Required Gear

Required Items for the class:

  1. DOT Approved Helmet (loaner helmets available)
  2. Eye Protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are ok)
  3. Long Sleeved Shirt / Jacket
  4. Long Pants
  5. Sturdy over the ankle boots appropriate for riding (ankles MUST be covered and protected and more than 1" heel is not recommended.  Uggs and converse are not permitted)
  6. Full Fingered Gloves

Please wear weather appropriate gear, we ride rain or shine.

Basic Rider Class (BRC - Novice)  *Learn how to ride

*License Waiver Course

Who Should Take This Class?

The Basic Rider Class is designed for the entry level rider and is a license waiver course. Students use one of our training bikes for this class and the course is 16 hours (2 days).

This class will provide the rider with knowledge, confidence and riding skills practiced in a safe, controlled environment. No experience is necessary! After successful completion of both the written and riding tests, you will receive a Completion card which waives any further testing at your local Dept. of Licensing for your 2 wheeled endorsement. This class is the second in our series and is designed to be followed by taking either our Additional Riding Class or our Experienced Rider Class.

Class Description:

Classroom sessions present text, lecture and videos along with hands-on activities and group discussions. We discuss protective gear, understanding, identifiying and accepting risk, riding techniques and specific situations. Each classroom session is followed by time spent on the riding range practicing the new skills presented in the classroom.

*Small motorcycles are provided for the Basic Rider Class, as well as DOT approved helmets.

Riding exercises begin with "this is a motorcycle" and progress to more advanced skills and techniques. Each new exercise provides the opportunity to combine a new skill with continued practice of previous skills. We begin with focus on posture, clutch control, proper use of brakes and directional control. Students will also learn limited space maneuvers, proper cornering techniques, quick stops, swerving and more!

Class Materials:

Covered Topics:

  • Introduction to motorcycling: Risk. How to identify, handle and minimize.
  • Protective gear: What to wear.
  • Controls. Location and correct operation of each.
  • Pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle: TCLOCS
  • How to maneuver your motorcycle: Starting/Stopping, Shifting and Cornering
  • Lane changes, Passing and Riding at night
  • Limited Space Maneuvers
  • Collision avoidance skills: Swerving and Quick Stops
  • Driving and riding impairments such as use of alcohol and drugs
  • Carrying a passenger or cargo
  • Dealing with tire failure, other mechanical problems
  • Dealing with animals

Materials:

The written test is multiple choice and questions come directly from the MSF Student Handbook used in class. This Basic class will use the Basic RiderCourse Handbook and there are study questions located in the back of the handbook.

To study the handbook before class, visit http://msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl=2&action=display&pagename=Library

Select from the library list: Curriculum Materials: Basic RiderCourse Handbook (Non-printable) or Click Here

The riding test is the same for all the classes and consists of only 4 skills that are practiced during the class. They are the U-Turn (limited space maneuver), Swerve, Quick Stop and a Cornering Exercise.

Passing score for both the written and riding tests is 80% or better.

Cost:

What it costs: $125 (Subsided Seats) and $199 (Non-Subsidized Seats)

Washington State DOL provides us with some state subsidy funds, but not enough to cover all our classes. You must be a Washington state resident to qualify for a subsidized seat. Students under 18 years of age are only $50 (provided there is a subsidized seat available) and must have parental permission to attend.

Idaho residents: classes are $199 (non-subsidized) and our completion card is accepted by Idaho DOL to waive your riding skills test, but they do require you to take their written test even after testing with us during the class.

 

Basic Class

Walk-in students are accepted.  Please arrive early and if you have the required paperwork and riding gear you will be accepted into class.  If our schedule shows the class as "full" you may still get in if a registered student does not show up, have the required paperwork or riding gear.  Tuition fee is required before joining the class.

Only registered students are allowed in the classroom and on the range.

2012 Basic Rider Class 

Motorcycles provided

2 day format:  classroom 8am-11am / riding 12pm- approx. 5pm  (Both days)

3 day format: Fri classroom (6pm-approx 9pm) Sat riding (7am-12pm) Sat classroom (1pm- approx 5pm) Sun riding (7am-12pm)


Dates Class No. Cost Class Days / Times Status Instructors
           
May 19 & 20 051912 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) FULL Dawn / Greg
May 22 & 23 052212 $125 Tue and Wed (8am-5pm) 2 seats just opened! Lora / Mike
May 28 & 29 052812 $125 Mon and Tue (8am-5pm) 7 seats left Moe / Mike
           
June 2 & 3 060212 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) FULL Ray / Greg
June 5 & 6 060512 $125 Tue and Wed (8am-5pm) 10 seats left Moe / Reuben
June 9 & 10 060912 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) FULL Reuben / Mike
June 13 & 14 061312 $125 Wed and Thu (8am-5pm) 8 seats left Lora / Lee 
June 16 & 17 061612 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) 5 seats left Lee/ David
June 19 & 20 061912 $125 Tue and Wed (8am-5pm) 10 seats left David / Reuben
June 28 & 29 062812 $125 Thu and Fri (8am-5pm) Open Lora / Moe
June 30 & 1 063012 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) 8 seats left Dawn 
           
July 3 & 4 070312 $125 Tue and Wed (8am-5pm) Pending  
July 7 & 8 070712 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) Open Greg / Dawn
July 11 & 12 071112 $125 Wed and Thu (8am-5pm) Open Lora / Reuben
July 14 & 15 071412 $125 Sat and Sun (8am-5pm) Open Ray / Dawn
July 19 & 20 071912 $125 Thu and Fri (8am-5pm) Open Reuben / Dawn
July 24 & 25 072412 $125 Tue and Wed (8am-5pm) Open Spencer / Dale
July 30 & 31 073012 $125 Mon and Tue (8am-5pm) Open Dawn / Spencer
           

* Idaho residents:  cost for this class is $199.  The $125 rate is only for Washington residents.  Please see the "cost" drop down section for more information.

Motorcycles for use during class

At Spokane MotorSchool we have a selection of motorcycles that you get to use in our class.

Honda Rebel 250

The Rebel has ample power and handling to get you round your learning curve.

Engine

243cc SOHC Parallel Twin Engine - Proven four-stroke powerplant is smooth, quiet, fuel-efficient and easy to maintain.

Chasis/Suspension

Semi-double-cradle frame allows a long wheelbase and extremely low seat height (26.6").
Hydraulic front fork with dual Syntallic bushings and dual rear shocks with five-position spring preload adjustability deliver a smooth ride and light, agile handling.
Semi-double-cradle frame allows a long wheelbase and extremely low seat height (26.6").
Hydraulic front fork with dual Syntallic bushings and dual rear shocks with five-position spring preload adjustability deliver a smooth ride and light, agile handling.

Rebel 250

Suzuki GZ250

Engine:

Fuel efficient four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve engine with Twin Dome Combustion Chamber (TDCC). Provides a wide power band, good acceleration and with the simplicity of a single cylinder engine

Chasis/Suspension:

Large cruiser-style fuel tank, rear fender and comfortable 2-piece seat with low 27.8 inch seat height

Long 57-inch wheelbase supported by oil-damped front forks and preload-adjustable twin-shock rear suspension for a comfortable ride

GZ250

Sachs MadAss 125

Engine:

125cc

Light weight and has a low seat height of only 33.7 inches.

Madass

Yamaha TW200

Those big fat tires deliver great traction and rider comfort over a wide range of terrain, and they make the TW200 the most distinctive-looking dual purpose machine around.

Engine

Strong-pulling 196cc air-cooled, four-stroke single delivers torquey low- and mid-range power perfectly suited to off-road exploring.

Chasis/Suspension

A low seat and compact chassis help inspire confidence in anybody who rides the TW200, making it one of the most user friendly on/off-road bikes on the market.

Seat Height: 31.1in

Long, two-tone, motocross-style seat creates a balanced riding position for optimal rider movement and comfort.

TW200