How to Choose a Motorcycle Safety School

Motorcyclists young and old can take safety training courses to sharpen their riding skills and prepare themselves for the motorcycle skills test, a prerequisite to obtaining a motorcycle license in many states, provinces and countries.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Motorcycle Jacket
• Motorcycle Pants
• Consumer Reports On Motorcycle Safety Schools
• Yellow Pages
• Internet Access
• Motorcycles
• Federally Approved Motorcycle Helmets

1. Consult the highway patrol or state trooper department in your area. Most can recommend motorcycle training schools that are priced at a reasonable rate.

2. Browse the yellow pages or business pages in your telephone book.

3. Check with your local municipal court, which may often refer people with moving violation citations to traffic schools.

4. Have specialists from the schools help you decide whether you should take a basic or experienced course. The basic courses are for beginning and inexperienced riders, while the experienced classes are designed for seasoned motorcyclists and usually don't last as long.

5. Search the Internet for links to these courses. Try typing in the words "motorcyle," "school," and the name of your city, town, or county.

Tips & Warnings

• Motorcycle schools often include hours of classroom training as well as a day or more of on-cycle instruction. Be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[ZappyP]

on 3/24/2008 An update to the top comment. The product is called Black Magic tape strips and it's a shiny black reflective tape that is bright white under reflection. Even if you are a biker that does not want to put anything on your bike, these strips are invisible on any black frame and can not be seen day or night unless you are a motorist and your headlights are pointed at the bike, you will see bright white reflections. It's an excellent way to be seen at night. The product is located at: http://www.streetglo.net/reflective.motorcycle.frame.kit.html

on 3/11/2006 Check for proper aim and angle of your headlights and running lights. Set them to maximum height based on your state laws. JC Whitney has an excellent hi-power headlight lamp that will increase your front appearance. They also have a replacement taillight bulb that is 2 times brighter than stock. StreetGlo Decals has an invisible black motorcycle frame reflector kit and an assortment of safety reflective graphics and decals that can be applied to your motorcycle fenders, frames, helmet and fairings. They also have reflective motorcycle gloves as well.

on 11/22/2005 Illinois runs an excellent 2.5 day (Friday night, Saturday and Sunday) course in basic motorcycle riding. It is free ($20 deposit) and they supply the bikes and the helmets.

When complete, you get a certificate that you take to the DMV and they upgrade your license. Check it out on the web.

on 11/22/2005 In Washington State, if you attend and graduate from a state-approved safety class, you may skip the skills portion of the motorcycle license exam.

on 11/22/2005 At most shows, there will be a booth for motorcycle schools. Also check out some charity rides, or if you see a group ride where the riders are wearing "L" vests, follow them back to the school if you like what you saw the riders doing. Don't go cheap!