In hard economic times or easy, saving money on maintenance, fuel, and vehicle purchases, themselves, is a good idea. Riding a motorbike instead of a car saves potentially thousands of dollars each year. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous, and learning to ride safely is the overriding principle behind every motorbike training course.
Benefits of a Motorcycle Training Course
Comprehensive material learning is the primary benefit of taking an accredited safety course, but other benefits should not be discounted.
Insurance rates are high for motorcycles, reflecting the inherent danger of that mode of transportation. Successful completion of a safety training course allows the insurance company to award significant discounts on motorcycle policies which adds to the cost savings of riding a motorbike.
Several states allow safety training course graduates to bypass state requirements for written and driving testing. The graduate presents the course completion paperwork, and the state waives its testing and grants the “M” endorsement on a driver’s license, but only if the course is approved by the state’s department of education, and only accredited schools are approved.
Some course sponsors grant graduates a one-year membership in their member organization, offering news and information regarding riding events, trips, safety, legislation, and other information and discounts on gear.
Choosing a Training Course
Not only location contributes to choosing the right motorcycle training course, but other factors should be considered, as well.
School Standing: Is the course accredited? Accreditation portrays expertise in the field, state-approved course material and content, and experience that backs instruction. Successfully completing an accredited motorbike training course boosts confidence and credibility far and above learning from a friend, neighbor, or the mechanic down the street. Use those sources as riding buddies instead!
Comprehensive Course: A bona fide motorbike training course will offer several hours of classroom work before any riding training. Riding a motorcycle is fun, to be sure, but motorcycle riding is dangerous—make no mistake. Basic operating laws are identical or similar to those for cars, and written material should highlight differences in perception, visibility, and timing in addition to traffic laws that apply to operating a motorbike. Once the written instruction is at least partially finished, then the student is introduced to actually riding the motorcycle. Class and riding instruction may continue concurrently from that point or be completely separate, having to complete all classwork prior to course riding.
Specific classroom topics covered include but may not be limited to:
— Traffic laws
— Turning positioning
— Acceleration times
— Braking distances
— Right of way rules
— Safety gear, including jacket, long pants, boots, and helmet
– Clutch, throttle, and brakes control
– Gear shifting
– Posture
– Stopping on a straight-away
– Stopping on a curve
– Emergency braking
– Mirrors
– Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
– Hand signals
– Lane positioning
– Passing
– Following
– City riding techniques
– Highway riding techniques
– Lane control
Course material may also include additional hints, tips, and strategies such as bracing the kick stand when parking, basic operator maintenance, and other miscellaneous information that is good to know but not required for safe operation of a motorbike.
Conclusion
Understanding a motorbike training course and its benefits, both short term and long term, grants prospective students the ability to confidently choose an accredited course, incorporate safe operations into current or future riding, and possibly saving money—all outstanding reasons and boost the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle whether commuting in the city or sightseeing on the open road. Rev ’em up, and let’s go riding!