Coastal Cycle Academy is now part of Coastal Bend Motorcycle Academy, LLC
Basic motorcycle rider course (BRC)
Why should you sign up?
- You have never operated a motorcycle before
- You have operated a motorcycle before, but not recently
- You have operated a dirt bike before, but never ridden on the street
- You ride a motorcycle but have never had formal instruction
- You ride a motorcycle, but do not have a motorcycle license
Do you have a scooter instead of a motorcycle? That's ok! Bring it with you to the BRC and learn how to ride it too! Just let us know that you're bringing your scooter to class.
Insurance Discount
Check with your agent. You might be eligible for a nice discount!
Got caught by Law Enforcement?
Taking the course after the fact may not get you out of a ticket, but it might help out in the long run. At least you won't get a ticket for "that" again... Who knows, If you present your course completion certificate and current driver license with a brand new "M" on it to the court, the judge might take that into consideration.
BRC course information
Basic Rider Course (BRCu)
We formally updated to the BRCu in May of 2017. Our location was selected to train and certify RiderCoaches from across Texas to the new curriculum.
We provide your Texas driver written exam and riding exam! No additional testing at the Driver License Office - unless you are under 18. By state law, the Driver License office has the "option" to administer the driver exam again to applicants under the age of 18. For more information regarding youth driving motorcycles - see the link on our Resources and References page.
Course Overview
The MSF Basic RiderCourse is designed for beginning riders of all ages. More than 7 million motorcyclists nationwide have graduated from a RiderCourse since 1974. Five hours of classroom-style teamwork – and a 3 hour online Basic eCourse that you complete at home before attending your first formal classroom session – prepares you for ten hours of hands-on riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment – located at Whataburger Field parking lot. Motorcycles and helmets are provided free of charge for your use during the course. In the classroom, you’ll learn how to become a safer, more responsible rider. On the riding range, your MSF-certified RiderCoach will guide you through the basic skills of straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning, gradually progressing to swerving and emergency braking.
Hands-On Experience
We ride Rain or Shine! Watch the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Motorcycle specific rain gear is highly recommended if the weatherman predicts rain.
Here is a list of the 14 Hands-on Riding Exercises in the Course:
- Motorcycle Familiarization
- Review T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection
- Identify the location and operation of important controls and major parts
- Review mounting/dismounting procedures
- Review elements of good posture
- Using the Friction Zone
- Become skilled in using the clutch friction zone for control
- Starting & Stopping Drill
- Coordinate the friction zone, throttle, and brakes to control the motorcycle
- Start out and stop with precision and control
- Shifting & Stopping
- Shift gears and stop smoothly
- Basic Skill Practice
- Refine low-speed maneuvering skills
- Refine throttle use and brake manipulation for corners
- Pressing to Initiate and Adjust Lean
- Understand the maneuvering elements needed for negotiating curves
- Experience the effects of handgrip pressure and handlebar movement to initiate and adjust lean
- Stopping More Quickly & Tight Turns from a Stop
- Develop a feel for progressive braking pressure to stop more quickly without skidding
- Practice making a sharp turn from a stop
- Stopping Distance Demonstration
- Observe a demonstration of the reaction/braking parts of total stopping distance
- To understand the effects of speed on braking distance
- To relate the results to intersection strategies
- Limited-Space Maneuvers
- Refine maneuvering skills to allow turns in limited spaces
- Learn the counterweighting technique
- Stopping in a Curve
- Learn to maintain control while stopping in a curve
- Understand traction management
- Curve Judgment
- Improve skills for negotiating multiple curves
- Understand the "search-setup-smooth" strategy
- Multiple Curves & Lane Changes
- Practice negotiating curves and lane changes
- Understand safety margins and gap selection
- Crossing an Obstacle & Swerving
- Learn techniques for crossing over obstacles
- Execute a basic swerve
- Practice turning from a stop
- Refine slow-speed weaves
- Skill Practice
- Capstone exercise that combines a variety of maneuvers
- Skill Test
- To assess basic skills using a cone weave, normal stop, turning from a stop, U-turn, quick stop, obstacle swerve, and cornering maneuver.
- To demonstrate basic motorcycle control skills and the ability to avoid an obstacle
- To demonstrate the ability to use the proper technique to negotiate a curve
The course concludes with a classroom knowledge test and hands-on a riding skill evaluation. Once your RiderCoach hands you the course-completion card, you'll be happy knowing that you’ve gone the extra mile to develop your own safe riding techniques. There are benefits to taking a RiderCourse besides learning important skills and strategies: Texas waives the riding portion of your motorcycle endorsement test if you’ve successfully completed the Basic RiderCourse (if 18 or older), and your insurance company might provide a discount on your insurance. Be sure to ask your agent. Classes usually fill fast, so DON'T WAIT TO SIGN UP!