Why Training Matters

Welcome in. Whatever you ride, and however long you've been at it, this course is here to help you ride safer and enjoy it more. Start here.

This course is a start, not a license

Let's be straight with each other: watching videos and reading notes won't teach your hands and feet what to do. Riding is a physical skill. You learn it on a bike, in a safe space, with someone who can watch you and correct you. That's what a state-approved rider course gives you, and nothing online replaces it.

This course doesn't replace a state-approved rider course or motorcycle licensing. Think of it as a primer before your course, or a refresher after it.

Why take a hands-on course

• You practice the basics (starting, stopping, turning, shifting, braking) on a closed range, away from traffic.
• A certified coach spots habits you can't see in yourself.
• You learn a way of thinking about the road, not just a set of moves.
• In many states, passing an approved course can count toward getting your motorcycle license or endorsement. Check your state's rules.

Where to find one

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) lists RiderCourses and training sites at msf-usa.org. Many states also run their own rider-education programs through the DMV or Department of Safety, so look up yours.

The video in this lesson, from the MSF, shows what a typical Basic RiderCourse looks like. If you've been putting one off, this is your nudge. Experienced riders take courses too: there's always another level.

This course is for education. It doesn't replace a state-approved rider course or motorcycle licensing.