Dusty Powers has had a love-hate relationship with motorcycles his whole life.

Fortunately for local riders and those who want to learn to ride, it’s been a love affair for more than a decade.

Powers, 66, joined Motorcycle Training Inc. in north Richland as an instructor and later became its owner. The company, which is for sale, teaches people to safely ride motorcycles — both two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

Powers says his 12 instructors train and test anywhere from 550 to 600 motorcycle riders during motorcycle season, which runs from March through late October. The company closes from November to February because of winter weather.

“We do permit and endorsement tests, based off of knowledge and skill levels,” Powers said. “Motorcyclists can complete all four tests (a knowledge and skill test for a permit; a knowledge and skill test for an endorsement) in one afternoon, if they want.”

Safety first

Why do people need an endorsement to ride a motorcycle?

“Motorcycle riding is probably one of the most dangerous things we do,” he said. “Most of us don’t go BASE jumping. And without the license, you can get an additional $364 fine, plus the option of having your motorcycle impounded.”

Since 2012, motorcycle riders around here have had to take their endorsement test at Motorcycle Training, Inc., or a similar facility instead of the state Department of Licensing.

Its classes cover beginner riding, basic, intermediate and sidecars and trikes. Classes are limited to 12 people and run from three to 15 hours.

The company owns 23 bikes of various models, shapes and sizes.

“We have a lot of different bikes, but there are different sizes of people,” Powers said. “Some bikes are lower to the ground, others higher up. Then you have to account for maintenance).”

Powers draws 95% of his customers from within a 50-mile radius.

He also has four of the three-wheel Can-Am bikes. And he’s the only person in the region who has a deal with the company, Bombardier Recreational Products, that makes the Can-Ams.

“We get customers from Montana and Oregon,” Powers said. “The three-wheels take different techniques to drive them.”

Born to ride

Powers’ business is just one of two in the state that has a classroom with dedicated training, as well as a testing range on the same property.

It’s one of the reasons his company gets such a draw of potential riders.

“There is an emotional response to motorcycles,” he said. “They may struggle when they first come out. And they struggle and they finally get it. I’ve had grown men come up to me afterwards with tears in their eyes.”

He says he gets people who’ve suffered an accident and their doctor recommended they don’t do this.

“Or there is the spurned spouse, who wants to show their spouse that they can do this,” he added. “I still have others who want to ride to honor somebody who rode.

“It’s fun to help them realize their dreams,” Powers continued. “The counterpart to that is some of them have to realize this isn’t for them.”

Powers found out at the right time this was for him in 2006.

He and his brother own Telco Wiring and Repair in Pasco.

“I joined my parents in 1988, and did phone systems repairs with my brother,” he said. “My brother and I still own the company.”

Powers admitted that the fast-changing technology passed him quickly. And while he still works with some larger customers, Powers found this opportunity.

It just took some time to love motorcycles again.

“I grew up in Burbank Heights, and at the age of 6, I rode a Yamaguchi motorcycle with my father,” he said.

From the age of 12 to 25, he rode and loved it. But he scared himself because he took chances. Stupid chances.

“So, I sold the bike when I got married at 25,” he said.

It wasn’t until his 50th birthday that his wife bought him another motorcycle.

“But I started riding dangerously again,” Powers said.

His son convinced him he needed to take a motorcycle class, at Motorcycle Training Inc.

“That one class completely changed my way of thinking,” Powers said. “I found that it wasn’t a physical activity. It’s a mental activity. And when I took that class, I started loving motorcycle riding again.”

That was June 2006. He became a certified instructor for the company two months later, in August. He worked as an instructor for six years, then bought it when the owners wanted to get out of the business.

For sale

Now, he is looking to sell it.

“It’s time. I mean, this is a fun job. I like dealing with students and instructors. But it’s time,” he said.

But even if he does sell, he’ll still ride. Because he still loves it.

“Riding a motorcycle, people always use the word ‘freedom,’ ” he said. “It is an experience, you are outside. One guy told me, ‘I have to be in the moment when riding a motorcycle. I’m free from outside influence. I can’t be mad at my boss. I can’t be mad at my wife.’ In a way, it’s an artistic escape.”

Motorcycle Training Inc.: 2125 Robertson Drive, Horn Rapids Business Park, Richland; motorcycletraining.ws;  office@motorcycletraining.ws; 509-371-0888. Hours are Mondays: 1 to 5 p.m.; and Tuesdays-Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.