I took two classes with Jonathan over Valentine's Day/Presidents Day weekend and could not be more pleased. He was extremely patient and his experience was quite apparent. He was very friendly, yet professional. Met him in the parking lot near Lake Merced and the Zoo. When we arrived, he already had the motorcycles unloaded from the trailer and waiting. In our case, my friend and I booked a lesson for just the two of us. Since she is all of 5'2" on a good day, Jonathan selected the low-rider Honda rebel for her. Since I am quite tall, I was given a tall, rough and ready dirt bike (believe it was a suzuki). Both bikes were in good shape. Over the course of the two days, we took two 2-hour classes back to back. Neither of us had any prior experience. By the end of the second class, we had learned to properly mount and start the bikes, shift up and down from 1-3 gear, perform turns to the left and right through a series of traffic cones. I am excited for my next lesson - which happens to be scheduled for today! Highly recommend! read more

I have used Bay Rider's Group service of Motorcycle renting for DMV Test. Do yourself a favor for your DMV Motorcycle test and forget the idea of using your big new shiny motorcycle to do the test. The smaller the bike the easier it is to do this test. I am an experience rider, more than 10 years, but relocating from Canada to California, DMV requires me to redo all of my tests. I have my own motorcycle, but I repeat my self, go for a smaller bike, you will have all the time in the world to show off on your own bike. Bay Rider's Group is renting a small Nighthawk 250cc, it is perfect for the test. Yes you will look like a giant on it, but the circle on the circuit will look big on that bike. The bike is not new, but you will ride it only for 1h and 5 minutes :) 1h practice and 5 minutes test. read more

Bay Riders Group - Bay Rider's Group motorcycle for rent to do DMV tests. Thats me acing my test. - Driving Schools Near Me - San Francisco, California

This review is LONG overdue. After I took the lesson, I ran onto yelp and saw all of the overwhelmingly positive reviews and thought that maybe I just had an off day. After seeing that I was not the only one who was disappointed, I'm ready to share my experience. I remember it pretty vividly (It was my first time on a motorcycle; I was excited!). I had my lesson in a parking lot on treasure island. He was a few minutes late, and got straight to business. I had purchased the deal through livingsocial, and so did the other woman who took the lesson alongside me. The other woman already had experience on motorcycles and was just looking to brush up on a few of her skills. Before we get started, he asks me if I have ever operated a stick shift...I have not. Then, he asks if I have even rode on a bicycle before. I have. But he told me that if I had no experience on either, I wouldn't have been able to take the lesson. Right off the bat, I felt like he had NO PATIENCE for me. I know that I am young and a woman, but I am paying you to teach me! Then, as some of the other customers noted, I also had some trouble with changing gears, because I have no experience with stick shifts. I was also really nervous, because it was my first time being on the front of a motorcycle. I remember being told: "if you mess up the shifts again, I'm going to have to take your $200 deposit?" WTF?! Yea, that really helped my nerves...Yea, I get it. You don't want anyone to ruin your 20 year old bike, but seriously...NOT HELPFUL in calming my nerves at all. Also, the lesson was ADVERTISED to be 3 hours, yet ended after about 1.5 hours. During the lesson, he saw that I was a little timid and made a comment that we may not be able to get through everything that he planned for the lesson because I was slow. Real nice and patient, huh? I found that to be a little weird for him to say and then to end so early. Overall, yea, it was cool to get onto a bike for the first time, but it was not the experience that I expected. He was not very patient, and I left feeling like I had just gotten a verbal beating. Definitely did not make me feel confident getting on the bike again. :( Thaaaankfully, I have a dad who has 4 motorcycles and was a lot more patient with teaching me how to ride. So, I live to ride another day! read more

Don't waste your money if you are truly a beginner or make it VERY clear and speak up that you are a beginner so you don't make the same mistakes I did. Took this class a year ago and thought it was my fault for purchasing a deal like this on living social. I told Jonathan I had no previous experience yet he partnered me in the lesson with someone who had years of experience and wanted some practice before getting a license in California. Needless to say, the class moved too fast, I dropped the bike at a stop, the clutch lever broke, and I lost my $200 deposit. ($100 for living social + $200 deposit = $300 for less than 1 hour of learning) A year has passed and I finally worked up the courage to take a real MSF motorcycle class. It was $250 for the class but you get 15 hours of instruction. I'd say $250 for 15 hours was WAY worth it vs the $300 for less than an hour. The MSF class moved at a slow enough pace and let you feel the bike out before going around doing circles in a parking lot within the first 10 minutes. That said, it was probably my fault for not speaking up and rescheduling for a time when Jonathan would be teaching 2 people of equal skills. read more

I bought a Living Social voucher for a beginner lesson and had high hopes based on all the positive reviews here. I showed up for my appointment at 1:30pm last Saturday 8/18 and did not see anyone in the parking lot location where we were supposed to meet. I was given both an address and a street intersection and the two did not match, so I drove around and checked both places. I called the company twice but both times it went to voicemail. I did not leave a message as I did not see how that would help me find the lot. I went to the business across the street and asked them if they knew anything about motorcycle training in the area and the person with whom I spoke said that she usually sees them training at the lot across the street, but she didn't see anyone that day. She also said they sometimes train in a different lot, so I checked both places again and didn't see anyone. I was around on Treasure Island from about 1:30pm-2:00pm. On Monday morning, I emailed Jonathan of Bay Riders Group to ask what happened. The DSL at my apartment isn't working, so I didn't have a chance to email over the weekend. Jonathan claimed he was at the lot waiting for me on Saturday from 1:00pm-2:15pm. He said that since I didn't show up and didn't leave a voicemail or email until Monday, he counted me as a no show and redeemed my voucher. We emailed back and forth a couple of times but he still says he cannot honor my voucher. He can only give me credit toward a retail price lesson or give me a weekday lesson if I pay a $65 missed appointment fee. I am very angry and frustrated in dealing with this company. I tried contacting Living Social for a refund, but they were not helpful either. read more

I bought a Living Social with Jonathan for a Beginners Lesson. Before I bought the deal, I reviewed his website and checked out the Yelp reviews. The reviews were overwhelming positive so you can imagine my surprise and disappointment when my experience was more like Johnny W. and less like any of the positive reviews. I've never been on a motorcycle before and had a lot to learn. Instead of being a patient, understanding teacher, I got an arrogant, condescending jerk. His website claims "safety first" however, despite repeated attempts to get clarification about safety matters, I received the following responses: "I'm going to repeat this once, but not again", "I need you to pay attention because otherwise we'll be here for six hours". I was paying attention, his teaching methods and communication style was just unclear and too fast despite his claims to go at the student's pace. I'm not a "slow" learner and have fun doing lots of outdoor sports that require strength and balance but Jonathan's pace was not conducive to learning at a safe pace. Moreover, no where on the Living Social Deal does it say a student would be paired with another student. Well, there was another one there during the lesson. The Living Social deal might have not have spelled out "private" but it did not say it was a "group" lesson either. Either way, this was misleading advertising. Without going into the whole traumatic experience, I think this whole operation is a complete scam. He uses different locations for his rides. Some posters have said they had sessions in the Embarcadero. Mine was at 100 Alemany Blvd where the Farmers market is held. There were cars in the parking lot and the parking lot has multiple pot holes. I question whether Johnathan has a license to work where he's working and I intend to find out. As Jonathan mentioned in his comments, after he suggested I tweet the way I hold the handle, I dropped the bike. He took the whole $200 deposit without detailing what exactly was broken and how much it would cost. That is SHADY business. Moreover, he was chatting with his girlfriend and the other "trainee" instead of watching me, his client who is operating a dangerous machine. I had to call him over to pick up the bike because he wasn't paying attention. When he finally came over, he was more concerned with the bike, than with how I was. Would you want your teacher to be worried about your well being or a inanimate object? Learning how to ride a motorcycle should be safe and fun. Safety is not Jonathan's first priority so save yourself from a potential accident and work with someone professional. read more

Yet another five star review for Jonathan! My wife and I met Jonathan at Red's Java House and went into the parking lot on the pier -- it could not have been a more beautiful setting, almost literally under the Bay Bridge. He started at the beginning, pointing out all of the controls, and instructing how to mount and dismount (not as dirty as it sounds). From there, within just a few minutes, we were riding with him running alongside, and shortly after doing out and backs solo! He was patient, friendly, and professional the whole time, and the bike, while nothing fancy, was easy to ride and learn on, and felt solid. He took so much out of the fear of riding, and made it seem easy, while emphasizing safety. And I remember, DON'T TOUCH THE FRONT BRAKE IN THE TURN! read more

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Jonathan is a fantastic instructor! I enjoyed his methodical and simple direction. He knows how to make you feel comfortable and build confidence. If you have always wanted to ride a motorcycle, this is a great opportunity to take this off your Bucket List. You will have an incredible time whether you are a first timer (like me) or someone trying to refresh your skills. Phenomenal time! Thanks, Bay Rider's Group! read more

So My brother had an appointment on Sunday 5/12/13 (Mother's Day). The direction/information Jonathan gave to us were lame and very unhelpful to say the least. We "arrived" to see abandoned military bunkers so after driving while driving for 45 mins we stopped to ask for help finding the damn place we asked a security Guard & a local wine vendor they both looked at me like I was crazy, they have never heard of such a thing taking place out there. Which was even more disappointing! You see while driving around we can see signs of local business giving direction to their business and advertising ask me if we seen at least one for Bay Rider's Group?! It was all a scam in my eyes! A quick deal off Living Social. My brother & I the victims. The communication I did get from Jonathan (Bay Rider's Group) is that they will be redeeming our vouchers and offering us future classes at $65 a person. Which is a bunch of BS, after contacting Living Social they refused to help and request that we contact Bay Rider's Group yourself for a refund. I will continue to bad mouth this "business because I feel that they are shady characters (to say the least) I would hate for someone else to be victimized by this "business" and/or Living Social. read more

"But you're just a teeny girl, why don't you just ride in the back of someone's bike?" Yup, heard it all...BUT if you know me, I love people telling me what I cannot do and doing it to rub it in their faces... Hence these lessons. Jonathan was great. He was patient and super nice. AND more importantly, not condescending at all. I've tried to cross learning how to ride a motorcycle off my bucket list, but I got all these bad vibes from these riding places...as if I shouldn't be there or it's gonna take awhile for me to get on an actual bike...I'm sorry I like to wear make up and get my nails did and also ride motorcycles. Would I sign up again? Yeah I totally would. I seriously felt challenged enough yet also safe and secure enough throughout the lesson. We covered basics on the motorcycle, safety, turns, gears, immediate breaks, etc. I learned so much, and I am excited to get my motorcycle. Plus, bonus points, Jonathan even offered to help me with looking at my first bike. I am hooked and IN LOVE with riding thanks to Jonathan. read more

What can I say that has already been said? As a first timer with only 2hrs on a bike prior this was definitely a good learning start. Our first session had run into some technical difficulties (broken clutch from student) and he rescheduled me as soon as he could fit me in his tight schedule. Great knowledge of this sport he definitely can answer all the questions you could possibly think of involving riding. He was clear and concise with his instruction and even if you missed something just bring it up and he's happy to repeat. Cool and laid back coach with great pointers and constructive criticism. He also gave great advice on what changes I can do to my recently purchased bike and suggested places to check out. I was intimidated with the size of the bike at first since I am a female weighing in a little under 120 and 5'5" but once you start going the bike just turns into fun! I went home with all kinds of confidence! I would definitely call him again for the beginner intermediate class to learn more of the road basics that are a little more involved with the how and how tos riding in the city. Im glad you were patient with me and thank you for all your direction. Turned my whole day around. Thanks... read more

Very friendly and patience of a SAINT!! I think to have a bad experience here you'd have to either not take instructions well, be a bad driver, or just be a douche. Had my very first lesson with Jonathan, and I was pretty nervous. Even though, he explained everything very clearly and progressed through the lessons step by step. He's thoughtful enough to teach you about not only the bike you are learning on, but how it compares to other bikes you may encounter in the future. He makes sure you understand each step and are comfortable with it before moving on, which made my nervousness go away quick. After just one lesson with him, I feel confident with my riding abilities because he was so knowledgable and helpful. Also gives lots of motivation and cheers you on when you do well! In general it helps to have experience with manual transmissions and actually understand what you're getting into. Either way, I totally recommend these guys! read more

Jonathan's the man! It was my first time ever actually controlling a motorcycle and he took things at my own pace and gave me tips on what was good practice and not. My gf bought the living social offer and although he was booked the weekend I wanted, he was able to get me into the next closest appointment. He arrived on time and was sure to check that both my riding equipment and his bike were in perfect order before embarking on the class. As a newbie into riding, with experience in driving a manual and riding a road bike, I was able to excel quickly and enjoyed my time on the range. Tip: Listen closely to what he's saying as if you ever take an MSF course, you'll do just about everything that Jonathan instructs you to do. I was able to be the class leader on the riding range and pass the MSF riding course with flying colors. I would highly recommend Jonathan to anyone interested in learning how to ride, but not fully into the commitment of taking the MSF courses. read more

After seeing a livingsocial deal for Bay Riders Motorcycle lessons I jumped at the chance to finally not be the second person on the bike clinging on for dear life. Instead, for 3 hours I had the fabulous opportunity to learn how to ride a motorcycle under the patient and watchful eyes of Jonathan of Bay Riders. We met on a sunny Sunday morning in a large parking lot off Embarcadero; Jonathan is this tall, full red bearded fellow with quick smile and calm demeanor. Kinda exactly perfect for a motorcycle instructor. Jonathan was professional, polite and an excellent teacher with clearly an extensive knowledge of motorcycles. He walked me through bike basics and tailored my lesson to my comfort level and advanced my skills at a perfect pace. It was soooo worth the money/time I spent and then some! My only regret, the lesson ended! I would absolutely recommend Bay Riders for instruction and/or advice. read more

Being an absolute beginner I was concerned whether it's gonna work smoothly the first time, but it went really well thanks to Jonathan. He explained everything very thoroughly and clearly, so I felt confident knowing what to do. He also spotted some of my mistakes from the beginning, so by the end I was able to fix them. The motorcycle, Honda Nighthawk 250, is easy to maneuver and quite comfortable even for my 6'4''. From learning to balance to the sharp U-turns went really fast. Looking forward to the next class to master my skills. I knew I was going to love riding and I'm happy I was right. Highly recommend Bay Riders Group and Jonathan to everyone who wants to learn riding in no time. read more

After finding Jonathan and Bay Riders Group on a LivingSocial deal, I emailed to set up a time and had an appointment within 48 hours. We did our lesson out near the SF Zoo and I cannot for the life of me understand why some people had such major issues. I was the only one in the class, and Jonathan was not only patient, he was thorough and encouraging. I have terrible balance but through his efforts, I learned how to accelerate, turn, brake, and balance the scooter - and he took the time to answer ALL of my many tangential questions about scooter insurance, parking, upkeep/maintenance, and driving in the city. At the end of our hour and a half lesson, he took the time to recommend how to proceed (getting my permit, how to acquire a scooter at a good price, and then get my license), and wished me well. I think Bay Riders is worth checking out! read more

This livingsocial deal was perfectly timed. I had taken the MSF class and didn't have a great time. I was debating completion when the deal became available. I jumped on it. Last Saturday at the Embarcadero was exactly what I needed. Jonathan is funny and patient. From the first phone call I knew it was going to be a pleasant experience. I learned a whole lot that day. Got a lot more comfortable in my riding style and am ready to take on the class and finish in style. Plus the view was really beautiful too. Today I take the written test and hopefully finish the class this weekend. Thank you Jonathan for your efforts and offering this opportunity. I am grateful. read more

I just had a lesson with Jonathan - Basically, it was a 2 hour custom course. I'm a returning rider and have not had a lot of saddle time on the freeway/streets. After about an hour practicing some basics in a parking lot (his feedback was very helpful) - I felt good about hitting the road. Jonathan let me go at my own pace, we stopped when I wanted too and he gave me feedback, tips on those stops. In summary, for my needs he was great - returning rider, who was rusty on the basics and needed to build street confidence. Thanks for the great lesson Jonathan! read more

Just took Jonathan's class and enjoyed every minute of it! I was a little intimidated by the idea of learning to ride a motorcycle, but Jonathan's friendly attitude made the class a really comfortable learning environment. He provides clear instructions, safety information, and words of encouragement every step of the way. It was a lot of fun. And thanks to Jonathan's beginner's class, I think I'm gonna make this a new hobby! read more

I had a great experience with Bay Rider Group! First and foremost they were prompt to return my call. Secondly, as a woman I've had my fair share of condescending treatment in the auto industry so, naturally I was nervous that I may receive the same when taking the beginners class. Quite the opposite, Jonathan was patient and professional. When I needed clarification he took the time to explain things in different ways to help me understand. I couldn't be happier with my experience, nor could I recommend them higher! Especially for first time female riders! read more

I had never been on a scooter before this morning and even as a bicyclist I would say I'm mediocre at best. Jonathan's scooter lesson was everything I might have hoped for and more. As a teacher myself, I understand the effect that a positive and caring demeanor can have on a nervous student. Jonathan gave us so much useful information on how the bike worked and why things might happen the way they do. The lesson gradually built up, one skill upon another. I felt and safe and comfortable the entire time and really grew my confidence today. I know exactly what I need to work on to move to the next level of independent comfort. My fiancee also couldn't say enough good things about the lesson and even though he caught on much faster than I did, Jonathan was still able to give advice and instruction to challenge him and meet him where he was at with his skills. I would recommend Jonathan and his company to anyone looking to learn more about riding, shopping for a bike, or getting setup with the gear they need. 5 stars all the way! read more

Needed a bike to pass my M1 test, and I am glad I came across this company. I got a one on one lesson at the dmv Course and he helped me get the confidence I needed to pass the test on the first try. The bike is super easy to use ( I ride super sport) and Jonathan is a great instructor. This is a great company and if you're looking to rent a motorcycle for the test or just learn how to ride this is the company to go with. read more

I had a fantastic experience working with Jonathan from Bay Riders Group, and I'd highly recommend him if you're looking for some personal, one on one training on your motorcycle skills! I had taken the 16 hour State of California motorcycle classes about 8-10 years ago and got my license, but had never actually ridden a motorcycle after that (kind of a group thing a bunch of us decided to do for fun\experience, but that we had never followed up with actual riding, buying a bike, etc.). Now I have a longer vacation coming up, and wanted to brush up on my (now basically non-existent) skills so I could make a longer motorcycle ride part of that time off. I took three classes with Jonathan, a "beginner" and "beginner advanced" class, which were both in a parking lot near Lake Merced, both about 2 hours each. He helped me get familiar with the basics of the motorcycle, braking, turning, shifting gears, emergency maneuvers and the like, such that I felt I could operate the bike very comfortably. Then, we had a third, "intermediate" lesson where after some parking lot warm up, we went from South San Francisco out on 101, 380 and 280 (!) and eventually up to Skyline drive, and then back. It was hard to imagine when I started I'd feel comfortable with that, but he helped me get more and more confident through the lessons where I felt ready to go out on the road. The three classes helped me with exactly what I was looking for, getting familiarized again with motorcycling, feeling comfortable and starting to operate the bike with some "second nature" versus thinking about every step, and then starting to see how fun riding was! I'm ready now for a longer distance ride by myself. Finally, I'll pass on that Jonathan is a great teacher. Very thoughtful, patient, and his advice and tips are just what you need to know. He passed on one or two tips or lessons every time we stopped, so it really sank in and matched my learning pace. If you're looking to learn how to be a better motorcycle rider (new or just need some refreshers), I highly recommend Bay Riders Group! read more

Bay Riders Group - My "intermediate" lesson, where we rode from South San Francisco on 101/280 and then to Skyline Drive in Woodside; Thanks, Jonathan! - Driving Schools Near Me - San Francisco, California

I found Jonathan on Groupon and even with the millions of Groupon's purchased my girlfriend and I were able to get an appointment on a great day. Both of us had ridden on the backs of bikes and always wanted to be the driver. Jonathan was on time, provided great equipment and was super easy going and patient. I don't think he's ever raised his voice in his life. He was very calming which was what we needed as our adrenaline was rushing. The session was perfect with the two of us. You use your fingers and muscles in new ways so it was nice to trade spots and rest a little. It was also great to see my friend ride and I could see what I should do better. My whistle has been wet and I plan to continue my motorcycle riding experience! read more

I was very impressed with Jonathan the instructor and the company offerings. I highly recommend Bay Riders to folks who need to learn from scratch or like me get a refresher after a long time off the bike. Very useful to learn correct techniques and adopt proper riding habits. Highly recommend these guys and hope to use them again soon. read more

I took the two hour class before committing to signing up for the $250 MSF course. It was great! Unlike the MSF course, there was a ton of one on one instruction and the two hours i spent with Jonathan were more educational than the entire first day of on-road at the MSF class. Unfortunately, unlike the MSF course, it doesn't get you out of the road test or give you any insurance benefit. read more

Jonathan was very patient and super clear with the instructions. No hastle, super friendly and full of useful tips Look forward taking the advance class with him read more

Jonathan was great! Nice guy, very chill and easy to get along with. I've been riding for about a year now, but still learned a lot from our session. I've been actively avoiding freeways, but I figured I won't be able to take the back roads forever, so I called Jonathan about his livingsocial deal (beginner class) and he offered me the same price for an intermediate session. The ride to Alice's was sweet. He was really helpful, watching me ride, taking note of what I was doing right and what I could be doing better. During our stops, he gave good pointers, ie how I could have turned my head a little bit more before the turn or extend my knee to lean a little bit more, etc. Definitely recommending taking a class, well worth it, plus you get a fun ride! read more

I just took a lesson this past Saturday and it was a great experience! Jonathan was a wonderful and patient instructor. He didn't get mad at me when I made mistakes (a lot). He would have me try it again and tell me what I was doing wrong but in a encouraging manner. Years ago I tried taking a motorcycle lesson but the instructor, clearly, was not motivated to do a good job teaching the class. I overheard the instructor saying he didn't want all the students to get licenses. Not sure why he said that but it came through in his teaching. Jonathan was the complete opposite and it was a pleasure to take his class. And an added bonus is he's great about answering all my email questions. I would highly recommend taking a lesson(s) from Jonathan and/or Bay Rider Group. read more

Jonathan was an excellent instructor. Very straightforward and patient, he made my first experience driving a bike a memorable moment. I got a livingsocial deal a while ago and got a motorcycle "dropped" on me so I figured it would be a great time to start... I might even sign up for the intermediate course later on. read more

The beginner's class is legit. He's patient and informative, and strikes the right balance between making sure you learn the safety and dispelling the intimidation for first-time riders. He seems like he's done a whole lot of teaching and is prepared for all levels. For example, the idle of the bike I used today is modified so you can learn the easy stuff (gear change) before you learn the hard stuff (takeoff). read more

Great experience. I am an experienced rider just never got my papers so I needed a smaller bike rather than my fat boy for the test. The practice was great highly recommended even as experienced as I am the test was challenging and I got some great tips and familiar with the bike. Highly recommend this group same or lower cost of the two day class with way less time commitment and passed with flying colors. read more

My experience was excellent. It was a one-on-one lesson, and this seems to be the only place that offers that. I had a very similar experience to reviewers Jen F and Rafael D. I bought myself a lesson for my 30th birthday. I had taken the state-sponsored Motorcycle Safety Program in Pennsylvania about seven years ago. I do already have my motorcycle license, but I have never really ridden on the road, since I don't have a bike. I've been flirting with getting one again, and saw a half off deal and grabbed the chance for a refresher course. Jonathan was a great instructor. We met in a quiet parking lot on Treasure Island, and he walked me through acceleration, shifting from 1 to 2 to 3rd gear and back down again for downshifting purposes. We also practiced figure 8 turns (which I believe are on the DMV licensing test) and he gave me some good pointers on turning, and also how and where to purchase a bike and how much to pay for it. I would say that my only critiques are that, like Rafael D, I would have liked more time on the bike, or perhaps trying something more challenging at the end. I also think that I would not pay full price for this lesson, it is a bit pricey. I do understand that they are providing a bike and helmet to you for no charge. I guess that motorcycling can be an expensive hobby anyway, so perhaps I'd better get used to it. But for the average beginner who might be curious, the price might be a deterrent. I would like to take the intermediate level course but not sure I can justify the cost. read more

I don't know what anybody below was talking about with Jon not being patient. He was super patient and encouraging and taught me from literally knowing nothing about how to operate a motorcycle. Motorcyling is awesome! Can't wait to get back out there. If you've ever thought this is something you want to do...JUST DO IT! I promise you won't regret it. This is the kind of place you want to learn too, super low stress and private coaching in a nice wide open parking lot on angel island with sweet views. Thanks Jon! read more

I've never been on a motorcycle before, and after my first lesson, I'm definitely going to be getting one of my own and continuing to learn how to ride. Jonathan was a great first instructor -- I was supposed to have a lesson with on other person, but the other guy was unable to attend. So I got an awesome one-on-one lesson and have zero complaints. The parts of the bike were explained to me, how to get on and off, how to shift, turning, etc. I am certainly still a complete novice, but after this first lesson with Jonathan, I'm comfortable on a motorcycle. Which was probably the point of the first lesson :-) Jonathan is a great instructor -- you won't be disappointed! read more

I just went through the Introductory Motorcycle Riding Lesson (from livingsocial) today with Jonathan and had a very positive experience. I had zero experience with motorcycles and he did a fantastic job explaining the whole process. I was up and running within 20 minutes. Jonathan was very relaxed, professional, and an excellent teacher. This lesson will give me some confidence as I plan on taking the MSF course. Highly recommend Jonathan and will be taking intermediate courses with him when I get to that level. read more

I just got home from taking the Beginner motorcycle course with Jonathan. He made me feel really comfortable, and confident on the motorcycle. I liked that the class was One-on-One. He made sure I understood what he was describing and was fully open to any questions I had. I took his class to get a feel for riding a bike before I take a MSF class. I think I may look into taking his Intermediate class once I get my motorcycle. I bet he could make San Francisco streets look less intimidating. Thanks so much Jonathan! read more

Still 5 stars. I got my motorcycle license last year. Took the motorcycle safety foundation course prior to doing so. I'd recommend that course to anyone about to get their license, but honestly, I learned about as much in my lesson with Jonathan as I did in the two day MSF course. After riding around SF for a year or so, I decided to do private lesson with Jonathan to see whether I could learn anything that would make me a safer rider, and to make sure I wasn't doing anything I shouldn't be doing without knowing it. Jonathan took me on a couple hour ride, after watching me ride around the block to get a general sense of how I handled the bike and giving me some pointers on parking on a slope and turning across MUNI train lines. I learned a bunch of tips that I hadn't thought about (that the letters and lines painted on the road are slippery, how to choose a path when riding in a group), and had a great ride. Very helpful, and just plain fun. Thanks Jonathan! read more

I concur with all the others saying that Jonathan is an excellent, patient, and knowledgeable instructor. My boyfriend has wanted to learn to ride for quite a while and the living social deal right before Christmas got me over the hump to try it out with him. I was terrified going in, I've never been on a bike or driving a stick shift. Even though Jonathan could see the terror in my eyes, he got me on the bike first, repeated whatever I needed him to, and got me driving in circles... literally. I hope to go back for the next level of lessons with the boyfriend soon! I would recommend this to anyone who is even considering getting on a motorcycle. Thank you Jonathan! read more

Went to Bay Rider's Group because of the livingsocial deal and my dad and I had a lesson with Jonathan. We showed up late because it was on the other side of town and ran into Muni problems, but Jonathan was super accomodating. We ran through the low-down on motorcycles in about 20 minutes and then we were riding. Super patient guy, lets you go at your own pace, and a great resource if you're thinking about getting into buying a bike and riding. Even offers to give you his stamp of approval on Craigslist bikes before you purchase. read more