At Dallas Harley-Davidson® we recommend the classes provided by North Texas Motorcycle Safety Course in Allen TX for everyone interested in learning to ride a motorcycle in Dallas. They offer courses for beginners who have never before been on a motorcycle and more advanced classes for Harley-Davidson® riders looking to hone their skills. The Basic Rider Course is the one you should take to get your Motorcycle License in the State of Texas. Owner, instructor and police motorcycle competition winner Donnie Williams also teaches advanced motorcycle riding.
E-COURSE MOTORCYCLE TRAINING IN DALLAS
Before you attend in-person training, you’ll need to complete online coursework. The eCourse takes most people between three and five hours to complete, and is provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). To view the course, visit the MSF website and click “Enroll Now.” Once you input the required information, MSF will email you a coupon code to get started.
You must complete the course within 30 days of taking the class, so if you're an early bird when it comes to homework, make sure you will be able to attend hands-on training the same month you do the online work.
The eCourse gives you a checklist to help figure out if motorcycling is right for you. Here are a few of the topics it covers:
- Motorcycle types
- Motorcycle controls, indicators and equipment
- How to prepare to ride
- Basic riding strategies and common situations
- Emergency basics
- State and local laws
At the end you'll take a test, and if you pass the program will provide you with a certificate you print and take to your Dallas motorcycle training course.
RIDING BEFORE THE CLASS
That certificate isn't a motorcycle license. The eCourse provides great information, but you're not ready to jump on a bike yet. Resist the urge.
If you have access to a bike, sit on it and apply some of that new-found knowledge. Identify the controls and see how they operate. Stop by our Garland dealership and take a test ride on our JumpStart™ demo, where one of our experts will walk you through starting, shifting and revving the bike.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
If you’re taking the Basic Rider Course, you can be an absolute beginner. They’ll start at with the very basics and teach you step by step from the ground up. The instructors have years of experience teaching new riders good habits.
If you have previous experience or you grew up with a dirt bike, there’s still plenty to learn. Keep an open mind when you attend. Sometimes riders come with bad habits that can compromise their safety. NTMSC instructors may suggest changes that will make you a better rider.
REQUIRED DALLAS RIDING GEAR
No matter what class you're taking, you'll need the following:
- A long sleeve shirt. Bring a jacket if you have it, even if it's warm out.
- Jeans or pants with no holes
- Non-slip boots with ankle support and low heels
- Eye protection -- Sunglasses are fine
- A DOT approved helmet
- Gloves
If you don't have a helmet, NTMSC has loaners. Their goal is to give people an enjoyable training experience while still keeping everyone safe and their training bikes intact. If you need anything else shop the Dallas H-D Motorclothes® Merchandise and Riding Essentials. It's best to wear layers. When you're riding you'll be much cooler than you are when still, but the course involves a lot of both. You'll spend hours outdoors, so wear sunscreen on exposed skin and bring bottled water to stay hydrated.
OTHER DALLAS MOTORCYCLE TRAINING COURSE INFORMATION
Get to the classroom at Black Gold Harley-Davidson in Allen TX on time or you'll irritate the instructor and everyone who showed up when they were supposed to. It's a good idea to arrive well-rested and ready to learn. You'll need to complete a liability waver and other paperwork before class starts, then the classroom coursework starts. In the classroom, they’ll cover risk awareness, protective gear, how to use motorcycle controls, the basics of riding and street strategies.
Once classroom work is complete, you'll move outside for hands-on training at the riding range. If you've never ridden before, be patient with yourself. It's like riding a bicycle, only completely different. There are two wheels and the balancing concept is similar, but a non-motorized bike doesn't weigh 600+ pounds and have the capability to reach more than a hundred miles per hour.
Your instructor will walk you through starting and stopping the engine, using a manually-operated clutch, identifying the friction zone and more. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you make mistakes, take a deep breath and find out how to correct them. You can do this.
If you crash, don't panic. You're not the first one who has done so. Ask your instructor what you did wrong and how you can avoid making the same mistake twice, then get back on the bike.
People only fail when they allow themselves to get frustrated and walk off the course, when they refuse to change bad habits or when they ride in ways that are unsafe. If you keep a willing attitude and practice until you get it right, your instructors will help you learn what you need to know. The course wraps up with an evaluation. If you pass that test, you’ll get a course completion card.
Once you finish the course you'll still have to go to the DPS office to add your motorcycle license to your existing driver's license. After that you can start practicing your skills every chance you get.
If you've signed up for the course or you're thinking of taking one and you don't have a bike, we can help. Stop by our Garland dealership to see new Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale or buy a used motorcycle.