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?

 

Do any area dealers offer a riding class? The dealer here does. There are also several MSF sponsored classes offered.

 

Yeah, both are available in the area, just not sure if one would be better than the other. Or what kind of features I should look for when looking for a school.

 

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

 

So I guess it really comes down to availability, timing and price between the two then?

 

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.

 

That’s how it is around here anyway.

 

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.

 

Thanks Keith. That's a great question to ask them, how many allowed in a class.

 

After they pass the class, have them ride full size dirt bikes for a year or two to develop survival and evasion skills.