BRC2LW – FAQs

It is recommended that BRC2-LW students have at least 30 hours of practice on a motorcycle with at least 10 hours of practice in medium to high volume traffic. The BRC2-LW will not start from scratch!  It is expected that BRC2-LW participants will arrive at class already familiar with the motorcycle controls and comfortable with basic street-riding skills like starting and stopping, shifting and cornering.

Riders that are not able to perform the basic control skills required in the course will be removed from the class and no refund will be given, so it’s important that you choose wisely. If you have been riding on the street for a season and are comfortable operating your motorcycle, the BRC2-LW should be a good fit.

On the other hand, if you are uncertain of your skills… if you are intimidated riding your own motorcycle or having difficulty being in control on the street… if you are a rider returning to motorcycling after a period of not riding, then you might want to consider the BRC as your entry point to training.

The BRC has the same road test license waiver benefit as the BRC2-LW, but it will start from scratch covering basic skills. You will receive extended practice on smaller (250cc and under) street motorcycles that we provide and generally gain the skills and confidence to transition to your own motorcycle on course completion.

If you are having trouble deciding, give us a call and we can discuss it!

If you’ve not yet learned about the motorcycle controls and how they operate, or if you have been riding but are still hesitant on two-wheels, then the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) would be a better entry point for your learning. The BRC will start from scratch with the fundamental skills mentioned above, and we’ll even supply a small, user-friendly motorcycle for you to use in your class.  The BRC also qualifies for the NYS Motorcycle Road Test Waiver.

Click here to go to the on-line enrollment page. Once there you will be able to see current course availability for all our training locations and select your training dates.

The Basic RiderCourse 2 – License Waiver costs $270

Participants must be at least 18 years old. It is recommended that BRC2-LW students have at least 30 hours of practice on a motorcycle with at least 10 hours of practice in medium to high volume traffic.  The BRC2-LW will not start from scratch! NYS residents must possess both a valid New York State car driver’s license and motorcycle learner’s permit during their class.  Junior Operator license holders are not eligible to participate. Riders will need to supply their own street legal motorcycle or scooter to use in the BRC2-LW.

Go Motorcycling, Inc. has two training locations at the Mohawk Valley Community College Campus in Utica and one at Jefferson Community College in Watertown. Our Watertown location is closed this season due to construction.

In Utica, our training season runs from mid-April thru October. In Watertown, our training season is limited to late May thru late August.Our Watertown location is closed this season due to construction. See specific course dates.

After completing the 4-hour online eCourse on your own, you’ll join us for 6 hours of riding exercises on your own street-legal motorcycle or scooter.  In some cases, the class may be split over two mornings or two afternoons.

You can see the full schedule, plus availability for each location, by clicking here.

There are no more than 12 students in each class (with two RiderCoaches).

BRC2-LW students must supply their own street-legal motorcycle or scooter for training.

• MSF eCourse certificate
• Street-legal motorcycle with inspection sticker attached
• Proof of motorcycle registration & insurance
• Valid NYS driver’s license (and a copy)
• Valid NYS motorcycle learner’s permit (and a copy)
• DOT compliant motorcycle helmet
• Eye protection (face shield or goggles)
• Long-sleeved shirt or jacket
• Full-fingered gloves
• Durable long pants (denim or equivalent; no holes!)
• Sturdy over-the-ankle boots (no sneakers!)
• Rain gear (classes run rain or shine)

Do not wait until the last minute to ensure that your motorcycle is operational and inspected and that your paperwork is in order.  There are financial penalties for canceling/rescheduling your class.    

You will receive specific details on what to bring once you are enrolled.

Yes, the course will take place during “normal” rainy conditions, so bring a rain suit if rain is imminent. We will  cancel or reschedule classes in the event of severe weather – your RiderCoaches will make that determination that day, so you should show up for class no matter what.

Obtain you learner’s permit at a local DMV office or online at the DMV website. You will need to take a multiple-choice quiz testing your knowledge of the rules of the road and motorcycling. You can study for your quiz by reviewing the DMV Car and Motorcycle Operator’s Manuals.

Students must participate in the entire BRC2-LW (including the ePackage 2 eCourse), and successfully complete the skills evaluations in order to receive the motorcycle road test waiver document. Your successful completion qualifies you earn your license without taking the NYS DMV Road Test.

Not that instant, but almost. Successful students will receive a New York State Motorcycle Safety Program BRC2 – LW completion card. You will need to bring this card, along with your license and motorcycle learner’s permit to the DMV to amend your license.

BRC2-LW students who fail the skills evaluations, will be given an opportunity to re-test at no charge. Re-tests must be taken within 30 days of your course completion date.

You do not need to be a fitness star to ride a motorcycle (or take a RiderCourse), but riding does require alertness, coordination, balance, grip and fine muscle control of the hands and feet.  Certain medical conditions, recent surgery or injury and/or prescription or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with safe motorcycle operation.  If you have medical issues, it is important to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before the course to determine if your medical condition, or the drugs that you are taking for it, could interfere with your ability to safely operate a motorcycle.

Please consider that you will be outdoors for extended periods in ambient weather conditions. You will spend a good portion of the day expending mental energy as you learn new skills.

Most motorcycle insurance companies offer a premium discount to RiderCourse graduates. Please contact your insurance carrier for specific details.

To reschedule, first cancel your existing class, and then re-enroll in your new class. Follow the instructions in your BRC Confirmation email.

IMPORTANT!  If you reschedule to a different class, you MUST cancel your existing class or you will be charged for both classes!

• If you cancel your class seven (7) or more days before your class start date, you will be charged a $20 processing fee.
• If you cancel your class within seven (7) days of your scheduled course you will be charged a $100 processing fee.
• If you cancel within 24 hours of your class start time, fail to show up, or show up after training has begun, you will be charged the full course fee.
• If an emergency comes up and you need to cancel on the day prior to your class start, please notify us by telephone, 315-858-3321. If we are able to find a last-minute new-student enrollment to fill your vacated spot, we will reduce the BRC cancellation processing fee to $100.

If you would be interested and available to move to an earlier course date than the one for which you are scheduled…Our enrollment system will accommodate a limited number persons to be waitlisted per class.  Visit our enrollment system to place your name on a waitlist for a particular course date. Please limit your waitlist sign-ups to a single class.  People on the waitlist will be notified in order with a 30-minute window between notifications.  After that, the open spot will be made available to the general public. The spot will show as available until someone enrolls and claims it. A waitlist notification is not a guarantee of a spot in that class; you must respond to the notification and enroll in the new class date to secure the spot.

If you sign up to fill a waitlisted spot, you MUST remember to cancel your existing class, or you will be charged for both classes. The enrollment system will not automatically cancel your original class.  You must do that manually.  Cancellation fees will apply. 

Naturally, if your personal schedule changes and you learn that you will no longer be available on your waitlisted dates, we ask that you remove your name from the waitlist to make room for someone else.

Check back on our website periodically; additional classes may be added. If you reschedule to a different class, you MUST cancel your existing class or you will be charged for both classes! Cancellation fees will apply.

NOTE: If your scheduled class starts within the next 7 days, and you reschedule to a class that starts even earlier in the next 7 days (for example, you were scheduled for a Thursday start date, but rescheduled to the Monday class that starts three days earlier), please call our office to cancel your original class as the enrollment system will charge the larger “within the week” cancellation fee. In this circumstance, we will reduce the cancellation fee to $20.