| Motorcycle Training
Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Please take a look at these questions
and answers. If you still have questions, give us a call
Why
is training needed?
Research has shown
that few people (less than 10%) have any formal training before
they begin riding a motorcycle. Anyone, whether you're just starting
out in motorcycling or have been riding for several years, can benefit
from a Motorcycle Rider Course.
Some people say it's
easy to learn to ride a motorcycle, but to develop the basic skills
and techniques necessary to ride safely is another matter. To be
in control of a motorcycle and to ride it safely on the public streets
and highways requires you receive proper instruction and then practice
what you've learned.
What
kind of training is available?
The Basic Rider
Course is approximately 15 hours of classroom and on-cycle instruction
conducted over a two day session. Emphases is on basic techniques
as well as defensive maneuvers. It is designed for the beginner
who wants to learn to ride a motorcycle and for the experienced
rider who wants to sharpen their riding skills. This course is physically
and mentally challenging and students must be in good health to
participate.
We provide motorcycles for this course and
a helmet, if needed.
Successful completion
of this course is recognized by the DPS for licensing requirements,
and could qualify you for a 10% reduction in your liability insurance.
Minimum age: 15 (under
18 with parental consent and Class C driver's permit or classroom
portion of Drivers Education completed).
Students must attend
all class sessions and pass both the knowledge and skill tests in
order to receive a Certificate of Completion.
The certificate, when
presented to the DPS licensing office, allows any person with a
Class C unrestricted license to waive the on-cycle test.
This course is designed
as a foundation to develop basic techniques. Almost ninety-six percent
of students pass the course the first time. We cannot guarantee
you successfully complete the course nor can we guarantee the safe
operation of your motorcycle after completion of the course.
-
The Experienced
Rider Course is approximately 5 hours of on-cycle instruction.
Students must be licensed operators who currently ride on a regular
basis. The course objective is to provide students with the skills
identified as lacking in the accident-involved motorcyclist. On-cycle
instruction covers street strategies and special situations, advanced
turning, braking, and evasive skills.
Each student attending
the Experienced Rider Course will be required to provide their own
motorcycle. Motorcycles must be licensed, insured, and street-worthy.
Proof of insurance is required. There is no lunch break during
this class so we recommend you bring snacks.
Are
there course prerequisites?
Yes, for the Basic
Rider Course, and Scooter Training you do not
need to have any motorcycling experience, but
you do need to have sound bicycle riding skills. You will
need to have the ability to balance and stabilize a two-wheeled
vehicle prior to beginning the class.
We cannot teach
you basic motorcycle skills without your ability to balance.
If you have basic balance problems, you will be dismissed from the
course. If you have not ridden a bicycle in a long while,
we encourage you to practice on one before attempting to ride a
motorcycle. This course is designed for teaching basic
operation on a motorcycle and does not guarantee the safe operation
by the student.
For the Experienced
Rider Course students must have an "M" endorsement
on their Driver's License and provide their own street worthy motorcycle.
They must also provide proof of motorcycle liability insurance.
Current riding experienced is required. They must feel comfortable
handling the bike in less than ideal conditions such as heavy traffic,
bad weather, higher speeds, etc. This course is designed
as a tune up of your skills. It will address special handling
situations and accident avoidance techniques.
What
type of motorcycles & scooters are provided for the Basic
Rider Course/Scooter Training?
We offer a wide variety
of bikes from standard styles, cruisers, dual purpose, and some
limited sport styles. All the bikes are between 125cc
and 250cc This makes them compact, lightweight, and as easy
as possible to learn on. We have a variety of sizes and styles
at all of our locations.
Our scooter fleet
is also varied from 50cc to 80cc. This makes them ideal for
training because they are extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver.
The mix of machines
varies each weekend. Sorry, but we cannot guarantee bike or
scooter selection. Please refer to our bike
page for manufactures details on the bikes we use in
the training.
What
do I need to bring to class?
Bring water, PowerAde, Gatorade or other non-alcoholic
beverages. Limit caffeine drinks which can cause dehydration.
Snacks for range times are recommended. We take lunch breaks
during the Basic Rider Course and Scooter Training.
No lunch break is scheduled for the Experienced Rider Course.
Range sessions are physically demanding. Remember, you will
be OUTSIDE, IN A PARKING LOT, WITH NO SHADE, IN TEXAS!
Dehydration and heat exhaustion come on quickly. Drink plenty
of fluids 1 to 2 hours prior to the start of your range session.
Sunscreen, rain gear, and a change of clothing are good things
to have available.
Required Gear:
1. D.O.T. approved helmet (we provide one if you
do not have one)
2. Shatter-resistant eye protection. This
can be prescription glasses or regular sun-glasses made of plastic
lenses.
3. Long sleeve shirt or jacket (think about the
weather conditions, you will be outside during most
of the training)
4. Long jeans (no holes, no extremely baggie legs)
5. Sturdy high-top shoes or boots must cover the
ankle bones
6. Gloves that cover the entire hand. Leather
riding gloves, or leather work gloves are appropriate.
7. Two-piece or one-piece rain suit. No poncho
type rain gear (if rain is forecasted)
You are responsible for your riding gear and
personal comfort items. We provide helmets only.
What
about weather conditions?
Class will be conducted
in spite of the weather forecast. In the event of unsafe
surface conditions (example: ice on the streets), then we
will notify you to reschedule the class, based on your contact information
you provide us at the time of registration. Rain, heat, wind,
and snow flurries are not causes for cancellation. We work
around these types of conditions as best as possible keeping student
safety top priority.
Dress for the weather
and be prepared for the expected and the unexpected. Texas
weather changes without warning. Pay special attention to
unbearable summer heat and extreme winter wind chills. If
you are sensitive to these types of weather conditions, consider
attending sessions when the weather is milder; like in the spring
or fall months..
Does
everyone pass the class?
As much as we would
enjoy having every student pass their course, it does not always
happen. The Basic Rider Course and Scooter School are
designed to allow a majority of novice riders to develop the essential
road riding skills within the standard course structure. Because
riding a motorcycle involves the acquisition of physical skills,
we know that not everyone will be successful on their first attempt.
In the time that we have been training new riders, we have found
that over 96% will be successful in their initial class. Students
requiring additional practice time have the option of enrolling
in a Tutoring Session.
What if I fail the
class?
This is not a big
problem. If you should fail one of the tests, written or riding,
you have several options available to you. You might consider
enrolling in the course at a later date, schedule a
tutoring session, or even schedule
a private class. Due to
the fact that the Basic Course and Scooter School is recognized
by the Texas Department of Public Safety for on-cycle waiver it
is mandatory that the course is passed in order to receive a certificate
of completion.
Students who cannot
meet the minimum standards of the basic skills required to
proceed in the class or students who become a danger to themselves
or their classmates and are not allowed to continue the training
program may consider enrollment in a tutoring
session and then enrolling in the course.
I
am under 18, what is required?
Students who are 15
- 17 years old are required by the State of Texas to complete the
classroom portion of Driver's Education. Once you have obtained
your certificate to get your driver's permit, or if you have your
permit or driver's license, you are eligible to attend the Basic
Rider Course. You are also required to have written permission
from a parent or adult guardian. Upon your enrollment we provide
a Waiver and Medical Release form that is required by the Texas
Department of Public Safety.
What
is the schedule and cost
and how do I register?
The information varies, depending
on which location you are interested in. We also have a summers
schedule at some locations. The cost is $195 for the basic and $80
for the experienced course. The link below will take you to the
actuall times and dates of the classes that are currently available
for all the locations.
Click
here to see the times, dates, and locations for all our scheduled
courses.
If you have questions our would
like to sign up over the phone, please Contact
Us
What
if I do not show up for my class?
Spaces in the courses
are limited. Not unlike an airline reservation, the class
will go on even if you are not there. If you do not attend
or if you show up late to class, and do not provide us with at
least three (3) business days notice you will forfeit your course
fee. Once you have signed up and paid for training, it is
not refundable. Under extreme circumstances (as judged by MTC)
we may grant a refund minus a $25.00 administrative fee.
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