Can you really teach me to ride? 

Yes. You want to learn, and we want to teach you — it is the perfect combination. Now you have to bring a couple things to the party — some physical skills (like being able to balance and ride a bicycle), and some mental ability (if you cannot follow instructions, how can you learn anything?). WE (you and Pelican States MOTO Coaches) can do this.

Someone tried to show me how to ride and couldn’t, why should it be any different with you?

We are professionals — there really are things that shouldn’t be tried at home! Just because someone knows how to ride does not necessarily mean they can teach those skills to anyone else — experience may be a good teacher, but not all experienced riders can teach. RidingSafety uses the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s training program, and has more years teaching this material than any other program in the State. Leave this training to professionals who incorporate riding safety with riding skills, turning out smarter, more capable riders.

Do you provide the motorcycles for training? 

Yes. Pelican State MOTO has a training motorcycle for you. We will help you pick your bike Saturday morning and ride that bike all weekend long. You will gain confidence as you make your bike respond to your commands. We’ve had riders ask if they can buy their bike at the end of the course! Sorry, cannot do that… otherwise there wouldn’t be any bikes left!!!

What will you ride?

A Harley Davidson Street 500. These bikes are modern and lightweight. With limited horsepower, adjusted sitting height, fuel injected, and logical control placement it makes this a premiere training motorcycle. It is easy to transition from these bikes to any street bike you decide to buy — from low slung cruisers to high end sports bikes. The techniques and riding skills you learn in the class applies to any bike you will ever ride.

Is there anything I can do to prepare for the course?

 Yes, a few things, like:

• Ride a bicycle around the block a couple times — it can help get your two-wheel sense of balance back. It is actually harder to ride a bicycle than a motorcycle because a motorcycle has more gyroscopic-effect once it gets moving… but it is that “getting the motorcycle moving” part that requires a sense of balance and a bicycle ride around the block can help get that feeling back quicker.
• Read the “Pelican State MOTO Training Rules and Contract” and the “Training Rules” forms before class so we can use our valuable class time DOING things instead of READING forms.
• For those who really want to go over-the-top, a link is provided to the course Workbook at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website — but if you really want to read something, read the Louisiana Motorcycle Operator’s Manual so you are ready to take the State’s written test and get your endorsement immediately after you graduate! 

Not Sure if I’ll buy a motorcycle, but I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to ride one, can I still attend?

YES — TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!! Motorcycling is an expensive sport. The best way to get involved is taking a training program first. Then you’ll know if motorcycling is right for you. If it isn’t, you’ll know before you’ve spent a lot of money on a machine you don’t want! On the other hand if you, like the vast majority of our graduates, see what all the fun is about, you’ll know how to ride (safely); you’ll have a better idea of what TYPE of motorcycle you should buy (do you know the different types of bikes? No? You would if were trained!); and finally, you’ll know what kind of gear to buy to go along with that expensive toy! No matter what, whether you buy a motorcycle or not, you’ll have an experience to brag about to your friends!

Common questions from ladies

If I attend, will I be the only female there?

No. Many classes are half women. Women constitute one of the fastest growing segments in motorcycling, and know training makes a difference.

I am short, will that be a problem?

No. When street-riding the goal is to ride with your feet on the pegs, not on the ground… but I know the initial concern is just being able to reach the ground and balance the bike without falling over. The shortest person to take the course so far was 4’ 6”. Had no prior experience, had no problem, passed easily. Heart and desire are more important than height.