It started before the decision, but it may well have been because they knew which way the wind was blowing. They literally placed ads for hiring new staff that said no experience was preferred several months back. The decision to go full click farm has been made and there is apparently no second-guessing that choice.

...on a FE350 or 500...

Why would you want to burden him with one of those? Don't you think he deserves to have a good time while riding after his years of service?

How did these guys learn to do this? Is there a poor, forsaken parking lot somewhere littered with skinny skid marks and bits of melted rubber, or possibly an abandoned racetrack, maybe even an off road park? I mean I imagine it takes years to master this skill right?? How do you even get into motorcycle drifting??