Basic Rider Course (BRC) – FAQs

For most students, yes. The range portion begins with hands-on learning. For example, location and function of all of the controls, proper mounting and dismounting techniques, proper start-up and shut-down procedures.

If you have serious doubts about your abilities, consider an Introductory Motorcycle Experience class. If you have been riding on your permit for a season or so and have your own motorcycle, the Basic RiderCourse 2 for License Waiver might be a better choice.

Click here to go to the online enrollment page. Once there you will be able to see current course availability for all our training locations and select your training dates.

The Basic RiderCourse costs $310

Basic RiderCourse participants must be at least 16 years of age and be able to ride a bicycle. If you are a New York State resident you must possess a valid car driver’s license during your class.  You will need to obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit in order to apply the road test waiver. Obtain it from the DMV either before or after your course dates.

Out of state participants

Out-of-state participants must have a valid car driver’s license from their home state; check with your home state’s DMV to see if they will honor a New York State BRC completion card for licensing benefits.

Students under the age of 18

Students under the age of 18 will need to have their parent or guardian’s signature on both the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program and Covid Release, Waiver and Indemnification forms.

The parent or guardian can accompany the student to class and sign the forms in the presence of the RiderCoach with proper identification (photo ID), or the student may bring the pre-signed forms to class so long as the parent’s signatures are notarized.

Please note that BRC graduates under age 18 will need to hold a valid motorcycle permit for at least 6 months before they can apply for the road test waiver.  Click here for information on the Graduated Licensing Law.

Go Motorcycling, Inc. has two training locations at the Mohawk Valley Community College Campus in Utica and one at Jefferson Community College in Watertown.

In Utica, our training season runs from late April thru October. In Watertown, our training season is limited to late May thru late August.

Each BRC consists of a 3-hour eCourse that you complete on-line, on your own, prior to your class. You do not have to do the eCourse all at once – you can complete the course over several visits. You will get an access code to the eCourse once you are enrolled.  When you join us on your BRC course dates, you will participate in 5 hours of interactive classroom activities and at least 10 hours of riding.

Course Summary

The Basic RiderCourse has at least 15 hours of hands-on instruction.Generally we will schedule classes over a two day period, or sometimes an evening classroom session followed by two days. Other schedules may become available. The curriculum content of each class is identical, and all scheduling options qualify for the NYS road test waiver.

If you are nervous about diving right in or not sure if motorcycling is for you, you may want to consider an Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME) course as your entry point to training.

You can see the full schedule, plus availability for each location, by clicking here.

Once you are enrolled in a Basic Rider Course (BRC), you will receive two confirmation emails. The first one will provide basic details about your class: date, time, etc. Be sure to open the link at the bottom of the email for full details. The second email will provide information on how to access the eCourse and will provide you with a coupon code so you can log in for free!

After you complete your eCourse, be sure to print out your completion certificate – you will need to bring this to class with you. (A photo of the completion certificate off your computer screen will suffice if you are unable to print a hard copy.)

Your eCourse certificate is only valid for 30 days, so be sure to wait until you are within the 30-day window before your complete your course.

There are no more than 12 students in each BRC.

All of our Basic Rider Course (BRC) training motorcycles are 250cc or smaller. Some of our current models are Suzuki’s GZ250 and Kawasaki’s BN125. Each student has their own motorcycle to ride during the course.

It is recommended that BRC students use our training motorcycles during the course. Students may use their own motorcycles or scooters if they meet certain criteria.

You do not need to be a fitness star to ride a motorcycle (or take a RiderCourse), but riding does require physical stamina, alertness, coordination, balance (two-wheeled operation), grip and fine muscle control of the hands and feet. 

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, recent surgery or injury and/or prescription or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with safe motorcycle operation.  If you have medical issues, it is important to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before the course to determine if your medical condition, or the drugs that you are taking for it, could interfere with your ability to safely operate a motorcycle.   

Please consider that you will be outdoors for extended periods in ambient weather conditions. You will spend a full day expending mental and physical energy as you learn new skills.

If you are particularly short, please contact our office so we can arrange for you to “try on” one of our training motorcycles a week or two before your class.

If you feel that there are motor skill ability, age, physical condition or language limitations that may limit your ability to learn to ride, please feel free to contact our office to discuss what provision can be made to assist you.

In most cases, yes.  If you are VERY short, please contact our office; we will arrange for you to “try on” a motorcycle a week or two before your class.

All students need proper riding gear: sturdy long pants/jeans (no yoga pants; no holey knees please!), sturdy over-the-ankle footwear (like a hiking boot or a work boot – NO SNEAKERS), full-fingered gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket.

You may bring your own motorcycle helmet and eye protection, so long as they meet DOT standards. We can lend you a helmet with eye protection if you do not have one of your own.

You will also need to bring a photocopy of your license (and permit, if applicable) and the originals.

You’ll get specific details on what to bring once you are enrolled.

Yes, the courses will take place during “normal” rainy conditions, bring a rain suit if rain is imminent. We will cancel or reschedule classes in the event of severe weather – your RiderCoaches will make that determination that day, so you should show up for class no matter what.

You do not need your motorcycle permit to take the  Basic Rider Course (BRC), but you will need to obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit before you can use the road test waiver document to obtain your license. You may obtain the permit either before or after your class dates.

BRC students are required to have a valid car driver’s license during their class.

Out-of-state participants will need a license from their home state in order to enroll/participate. Out-of-state participants should check with their home state’s DMV regarding licensing eligibility though a New York State BRC.

Obtain your learner’s permit at a local DMV office. You will be required to take a twenty-question, multiple-choice quiz testing your knowledge of the rules of the road and motorcycling. You can study for your quiz by reviewing the DMV Car and Motorcycle Operator’s Manuals.

Students must participate in the entire BRC and successfully complete the BRC knowledge test and skills evaluation in order to receive the motorcycle road test waiver document.

BRC students who fail either the written and/or skills evaluations, will be given an opportunity to re-test at no charge. Re-tests must be taken within 30 days of your course completion date.

Not that instant, but almost. Successful students will receive a New York State Motorcycle Safety Program BRC completion card. You will need to bring this card, along with your license and motorcycle learner’s permit to the DMV to amend your license. If you do not have your motorcycle learner’s permit prior to your class, you will need to get one before you can apply the road test waiver.

You can obtain your permit and amend your license in one visit to the DMV. Students under age 18 will not be able to utilize their road test waiver document until they have held a motorcycle learner’s permit for at least six months.