Introduction to Motorcycling
Basic Rider Course
Post BRC Session
Experienced Rider Course
Private Lessons
Introduction to Motorcycling
Course Fee – $130
For the pure novice: A taste of riding without the big investment of time or money. Find out if riding is for you, and if you have the basic skills to be prepared for the Basic Rider Course (BRC). Introduction to Motorcyling is designed specifically for the brand new motorcycle rider. This is a two hour, hands on, private course which introduces brand new riders to the activity of motorcycling. Class sizes are a 1:1 student to coach ratio with a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certified Rider Coach. The pace is slow, allowing maximum time for coaching, skill development and confidence building. If you are unsure of your abilities, or unsure if motorcycling riding is the right activity for you, or if you just want to take a more gradual approach to learning to ride, consider the Introduction to Motorcycling course. Motorcycles and loaner helmets are provided.
If, upon completion of the Introduction to Motorcycling session, you decide to participate in the Basic Rider Course, then $50.00 of your Intro to Riding course fee will be applied towards your tuition for the BRC.
On-line registration is not available for this course. Please call us at 413-525-0049 for more information or to schedule your Intro to Motorcycling session.
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)
Course Fee – $280
Our most popular course, the Basic RiderCourse, is the first step in building a foundation of essential mental and physical skills necessary for safe riding. The course is 15 hours in length and taught by RiderCoaches certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) using curriculum developed by MSF. Upon successful completion of the Basic RiderCourse, you receive a course completion card which entitles you to insurance and manufacturer’s discounts. Successful completion of the course also results in a waiver of the motorcycle riding test given by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. You receive your motorcycle license without any further testing.
The Basic RiderCourse is aimed at beginning riders of all ages or those returning to the sport who have never received professional training. To take this course, you must have a valid motorcycle learner’s permit. If under 18, a waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian; the signed waiver must be returned to Pioneer Valley Rider Training before the day of the course. The five hours of classroom instruction prepares you to operate a motorcycle safely, with emphasis on the special skills and mental attitudes necessary for dealing with traffic. The ten hours of practical riding exercises are held in a controlled, off-street environment. Motorcycles and helmets for use in the course are included in your course fee. If you already own a DOT approved helmet, we suggest that you use that during the course.
What to expect: RiderCoaches will start you off with straight-line riding, turning, shifting and stopping. You’ll gradually progress to cornering, swerving and emergency braking. In the classroom you’ll learn about the different types of motorcycles, their characteristics, and how they operate. The RiderCoaches, all experienced motorcyclists, will advise you on what to wear for comfort, visibility and protection. You’ll find out how alcohol and other drugs affect your ability to ride safely. A very important segment of the course will show you how to create your own strategy for riding in traffic and how to deal with critical situations. The course concludes with a knowledge test and skill evaluation. Students must attend all classroom and riding sessions and pass the required evaluations to graduate from this course and receive a course completion card.
Post BRC Session
Course Fee – $150
The Post BRC Session is only offered to students who have successfully completed the BasicRider Course. Has it been a while since you have taken the BRC or would you just like to get some more riding under your belt? If so, then the Post BRC Session is for you. This is a two hour private session with a 1:1 student to MSF certified Rider Coach ratio. Topics covered are based on individual needs and customized per session. This course is offered on our motorcycle or on your own private motorcycle. We have heard from numerous graduates that the Post BRC Session was the” final link” needed to gain the confidence to ride on the street.
Please call us at 413-525-0049 for more information or to schedule a Post BRC Session.
On-line registration is not available for this option.
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC)
Course Fee – $150
Even if you’ve been riding for some time, there’s always something new to learn. Increasing numbers of seasoned riders are flocking to the six-hour Experienced RiderCourse to hone their proficiency and fine-tune the mental skills needed for survival in traffic.
The Experienced RiderCourse satisfies different needs for different riders. This course provides the necessary skills practice for motorcyclists who have already taken the Basic RiderCourse but wish to further develop their riding skills before taking to the road. Those individuals who have been riding with a permit but have never obtained their license now have the opportunity to become fully licensed upon successful completion of the course. Finally, this course allows riders to practice and refresh skills with a passenger aboard if so desired.
On the riding range you’ll discuss with your peers how to balance the mental and physical aspects of safe riding, including managing risk and increasing visibility. This course also provides valuable information about protective gear, rider responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care, and the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding. Optional skill evaluation and knowledge tests are available for those who desire a motorcycle license or a course completion card, which provides insurance and manufacturer’s discounts.
Using your own motorcycle, you’ll put into practice the techniques of managing traction, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving. We have many students and motorcycle clubs that repeat this course every year or two to practice and refresh their riding skills in a safe, controlled environment. Your motorcycle must be properly insured, registered and inspected and pass an instructor’s pre-ride check.
Private Lessons
Train one-on-one with a certified instructor and focus on the skills that you need to work on! We will customize the two-hour lesson plan to meet your needs and book it to accommodate your schedule. Please call us at 413-525-0049 for more information and to schedule a Private Lesson. On-line registration is not available for this option.