Get your motorcycle license in 1 day with this course!

This course presents intermediate-level riding skills required to safely operate a full-sized motorcycle, and the basic psychology of riding. Participants learn skills that make them much better riders. The comprehensive skills improvement is well beyond the basic level, is approved for licensing, and might help in court with the judge!

Being a better rider means improving your physical and mental skills. This course targets methods to support making better choices on the road such as having a proper mental state, an understanding of two-wheeled vehicle dynamics, cornering strategies for multiple types of turns, emergency braking and evasive maneuvers.

Applicants must currently own and regularly operate a 2-wheel, street-legal motorcycle and be able to show proof of insurance. If you are not the registered or insured owner you must present a notarized letter from the registered owner allowing you to ride the motorcycle.

All participants must be able to successfully perform a qualifying exercise to be allowed to take the class. 

The entry exercise consists of; starting out from a stop smoothly, smoothly shifting gears, stopping smoothly at a designated point, and turning from a stop within a defined area.  Precision and control are paramount.

Those not passing the pre-course qualifying exercise should enroll in the Basic Rider Course.

                                        * NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE REQUIREMENTS *

• DOT-compliant helmet - (Full-face or 3/4 preferred). Personal helmets are subject to inspection for DOT-compliance and to make sure that they are in good working condition.
• Eye protection - Face shield, goggles or some form of sun/eyeglasses. They may be tinted or clear.
• Gloves - Must be a full finger and durable.  Mechanics gloves, batting gloves, etc. are NOT recommended.
• Pants - You must wear long, durable pants. No exceptions. Denim, textile or leather jeans are preferred. All pants are required to come down to the foot.  Spandex or cotton leggings are NOT acceptable.
• Jacket - Durable leather or textile jacket (armored, motorcycle-specific is preferred)
• Boots/Shoes –  Over the ankle (covering the bones on your ankle) with little or no heel. Shoes can be of a hiking style which provides reinforced ankle support. Your footwear should have a good rubber sole for traction and the heel shouldn't be higher than what is commonly on a "workman's boot." Thin fabric shoes made of canvas or other fabrics that do not provide support are not acceptable. The classic Converse All Star "Chuck Taylor" or dress shoe are examples of shoes that DO NOT meet the requirements.

                                            * No exceptions to these requirements *

· Tires should have sufficient tread (at least 3mm). Air pressure will be checked/adjusted before the class starts.

· No car tires, race tires or race compound tires are allowed regardless if they are DOT approved

· Your bike should not overheat while stopped with the motor running on a hot day.

· On liquid cooled bikes, check the coolant level. 

· Check the engine oil level.

· Your charging system must function properly, and a relatively new battery is highly recommended because you will be starting the bike frequently.

· Make sure your brakes are in good working order.

· No motorcycles with leaking fluids will be allowed on the range. This includes: engine oil, transmission fluid, gasoline, engine coolant, brake fluid or anything else that may leak from a motorcycle.

· Absolutely no race tires or race compound tires are allowed even if they are DOT approved. These tires will not get hot enough to maintain traction during the class.

                             Ensure you have a full tank of fuel before the class begins.

We build on student experience and further development of existing rider skills. Participants are suggested to have at least 3,000 miles of street riding experience. You must be comfortable with the basic operation of your motorcycle including; up and downshifting, controlling the throttle, plus braking and turning at normal street riding speeds.  Even though it sounds hard, intimidating or even scary rest assured YOU WILL HAVE FUN!  You WILL have a noticeable improvement in your riding skills at the end of this one day course!

Rider safety is our number one priority.  A skill evaluation will be administered before class begins to ensure sufficient basic rider skill already exists.  Don't worry though - it isn't a hard test.

Q. Do I need a motorcycle license to take the Total Control classes?

A. No. However, this class is for riders that already have on-road motorcycle experience. Total Control classes do not teach beginning riders how to operate or ride a motorcycle. Total Control is not associated in any way with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Q. Do I have to bring my own motorcycle to the class?

A. Yes. Students must provide their own motorcycles for the class. Motorcycles used for the range exercises must be street-legal and have current registration. In addition, students must have a motorcycle insurance policy in force. Students must provide insurance policy and license (tag) numbers at the start of the class.

Q. What kind of motorcycle do I need for the class?

A. Virtually any street-legal motorcycle can do the class.  Bikes can range in size from 250cc to 2,000ccs or more.  Cruisers and touring bikes have a ton of fun in this course!

Q. I ride a sportbike, what am I going to get out of riding in a parking lot?

A. More than you'd imagine. The range exercises provide a laboratory where you can examine your technique under a microscope. You can improve your cornering technique in a reduced-risk, controlled environment with instant instructor feedback.

Q. Is Total Control a race or a racing school?

A. No. The class is targeted for street riders of all types of motorcycles. Only one motorcycle is allowed on the range at the same time, there is no timekeeping, and it is not a competition.

Q. I ride a heavy cruiser, Gold Wing or full touring rig with floorboards. What can I get out of the class? 

A. The opportunity to expand your limits. Many touring riders fear dragging hard parts or do drag parts in higher speed turns. Our curriculum will show you how to use body position to avoid, or minimize touching down when going through a turn. This will allow you to either travel faster through a given radius turn or more importantly, allow you to turn tighter in an emergency.

Q. I've only been riding a short time. Can I take the intermediate class?

A. Total Control, Level I class is for comfortable riders. Students should already have at least 3,000 miles of street riding experience. You must be comfortable with the basic operation of your motorcycle including; up and downshifting, controlling the throttle, braking and turning at normal street riding speeds.

Q. What type of riding gear do I need to take a Total Control class? 

A. Protective riding gear is required during the range exercises. Protective gear includes; a riding jacket (or mesh jacket), riding pants (leather chaps or mesh pants are OK), gloves, boots that cover the ankle and a DOT approved helmet (full-face helmet is recommended but not required). Fingerless gloves are not allowed, Kevlar jeans are encouraged. DOT race compound tires are not allowed because they won't get warm enough to provide proper traction.

Q. Do I need to do anything to my motorcycle prior to taking a Total Control class? 

A. Your motorcycle should be well maintained. This includes the following: 

· Your tires should have sufficient tread (at least 3mm). Air pressure will be checked before the class starts.

· No car tires or race tires or race compound tires allowed regardless if they are DOT approved

· Your bike should not overheat while stopped with the motor running on a hot day.

· On liquid-cooled bikes, check the coolant level. 

· Check the engine oil level.

· Your charging system must function properly, and a relatively new battery is highly recommended because you will be starting the bike frequently.

· Make sure your brakes are in good working order.

· No motorcycles with leaking fluids will be allowed on the range. This includes engine oil, transmission fluid, gasoline, engine coolant, brake fluid or anything else that may leak from a motorcycle.

· Absolutely no race tires or race compound tires are allowed even if they are DOT approved. These tires will not get hot enough to maintain traction during the class.

Q. How is the intermediate class taught? 

A. There are six modules. These exercises include; throttle/brake transitions, mental state, corner vision, corner entry and line selection, mid-corner body position & corner exits, corner transitions (figure 8's) and basic motorcycle suspension. There is a 10-minute break between each module and a 1-hour lunch break.

Q. What are the range exercises like?

A. The exercises are practiced on 40-foot circles. Two pairs of 40-foot circles (marked using small rubber traffic cones) accommodate six students each. New skills introduced for each exercise builds on the previous exercise. The first couple of range exercises are deceptively simple and form the basis for the more challenging exercise later in the day.

Q. How long is the class and what about lunch?

A. Eight-hours with an hour for lunch. The class starts at 7:30 a.m. and finishes anywhere from 3:00 p.m. to  4:30 p.m.  A 1-hour lunch break takes place at about noon. There are several local restaurants to choose from.

Q. How many students are in a Total Control class? 

A. There are no more than 6 students per class. The instructor to student ratio is one instructor for each group of six students. Only one student at one time is allowed on the range and is always supervised by an instructor.  We ensure that quality guidance is provided to each participant and fun is maximized.

Q. What happens if it rains?

A. Total Control classes (both level I and II) will be held in light rain.  If two days prior to the class the weather looks questionable (severe weather) the class may be canceled. You can be rescheduled for a later date or request a refund if we cancel the class.

Q. What about Total Control training site liability insurance? 

A. We have liability insurance by the top carrier in the nation for training sites. This insurance coverage is only for liability risks while you are participating in a Total Control class. You must have your own insurance policy for the motorcycle you are riding. Please have the policy number and name of your insurance company with you when you arrive at class.

Q. What qualification do the Total Control instructors have? 

A. All Total Control instructors have received intensive training. In addition to the formal training, instructors are supervised by a certified master instructor until they are comfortable with teaching the class by themselves. Instructors must have at least five years of riding experience. Refresher courses are given on an annual basis.

Q. Do Students get a certificate after taking a Total Control class? 

A. Yes. Successful completion of the entire course, to include each skill evaluation, students will receive a Texas Department of Public Safety, MSB-8 course completion certification card.