Basic Rider Course
Classes are currently available at the following sites:
Columbus Airport
5175 N Warren Drive,
Columbus, IN 47203
Note: Classroom located at
3252 Market Place Drive,
Edinburgh, IN 46124 (Adjacent to Mann’s HD)
Mann’s Harley Davidson
3252 Market Place Drive
Edinburgh, IN 46124 (Edinburgh)
Dana Foundry (Richmond)
2153 Williamsburg Pike
Richmond, Indiana
Jasper High School (Jasper)
1600 St Charles St.
Jasper, IN 47546
The Basic Rider Course teaches the basic mental and physical skills needed for riding. In Indiana, this course provides a waiver of the written and riding licensing tests.
- Pre-requisites:
- Able to balance and ride a bicycle
- Possess either a driver’s license or motorcycle learner’s permit
- Prerequisites may vary by jurisdiction
- What to Expect
- 15-hours of instruction (5 hours classroom/10 hours riding)
- Range exercises include low-speed maneuvers and basic skills such as shifting, accelerating, braking, cornering, U-turn, lane change
- You’ll be with the same group for the duration of your training
- You’ll receive individual RiderCoach feedback while learning to ride
- Motorcycle, helmet and books are provided
- Types and models of motorcycles available vary. Ask your RiderCoach which training bike is best for you based on your height, weight or preferred riding style
- If you have difficulty maneuvering your bike during low-speed exercises, ask your RiderCoach if you can switch to a different kind of motorcycle (i.e. standard, sport bike or cruiser)
- What to Bring
- Food/beverages for breaks and lunch
- Your own riding gear if you prefer
- Pen/pencil for classroom sessions
- What you MUST Wear:
- Long-sleeve shirt or jacket
- Long pants (heavy denim or riding pants recommended)
- Over-the-ankle boots (sturdy, not canvas)
- Eye protection (Eye/sun glasses or Helmet with face shield)
- Full-finger gloves (bring your own)
- A DOT approved helmet (limited number available. better to bring your own)
Here is a List of the 15 Hands-on Riding Exercises in the 2 Wheel Course:
- 1. Motorcycle Familiarization
- Review T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection
- Identify location and operation of important controls and major parts
- Review mounting/dismounting procedures
- Review elements of good posture
- 2. Using the Friction Zone
- Become skilled in using the clutch friction zone for control
- 3. Starting & Stopping Drill
- Coordinate the friction zone, throttle, and brakes to control the motorcycle
- Start out and stop with precision and control
- 4. Shifting & Stopping
- Shift gears and stop smoothly
- 5. Basic Skill Practice
- Refine low-speed maneuvering skills
- Refine throttle use and brake manipulation for corners
- 6. Pressing to Initiate and Adjust Lean
- Understand the maneuvering elements needed for negotiating curves
- Experience the effects of handgrip pressure and handlebar movement to initiate and adjust lean
- 7. Stopping More Quickly & Tight Turns from a Stop
- Develop a feel for progressive braking pressure to stop more quickly without skidding
- Practice making a sharp turn from a stop
- 8. Stopping Distance Demonstration
- Observe a demonstration of the reaction/braking parts of total stopping distance
- To understand effects of speed on braking distance
- To relate the results to intersection strategies
- 9. Limited-Space Maneuvers
- Refine maneuvering skills to allow turns in limited spaces
- Learn the counterweighting technique
- 10. Stopping in a Curve
- Learn to maintain control while stopping in a curve
- Understand traction management
- 11. Curve Judgment
- Improve skills for negotiating multiple curves
- Understand the “search-setup-smooth” strategy
- 12. Multiple Curves & Lane Changes
- Practice negotiating curves and lane changes
- Understand safety margins and gap selection
- 13. Crossing an Obstacle & Swerving
- Learn techniques for crossing over obstacles
- Execute a basic swerve
- Practice turning from a stop
- Refine slow-speed weaves
- 14. Skill Practice
- Capstone exercise that combines a variety of maneuvers
- 15. Skill Test
- To assess basic skills using a cone weave, normal stop, turning from a stop, U-turn, quick stop, obstacle swerve, and cornering maneuver.
- To demonstrate basic motorcycle control skills and ability to avoid an obstacle
- To demonstrate ability to use the proper technique to negotiate a curve
The course concludes with a classroom knowledge test and hands-on riding skill evaluation. Once your RiderCoach hands you the course-completion card, you’ll be happy knowing that you’ve gone the extra mile to develop your own safe riding techniques.
There are benefits to taking a Rider Course besides learning important skills and strategies: Indiana will waive both the written and the riding portion of your motorcycle endorsement tests if you’ve successfully completed the Basic Rider Course, and your insurance company might provide a discount on your insurance. Be sure to ask your agent!
- We look forward to seeing you in Class!Rescheduling/Refund PolicyREFUNDS: We do not refund class fees once scheduled. The reason for not refunding is that the costs that you pay are immediately committed to paying for Rider Coaches, Training Manuals, Facility costs, etc. that we can’t get back. Further, the costs exceed the cost you pay (we receive a reimbursement from the state to offset these costs). So once you’re signed up, you’re guaranteeing you’ll be there and ready to train and we guarantee the training will be provided. RESCHEDULING POLICY: If a participant needs to reschedule a class and notifies us at least 30 days prior to the original class start date, we will provide a Coupon Code for 50% off. the Participant can then sign up for the course of their choosing and use the Coupon towards that class. Due to the expenses incurred, we will not be able to make a refund of the initial class scheduled. Finally, the Coupon Code will only be valid for 5 days from the date of receiving the code. This just means that the participant must pick and register for the class of their choosing within those 5 days (the class can be any date available at the time of registration). In addition, if a Rider Coach determines that it is to dangerous to continue the course we will do all we can to coordinate a time with you finish off the information/training from the point of where the training was stopped OR get you into another class at the determination of the Rider Coach. Frankly, in 3 years we have not had a weekend that has been forced to be rescheduled. It has rained and training delayed but we’ve always been able to work it out so that everyone could complete the training. One note: We do train in the rain and the cold so please dress appropriately. Classes will be stopped for lightening or severe weather, only while the severe weather is in the vicinity. After the weather has passed classes will be continued. NOTE REGARDING CLASS TIMES: Weekend classes are normally scheduled from 8 am to 5 pm. Some classes will be offered on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday schedule where the weekend days are a half-day schedule. None the less, times are estimated: weather, the amount of time it takes to meet objectives and a host of other things can make classes take longer. If you have to leave prior to the end of the class, you won’t be able to meet all of the objectives and therefore won’t be successful. Please don’t schedule a follow-on appointment for 5:30, there are just too many variables and we are always looking for your success!