Very good class. After successfully completing the class, i was confident that I learned the tools that I needed to safely ride in Los Angeles. The classroom instructor (Carl) was very knowledgeable and took time to address everyone's questions. He made himself available early to chat about riding and safety. He respected our time by keeping on schedule while still addressing all of the important lessons. The range portion of the class was fun. The instructors provided a safe environment for us to practice our riding skills while providing constructive feedback. I'm very happy to have invested in my safe nriding by taking this course. read more

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Literally just got home from the MSF course and learned so much. I was very much a beginner (no experience on a motorcycle) but Bob, Mark and Elliott were excellent with their patience and making sure you were making the corrections they were giving you and making sure it was a safe learning environment. I definitely recommend going into this with an open mind and paying close attention to everything they tell you as well as key words they repeat because it will be on the test. Have fun and safe riding!! read more

Bob was horrible; he was cranky, yelled at the students, and escalated stress levels. Your class was over an hour late in the hot, unforgiving sun . There was nothing calm, cool, or Collective about his teaching - more of a drill sergeant condescending boss experience. After the class has gone significantly over the scheduled time, we are all still waiting on the bikes in the heat. He was not efficient. I was experiencing overheating as we were standing in the sun for nearly six hours, on hot bikes, and dehydrated. He still yelled and made several students uncomfortable. Bob could really use some instructor behavior classes, and perhaps consider retiring at 64. It's tough to be out there all day and maintain; he was miserable, contentious, and super cranky. He yelled at every little thing anyone did wrong, like he was their father about to give a stern punishment. Absolutely, hideous behavior that definitely took away from the experience. Bob - No need to be mean and condescending, you were once a new rider too. I would not recommend taking a class with him. Elliot, Brian, and Kevin were great, very personable and relatable!! Also, everyone's bike kept breaking down, they are in terrible condition, and make class take much longer than it should be, as the instructors have to jump start, inspect, and do all kinds of things to get them going, or even swap out. This class is not good if you are expecting a level of customer service in line with base-level normal standards of operation. read more

I needed this class so much I've only ride a 4 wheel off-road ATV didn't realize how much more skill a 2 wheel motorcycle took. I'm confident driving manual on a motorcycle now thanks to this course. Also if you don't pass the experience is worth it so have fun! Plus you get to retake it for only $50 read more

Instructors were friendly and knowledgeable, Kevin and Bob rock!! I did attend the class in Inglewood, I am not sure why this page says Santa Monica, some of the pictures provided by others are also from the Inglewood parking lot. Anyway, class was fun and straightforward. Even if we were at capacity, everyone got to do the exercises and (re)gain some confidence on the bike. Teachings are useful and smart, I loved every minute. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - The sweet yet stirdy bike I was riding. Older model Honda Rebel. Temperamental with her Throttle, but got me through that exam beautifully - Driving Schools Near Me

This was a great school. This was very organized, professional and 5 star school! I would highly recommend this school if you're seeking to learn how to ride and get your motorcycle certificate. read more

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UPDATE: Removing my first review of 2 stars that canned the Academy. While I still feel it's pretty IFY one can pass the driving portion if they've never been on a motorcycle... moreover if a different set of instructors are provided the second day.... -------------- As I did not want the audience of a DMV test, after gaining a valid DMV riders permit and a year of regular riding I retook this course recently and passed both sections (written and driving). I will say that having the same instructors for BOTH days made a huge difference. I am of the opinion that had I these SAME instructors both days of the first attempt I would have likely passed. These 2 guys working as a team were eons more patient and helpful, giving near immediate, actual on the fly feedback of WHAT to correct or improve as each person completed the exercise. That makes a world of difference, even adding an element of calming fear when one is experiencing the high degree of nervousness while trying to master new skills at the same time riding around in circles with 10 other bad riders. read more

Fantastic experience, great learning environment. Course features home and range training. Highly recommended!!

I had a great time trying a motorcycle for the first time. The instructors are very helpful and positive. Thank you for your guidance while I was taking the first steps! read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - Driving Schools Near Me

I had an amazing time attending the motorcycle training course for novice riders. I had never been on a motorcycle before and the course was just the right level of difficulty to challenge me and also make me feel safe in the process. I took away a lot of really practical knowledge and experiences from it. Instructors Kevin and Bob were awesome. They made the sessions very engaging, gave personalized feedback, and had a very positive energy. I very much appreciated the effort they put into making it a great experience for me read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - Motorcycles and helmets were provided by the academy. - Driving Schools Near Me

So glad I decided to take my beginner's course with WESTSIDE MOTORCYCLE ACADEMY- Inglewood! I learned so much in such a short period of time. For the classroom portion they offer Zoom meetings and the instructor was Carl. Very clear and helpful with the instruction. We cover alot of information but very helpful with test and very useful info to use on the range. I need to give a shout out to the instructors on the range. Kevin and Bob - also very clear with instruction , beyond patient and with a sense of humor which for me was very helpful to break tension and nervousness. They make sure to push you to catch on to the safety aspects of beginning to learn to ride so it's done right. I am very appreciative. Definitely would recommend them! read more

It is obvious at the onset that a lot of care and information was put into this course to make sure that it was a successful program for the novice motorcycle rider. What I learned in the four days of class would have taken me at least a year to figure out on my own, and probably would've learned some bad habits along the way. Very grateful for this program. Instructor Mark was especially entertaining and a delight without losing site of the importance of proper motorcycle training. read more

Had the best time ever at Westside Motorcycle Academy, and just got my license only three days after completing the course! They have such a great team and cover a lot of ground in a few short days. I felt really supported each step of the way and am feeling informed and confident, and excited to get out there and ride (safely)! Erika was a great communicator before, during, and after and made sure I had everything I needed prior to the course starting. After passing the course, she ensured I got my paperwork day-of so I could go to the DMV first thing the next week and has offered to continue to be a resource should questions arise in the future. Kevin & Bob were awesome instructors who really paid attention to each individual rider to ensure we got the feedback we needed to improve our riding. I was so impressed that every single student was independently riding their bikes within the first hour of the class. So cool! Carl covered a huge amount of material in the online class. Between his instruction and the written information provided, I was able to pass the DMV written test on my first try. My classmates were wonderful as well, with a great mix of experience and backgrounds. I was glad to have other women in the class and look forward to finding & building my own riding community moving forward! read more

Took the 3 day course at WMA after just getting back into riding after a long hiatus and grateful I did. The instructors, Kevin, Bob, and Mark are great guys and gave me good feed back and instruction throughout the course. I highly recommend Westside Motorcycle Academy to anyone looking to get the skills to get licensed! read more

I was extremely nervous about taking the beginner motorcycle training course. Will the bike be too big/heavy? Will I be able to shift gears? Will I be the worst one? I wrote on my registration that I was nervous. Not only did someone call me twice before the class to check in and give me reassurance, but on the day, the instructors were incredible. The course was created with true beginners in mind and I felt really happy with the whole process. I highly recommend this school, especially if you're feeling a bit unsure about riding a motorcycle. read more

This was the best experience ever. Shout out to coaches Bob and Elliot. I will keep your lessons close to my heart. I met cool classmates and made friends. I can't wait until my son is ready. Im sending him to Westside. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - My first bike and shes a beauty. Couldn't have got this far without the training. - Driving Schools Near Me

It is a challenge to teach the basic skill and the safety requirements, to a different range of student. Westside has succeeded and excelled! I witness the passion and the professionalism of the instructors. Also the pragmatic cortesie of the other staff members, in particular Erika. I'm happy and lucky to start my journey as motorcycle rider, with Westside Motorcycle Academy. read more

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I am a new driver and enthusiasts for motorcycles. I don't have any background on thos but for sure the course did help to get started on it and along with a confidence boots that I need it. The instructors were great, knowledgeable, and great ways of teaching what you need to be safe a d successful while riding out in the road. Again I strongly recommend the course . If worth your money to take the class. read more

I will start off: I completed the course and received the DMV DL 389 in person, by Erika, as requested. I went to the Inglewood DMV directly after class and received my m1 endorsement two hours later. Fantastic service to not have to wait for it in the mail. The course is intense. Be prepared for a lot of information in a short time. The Zoom classes are convenient. If you pay attention, the written exam should not be anything to stress about. The range class is fun and exciting. My main gripe is that I felt there was not nearly enough time to practice the more advanced drills like the slow speed wide weaving and sharp turns. The riding evaluation is not a gimme - make sure you practice as best as you can and turn your head! Exaggerate it! Over half of my class did not pass. You can get a second chance but at a later time and I believe you have to pay. Tips: go early, so you can select a helmet and gloves. If you are in the early morning range class, park at the 99 cent store parking lot. At the first break, you can move your car to the street. Do this so you don't get stressed out about parking like I did the very first range class. Since the range class is in a parking lot, there will be minimal shade - bring water, snacks, and sun screen. There is a bathroom across the street and usually there is a break every hour-ish. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - Driving Schools Near Me

They do a horrible job explaining the instructions. They don't want you to pass. They want you to fail so they can make more money for you to retake the class. read more

JJ, Beth, and Katie really helped me feel more confident on two wheels. Very attentive and knowledgeable group of instructors. I believe an novice or beginner could really benefit from taking this course. You truly get the basic understanding of how to ride a motorcycle. Class was definitely fun and definitely well worth the time. Not much more to say...other than it was fun! Note: to those reviews talking about "broken bikes"... don't believe that for one second. The bikes might have been older but I think it still comes down to user error. Mastering a clutch can get tricky(motorcycle or car). I stalled a couple times myself but I overcame that quick. Instructor Erica was quick to repair bikes with any issues(dead battery, etc) or proceeded to switch out the bikes. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - Training motorcycles used for the range portion of the course - Driving Schools Near Me

I must say I'm extremely disappointed in with their whole set up. I find it very dishonest that I didn't find out the details and what this course entails until after I paid the fee. Which is not refundable. And, since it wasn't refundable I had no choice but to proceed with the course. I found out that I had to read an entire learners manual in six days. I wish I'd known that they packed twenty years of motorcycle training into two days! I was overwhelmed, achy, mentally exhausted and I felt uncomfortable to ask questions, thinking the instructors would find a reason to kick me out and ask for additional fees. The breaks were ridiculous seeing how long we are in training. Bathroom breaks were out of the question for fear of returning a minute late and getting kicked out! This was psychological and physically abusive. There is nowhere to sit. We have to sit on the ground like children. I doubt seriously if they have this low-budget setup in Santa Monica. They've singlehandedly took the JOY out of wanting to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Also, they punish you for being a minute late but our instructor was thirty minutes late. Some of things that were taught appeared UNSAFE for a beginner who has never rode a motorcycle in my life. The two women instructors were very curt, unfriendly to the point that I questioned whether or not they are bias or prejudice. Had I known I had to cram everything about riding into two days I would not have signed up for your course. And how dare they not give refunds!! Save your money and take a motorcycle course with a company that actually gets it! read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - A big parking lot to train. - Driving Schools Near Me

Rob and Kevin's teaching style was easy to pick up. I found their passion for the craft really shine when individual students needed more attention. I had no prior motorcycle experience and passed with flying colors thanks to the attention to detail by the instructors whenever I did something wrong. read more

Tried a private lesson to see if I really wanted to ride and it was a hard "YES!" Erika was great with setting it up and Tara was a patient and enthusiastic teacher. I went home and signed up for the three day course. All the instructors were great with going over all the material (there's a lot!) and also throwing in real world examples from their personal experience. Tessie and Carl covered all the material in record time and were eager to answer any and all questions. On the range, Bob was super patient and encouraging to everyone and was a wealth of knowledge. Had a blast and look forward to learning more with them in the future. read more

With 8 years riding experience on-and-off over the last few decades, I signed up for the class to get my motorcycle license ... but learned SOOOOO much about better riding, safety, and rules of the road. Fantastic. So glad I took it, learned so much from Bob (and Elliot, too). These instructors are superlatively knowledgable, experienced AND clear & constructive with this instruction. Highly highly recommend it. Seriously, riding is inherently dangerous, and this course unquestionably has made me a better, safer rider. Already putting the myriad lessons into practice on the road. read more

They have very knowledgeable and experienced instructors, always ready to help. I would definitely recommend this school for first time riders read more

I have not ridden in over 20 years and that was back in England so getting back on a bike over here in California i was a bit worried. The instructors are great and there to teach you. And they will tell you when you're not doing something correctly. There is a written exam at the end of the course so be sure to read all the California Motorcycle book. They will also give you downloadable information to study. Make sure you do as the test they give will in turn give you your waiver for the DMV. Everyone in our class passed everything. (Apart from a girl who ran in to someone's rear tire and was instantly disqualified) We all received our waiver same day and I went to the DMV and done my written test, passed and received my License the next week. Now I'm riding up the coast on my Harley and loving it!!! Would definitely recommend these guys.!!! Cheers read more

I was in the class at 6:45 in the morning, and the teacher asked you to arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier. Although it sounds crazy, it's not too hot in the morning if you wear a full set of motorcycle gear to practice. They also offer courses starting at 11:45am. Two teachers tutor 10 students in each class. I have experienced 4 teachers in two days. Some teachers have strict time requirements, but all teachers are very patient and responsible. There will be a cycling test and a written test on the last day. The results of the written test can be mailed or waited on the spot. If you pass, you will be able to get the results on the same day and go to DMV to apply for driver license. In addition, the school provides helmets, gloves and eye protection, of course you can bring your own. read more

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I did not want to ride a bike and my partner recommended these guys to comfortably learn. I am SO GLAD I took this course. The instructors are knowledgable, thorough, and engaging. I appreciated the emphasis on safety. They even got me my certificate the same day I passed my driving test so I could go straight to the DMV and get my motorcycle license the next day!!! I called the day of a class to see if I could walk in (classes were booked for over a month) and due to a no show they gladly accommodated. Registration & communication were smooth and quick and I got all my resources immediately. The class was informative and efficient. The range was great. They eased you in and slowly progressed to harder skills. The bikes aren't anything special but honestly that made me feel more comfortable in case I made any mistakes (dropping the bike happens!!). It's hot and there is little shade so bring a cooler and lots of water. Instructors were organized, great with questions and walking through all of the different exercises overall. Special shout outs to Marina who taught an excellent course and did a great job emphasizing test answers, Bob who was a top instructor on the range (wonderful education and tips), and Erika who was just extremely helpful. My only qualm is the one day we had to do the second zoom course after a full day on the range was SO HARD because I was extremely tired from being in the sun on a bike all day prior. read more

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Please read the other reviews. This place is a scam. they take peoples money and will fail you no matter what just to make you retest basically trying to milk you for every dollar. Go anywhere else took the dmv test and was wayyy easier than this and the dmv doesn't try to stiff you read more

Class was OK covered the basics but honestly seems like a scam, trainers didnt pass me because he said i didnt stop right and I didnt do a turn right? I wasnt at speed? What was that checked with? An actual speed gun? I did it all right and there were people that missed all the cones or put there feet up and weren't going at speed or messed up the quick stop BAD. All passed. He said I was going at less than 15, not true. They want to charge 50 per test to retest. Whatever, called office to schedule, no answer. Waited for the lady who administered the tests and I asked if its possible to reschedule with different trainers and she said no. Same thing would happen again with them because the older one made an issue to point out how stupid loud pipes are and they dont really save lives on the first day, and continued making snide comments the next day too. Will be reporting all of this to CMSP. Total SCAM and ill be fighting this charge with my bank. Im not paying into your scam school. Trainer had an issue with my personal bike because of the exhaust. Hence why he chose to be a dick and fail me. Your supposed to be my instructor not a bike critic. Wrote this after waiting 55 minutes to be rescheduled and they can't. DO NOT COME HERE. After reading the other reviews, im filing a complaint with the california department of consumer affairs and the BBB this place is a total scam. Check the reviews that aren't the 5 star paid reviews. read more

Bob and Red were super great. I'm about as old, fat, and uncoordinated as you can get, so I was pretty hesitant even beginning to ride. Sure enough, I had some issues, but they were both really attentive and gave great, personalized advice based on what I was doing, so I passed the exam! Beginning to ride a motorcycle is pretty spooky, but if you're even a little bit curious, I think taking their CMSP course is a great first step. Also I really appreciated how they had a variety of bike sizes and made sure to match up people with bikes that ergonomically fit them. There's plenty of horror stories about courses that shove everyone on the same tiny, cramped, uncomfortable bikes, and make them think riding isn't for them. Overall, great experience, and a fun way to spend a weekend. I just wish they offered another class after the CMSP to develop more skills before getting a bike and taking it on the road. Something in-between the CMSP and Intermediate course. read more

I enjoyed the instructors and the other people in the class. I took one of the June 2021 classes and learned many skills. But HALF of our class failed. I had almost no prior riding experience, so I did NOT pass. But it taught me enough that afterward I practiced on a small dirt bike and built my confidence. (Yes, I passed the second time.) The instructors are good and really care, but it's not an ideal situation. It's hot on the range, and there was nowhere to sit. I recommend that you bring a folding chair, sunglasses, umbrella, hat, sunscreen, and lots of bottled water. It's hot and exhausting to be out there for a total of 10+ hours over 2 days. Conserve your energy so you can take the test at the end. It costs $50 to retake the test within 45 days. Even if you fail, don't be discouraged. Ask the instructors what you did wrong in order to learn exactly what they require to pass the test. Find out how they scored you. (They don't discuss it in advance, per the policy, but they are timing you, evaluating your speed, and measuring your braking distance). If you fail, reschedule immediately and practice (you can go to the DMV and get your learner's permit). If you wait to reschedule, and there are no openings within that period, your only option is to pay the entire fee again. Riding is fun. It's beautiful out there. I'm glad I took the class again. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - The range at Westside. - Driving Schools Near Me

Erika from Westside Motorcycle Academy is awesome. She is a very helpful and a very polite lady. I had a few questions about the course and she made every effort to answer all my questions and concerns. read more

I would love to leave a message of appreciation for the great job that the instructors of the course have done during the three days, I was taking the course as a way to escape taking the skill test from the DMV however I have learnt much more about riding than I though I was when I signed for it. The really care about the people taking the course and provide valuable knowledge to beginners even intermediate riders. I highly recommend taking the course if you are trying to get a waiver like I did or even if you want to gain a bit of confidence when riding. It has been a pleasure. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - Friday morning range - Driving Schools Near Me

Instructors are very patient. I had little to no experience prior to the course and now I have my license. Merna, Bob and kevin are awesome instructors whom I recommend. Best instructors ever!!!!! Everything taught is very useful and I apply to when on the road. You will not regret taking the course. read more

Westside Motorcycle Academy - Choosing the right motorcycle - Driving Schools Near Me

I had a great experience, and I would absolutely recommend the 3 day course (3 zoom sessions + 2 ride days) to any beginner. I've never ridden a motorcycle before and they really went slow going over all the basics starting at the beginning. I think the beginning portions might be annoying to someone who already rides. Things like how to properly mount the bike, how to turn the engine on and off, how to use the "friction" zone, etc. I read all the 1 star reviews just now, and I can tell that they reflect more of the people themselves rather than Westside Motor Academy. The zoom classes were... zoom classes (meaning, I dislike staring at a computer) but Bob (the instructor) you can tell was super passionate and his joy for riding safely was contagious. I felt SUPER prepared for the DMV questions-- I passed easily on my first try by moderately (thanks ADD) paying attention. The Moto DMV handbook isn't that long, and was great to read/learn. The range classes, I thought were great. It was a hot couple of days (in the 100s), but it helped to be able to buy cold drinks at the 99cent store on breaks. I felt like the breaks were plenty long, we had a lot of time to chill out and talk to class participants or instructors. Kevin and Kate were the instuctors for my session. I do have two gripes, but they are fairly small. 1. Kate would keep talking when a very loud obvious plane was overhead with no attempt to raise her voice, or pause for 10 seconds to let the plane pass. So, I had to watch other riders to understand what was happening on occasion. 2. There was an exercise where we were told to go a certain MPH to kick up to third gear while moving in a circular motion around the track, but because of the number of riders in class (and because we are all noobs, there's lots of stalling, etc) I could never actually get into a rhythm because people in front of me were slow/stalling out. They give you a written exam that resembles the DMV test and I think I only missed one question, and again I have a hard time paying attention sometimes so I felt it was easy. Overall, I was very happy and I felt prepared me for the DMV exam, and that it actually taught me the skills (not only to exempt me from the DMV moving exam) but to actually get on the street and feel comfortable with the bike. It's nice that I got a discount on my motorcycle insurance because I took the course too. I think some ~$700 was knocked off my premium, so this class was a total no-brainer for me. I had to book a couple months in advance because it's a popular class which was kinda annoying because i'm impulsive and like to get things done, but now that it's said and done-- I don't even think back to a long wait. I had no issues with "sneaky fees" that some 1 star reviews mention. Just don't be an idiot! read more

Great instructors. Also... THEY HAVE A YELLOW GROM. As a 6 foot tall 240 pound dude, riding around on this thing made me feel like a bear on a tricycle. As long as a really short person doesn't show up you can call dibs. HIGHLY recommend. read more

Shoutout to Bob and Kevin ! I had a Blast! learned how to use a motorcycle! Can't wait to buy my first motorcycle - Felix read more

Waste of time and money. Instructors do not try to help because there are too many riders. I asked for help, my beat up bike had trouble shifting to second gear, and Danny just kept yelling at me letting me know that I need private lessons. RUDE! Why advertise this program for beginner riders? I should have used the money for this class for the motorcycle I bought a few months later which I used to pass the FREE dmv riding test on my first try, Just 6 months later. Do the same and you will save hundreds of dollars. I agree with all the 1 star reviews. Rude teachers, broken bikes, bad customer service, etc. etc. Riders beware! read more