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BRC
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
are answered here
Click
on the questions below to see the answer. If you don't see your
question, please use the "EMAIL" link above to ask.
1
& 1a) I’ve NEVER ridden a motorcycle, can you really teach me
to ride a motorcycle?
2) Do you provide the training motorcycle?
3) Is there anything I can do to prepare for the
course?
4) I'm not sure if motorcycling is right for me.
Can I attend?
5) [Common questions from ladies] If I attend, will
I be the only female there?
6) I am short, will that be a problem?
7) What do I need to bring to class?
8) What is the class schedule?
9) What is the pass rate?
10) Will taking this course get me a motorcycle
license?
11) I own a motorcycle, can I ride it instead of
your training motorcycles?
12) What does it cost?
13) What are the class dates?
14) How do I register for a class?
1) Can you really teach me to ride? Yes. You want to learn,
and we want to teach you -- it is the perfect combination. Now you
have to bring a couple things to the party -- some physical skills
(like being able to balance and ride a bicycle), and some mental
ability (if you cannot follow instructions, how can you learn anything?).
WE, you and RidingSafety’s Coaches, can do this. Return
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1a) Someone tried to show me how to ride and couldn’t, why should
it be any different with you? We are professionals, and there
really are things that shouldn't be tried at home! Knowing how to
ride does not necessarily mean someone can teach those skills to
someone else -- experience is a great teacher, but not all experienced
riders can teach. RidingSafety uses the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s
training program, and has more years teaching this material than
any other program in the State. Leave this training to professionals
who incorporate riding safety with riding skills, turning out smarter,
more capable riders. Return to top
2) Do you provide the training motorcycle? Yes, RidingSafety
has a training motorcycle for you. You will ride whichever motorcycle
you pick all weekend long. You will gain confidence as you make
your bike respond to your commands. We’ve had riders ask if they
can buy their bike at the end of the course! Sorry, cannot... there
wouldn’t be any bikes left for you!!!.
What will you ride? A Honda 250cc Nighthawk [pictured above].
Lightweight, limited horsepower, medium sitting height, upright
sitting posture, and logical control placement makes this a premiere
training motorcycle. It is easy to transition from this bike to
any street bike you decide to buy -- from cruisers to crotch-rockets,
the techniques and riding skills you learn on this bike are easily
transferable to any other bike. You even get to chose between black
and red! Return to top
3) Is there anything I can do to prepare for the course?
Yes, a few things, like:
- Ride
a bicycle around the block a couple times -- it can help get your
two-wheel sense of balance back. It is actually harder to ride
a bicycle than a motorcycle because of a motorcycle’s gyro effect
once it gets moving... but it is that “getting the motorcycle
moving” part that requires a sense of balance and a bicycle ride
around the block can help get that feeling back quicker.
- Read
the “Release,
Waiver and Indemnification form” and the “Training
Rules” forms before class so we can use our valuable class
time DOING things instead of READING forms.
- Review
the self-paced Computer
Based Training (CBT) so you come to the first night of class
ready to DISCUSS motorcycling instead of just listen to someone
talk about it.
- For
those who really want to go over-the-top, I’ve provided a link
to the course Workbook
at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website -- but if you really
want to read something, read the Louisiana
Motorcycle Operator's Manual so you are ready to take the
State’s written test and get your endorsement after you graduate!
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4) I'm not sure if I'll buy a motorcycle, but I've always wanted
to know what it's like to ride one. Can I attend? YES --
TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!! Motorcycling is an expensive sport.
The best way to get involved is taking a training program first.
Then you’ll know if motorcycling is right for you. If it isn’t,
you’ll know before you’ve spent a lot of money on a machine you
don’t want! On the other hand if you, like the vast majority of
our graduates, see what all the fun is about, you’ll know how to
ride (safely); you’ll have a better idea of what TYPE of motorcycle
you should buy (do you know the different types of bikes? No? You
would if were trained!); and finally, you’ll know what kind of gear
to buy to go along with that expensive toy! No matter what, whether
you buy a motorcycle or not, you'll have an experience to brag about
to your friends! Return to top
5) [Common questions from ladies] If I attend, will I be the
only female there? No. Many classes are half women. Women
constitute one of the fastest growing segments in motorcycling,
and unlike many men, KNOW training makes a difference. Return
to top
6) I am short, will that be a problem? No. When street-riding
the goal is to ride with your feet on the pegs, not on the ground...
but I know the initial concern is just being able to reach the ground
and balance the bike without falling over. The shortest person
to take the course so far was 4’ 6”. Had no prior experience,
had no problem, passed easily. Heart and desire are more important
than height. Return to top
7) What do I need to bring to class? You can print the BRC
What to Bring Checklist and you’ll have everything you need.
But as long as you asked:
- First
night of class -- bring just yourself. Everything you need
is provided for you -- RiderCourse Handbook, paper, pens, highlights,
etc.
- For
the weekend -- you'll need the items listed below. PLEASE
DO NOT BUY ANY MOTORCYCLING GEAR UNTIL AFTER YOU GRADUATE.
We will discuss riding gear in class and you will see the
importance of fit and function. THEN you'll buy armed with information
to make sure you get the right gear.
Weekend
riding gear:
- Helmet
-- minimum of DOT (Department of Transportation) approved --
check back of helmet for DOT initials. [RidingSafety’s Sponsors
provide a number of training helmets, but we appreciate students
who can borrow a helmet for the weekend to ensure enough for
those without riding acquaintances.]
- Eye
protection -- goggles, face shields, or impact resistant prescription
glasses are authorized. [Face shields/sunglasses cannot be so
dark as to prevent coaches from seeing your eyes - no blackened
lenses]
- Long
sleeves -- shirt and/or jacket
- Full
fingered gloves -- anything comfortable and flexible gloves
will work -- tight gloves don't
- Long
pants -- no flared bottoms or cuffs to get caught on pegs or
controls
- Ankle
protecting footwear -- boots
- Rain
gear -- we ride, rain or shine, but if it rains, you must have
a 2 piece rain suit. A $12 plastic suit from any local discount
store will suffice for our training purposes
Other
items you'll need to bring:
- Workbook
-- if distributed the first night of class, otherwise it will
be waiting for you Saturday morning in the classroom
- Sack
Lunch -- sorry, no microwaves to heat meal or coffee/latay machines...
we rough it on the weekend!
- (OPTIONAL)
Creature comforts: mosquito repellent [in season] and sun protection:
sunscreen, umbrella, brimmed hat, etc, and a lawn chair on
Sunday is a good idea.
Want
a printable checklist so you can ensure you have everything? Click
this link and you'll have one:
What to Bring Checklist: Return to top
8) What is the class schedule? The first class meeting is
usually on a Thursday night at G&C Honda going from 5:30-8:45
PM. I give you Friday off because on Saturday and Sunday we meet
at LSUS at 7:30 AM... usually finishing around 5:00 PM on Saturday,
a little earlier on Sunday. Be flexible, times are subject
to change. NOTE FROM PREVIOUS GRADUATES: don’t make any major
activity plans for Saturday night, you will be physically and mentally
tired, but will have had a great time and look forward to Sunday.
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9) What is the pass rate? 96.9% out of 1,447 students. It
is a statistic RidingSafety’s RiderCoaches are proud of because
it reflects patients, professionalism, experience, educational skill,
and the ability to communicate. We cannot teach everyone to ride,
but if you come with a motivated attitude, we will do everything
within our power to help you succeed. Read what previous graduates
thought of the course. Feedback
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10) Will taking this course get me a motorcycle license?
No. With your MSF Completion Card in hand, all you have to do is
take the Louisiana motorcycle written test. You WILL NOT have to
do the riding portion of the licensing process. Just present your
MSF Completion Card at you local Dept of Motor Vehicles, take the
written test, pay your money, and you'll obtain a motorcycle endorsement
on your license. One other benefit, send a copy of your Completion
Card and motorcycle endorsement to your motorcycle insurer and you
may receive a discount on your insurance. Return
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11) I own a motorcycle, can I ride it instead of using your training
motorcycle? That is a possibility. If you would like to use
your motorcycle, advise your RiderCoach the first night of class.
Many riders have attended this course who own their own motorcycles
and most think it is better to learn on the training bikes and then
perfect the techniques on their bike later -- but the option exists
at the RiderCoach's discretion. If the RiderCoach accepts a scooter
in class, scooter riders will ride their scooter during applicable
range exercises (not all exercises are practical on a scooter).
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12) What does it cost? LSUS Continuing Education does all
the registration and tuition collection for this course. Check
out the LSUS website for the most current pricing information --
but plan on paying $199. That is for approx 20 hours of instruction,
classroom supplies, workbook, and use of a training motorcycle for
a weekend -- what a deal!!! This is the cheapest $200 you will ever
spend motorcycling -- ask your cycling buddies who have gone down
what it cost them in bodily injury, ambulance ride and bike repairs!
Get trained and stop the motorcycling carnage.
Check
out how you can get your BRC tuition fee reimbursed via the Dealership
Training Assistance Program (DTAP). If you quality, this training
is free!
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13) What are the class dates? You can check the Schedule
webpage, but the most current and accurate scheduling information
is found on the LSUS
link (Continuing Education picture below), or by calling LSU-S
at 798-4177. Return to top
15) How do I register for a class? Contact LSUS -- call them
at 798-4177 or check out their website (press picture below). On-line
registration is available.
Ready
to register for a class? Press the LSUS button below
and search for motorcycle on the LSUS site:
Hopefully
the information above answered your question, but if not, use the
EMAIL page to write your question,
and an answer will be forthcoming.
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