I have had several friends who have taken this class, and they have rave reviews about both Al and…read moreTeri. With that being said, I was so excited to take this class and couldn't wait to get my license and start my motorcycle riding adventure.
Book work prior to the course was just whatever, nothing anyone can do about that, it is a necessary evil and clearly written by a person in a cubicle somewhere in the suburbs. Still super excited so I pressed on, anxiously optimistic about the two days that lay ahead of me.
Then I arrived at the facility. No complaints there or about the bikes, everything was just as expected.
When we arrived we were met by both Dave and Jim (our instructors, not Al and Teri.) Slightly bummed, but still anxious as we started the class.
My hope was that it wouldn't make a difference who was teaching and I must say, I was wrong. I also will add, this is probably the difference in an owner embracing their business and guy just needing extra cash for motorcycle parts. (Daves words, not mine)
Jim and Dave introduced themselves, and spent the majority of the time explaining their motor cop experience, and the thousands and thousands of hours of riding. Not one mention of their teaching expertise or their desire to save lives. Just how there was a need for buying motorcycle parts that were expensive so that's why they were there.
Jim was great, stated he was a retired motorcycle cop, and managed to speak to people as if he wasn't a cop. Dave however thinks he's still a cop or maybe better yet a marine corps D.I.
He did not have the person skill set one needs to be able to create an environment where I want to ask questions, and I want to learn.
For example, the attitude of the instruction did not make for a conducive learning environment. Dave on more than one occasion cursed at students (i.e "pick up your feet and fucking ride the bike!!!")
Perhaps he had forgotten that I'd never ridden a bike. At one point a student had asked for the ability to practice a little during lunch, and this was probably based on the panic and pressure the instructors made about the riding test. (again not real condusive to learning) Dave stated in his best hard ass cop tone "No, you're gonna practice so much your damn arm is going to fall off!!!" (again not really conducive to learning) a better message perhaps would have been to talk about liability or perhaps wanting to make sure you got quality practice under his guidance, not threats of physical harm based on the activities that were the training.
At the end of the day, I passed. But I didn't get the answers I needed, I didn't get the open training platform that welcomed questions or concerns, I got a drill Sargents rendition of a motorcycle class.
And because of that I will not be getting my license anytime soon. I honestly felt I'd be walking away with the confidence and ability to ride. Instead I left frustrated and disappointed.
I won't be sending my children or family here unless I can validate that the instructors will be that of a caring and passionate platform. (The reason I chose this class to begin with.)
I believe Al and Teri are amazing. I certainly wish they would have been there, perhaps my experience would have been a better one. This is sad that ownership doesn't have the staff they need to deliver the same level of passion that they come to the table with.
For the price, and the instruction, I'd say it's a terrible value. But as I mentioned, my friends that know Al & Teri assure me this was a one off.
Good luck, this is just one person's opinion, but perception is reality; I wish it wasn't in this case. I wanted the class to be great, it fell pretty short.