Frequently Asked Questions

We provide small training motorcycles from our mixed fleet of street and dual-purpose bikes, all less than 250cc. If you have a special need to use your own motorcycle or scooter, please contact us. You may be permitted to learn to ride on your own motorcycle or scooter if it is between 100-500cc, and street legal with proof of insurance. Of course, you may always bring your motorcycle to the class, but ride one of ours during class.

We ride. It is recommended that you bring rain gear (no ponchos, please!) especially if the forecast calls for rain. In very heavy rain, severe wind, or lightning, we take a break, meet inside for classroom activities, or simply wait for the weather to pass.

The objectives of the Basic Rider Course are to:

• Develop a safe, responsible motorcyclist
• Develop the mental skills for safe motorcycling
• Develop the physical skills for safe motorcycling
• Create an understanding of risk awareness and risk taking
• Develop a strategy to manage risk

The Basic RiderCourse is a 16-hour program, which provides classroom and actual motorcycle operator training in a controlled, off-street environment. Snacks and beverages will be provided. In the full day program, a lunch break takes place around noon. Several fast-serve restaurants are nearby, or you may bring your own lunch and snack if desired.

No experience is necessary, but students MUST have a valid motorcycle temporary permit or endorsement. Permits are available at DMV Deputy Registrar license centers. As a minimum, each student must be able to ride and balance a bicycle.

Indoor classroom instruction includes:

• Risk awareness
• Protective gear
• Motorcycle controls
• Basic Riding Skills
• Street Strategies
• Riding Impairments

Outdoor range exercises include:

• Motorcycle familiarization
• Using the friction zone
• Starting & stopping
• Shifting & stopping
• Adjusting speed & turning
• Control-skills practice
• Cornering
• Matching gears to speed
• Stopping quickly
• Limited-space maneuvers
• Pressing to initiate lean
• Cornering judgment
• Negotiating curves
• Stopping quickly in a curve
• Obstacles & lane change
• Avoiding hazards

Each student MUST provide and wear the following required safety gear:

• D.O.T. approved helmet (loaners available)
• Eye protection (glasses or face shield)
• Full-fingered gloves
• Long-sleeve shirt or jacket
• Over-the-ankle boots (with low heels)
• Long pants (jeans with no holes or tears, sturdy material recommended)

Eye Protection examples include sunglasses, prescription glasses, goggles and shields. If you choose to use a shield as eye protection, the shield must be covering the eyes when you are on the motorcycle.

Full fingered-gloves may be made of leather, textile or cloth. Good examples include motorcycle gloves, mechanix, driving, baseball, gardening or work gloves.

Long sleeve shirt or jacket that covers all skin to the wrists. Consider dressing in layers. On hot, sunny days, light colors are recommended.

Sturdy boots that fit over the ankle are required. It is recommended that the boot soles be made of a non-slip rubber or neoprene with low or flat heels. Footwear should not have high heels, dangling laces or strings. Sturdy high-top sneakers may be acceptable in some cases, if they are not made of a flimsy material such as canvas.

Long pants should have no tears, holes or wide, loose, or trailing bottoms. Jeans or pants must be made of some sturdy material. Denim is recommended.

Any DOT approved helmet is acceptable. Loaner helmets are provided, but you may want to bring a bandana or scarf to cover your head. If you bring your own helmet, it must be DOT approved.

Qualified graduates may receive insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers.

A skill evaluation is given at the end of the range portion of the course, Students meeting evaluation standards receive a completion card, waiving the on-cycle skill test required by the state for a motorcycle endorsement, issued by the DMV.

This is a half-day course, lasting approximately five hours. It is conducted on the practice range only, and there is no formal classroom component.

You must have a motorcycle endorsement and your own street-legal motorcycle with proof of insurance. Perfect for recent BRC graduates, great as a spring refresher, to sharpen skills, or to get more comfortable with that new or new-to-you bike. If desired, this course may also be taken while carrying a dedicated passenger.

Yes, you must use your own motorcycle to practice and become comfortable with managing traction, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.

Even if you've been riding for some time, there is always something new to learn or re-learn. Seasoned riders need to keep skills sharp to avoid complacency and stay out of trouble! This is a great opportunity to improve basic street riding techniques and crash-avoidance maneuvers, or to get more comfortable with that new or new-to-you bike. This is also the only course that may be taken while carrying a dedicated passenger.

Braking, swerving, limited-space maneuvers, cornering judgment, multiple curves hazard avoidance. This is a great opportunity to improve street riding techniques and crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Qualified graduates may receive insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers.

No. You must already be endorsed to take this course.

The Basic Returning RiderCourse is a 9-hour program, which provides classroom and actual motorcycle operator training in a controlled, off-street environment. Snacks and beverages will be provided. In the full day program, a lunch break takes place around noon. Several fast-serve restaurants are nearby, or you may bring your own lunch and snack if desired.

You must have at least 1000 miles riding experience on your temporary permit, OR be a rider returning to motorcycling after an extended absence. Students MUST have a valid motorcycle temporary permit or endorsement.

The Basic Returning Rider Course is an accelerated license waiver course, and NOT suitable for absolute beginners or riders under the age of 18. Students who register for the BRC-RR are expected to already possess basic motorcycle control skills. After a brief familiarization with our training motorcycles, riders MUST demonstrate sufficient skill in shifting (1st & 2nd gear), braking and stopping, and also perform a control skills exercise (offset weaves with clutch control) with proficiency to be allowed to continue. Students unable to perform basic control skills will be counseled out of the BRC-RR and advised to register for the Basic Rider Course for an additional fee.

We provide small training motorcycles from our mixed fleet of street and dual-purpose bikes, all less than 250cc. If you have a special need to use your own motorcycle or scooter, please contact us. You may be permitted to ride on your own motorcycle or scooter if it is between 100-500cc, and street-legal with proof of insurance. Of course, you may always bring your motorcycle to the class, but ride one of ours during class.

We ride. It is recommended that you bring rain gear (no ponchos, please!) especially if the forecast calls for rain. In very heavy rain, severe wind, or lightning, we take a break, meet inside for classroom activities, or simply wait for the weather to pass.

The objectives of the Basic Returning Rider Course are to:

• Develop a safe, responsible motorcyclist
• Develop the mental skills for safe motorcycling
• Develop the physical skills for safe motorcycling
• Create an understanding of risk awareness and risk taking
• Develop a strategy to manage risk

Indoor classroom instruction includes:

• Risk management & Preparation
• Street Strategies
• Riding Impairments

Outdoor range exercises include:

• Motorcycle familiarization
• Shifting & stopping
• Control-skills practice
• Stopping quickly
• Limited-space maneuvers
• Negotiating curves
• Stopping quickly in a curve
• Multiple Curves
• Avoiding hazards

Each student MUST provide and wear the following required safety gear:

• D.O.T. approved helmet (loaners available)
• Eye protection (glasses or face shield)
• Full-fingered gloves
• Long-sleeve shirt or jacket
• Over-the-ankle boots (with low heels)
• Long pants (jeans with no holes or tears, sturdy material recommended)

Eye Protection examples include sunglasses, prescription glasses, goggles and shields. If you choose to use a shield as eye protection, the shield must be covering the eyes when you are on the motorcycle.

Full fingered-gloves may be made of leather, textile or cloth. Good examples include motorcycle gloves, mechanix, driving, baseball, gardening or work gloves.

Long sleeve shirt or jacket that covers all skin to the wrists. Consider dressing in layers. On hot, sunny days, light colors are recommended.

Sturdy boots that fit over the ankle are required. It is recommended that the boot soles be made of a non-slip rubber or neoprene with low or flat heels. Footwear should not have high heels, dangling laces or strings. Sturdy high-top sneakers may be acceptable in some cases, if they are not made of a flimsy material such as canvas.

Long pants with no tears or holes. Jeans or some other sturdy material is recommended.

Any DOT approved helmet. Loaner helmets are provided, but you may want to bring a bandana or scarf to cover your head. If you bring your own helmet, it must be DOT approved.

Qualified graduates may receive insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers.

A skill evaluation is given at the end of the range portion of the course, Students meeting evaluation standards receive a completion card, waiving the on-cycle skill test required by the state for a motorcycle endorsement, issued by the DMV.

You must be an endorsed rider comfortable with your own motorcycle and have over 1,000 miles of experience riding your motorcycle to participate.

The ARC is a 9-hour course for riders with basic skills, providing more in-depth riding techniques and procedures than practiced in the BRC. Snacks and beverages will be provided. In the full day program, a lunch break takes place around noon. Several fast-serve restaurants are nearby, or bring your own lunch and snack if you like.

The ARC features a small-group, discussion-oriented classroom covering the following topics:

• Cornering, Braking and Swerving
• Safety and Risk
• Rider Perception
• Rider Behavior and Risk Offset.

Range exercises include:

• Basic Control
• Quick Stops
• Stopping Demonstration
• Curve Adjustments
• Cornering and Swerving
• Multiple Curves
• Decreasing Radius Curves
• Gap Analysis and Safety Margins

all under the guidance of professional coaches.

We prefer not conduct the ARC in the rain, but it is recommended that you bring rain gear (no ponchos, please!) especially if the forecast calls for a chance of rain. In situations where traction is compromised by weather, students do not get the full benefit of greater lean angles, nor experience threshold braking as they should. Riding on dry surfaces has less of a concern factor built in, so riders tend to be more willing to try to explore and find traction limits in cornering and braking. In the event of light rain, we may ride. In very heavy rain, severe wind, or lightning, we might take a break, meet inside for classroom activities, or simply reschedule to one of several rain dates, usually the following day. If the forecast calls for rain, please call 330-929-8123, for rescheduling information.

Definitely. The ATV RiderCourse is a great way to get your kids off to a safe start. A parent must be present for riders under 12. A parent should be present for riders under 16.

Maybe nothing if you recently purchased a new ATV. Call ATV Enrollment Express toll-free at 1-800-887-2887 to find out if you are eligible for free training. If you are not eligible for free training, you may take the ATV RiderCourse for a small fee.

Yes. If you don't have one yet, you may be able to make specific arrangements to have an ATV available at the training site.

If you take the ATV RiderCourse, and subsequently purchase an ATV, you may be entitled to a full refund of the cost of the course as well as additional incentives from the Manufacturer. Call ATV Enrollment Express toll-free at 1-800-887-2887 to find out more.

You must wear the proper riding gear at all times during training. Bring the following:
• DOT-approved motorcycle helmet
• Goggles or face shield
• Over-the-ankle boots
• ATV or motorcycle gloves
• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt or jacket
For more on proper riding gear, check out the working rider and recreational rider.

Riding areas around the country differ somewhat, but they all include specific Stations. At each station on the riding range, you will learn specific skills. For an idea of what you will do at each station, see our ATV RiderCourse Riding Range.

Call the ATV Enrollment Express toll-free at 1-800-887-2887. They can tell you where the nearest ATV RiderCourse is and enroll you on the spot.

Yes. Students must provide their own motorcycles for the class. Motorcycles used for the range exercises must be street-legal and have current registration. In addition, students must have a motorcycle insurance policy in force. Students must provide insurance policy and license (tag) numbers at the start of the class.

Virtually any street legal motorcycle can do the class. We have taught students on a wide variety of bikes ranging in size from 250cc to 2,000ccs or more.

More than you'd imagine. The range exercises provide a laboratory where you can examine your technique under a microscope. You can improve your cornering technique in a reduced-risk, controlled environment with instant instructor feedback. While the class is focused on street riding, many of our students also participate in track days. In addition, road racers have taken the class to improve their cornering skills and lower their lap times.

No. The class is targeted for street riders of all types of motorcycles. Only one motorcycle is allowed on the range at the same time, there is no timekeeping, and it is not a competition. However, if you are interested in competition, this is an ideal course to prepare you for participating in a track day.

The opportunity to expand your limits. Many touring riders fear dragging hard parts or do drag parts in higher speed turns. Our curriculum will show you how to use body position to avoid, or minimize touching down when going through a turn. This will allow you to either travel faster through a given radius turn, or more importantly allow you to turn tighter in an emergency situation.

Total Control, Level I class is for experienced riders.Our minimum requirement is 3,000 miles of street riding experience. You must be comfortable with the basic operation of your motorcycle including; up and down shifting, controlling the throttle, braking and turning at normal street riding speeds.

Protective riding gear is required during the range exercises. Protective gear includes; a riding jacket (or mesh jacket), riding pants (leather chaps or mesh pants are OK), gloves, boots that cover the ankle and a DOT approved helmet (full faced helmet is recommended but not required). Jeans and fingerless gloves are not allowed, but Kevlar jeans will be accepted. DOT race compound tires are not recommended.

Your motorcycle should be well maintained. This includes the following:
Your tires should have sufficient tread (at least 3mm). Air pressure will be checked before the class starts./li>
Your bike should not overheat while stopped with the motor running on a hot day.
On liquid cooled bikes, check the coolant level.
Check the engine oil level.
Your charging system must function properly, and a relatively new battery is highly recommended because you will be starting the bike frequently.
Make sure your brakes are in good working order.
No motorcycles with leaking fluids will be allowed on the range. This includes: engine oil, transmission fluid, gasoline, engine coolant, brake fluid or anything else that may leak from a motorcycle.
Absolutely no race tires or race compound tires are allowed even if they are DOT approved. These tires will not get hot enough to maintain traction during the class.

Some Total Control locations are sensitive to loud exhaust noise. If you are using the factory installed stock exhaust system, exhaust noise will not be an issue. If you have an aftermarket exhaust and you want to know how loud is too loud, call the training site where you want to sign up for more information.

The TCARC is 40% classroom and 60% range exercises. The classroom secessions are spread throughout the day. This gives riders a chance to rest, a necessity when the weather is hot.

Total Control, Level I consists of six modules. These exercises include; throttle/brake transitions, mental state, corner vision, corner entry and line selection, mid-corner body position & corner exits, corner transitions (figure 8's) and basic motorcycle suspension. There is a 10-minute break between each module and a 40-60-minute break.

Level I range exercises are practiced on 40-foot circles. Two pairs of 40-foot circles (marked using small rubber traffic cones) accommodate six students each. New skills introduced for each exercise builds on the previous exercise. The first couple of range exercises are deceptively simple and form the basis for the more challenging exercise later in the day.

Total Control classes are eight-hours in length with an hour for lunch. Class starts at 8:00am and finishes around 5:00pm. A 40-60 minute lunch break takes place about noon. Please bring your own lunch and a snack if you like. Bottled water will be provided at some sites. (Please contact the Total Control site where you will be taking the class for more details)

Total Control, Level I and II classes can have 6 to 36 students depending on where you take the class. The instructor to student ratio is one instructor for each group of six students. Only one student at one time is allowed on the range and is always supervised by an instructor.

We prefer not conduct the TC in the rain, but it is recommended that you bring rain gear (no ponchos, please!) especially if the forecast calls for a chance of light rain. In situations where traction is compromised by weather, students do not get the full benefit of greater lean angles. In the event of light rain, we may ride. In very heavy rain, severe wind, or lightning, we might take a break, meet inside for classroom activities, or simply reschedule to one of several rain dates, often the following day. If the forecast calls for rain, please call 330-929-8123, for rescheduling information.

Additional riding & training time is available for students who want additional coaching after they have taken one of our courses. Great for those who need more time to work on basic skills, or focus on the areas that may need improvement. At minimum, unendorsed students must have a temporary permit and some experience in a BasicRider Course or Basic Returning RiderCourse before any additional riding time or training sessions can be scheduled. All training is conducted at our training site. For basic instruction, you may use one of our training motorcycles. Please contact us for more information.

Work one-on-one with a nationally certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach and progress at your own pace at our training site. Contact us for more information.

Absolutely! We can tailor an instructional plan to fit the needs of your small group or club. Topics may include group riding, cornering finesse, braking and serving, or hazard awareness. Contact us for more information.