson like it's a child's toy.
Motorman is Jerry Palladino, a retired Pasco County sheriff's deputy and motorcycle aficionado who for several years has been teaching novice bikers how to ride like professionals.

He's the producer of the 'Ride Like a Pro' series, which has become one of the bestselling motorcycle instructional videos in the country and a virtual bible for first-time riders.

This weekend, Palladino and his wife, Donna, will be performing for crowds of biking enthusiasts at the third annual Cotee River Bike Fest in downtown New Port Richey.

He wants to teach you how to ride, have fun, and most importantly, how to stay safe.

'Controlling a bike isn't about strength; it's about staying focused and using your mind,' he said. 'When you learn these few simple techniques it will change your life forever.'

Palladino, 53, of Hudson, bought his first motorcycle at 19. It was a 1974 Honda 400; he paid $1,200.

Back then, there wasn't much in the way of instructional materials for novice bikers.

If you wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle, he said, you had to teach yourself.

'The salesman said, 'Here's the bike, there's the road, good luck,'' Palladino recalled.
Palladino thought he knew how to ride until he saw a five-minute segment on a 'Born To Ride' television program in 1998. He realized then that there was much to learn.

'I couldn't believe what they were doing on bikes,' he said. 'They were defying gravity.'

So he threw himself into training and several years later became a member of the elite motorcycle division of the sheriff office's Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol.

His business venture began with a $1,000 tax rebate check and a low-budget videotape he made with family and friends. It flew off the shelves.

'We sold about 2,500 in three months,' Palladino said.

When he retired from the sheriff's office in 2004, he went into business, producing several new videos, offering personalized classes and performing for crowds across the country.

The video is in its fourth edition and has sold tens of thousands of copies. Palladino also has launched a version aimed at helping women overcome their fears about riding.

He never dreamed that his business would become so successful.

'People think the American dream is gone,' Palladino said. 'Fact is, I'm living it.'

IF YOU GO

Jerry 'Motorman' Palladino will perform his 'Ride Like a Pro' skills show at the Third Annual Cotee River Bike Fest in downtown New Port Richey in the Bank Street parking lot. Here's the schedule:

•11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. today

•10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday

On the Web: www.ridelike apro.com

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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