The Basic RiderCourse (BRC1)

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The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's (MSF) BRC1 is designed for those who;

1. Want to learn how to ride a motorcycle just for the fun of it.

2. Want to learn how to ride a motorcycle and get their motorcycle license/endorsement.

3. Have some riding experience and want to get their motorcycle license/endorsement.

4. Already have their motorcycle license/endorsement and want a refresher before getting back on a motorcycle.

Since our mission is to help reduce motorcycle crashes in the State of NJ and our priority is the safety of our students, we offer the MSF's preferred version of the BRC1, which is a 2 1/2 -day, 20-hour course that consists of four modules or parts; 

Module 1- You begin by first taking a 5-hour (average time) interactive asynchronous online course (the MSF Basic eCourse) which familiarizes you with some of the physical and non-physical skills needed to ride a motorcycle safely, which you do at home, on your own, at your own pace. (The Basic eCourse must be completed before Module 3).

Module 2 - After completing Module 1, you watch a 1-hour pre-recorded Power Point Presentation (Supplemental eCourse) on your own, which explains the motorcycle controls and the four basic physical riding skills in further detail.

Module 3 - After completing Modules 1 and 2, you attend a 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session on a Tuesday night, which covers a variety of crash-avoidance techniques and concepts with other students taking the course so you can meet who they are, find out a little bit about them and meet your instructors before attending the riding sessions (Module 4).

Module 4 - After completing Modules 1, 2 and 3, you take approximately 10 hours of practice riding (5 hours per day for two consecutive days) in a large, enclosed parking lot with 11 other students taking the course. You get hands-on training with two NJ MVC & MSF certified motorcycle safety instructors. The curriculum consists of 14 riding exercises designed to help you and the other students in the class develop and acquire the basic physical riding skills, and the critical crash-avoidance riding skills. Each riding exercise has an objective and there is a certain time allotted to meet the objective of each exercise. If you and the other students in the class meet the objective of an exercise sooner, we move on to the next exercise. Some riding exercises are ridden as a group. Some are ridden individually. The total miles ridden after completing all the riding exercises is approximately 20 miles. (The riding sessions must be taken on the two consecutive days of the class. You can't do one riding session on one day of the class and the other riding session on another day of another class unless you pay the full course price for both classes).

The course also contains a Knowledge Test (30 multiple choice questions) and the NJ MVC Motorcycle Road Test. The Knowledge Test is given before taking the practice riding sessions (Module 4) and is based on the information contained in Modules 1, 2 and 3. The Road Test or Skill Test is given after all the practice riding exercises have been completed. If you pass both the Knowledge Test and the Skill Test, the NJ MVC allows us to give you paperwork that waives the NJ MVC motorcycle written permit test and the NJ MVC motorcycle road test. (This paperwork is not a motorcycle permit). So you can get your motorcycle license/endorsement with us in 20 hours without having to go to the NJ MVC to get a motorcycle permit, without having to take the NJ MVC motorcycle written test and without having to go to the NJ MVC to take the NJ MVC road test. You do it all with us. It's that simple.(You only have to go to the NJ MVC after successfully completing the course to get the motorcycle endorsement put on your NJ Driver License).

As stated in the previous paragraph, you do not need a motorcycle permit to attend this course as long as you have a valid Driver License. You do not qualify for the NJ MVC motorcycle license waiver unless you have a valid NJ Driver License. (If you do not have a valid Driver License, you will need a valid & current NJ motorcycle permit to attend the course. However, you will not qualify for the motorcycle license waiver. You will still have to take the NJ MVC motorcycle road test at the NJ MVC). If you have an out-of-State Driver License, you will not qualify for the motorcycle license waiver unless your State reciprocates the MSF BRC1 completion card or you move to NJ within 180 days after completing the BRC1. (Check with your State DMV to see if they will reciprocate).

If you are under the age of 18, you are now required by NJ law to take the BRC1 if you want to get a NJ motorcycle license/endorsement. Everything in the previous paragraph applies. In addition, you will need written parental/guardian permission before taking the practice riding exercises (Module 4) of the course.

Military personnel who reside in NJ and have a NJ Driver License - if you took the course on a military base in another state or country, you will have to take the course again in NJ to get the NJ MVC motorcycle license waiver. If you take the course again with us, we will give you a $100 discount. Just show us your MSF completion card on the first day of the riding sessions. The discount will be refunded on your credit card after completing the course.

The Basic RiderCourse (BRC1) is a NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) -approved curriculum for entry-level motorcycle riders.

THE MSF BASIC eCOURSE (Module 1)

As stated above, the MSF Basic eCourse is the first part of the course. If you have an issue with the Basic eCourse, email the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at msfsupport@msf-usa.org or call them at (949) 727-3227 x3158 Monday thru Friday between 8:00am - 4:30pm Pacific Time. Tell them your name and the username/e-mail that you are using to log in to the Basic eCourse.

• The MSF Basic eCourse is video intensive. A strong, steady network connection on a personal computer or mobile device is required. Broadband connections work best.
• Current versions of Chrome, Safari, and Firefox are supported. For Internet Explorer, version 10 or higher is supported.
• Be sure JavaScript is enabled on your browser.
• When you complete the Basic eCourse, you will receive a Completion Certificate with a Completion Certificate ID#. Save the Completion Certificate ID#. You will need to give it to us when your class starts. We send it to the NJ MVC. We can't issue you the motorcycle license waiver unless we have your Basic eCourse Completion Certificate ID#.
• As soon as you register for the BRC1, you will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with a link to take the Basic eCourse for free.

You will learn; 

• What riding gear is best to wear
• How all the motorcycle controls work and how to use each one
• The four basic physical riding skills; taking off, turning, shifting, and stopping, and practice the correct way to perform all four skills on both riding days
• The three non-physical riding skills that will help you avoid a crash
• The safest way to start and shut off a motorcycle
• How to perform slow speed maneuvers and practice doing them
• How to stop quickly and safely in the shortest distance and practice doing it
• How to swerve to avoid a hazard and practice doing it
• How to develop situational awareness to avoid a crash
• How to use 2/4/12 to avoid a crash
• How to ride in rain and wind
• How to start off on a hill without stalling
• How your risk-taking level and your riding skill level can determine your chances of crashing
• Why motorcycles crash and the things you can do to avoid a crash

and much, much more. You'll learn things that your friends, relatives and YouTube don't and can't teach you.

You need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone and an email address.

For the Tuesday night 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session (Module 3), you will need to have a pen or pencil handy and you will need to download all the forms from the Class Material page on our website, or you can download all the forms from our zip archive into your computer's Downloads folder by clicking HERE. The link to all these forms will also be emailed to you along with the link to the 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session (Module 3) and the link to the Supplement eCourse (Module 2) four days before the start of the 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session (Module 3).

For the practice riding exercises (Module 4), you will need the following; 

1. Demonstrate your ability to ride a bicycle. (Get on the one we have and ride it for a few yards).
2. Sturdy over-the-ankle footwear (leather preferred) to protect your ankle from injury.
3. Long non-flare denim pants or material of equivalent or better durability to protect your legs from injury.
4. A long sleeve garment (shirt, sweat shirt, jacket) to protect your torso from injury.
5. Full-fingered gloves (leather preferred) to protect your hands from injury.
6. Eye-protection (glasses, sunglasses, goggles, face-shield) to prevent something from getting into your eye while riding the practice riding exercises.
7. Any DOT (Department of Transportation) motorcycle helmet to protect your head from injury. (We have some full-face loaner motorcycle helmets with face-shields available if you do not have a motorcycle helmet).

You will not be allowed to ride the practice riding exercises unless you can demonstrate that you can ride a bicycle and have all of the last six items listed above. (If you do not have all of the last six items listed above for the practice riding exercises, you will be dismissed from the class and you will have to pay the full price of the course to attend another class).

We supply the training motorcycles that are used for the practice riding exercises unless you want to use your own motorcycle or scooter that is registered & insured. If you use a scooter for the Skill Test, your motorcycle endorsement from the NJ MVC will include a 500cc restriction which means you will not be able to ride a motorcycle that is larger than 500cc. Our fleet of training motorcycles consists of 125cc fuel-injected motorcycles (Honda Monkeys, Honda Groms, Kawasaki Pros and the CMT Moto Popio), 200cc fuel-injected motorcycles (Suzuki Van Vans), a 250cc carburetor motorcycle (Suzuki GZ), and a 310cc fuel-injected motorcycle (we have the new entry-level BMW). These are considered to be the best motorcycles for training purposes. We also have a Honda Navi, which has an automatic transmission, if you want to ride a scooter. There will be no cc restriction on your motorcycle license/endorsement if you use one of our training motorcycles, other than the Honda Navi.

HEIGHT REQUIREMENT 

You must be able to place both of your feet on the ground when sitting on our training motorcycles. You must be at least 5 feet tall or have a 28" inseam. To make sure, stop by our training location on the weekend during a training session and sit on one of our training motorcycles before registering for one of our BRC1 classes. If you cannot place both of your feet on the ground, you will not be allowed to take the course for safety reasons. (We have a height measurement chart on site).

LANGUAGE BARRIER

If you don't understand or speak English well, you must have someone with you during the Tuesday night 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session (Module 3) to translate for you and you must bring someone with you for the riding sessions (Module 4) to translate for you. It is imperative that you are able to understand the instructions given by the instructors. If you can't, you will be removed from the class and you will have to pay the full price of the course to attend another class).

As stated above, the link for the MSF Basic eCourse (Module 1) is included in the confirmation email you will receive from Eventbrite after registering for the course, and in the reminder email you will receive from The Riding Academy of NJ 1-3 business days after you register for the course. 

The login information for the Tuesday night 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session (Module 3) will be sent in another email from The Riding Academy of NJ 4 days before the start of the Tuesday night 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session along with the link to download all the forms needed for the remote/virtual classroom session. This email will also contain the link to the Supplemental eCourse (Module 2). (We also send this email again 1 day before the start of the Tuesday night 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session and again for the third time the morning of the Tuesday night 4-hour live remote/virtual classroom session). 

The practice riding exercises (Module 4) are held in Montclair State University's parking Lot 60 off Clove Rd. The address of the parking lot is 35 Clove Rd in Little Falls.

The AM class's 4-hour live remote/virtual online classroom session (Module 3) starts Tuesday night promptly at 6:00 PM and goes to approximately 10:00 PM, and the practice riding exercises (Module 4) normally run on Saturday from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and finish up on Sunday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. 

The PM class's 4-hour live remote/virtual online classroom session (Module 3) also starts Tuesday night promptly at 6:00 PM and goes to approximately 10:00 PM, and the practice riding exercises (Module 4) normally run on Saturday from 12:30 PM to 7:00 PM, and finish up on Sunday from 12:30 PM to 7:00 PM). 

The WK class's 4-hour live remote/virtual online classroom session (Module 3) also starts Tuesday night promptly at 6:00 PM and goes to approximately 10:00 PM, and the practice riding exercises (Module 4) normally run on Thursday from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and finish up on Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

The maximum number of students permitted in each class by State and MSF regulations is 12.  (As stated above, the riding exercises must be taken on the two consecutive days for the class. You can't do the riding exercises for one day on one day of the class and the other riding exercises for the other day on another day of another class unless you pay the full course price for both classes).

Classes are held rain or shine.

Our price for the BRC1 is only $325 (the lowest in the State). 

MSU Discount - There is a $100 discount for current full-time undergraduate Montclair State University students and staff. (Show your MSU ID card on the first riding day of the class to receive the discount. The discount will be refunded on your credit card after completing the course. Make sure you ask us about the discount to get the discount). Before we issue the discount, we submit the name of the student requesting the discount to MSU and they let us know if the student is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student.

College Discount - Current full-time undergraduate college students receive a $75 discount.(Show your college ID card on the first riding day of the class to receive the discount. The discount will be refunded on your credit card after completing the course. Make sure you ask us about the discount to get the discount). 

First Responders & Military Discount - There is a 10% discount for active military personnel, active state, county & local police officers, active firefighters, and active EMT's. We appreciate our first responders and those in the military who put their lives on the line to protect others. (Show your first responder ID card, or military ID card on the first riding day of the class to receive the discount. The discount will be refunded on your credit card after completing the course. Make sure you ask us about the discount to get the discount). 

Family Discount - If you attend the class on the same dates with an immediate family member (husband, wife, parent, child, brother, sister), there is a 20% discount for each family member. (The discount will be refunded on your credit card after completing the course. Make sure you ask us about the discount to get the discount). 

Only one discount can be applied. Discounts cannot be combined or mixed. Refunds can only be made through your original payment method.

Click here to go to our Course Schedule page and select the class you want to attend. We accept all major credit cards. Courses are offered on weekends from mid-March to October. Click here to READ OUR CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS POLICY BEFORE YOU SIGN-UP FOR A CLASS SO YOU KNOW YOUR OPTIONS ABOUT REFUNDS, SWITCHING CLASSES, NOT BEING ABLE TO ATTEND A CLASS YOU SIGNED-UP FOR, DROPPING OUT OF A CLASS, ARRIVING LATE FOR A CLASS, BEING DISMISSED FROM A CLASS. We usually post classes two months in advance.

WAITLIST

Because of our reputation, there is a high demand for our classes. Our classes sell out very quickly. We sell out our classes before any other motorcycle school in the State. If a class is sold out, you can get on the Waiting List for that class. Just go through the process of signing up for the class, even though it is sold out. It will tell you there are no seats left and ask you if you want to sign-up for the Waitlist. Sign-up for the Waitlist. If we get a cancellation for that class, an email is automatically sent to the first person on the Waitlist. That person has 24 hours/one day to register for the class. If the person doesn't register for the class after the 24 hours/one day, another email is automatically sent to the next person on the Waitlist. You can sign-up to be on the Waitlist for several classes.