Riding School
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 961
Likes: 840
From: Hudson, CO
Riding School
I think I have talked my wife into taking the class and getting her license. As a bonus, my 22 yo daughter also wants to learn. I've been looking at classes locally to send them to, but it's been 35 years since I got my license and I don't know much about the different offerings or companies. I know I want one that provides bikes to ride, but beyond that, what should I be looking for in a school? Anyone have recommendations for good ones?
Popular Reply
Oct 16, 2024, 08:44 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 11,220
From: San Diego, CA
I've been riding since I was 10 yrs old. Started on mini-bikes, then a dirt bike, and at the age of 21, bought my first street bike. It was a brand new 1978 Harley FXS.... Been riding Harleys exclusively ever since...
I've never taken a class, but I believe a good M/C class would be a valuable thing. A good class would benefit anyone who rides, including me..
But having said all that, I'll now be "That Guy". I'll type what I suspect some people here have been thinking......
I believe that riding a motorcycle is a skill some have naturally, and many can learn....
But I have met NUMEROUS people in my years of riding that I believe have absolutely no business being on a motorcycle.... period!
Due to many things from poor skills to poor judgement, they just don't have it. They are a accident just waiting to happen. They worst part is, some think they were "born to ride"....
Sadly, a couple of those people over the years have proven my suspicions correct..
I have been very selective of who I have supported and encouraged to ride a motorcycle over the years. In the last 20 years or so, I have become very selective on who I will ride with. It's been at least 20 years since I have gone a group "run" with people I don't know.... The last one I went on was down right scary..!
We all would love that the people close to us to share in our motorcycle passion. However, I think we owe it to them to be honest. If we think they shouldn't be riding, we shouldn't encourage them.
Sorry to be Neddy Negative, but I felt maybe that should be part of any conversation about people learning to ride a motorcycle...
Ride safe!
I've never taken a class, but I believe a good M/C class would be a valuable thing. A good class would benefit anyone who rides, including me..
But having said all that, I'll now be "That Guy". I'll type what I suspect some people here have been thinking......
I believe that riding a motorcycle is a skill some have naturally, and many can learn....
But I have met NUMEROUS people in my years of riding that I believe have absolutely no business being on a motorcycle.... period!
Due to many things from poor skills to poor judgement, they just don't have it. They are a accident just waiting to happen. They worst part is, some think they were "born to ride"....
Sadly, a couple of those people over the years have proven my suspicions correct..
I have been very selective of who I have supported and encouraged to ride a motorcycle over the years. In the last 20 years or so, I have become very selective on who I will ride with. It's been at least 20 years since I have gone a group "run" with people I don't know.... The last one I went on was down right scary..!
We all would love that the people close to us to share in our motorcycle passion. However, I think we owe it to them to be honest. If we think they shouldn't be riding, we shouldn't encourage them.
Sorry to be Neddy Negative, but I felt maybe that should be part of any conversation about people learning to ride a motorcycle...
Ride safe!
Last edited by hattitude; Oct 16, 2024 at 08:51 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,524
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
I took an MSF course back in the day, bikes provided and good course. Received the endorsement afterwards on my license. The course at the dealer also uses provided bikes and good course and you get the endorsement afterwards. The only difference is the dealer course does a few gimmick things to attempt to steer the participants toward getting a Harley
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 1,959
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I took the riding class at my local H-D dealer a while back. It's MSF endorsed and was a 2-day course over the weekend and they provide the bike and class material. Only thing you gotta buy is a helmet and gloves if you don't have them already. Pretty easy to pass, IMO, as 14 of the 16 people in my class have never ridden a bike before. The test at the end is based on all of the maneuvers they teach in the class. As dawg mentioned, my state uses the riding class in lieu of the riding test at the DMV to get your MC endorsement.
Last edited by RKZen; Oct 12, 2024 at 05:07 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,524
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Take the Harley class hands down. They limit the size to 10 or 12. The ones offered at the community college are over crowded useless goat rodeos.
Last edited by Keithhu; Oct 12, 2024 at 07:12 PM.
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