MOTORRAD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Listed below are some common questions regarding riding programs offered by BMW. For additional help, please call us at 888-345-4269.
1. How can I book a course? 2. Are classes with sport bikes offered?3. Are any classes available on the West Coast?4. Can I ride my own motorcycle at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy?5. Are there any requirements for attending the school?6. What kind of riding gear is required? 7. Can I rent riding gear from the BMW U.S. Rider Academy? 8. Do you need to arrive in your gear, or can you suit up when you arrive?9. How large is a class?10. How much riding time do I get in a full day?11. Do we provide breakfast?12. Do we provide lunch?13. Do you need to bring a cooler for water? 14. Do you cancel an event because of inclement weather?15. What is the weather typically like in Spartanburg, SC? 16. What is your cancellation policy?17. Do we have a recommendation for nearby lodging?18. What other activities are there to do in the area?19. What is the “Ride Smart Reward” Program?20. Where is the BMW U.S. Rider Academy located?
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION COURSE
21. Do I need any prior riding experience?22. Can I bring my own motorcycle?23. What do I need to bring with me for the MSF course?24. What do I need to do before I arrive?25. When is class?26. I don’t own a helmet, what do I need to consider when getting one?27. Is the MSF certification valid in my state?To book any U.S Rider Academy class, please call 888-345-4269. MSF courses can be booked online.
No. However, our On-Road class teaches many techniques used for any kind of motorcycle.
Not currently. However, you may visit superbikeschool.com, located in California, which operates a fleet of BMW S 1000 RR supersport bikes.
The cost of using our BMW bikes is included in each course, and our curriculum remains the same, regardless of the bike you’re riding. Please keep your own bike at home, geared up and ready for your own adventures. We are not able to accommodate use of personal bikes on our courses.
For all classes except the MSF Basic Rider Course, you must present a valid motorcycle license. MSF students are not allowed to bring their own motorcycle.
To participate in any class aside from the MSF Basic Rider Course, you must be comfortable operating a motorcycle. Six months to a year of riding experience is recommended. No previous experience is required for the MSF course.
- A long-sleeved shirt or riding jacket
- Long pants
- Sturdy, over-the-ankle boots
- Full-fingered gloves
- 3/4 or full face helmet
- Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or a face shield are all OK for the MSF course)
We do not loan or rent any gear. Riders must bring their own riding jackets, boots, and pants.
It is highly recommended that you come ready to ride, so we can make the most of our allotted training time.
Our average class size is 12 people.
Registration begins at 8 am, with classroom starting by 8:30 am. Morning classroom sessions average 30-45 minutes, and there is a One hour lunch break around noon. Before each exercise, an instructor will go over the objective with you for 10 to 15 minutes. Otherwise, you are behind the handlebars of an Ultimate Riding Machine®. Most courses conclude around 4:30 pm.
No, breakfast is not included. However, our café is top rated and serves breakfast Monday through Friday, starting at 7:30 am. We also have a free coffee bar.
Yes, we provide lunch for all students.
Complimentary bottled water is provided all day, however, you may choose to wear a CamelBak/hydration pack.
Every event we have scheduled is held rain or shine, so bring clothing appropriate for the day’s activities. If severe weather does cause us to close, we will reschedule your event for a later date.
October through March, highs can be in the low 40’s through mid 60’s, depending on the season. April through September can be quite hot, with highs around 95 degrees mid-summer, with lows in the upper 70s.
Cancellations for a full refund must be made within 60 days of your payment date. Cancellations made after the 60 days of payment will receive a credit to use toward another date or event. There will be no rescheduling if the cancellation is made within 14 days of your school or event.
We recommend the Greenville Marriott – 1 Parkway East Greenville SC 29651; their phone number is 864-297-0300. When booking, ask for the BMW rate.
There are plenty of off-track thrills and things to do in the Greenville-Spartanburg area where we call home. See our locations page for more information.
New riders who recently received their motorcycle endorsement after attending a state approved motorcycle training school will be reimbursed for the cost of their beginner rider course up to $350, and will receive a credit toward $500* in BMW Riders Apparel when they purchase a brand new BMW Motorcycle.
*Selection must be made from the BMW MOTORRAD RIDE apparel catalogue.BMW Performance Center
1155 SC-101, Greer, SC 29651
(888) 345-4269
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION COURSE
No previous experience is required for the MSF course.
MSF students are not allowed to bring their own motorcycle.
You must supply the following:
- Food and beverages for breaks (bottled water will be provided, and lunch is served both days).
- Your own riding gear (See question 6). The Performance Center does not provide any gear.
- Pen and notebook for classroom sessions.
There are approximately 4 hours of MSF online course work that must be completed prior to attending the course. The online course work is emailed out the Monday prior to class. Registration closes the Sunday before the class.
Classes begin at 8:00 am and run until about 4:30 pm. For a complete list of dates, see our calendar.
If you are wondering if motorcycling is for you, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive DOT approved helmet that fits your head comfortably and snugly. If you are confident that you will ride often after your class, we recommend that you purchase a quality DOT approved helmet that will be comfortable for long motorcycle rides in all types of weather. Please be aware that DOT regulations change and helmets can become outdated.
At this time, we can only guarantee the certification will be valid in South Carolina. Please check with your own state’s regulations to ensure compliance.