**Repost from Google**…read more
Just got done with the beginner course, so here are my fresh thoughts. First, I'm not sure if this applies to every class scheduled here, but the class I took was scheduled to start before the dealership opened. Our instructors mentioned that not only does the state mandate that students be on time, but so does the dealership. As such, don't expect much if any leeway when it comes to starting times. The instructors gave us a fair bit of grace on little things throughout the course, so this doesn't reflect on them at all. It's just the reality of the business structure. Be on time or risk losing your money.
Second, I want to mention a major concern I had going into the course. The minimum recommended height for this location was 5'4" because of the bikes used. I'm a stocky 5'4" male with a relatively short inseam. I find most non-cruisers to be tall and intimidating. I would've taken the course at the other Golden State Moto location, but their classroom sessions are done over Zoom, followed by a short break and then range time. For personal scheduling reasons, I didn't want to risk arriving late to the range, so I much preferred the in-person format at this Harley-Davidson location. However, that came with using the bigger bikes. I'm happy to report that I was just fine on them. I couldn't flat-foot the bikes, but I wasn't completely tippy-toed either. Being overweight actually helped for once, because my body compressed the suspension enough for it to be perfectly comfortable. If you're shorter than 5'4" or perhaps really light, you may seriously want to consider the other location. However, I think whoever settled on that 5'4" recommendation really nailed it.
As for the course, it was better than I could have imagined. Specifically, our instructors, Prema and Tony, were outstanding. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Wow, this person is clearly in the right field"? Well, I thought that countless times throughout the course. These guys do not phone it in, and they have eyes like hawks. They were so good at deconstructing what felt to me were pretty complex scenarios. I would often take a stab at an exercise, feel a little off doing it, and not quite understand the precise things that went into making it happen that way. As I then pulled up to the instructors, they would point out several key little details they noticed, often from impressive distances or angles. Every single time, I would think back to what I did and immediately recognize their feedback was 100% spot on. I don't know how they do it, but if you're willing to really soak up the feedback, they will absolutely improve your riding tremendously, especially as a complete beginner. I think our class was entirely beginners, and everyone improved tremendously throughout the 2 days. I also really appreciated how much of a dynamic duo our instructors were. Tony's a bit older with more dirt and trail experience, while Prema is younger with more track experience. It was super helpful to get feedback from both of them because they offered different perspectives, but what they both had in common were the fundamentals that the Total Control program really emphasizes. If you're really anxious about getting lots of detailed feedback and being pushed out of your comfort zone, this class might not be ideal for you, but then again, riding demands a lot from people, and the asphalt won't coddle you.
I'll close out by saying that I was honestly a bit surprised by the learning curve of riding a motorcycle. Sure, you can scrape by, get your license, and immediately fly down the highway on a liter bike. But if I'm being honest, this still feels like just the beginning. I passed and still wouldn't feel comfortable fully committing to street riding without additional parking lot practice. As a father of a young child, I care very much about safety, so I hope everyone will be realistic in their expectations of how much can be learned from just 2 days in a parking lot.
