What do I need to bring to class?

We provide a Student Handkbook for every Basic RiderCourse (BRC) student to keep. Bring a pen for the classroom sessions. We provide the motorcycles and helmets for the practice riding sessions of the BRC, ABRC, IME and Formal Remedial Training. (You can bring your own DOT helmet if you wish).

You need to bring the following;

1. Your valid Driver License or your valid motorcycle permit if you don't have a valid Driver License for the first day of class. (Only students with a valid NJ Driver License qualify for the BRC road test waiver).
2. A DOT-approved motorcycle helmet for the riding sessions. (If you do not have a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet, we can provide one. We recommend a 3/4 or full-face helmet).
3. Eye protection for the riding sessions. (Face shield or goggles).
4. A long sleeve shirt or jacket for the riding sessions. (We recommend a leather or sturdy jacket).
5. Full-fingered gloves for the riding sessions.(We recommend leather or motorcycle gloves).
6. Durable long pants for the riding sessions. (We recommend jeans with no holes).
7. Sturdy over-the-ankle shoes or boots (one inch over the ankle) made of leather for the riding sessions. (Flat soles are strongly recommended for easier shifting of the motorcycle gears. We recommend work boots or motorcycle boots).
8. Rain gear for the riding sessions if rain is in the forecast.

If you do not have the first seven items listed above, we are not allowed to let you ride the practice riding exercises.

How are the classes conducted?

The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is an accelerated learning course that is divided into 2 parts; Basic Riding Skills and Advanced Riding Skills. The Basic Riding Skills part begins with approximately a 4-hour classroom session followed by nine practice riding exercises. The Advanced Riding Skills part also begins with approximately a 4-hour classroom session followed by eight practice riding exercises. The BRC & ERC/BRC2 Knowledge Test is conducted after the last classroom session. The BRC riding Skill Evaluation is conducted after the last practice riding exercise. Plenty of breaks are given during the course.

How many students are in a class?

The maximum allowable number of students is 12. Each class has at least two instructors.

Can I take part of the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) one weekend and finish the course on another weekend?

It is not recommended. You'd have to pay the entire course fee twice since you'd be signing up for two separate classes.

Are there any age or health restrictions?

The only age requirement for the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is that you must be at least 17 years old and we require written parental permission up to age 18. (A parent or guardian needs to come to the first day of class and sign a Parental Permission form).

The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) can be physically and mentally demanding if you have never ridden a motorcycle or clutch vehicle before. Students should be in good health and be able to ride a bicycle. The instructors will make the final determination if a student will be allowed to participate, or continue to participate, in the riding portion of the course if the practice riding exercises become too demanding for a student. If you have never driven a clutch vehicle before, you may want to take the Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME) which is only $75.

How does the Road Test Waiver work for the Basic RiderCourse (BRC)?

If you successfully complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) and have a valid NJ Driver License, the NJ MVC allows us to give you the needed documents to bring to any NJ Motor Vehicle Testing Center and they will waive the motorcycle road test and the motorcycle written test and give you a motorcycle license/endorsement on the spot.(They will charge you $5.00 for a motorcycle application eye test and also charge you for a new Driver License).

Will I get an insurance discount for taking and completing the course?

Some insurance companies may give you a discount for taking and successfully completing the Basic RiderCourse (BRC). All insurance companies in NJ will give you a discount for taking and successfully completing the Experienced RiderCourse (ERC/BRC2). The ERC/BRC2 we offer qualifies as a NJ-State approved defensive driving course. If you have points on your Driver License, you would also qualify for a 2 point reduction for taking our ERC/BRC2.

Do I really need to ride a bicycle before riding the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) practice riding exercises?

Yes. We have a bicycle in our motorcycle storage container and every student who takes the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) must ride the bicycle and demonstrate their ability to balance a two-wheeled vehicle before riding the practice riding exercises.

What if I can’t ride a bicycle?

You must learn how to ride a bicycle before taking the course. We will not allow you to ride the practice riding exercises unless you can ride a bicycle.

What if I register for a class and can’t make it because something comes up last minute?

See our Cancellation Policies page.

What if I arrive late to a classroom session or a practice riding session?

That depends upon how late you arrive. The Basic RiderCourse (BRC), the Experienced RiderCourse (ERC/BRC2) and the Advanced RiderCourse-Sportbike Techniques (ARC-ST) follow a stepping-stone curriculum which means a classroom segment or a practice riding exercise builds upon the previous one. If you miss a classroom segment or a practice riding exercise, most likely, the instructors will tell you to register for another class. There may be an additional charge for registering for another class because you were late for a class that you were already registered for. Your best bet is to call The Academy to tell us you’re running late. Based on your circumstances, we’ll tell you whether or not we can hold your spot in the class or let you ride the remaining practice riding exercises.

What if I find out that riding a motorcycle isn’t for me?

Some students do discover that riding a motorcycle is not for them. The best way to discover that is to take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) on our training motorcycles in a safe, controlled environment (in a secured parking lot with no traffic). We suggest taking the course first, then buying or not buying a motorcycle. If you discover that riding a motorcycle is not for you, or if the instructors feel that your safety is at risk, or the safety of the other students in the class is at risk, The Riding Academy of NJ offers a unique refund policy. We will refund $100 of the course fee if you drop out during the first day of the riding sessions. We are the only NJ Motorcycle Provider that offers this type of refund policy. Other NJ motorcycle schools offer no refund at all. We also offer private lessons if the instructors determine that you need one-on-one remedial training. Another great way to find out if riding a motorcycle is for you is to take the Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME) which is only $75.

What if I don’t pass the Basic RiderCourse (BRC)?

Taking the course does not automatically guarantee that you will get your motorcycle license. You have to demonstrate your knowledge of the course material (pass the Knowledge Test) and demonstrate your ability to handle a motorcycle (pass the riding Skill Evaluation). For those that do not pass the course, we offer several re-test options. The Knowledge Test can be re-taken on another day, free of charge. You can also re-take the Skill Evaluation with us on another day, free of charge. You can take a 4-hour additional practice course called the ABRC and re-take the Skill Evaluation after the course. Your instructors can help you decide which option is best for you. Even if you’ve taken the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) with another NJ motorcycle Provider and didn‘t pass the course, you can retest with The Riding Academy of NJ.

Who maintains the training motorcycles to make sure they are running properly for every class?

All the training motorcycles in our fleet are personally serviced by the owner of The Riding Academy of NJ, Ray Noreika. Ray is a Certified Master Mechanic and has been fixing and servicing motorcycles for 40+ years. He services all the training motorcycles himself every week to make sure they are all in tip-top running condition.

Isn’t it dangerous riding in the rain?

Not really. Our training motorcycles are kept in excellent running condition with very good tire tread. The key is to stay dry, and good riding rain gear will do that for you. Good riding rain gear is covered in the Basic RiderCourse (BRC). Many of our instructors ride in the rain. Many of our instructors ride all year long, except in snow and ice.

Why should I take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC)if my friend or spouse is willing to teach me how to ride.

Some motorcycle accident studies have indicated that untrained riders (riders without any formal training) are involved in more accidents than formally trained riders. And all of our instructors have gone through extensive training in how to teach people to ride a motorcycle. They also attend annual workshops to maintain their certification. Bottom line - our instructors have more patience, more experience and more effective teaching techniques. And you will learn so much more about riding a motorcycle and avoiding an accident by taking the Basic RiderCourse (BRC).

What if I want to ride a scooter?

Riding a scooter also requires a motorcycle license. Many people who ride scooters have taken the Basic RiderCourse (BRC). We do not have any scooters in our fleet. If you can learn to ride a Suzuki 250cc GZ motorcycle, you should have no problem riding a scooter. The accident avoidance techniques and strategies explained and practiced in the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) are just as valuable to scooter riders as they are to motorcyclists. If you have your own scooter, you can use it when riding the practice riding exercises as long as it is greater than 50 cc's. The road test waiver will not be issued if you take the Skill Evaluation and pass it on a scooter.

How much are the courses?

See the individual course pages for pricing.

Why should I take the course at The Riding Academy of NJ?

1. Our main reason for offering the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses is to help you learn how to ride a motorcycle the proper way and show you ways to avoid an accident. Our instructors are also dedicated to that same goal. They are the most dedicated instructors in the State.
2. The #1 complaint from students across the country who take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is the poor condition of the training motorcycles. Our training motorcycles are personally serviced every week by the owner of The Riding Academy of NJ, Ray Noreika, to make sure they are in excellent running condition for every class. Other Providers have training motorycles that are difficult to ride, don't handle well or are in desperate need of repair. We use the training motorcycles that the MSF recommends are the best for learning how to ride.
3. The classroom sessions are conducted in a 4,000 square foot building located on the border of Hawthorne and Paterson in the renowned & historic Bunker Hill section of Paterson. The building stores a variety of classic cars, antique cars and motorcycles. The classroom is fully air-conditioned and heated and has a wide, big screen TV on the wall so everyone in the classroom can watch and hear the videos presented in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCourses. We also offer a large lounge area for the students. The classroom is located inside Big Boyz Toy Box.
4. The riding sessions are conducted in a secured parking lot so no traffic can enter. The riding range is located next to the Super K-Mart in Elmwood Park (a very short drive from the classroom building) where you can purchase food, beverages, clothing, etc. during the breaks. And there are several food stores, including a Dunkin Donuts, 7-11 and Blimpes across the street. Both the classroom and the riding range are easily accessible from several major highways (Rts. 3, 4, 17, 20, 21, 46, 80, 202, 287, Garden State Parkway, and the NJ Turnpike).
5. Our riding range is a full-size riding range. Some NJ Providers have a modified riding range which shortens the amount of space and time you have to ride the practice riding exercises. This also prevents them from offering some of the additional MSF courses.
6. Last, but not least, our unique refund policy, which no other NJ Motorcycle Provider currently offers. We’re not in this for the money. We are a non-profit State of NJ organization. We’re in it to make you a satisfied customer and to do our best to keep you alive when you ride a motorcycle.

What's the difference between the 3-day BRC and the 2-day BRC?

There is no difference except for the schedule. Same course, same material covered.

I'm 17 years old. Can I get a motorcycle license?

Yes. However, as of 1/28/11, anyone under age 18 who wants to ride a motorcycle in NJ must first take a NJ State approved motorcycle safety course in order to get a motorcycle license. The MSF Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is the approved motorcycle safety course by the State of NJ. Unfortunately, you will not be eligible for the road test waiver unless you have a valid NJ Driver License. If you do not have a valid NJ Driver License, you will have to take the motorcycle road test at MVC after completing the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) in order to get your motorcycle license. That's the new law and there's no getting around it. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver before you take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC). Call the office for more details.

How often do you offer classes?

We normally offer classes every week from mid-March to the end of November, depending upon the weather. We occassionally offer classes during the week. Click on our "Course Schedule" tab for the classes that are offered.

I got my motorcycle license by taking the road test at DMV on a scooter. Now I want to take some lessons to learn how to ride a motorcycle. What do you recommend?

Taking the motorcycle road test on a scooter is like taking your driving test in a car and then trying to drive a tractor-trailer. What you want to drive or ride handles very differently than what you tested on. We strongly recommend that you take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC). It can save your life. (Note: If you now take the MVC motorcycle road test on a scooter or motorcycle with less than 231cc, you will get a restricted motorcycle license that only allows you to ride a motorcycle with less than 500 cc's. If you want to ride a motorcycle bigger than 500cc's, you will have to take the MVC road test again on a bigger motorcycle or take the Basic RiderCourse to get the restriction removed).

I took the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) a few years ago, passed the course but haven't ridden since. I just bought a motorcycle. What do you recommend?

The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is a group accelerated learning training course. The advantage of this type of training course is that we can train a large number of people in a short amount of time. One disadvantage is that some people learn at a slower pace and need one-on-one training, which is why we offer the MSF's Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME) and Formal Remedical Training. Another disadvantage is if you don't practice what you've learned, you forget it. "Use it or lose it" applies here.

Since we're concerned about your safety, we recommend that people who haven't ridden in a year or more re-take the BRC. Re-learn the physical and mental skills, techniques and concepts presented in the classroom that will help you to avoid an accident. For those that haven't ridden in a year or less, we recommend taking the ABRC.

Motorcycle accidents have been rising in the State of NJ. The group that appears to be having the most accidents is the 45-55 age group - the "Returning Rider". This is the person who rode years ago, stopped riding and now wants to get back into it. Some studies suggest that the reasons for the accidents in this age group could be the result of slower reflexes than they used to have, riding motorcycles that are bigger than the ones they rode years ago and lacking the needed critical riding skills to survive in today's traffic mix. That's why we suggest these "Returning Riders" take the BRC.

This page copyright (c) 2012 by The Riding Academy of NJ.

Our riding range is located
in the K-Mart parking lot.

We accept all major credit cards.