Basic Rider Course

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Students:
This course is designed for both the beginning rider and the experienced rider who wants to sharpen existing skills and to learn new ones. This course is required for a license for anyone under the age of 18 years in Texas.

Curriculum:
Traffic-safety experts widely acknowledge the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s RiderCourse as the best introduction to motorcycling anywhere in the world. Special emphasis is placed on mastering full control of the motorcycle. Once this skill is developed, the course moves to the physical and mental skills needed to ride the motorcycle in comfort and safety. While the primary focus is to avoid getting into a dangerous situation, the student is taught maneuvers which have been proven to maximize accident-avoidance. Basic skills are taught along with advanced skills such as swerving to avoid obstacles and emergency braking. You learn to make your motorcycle perform like an extension of yourself. Lecture, films, and textbooks are used, but most of the time is spent in actual on-cycle exercises. Many insurance companies offer a 10% discount for three years following completion of the course. Graduates 16 and older in Texas are exempted from taking the on-street portion of the licensing examination. You may wish to download the Basic RiderCourse Handbook used in this course and the Motorcycle Operator Manual.

Requirements:
You need the ability to stabilize a bicycle. If you’ve never ridden a bicycle, you should learn to do so before taking this course. The course requires only 15 hours. Motorcycles and helmets are furnished. Students must be at least 15 years old and, if under 18, must have completed the first 6 hours of the Texas approved Driver’s Education Course. Students must provide protective clothing. Protective clothing includes a DOT approved helmet, boots or leather high tops over the ankles, gloves with fingers, eye protection, long sleeves, and long pants. Helmets are available. This course is $150.00 - $190.00 in Texas. Enrollment is limited, and classes fill quickly.

Instructors:
There is no substitute for a good teacher. The instructors, trained and approved by MSF Chief Instructors, know their stuff. And, they make sure that you do too. They help you develop riding skills you can’t learn from family members or friends. Motorcycle safety instructors come from various backgrounds, but they all have three things in common: They’re professionally trained. They’ve been riding for several years. And, they want to see others enjoy the sport--and live to spread the word.

Basic RiderCourse Interactive Tour:
Test Preview the Basic RiderCourse by taking this Interactive Tour.

Basic RiderCourse Review:
Test your knowledge of motorcycle basics by taking this Review.

Video:

15 MB WMF format	Basic RiderCourse Highlights This 5-minute video is a summary of what you'll experience in our hands-on, 15-hour, Basic RiderCourse training program.
Left-click picture to play. Right-click to download.