I just completed my MSF Basic Rider at Big Apple Motorcycle School. While it is fresh in my head,…read moreI'd like to share a few thoughts that may help you decide if Big Apple is for you.
Overall, it was a decent experience, with good solid foundational knowledge that is important for any new rider such as myself. I assume the coursework is standardized and the curriculum cannot be deviated from as set forth from the motorcycle safety foundation.
We had four instructors over two days. It was led by Felice, with her was an amazing guy named John, a trainee named Constantine, and Diane the owner showed up for the second day. Diane and John could not have been nicer, Constantine didn't interact much, and he demonstrated most of the skills.
Felice has a strong personality. She is the type of instructor I respond well to--tough, honest, direct and loud, however, it is not everyone's taste and I could sense the frustration others had with her. As someone who deals with many adult learners professionally, I think there is opportunity for the school to continue their own education, specifically on how to address different learner types. Something as simple as her explaining how serious she takes this and apologizing in advance for her "intensity" would go a long way with many students.
A couple of other areas of feedback, so whoever is reading this can better prepare themselves--
1. Bring food and snacks on your person, the breaks are five minutes at most and you are not given enough time to let's say use the restroom and take a drink.
2. Be prepared for the schedule to change, and be early. We were scheduled to begin at 7:45am, and when a student showed up "on time" for day 2 even though the day before we were told we would be starting earlier, he was turned away and couldn't complete the course. People sometimes have obligations, and a last minute time change should be met with flexibility, in my opinion at least.
3. Bring a solid lunch with you, as someone not from the area, one hour between riding and classroom to find, eat lunch, and be on time to the class or riding is not enough time.
I'd strongly recommend that big apple provide water, snacks etc. and possibly a catered lunch for attendees. I don't think that's too much to ask with a $400 price tag when the competition is more affordable, and big apple likes to run the schedule like the military. Especially when you have long hot days in full gear, 10-12 motorcycles and zero shade on the beach.
I chose to drive to big apple vs the closer competition in the city because many of the motorcycle dealers I visited recommended them. Would I choose them again? Maybe-- but only because I know they take riding seriously. Would I recommend them? Probably not. There are many things they can be doing to enhance the basic mandated curriculum, easy things as simple as creating a forum for students to connect after "graduating", as I sit here thinking how cool it would be to keep in touch with my classmates, when all I wanted to do was get the hell out of the heat after the class was over LOL.
Overall it met the objective. I just don't know how well I'd recommend them in the future.