Our most popular program for new riders is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse (BRC). The BRC provides everything a new rider needs to learn to ride and get their motorcycle license.
What if I’m an experienced rider with my own motorcycles? We have a different class for that! Please see our Basic RiderCourse2 with License Waiver (BRC2-LW) for experienced riders for more information. Please note: You will need a Motorcycle Learner’s Permit for the BRC2-LW! An option for many experienced riders is to take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) instead as it does NOT require the permit.
I’m interested in riding a 3-wheel motorcycle, do you have classes for that? Yes! We have a different class for that! Please see our 3-Wheel Basic RiderCourse for more information.
Basic RiderCourse prerequisites are you need to have an automobile driver’s license and you need to have the ability to ride a bicycle. You do NOT need a motorcycle learner’s permit to take the BRC, however you will need to get one after you complete the course and prior to using your completion card to obtain a motorcycle license (See Ride Prerequisites for more information).
Basic RiderCourse highlights include: training broken down into an approximately 5 hour on-line learning component (eCourse), a session of in-person classroom training and 10 hours of on-motorcycle riding typically held over 2 days. We run classes every weekend (both Saturday and Sunday for 5 hours each day either in a morning session or afternoon session). We also have classes on weekdays if this is more convenient.
We supply the motorcycle for the class. You simply need to wear the appropriate gear – sturdy over-the-ankle footwear, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and long non-flare denim pants or equivalent protective material. Because of COVID-19, you MUST use your own helmet and gloves for the class! The helmet must be DOT approved and your own gloves must be full fingered with no holes. See our Ride Prerequisites for more information. We use small training motorcycles (like the Kawasaki BN125 Eliminator) that are light and have low power appropriate for beginners. You are NOT allowed to use YOUR OWN motorcycle for training unless they meet specific criteria – please contact us to inquire about this option. We also have one (1) scooter that is available for training – again please contact us in advance prior to registration to make sure it is available for your specific class.
Because of the Coronavirus, we are REQUIRING our students to bring their own helmet and gloves to the course! Please see our How to choose a motorcycle helmet for more information.
All Basic RiderCourses are given in Great River at Heckscher State Park, Field 7. Great River is on the south shore of Long Island in Suffolk County. It is not far from the Courthouse in Central Islip near where the Southern State Parkway meets Sunrise Highway. We do NOT do MSF courses in Hicksville! Since there are no classroom facilities near the park, we use a location nearby in Oakdale for the classroom portion of the course. See training locations for more information. More information and directions to the classroom will be sent to you approximately one week prior to the start of your course.
All of our registration is done online using our Class Schedule. You can see a list of all of the courses we offer there. We show only classes with OPEN seats. You need to select a class with an OPEN seat in order to register. There may be upcoming classes that are full that are not shown. We do training April through November. Only classes for the next month or two are usually shown. Classes for future months are added periodically throughout the year.
We offer many different class formats to meet your needs See our Class Schedule. Our typical course is Saturday / Sunday, however, in peak season we also offer weekday and other formats.
Each class stands on its own and the riding days must be taken sequentially You must take riding day 1 before riding day 2 and both riding days must be taken as scheduled. You cannot take the second riding day during another class or you will take up 2 spots!
We cannot fit you in if the class is full! We have a limit of 12 students per class and normally only run 2 classes per weekend and our classes fill up fast. In peak season (Spring), we may be full 6 weeks in advance. As it is our busiest time and supply is limited, it is important for you to register NOW if you want to secure a spot.
Do you have a waiting list for FULL classes? We do have a cancellation list but it is only for students who are registered and paid for a future class. If an earlier class opens up and you are on the top of the list then we will give you a call and ask if you’re interested. You continue to retain your spot in your scheduled class unless you move to an earlier class. While there are no guarantees, there is a possibility that an earlier class may open up. If so, it might be at the last minute (like a day or two before the earlier class), so don’t be surprised to get a phone call or email at that time. Again, it’s totally up to your to take it or not. If you do decide to take it, then you must show up for the class or risk the loss of your course fee for non-attendance. In other words, you are subject to the refund policy as if you were in the earlier class once you switch to that class. If there is no one left on the cancellation list, then the earlier class gets opened up to the general public. To be put on the cancellation list you must register and pay for a future class and then email us and ask to be placed on the list.
Registration is not secured until full payment is received. We cannot hold spots for students who do not pay since demand is high and we have only limited space. Your spot is secure once we receive your payment. You can pay online by using our Payment link at any time after you register. Payment is required within 2 days of registration or your reservation may be canceled.
We will send you more information via email after you have registered and paid. All information is sent via email so make sure you use a valid email address and that you check your spam folder if you have one. It is VERY important that you use an email address that you check often. Your MSF eCourse registration uses this email address as your login. We will also be sending you much additional information to this email address.
You can register your friend or family member to take the class with you but there are some things you should know Each student must have have a different, unique and valid email address. Your MSF eCourse registration uses this email address as your login. Payment is also required for each student to secure their spot. If one person is making payment for others, you may make one payment but please email us with the name of the other students who are being paid for.
The online learning component (eCourse) must be completed within 30 days of the start of your riding portion of your class. It will take you approximately 5 hours to complete it. You do not have to do it all in one sitting – you can go out and come back in multiple times and it will remember where you left off. You must print and bring your course completion certificate with you to the classroom. Completion of the eCourse is a requirement of passing.
More information and directions will be sent to you via email approximately one week prior to your course. At that time, we will send you the building and classroom that will be used for the classroom segment. We will send you reminders about the gear and course completion requirements. It is VERY important that you use an email address that you check often as this is the primary method of communication you will receive.
You will need to fill out both the registration form and complete the liability waiver before being allowed to take the class. You will be given a pass to enter Heckscher Park without having to pay.
You will receive a road test waiver upon successful completion of the course. You must successfully complete the online learning component (eCourse) and on-motorcycle skill evaluation to complete the course. This road test waiver will allow you to bypass the DMV road test and can be turned into a motorcycle license by taking it to any Department of Motor Vehicles office after your course. You will need an automobile driver’s license, a motorcycle learner’s permit (that you can obtain at the same time if you don’t already have one by taking and passing a 25 question multiple-choice test and paying an application fee to the DMV), your completion card and a small fee. See Road Test Waiver information for a more thorough explanation.
If you complete the class but fail the on-motorcycle skill evaluation, you are allowed one retest at no charge. You will be allowed to retest when a future skill evaluation is given. You just need to provide us with 2 days notice that you will attend. You will receive more information about this if you fail your skill evaluation.
The cost is $398. This includes use of the motorcycle. It also includes all of the training you will receiving including the online learning component (eCourse). You must supply your own helmet and gloves for the course!
The eCourse is included in your $398 payment The link to the online learning component (eCourse) will be sent to you upon payment of your course fee. Do NOT sign up for the eCourse on the MSF site! If you do this, it will ask you to pay an additional $20 fee. Don’t do it! The eCourse link is sent to you when your BRC registration payment is processed. If you sign up and pay independently for the eCourse, we cannot refund that payment!
The MSF eCourse is supported by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) If you are having issues with your eCourse, it is an MSF product and the MSF can help you. Please contact MSF for any eCourse issues at msfsupport@msf-usa.org or call them at 949-727-3227, ext. 3158, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Time.
The riding portion is given RAIN or SHINE. If you get the privilege of training during rain, you will never be afraid of the rain again! We encourage our students to bring rain gear in case of inclement weather. We will only stop the class because of weather in extreme circumstances (lightning, hurricane, etc.)
We have a liberal cancellation policy. You can cancel up to one week prior to the class with only a $25 administrative fee. There is a $100 cancellation fee for the BRC if you cancel within one week of your scheduled start date. There are no refunds within 48 hours of your course start date. This policy also applies to rescheduling a class, which is the same as cancellation – you’d be canceling one class and registering for another class. For more information, please see our full refund policy
Completion of the course also may entitle you to insurance discounts. Check with your motorcycle insurance company but most will give you a 10% discount off of your motorcycle insurance by taking this class.
You must meet the objective of each exercise in order to continue to the next. There is a possibility that you may be counseled out of the class because you may not be able to achieve the objectives of the range exercises within the allotted time or if you fail to abide by course safety and instructional guidelines as set forth by the RiderCoaches. If this should occur or if you drop out voluntarily, you will forfeit the remainder of the course fee. Please see our blog post Struggles and Success for more information about the adult learning process.
Do you have a step-by-step guide to help? Yes, please see our Step-by-step registration guide
Don’t think you need a full class? Please read Misconceptions of non-riders
Still have more questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions or Contact us.