HOW TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL
At Chicago’s Motorcycle Riding School, we firmly believe that learning to ride a motorcycle should be fun and safe. We utilize research-based curriculum developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and strive to provide each student a personalized and rewarding experience.
We also realize that you have choices when selecting a training provider. Therefore, do your research, educate yourself and ask questions before enrolling at a school. Choosing a school simply because it's the least expensive can be the worst compromise you ever make!
A few things to consider:
Q: Are they recognized by the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation®?
A: Motorcycle Riding School is currently the only private school in Illinois recognized by the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). The MSF is a national, not-for-profit that works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), state governments, the military and other organizations to improve motorcyclist education, training and operator licensing. Since March 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has set internationally recognized standards of excellence in motorcycle rider education and training.
To obtain and uphold certification by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a school must sustain proven measures of excellence and exhibit uncompromised standards of safety.
Other benefits that come with attending a school recognized by the MSF include discounted insurance rates from most major carriers, as well as valuable course rebates offered by motorcycle manufacturers like Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Kawasaki.
Q: How much riding experience do the instructors have? Were they just recently licensed themselves?
A: Although riders with as little as three years licensed riding experience can qualify to become instructors, we believe that an instructor's skill level should be much higher than that of a student. At Motorcycle Riding School, we ensure that all of our instructors' skills far exceed minimum requirements. Our current instructors each have a minimum of 10 years of riding experience.
Q: How much teaching experience do they have? Where did they receive their training?
A:
ALL of Motorcycle Riding School's instructors are licensed as commercial instructors by the state of
Illinois, as well as certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In addition to being passionate
riders themselves, each of our instructors has prior instructional experience in varying disciplines. They
are employed with us because of their sensitivity and personalized communication approaches. Each instructor
proudly represents Motorcycle Riding School and has been individually selected to assist students in
becoming well-informed, proficient riders.
Q: How long has the school been operating? Does it have a good reputation?
A: Motorcycle Riding School opened its doors in 2001 as the first licensed, private riding school in the state of Illinois. We continue to grow and succeed because our underlying principles are based upon the sincere interest of educating new riders in proper methods of motorcycling. A great deal of our business is driven by unsolicited referrals rather than discounts or incentives. Our philosophy is quality, not quantity.
Q: Are they self-proclaimed as 'the best'?
A: Some schools will tell you how great their instructors are and how superior their services are to others (and why wouldn't they?). Whenever possible, obtain recommendations from a former student or other resource that’s had first-hand experience with the school or its affiliates.
Q: Where did they receive their basic training?
A: Former students have taken our course and gone on to open their own schools. While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it seemingly weakens credibility.
Q: What kind of advanced training have they received as instructors?
A: If instructors possess only basic riding skills, are they well qualified to train new riders? Our instructors continually build upon their skills through professional training and skills development.
Q: What is the quality of the equipment, and how often is it replaced?
A: All equipment at Motorcycle Riding School is closely monitored and regularly maintained by our qualified mechanic staff. Should any equipment become unfit for training use, it is promptly repaired or replaced.
Q: Do the instructors regularly teach at the school?
A: If a school has only part-time or fill-in instructors, how can they assure a consistent experience for each of their students? All of Motorcycle Riding School's instructors are dedicated, full-time assets to our training staff and teach on a regular basis.
