Introduction to Motorcycling Experience (IME)
Introduction to Motorcycling Experience (IME) — $225.
Motorcycles are provided by Pioneer Valley Rider Training. Required riding gear is the student’s responsibility.
The Introduction to Motorcycling Experience Course is recommended for students who are new to the sport of motorcycling and/or students who have little or no knowledge of how to operate a motorcycle.
What you need to know about the course:
- The IME creates a more confident student in preparation for the BRC
- A 2-hour session that introduces you to the motorcycle in an up to 3:1 Student to Rider Coach setting
- The IME is scheduled separately from the BRC and is conducted on a separate day, prior to taking the BRC
- The IME is all seat time on the motorcycle
Topics covered:
- Locate and operate the controls
- Coordinating the throttle & clutch
- How to use the clutch
- Shifting
- Braking
- Introduction to straight line riding, making turns
- Control of the motorcycle
- How to operate the throttle is also covered in the first few exercises of the Basic Rider Course (BRC).
The more you know,
the better it gets!
The Introductory to Motorcycling Experience is a 2 hour first-touch experience with a motorcycle and is not designed to teach a person how to ride. As a familiarization program that points out the primary parts and controls of a typical motorcycle, it helps a potential rider determine whether motorcycling is a good personal choice. Special attention is given to clutch lever use and controls while astride a motorcycle, and is led into a Basic Rider Course as a formal way to learn to ride. Also embedded in the experience is a self-assessment component to ensure a person is aware of the risks and requirements for being a good, safe, and responsible rider.
Class size is a maximum of 3:1 student to Rider Coach ratio taught by a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) / Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) Rider Coach. The pace is slow, allowing maximum time for Coaching, skill development and confidence building. If you are unsure of your abilities, or unsure if motorcycle riding is the right activity for you, or if you just want to take a more gradual approach to learning to ride, consider the Introduction to Motorcycling Experience Course. If you have NO experience with motorcycling, the IME is the recommended place for you to start your journey into learning how to ride. Each student is provided with their own motorcycle to use during the IME. The entire class is hands on; there is no classroom component to this class. You will be learning by practicing right from the very beginning of the class. Being taught the components of the motorcycle by your Coach, learning about the vehicle, how to operate the motorcycle and how to propel the motorcycle forward. Moving into straight line riding, learning the techniques to ride safely and effectively in a small controlled private setting before moving on to the group style learning format BRC. Motorcycles are provided for the IME. Required riding gear is the student’s responsibility. Students must bring their own DOT approved helmet and the required riding gear to the course. Please see the FAQs page for a list of the Required Riding Gear.
Please call us at (413) 525-0049 for more information or to schedule your Introduction to Motorcycling Experience class.
On-line registration is not available for this course.