Phone: 919.832.2261 or 1.800.39.HARLEY

Friday, March 24, 2023 - 3:11am

Fridays: Open
9:00 am-6:00 pm

Riding Academy New Rider Course

Never ridden before? Don't sweat it. The Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy New Rider Course is designed to get you comfortable on a bike and give you the skills you need to ride with confidence. Offered only at select H-D® dealers, the New Rider Course provides you with expert guidance from H-D certified coaches. In the classroom, you'll get to know the motorcycle you'll be riding and learn the basics of rider safety skills. On the practice range, you'll learn braking and turning, along with maneuvers like controlling skids and surmounting obstacles. When you're finished you'll get a completion card. Depending on your individual state this card may exempt you from having to take the riding portion of your motorcycle license test and may also score you a discount on motorcycle insurance. Contact us for details. Search for classes

New Rider Course Overview

FAQs

The cost of the class is $325.

Payment must be made at least seven days in advance in order to complete the confirmation process!

You'll need a valid automobile driver's license or learner's permit, and have the ability to ride a bicycle.

You'll need to bring the following:
  • A heavy, long-sleeve shirt or jacket
  • Jeans, chaps, or leather pants
  • Over-the-ankle, sturdy footwear
  • Full-fingered gloves
  • A government approved motorcycle helmet (in the U.S., a motorcycle helmet that meets D.O.T. standards). Due to COVID precautions, we cannot loan out helmets; you must provide your own.
  • Eyewear

Shop for Riding Gear

For the riding portion, Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson will provide you with a Harley-Davidson® Street 500.

We offer classes almost every week Search for classes.

A full refund is available up to 14 days before class begins. After that time, only $145 of the price of class will be refunded. Once class begins, no refund will be available. Students who wish to reschedule, must do so 14 days prior to the first day of their scheduled class. You must provide written or e-mail notification of your intent to cancel your class reservation no later than 14 days prior to the scheduled start time in order to receive full refund. If you fail to provide the required notice, or if you elect to drop from the class at any time during its presentation, you will not receive any refund. Occasionally, an instructor must council a student out of the class if he/she feels that the student is not meeting the objectives of the class and/or is a potential danger to themselves or other students. If you are asked to leave the class due to a disciplinary problem, you will not receive any refund. If you are asked to leave the class by one of the instructors for safety or performance concerns, you will not receive a refund. However, you will be able to re-enter another class at no charge. Additionally, Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson reserves the right to cancel any scheduled class for any reason. All efforts will be made to reschedule the class at a later date, or place any registered student in the next available opening. A full refund will be given if a class is cancelled and the student is unable to reschedule.

Sign up for your Class

Next steps

 

SEARCH FOR CLASSES

 

SEARCH FOR CLASSES

Register for the course and learn all you need to get you licensed and start riding.

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PAY FOR YOUR CLASS

 

PAY FOR YOUR CLASS

Payment must be received at least 7 days prior to the course start date.

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READY TO RIDE

 

READY TO RIDE

You are now ready to ride! We have a fleet of bikes perfect for the new rider.

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GREAT RIDERS AREN'T BORN.

THEY'RE MADE.

The open road awaits. Our New Rider Course will give
you all you need to get your license and start riding.

Search for classes

The Road is Waiting

Your Journey Begins Here

Testimonials

Brad Siver
Thank you Tobacco Road Harley for their amazing, kind, professional and extremely informative staff. You couldn’t ask for a better coaching duo with Monty and Lin. This riding class was everything my father and I needed and then some. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn or expand their riding safety. My father and I enjoyed every minute of this course. Thank you again!
Zoe Rayshell
I was one of ten that completed the MSF riders course this past weekend. I cannot express enough the gratitude and pure enjoyment that I experienced. Either in the classroom, or on the riding course, Monty & Digger went above and beyond to encourage us and bring out our best, while keeping safety number one priority. I have been to the dealership many times over the last year, participating in charity runs and group rides (I was always on the back of the bike). I knew in my heart I wanted my own bike. The more I visited the dealership the more encouragement I received from your staff, and advice from woman rider employees, The professionalism, laughter, and consistent knowledge I received every time I walked through the door has helped me bridge a longing to ride, with safety and confidence. I will recommend the MSF rider course without hesitation. It has changed my life and I am forever grateful.
Donnie Hicks
Property Accounting Director
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you and your team for a great [Riding Academy] class last weekend. Jim and Monty were great and they did a wonderful job keeping everyone focused on the task at hand, but also bringing some humor and a down to earth approach to keep everyone relaxed and open minded. I had a great time learning the material and getting more comfortable on the bike. I went Tuesday morning and obtained my license and I am ready to ride!! My next task is to get a couple things fixed on my chopper and then join up with the Raleigh HOG chapter. I will get in there for a rental soon as well. Thanks again for all that you guys do to get folks off on the right foot from a safety, knowledge and comfort perspective. You guys are a class act.
Mike Harrelson
I took a Basic Rider Course last week. While the course was underway, I admired Monty's and Digger's capability as instructors to deliver the content of the course while keeping it interesting and fun, in the classroom and on the range. In retrospect, I am kind of in awe of these guys. The only thing more impressive than their dedication to helping people become safe and skilled riders is their ability to raise riders' confidence. As coaches, these guys are second to none.
Jeff LeSueur
Just wanted to say that [Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson] has been a great experience for me. I am in this week's New Rider course, Thursday - Sunday. For me this was the first time ever riding a motorcycle. My primary concern was confidence and after today's session at the range, I'm pleasantly surprised: I have that confidence. Each practice session led to another skill level and was not easy: slow speed S turns, hard braking, shifting and maintaining engine speed. Our coaches, Lin and Paula Lassiter, communicated clear goals and great coaching, for strong positive motivation to get each exercise right. At the end of the day, I had gained a satisfying level of confidence on the bike.
Adauto de Almeida Jr
Just want to thank you for allowing me to attend the Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson Riding Academy. Great training program. I was amazed by the high quality and professionalism. Both Maurice and Dean made awesome job in the range, as well as in the classroom. It worth every single second of my time coming all the way from Brazil (as you may probably agree, money comes and goes, but time is not possible to recover). I feel very comfortable to riding, from now on, as not I learn good technics to riding safe, avoid problems on the road. So, thank you very much.
Jen Longenecker Newmeyer
The Riding Academy is the bomb! It was an excellent introduction to riding. Perfect for new riders. Monty and Stu were fantastic and covered everything from A to Z including riding techniques, best practices, and of course, safety. Ever since, every time we visit, we are welcomed with open arms. The dealership carries the best riding gear... there is no local competition. The events they hold are informative and interesting. We love swinging by to say hello on the weekends. It's the most unique culture we've ever encountered... even though we don't own Harleys (yet) everyone is super supportive and happy to give advice and tips.
Dave Rouse
Lin and his wife taught the rider course. I learned a lot in class and loved the hands-on practical on the 500cc vtwin. It’s a sports car compared to the Road King I bought but great basic knowledge. Remember to look up and look where you want to go!
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Sales Hours

Sunday:
12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Monday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuesday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Wednesday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Thursday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Friday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Saturday:
9:00 am-5:00 pm

Service Hours

Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuesday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Wednesday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Thursday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Friday:
9:00 am-6:00 pm
Saturday:
9:00 am-5:00 pm