Advanced RiderCourse (ARC)

Range exercises enhance both basic operating skills and crash-avoidance skills. Improving your braking and cornering finesse is emphasized. The course is beneficial for riders on any type of street motorcycle.

The ARC is the public version of the Military SportBike RiderCourse (MSRC), and may be taken by riders using any type of motorcycle. The ARC and MSRC are one-day RiderCourses consisting of approximately two hours of classroom-type activities (indoors or outdoors) and five hours of riding exercises (a 2×5 course). There are a total of 11 classroom-type activities and 10 riding exercises. There is no formal skill test, but there is a knowledge test that may be self-scored.

The procedures for riding a sport bike do not vary greatly from the procedures for riding other types of motorcycles. But the techniques some riders use are different (two-finger braking, balls of feet on footrests, use of leg pressure for control, etc.), and these depend somewhat on the specific motorcycle as well as the specific talent and skill level of a rider. Most sport bike riders appreciate the outstanding performance and handling characteristics provided by the design and technology that is incorporated into sport bikes. This is why the course uses the title it does; that is, the techniques used for more performance-oriented riding can be used to enhance the skills and techniques for riders of any type of motorcycle. Techniques that extend beyond basic riding procedures are addressed in the ARC. Sport bike riding techniques are not intended to encourage or endorse riding at higher speeds, but are provided to improve the performance capabilities of riders, particularly related to overall control, cornering and emergency maneuvers.

A maximum of 12 riders can be trained in one ARC. The rider/RiderCoach ratio is 12:2, with a requirement that two RiderCoaches conduct the range exercises no matter the class size.

The ARC and the Military SportBike RiderCourse (MSRC)courses are nearly identical. The MSRC is administered and operated by specific military branches and/or their contractors.

Range Exercises

There are a total of ten riding exercises: 

1. Warm-up with Basic Control
2. Quick Stops
3. Stopping Distance Demonstration
4. Zigzag (from the Ultimate Bike Bonding RiderCourse)
5. Circle Weaves (from the Ultimate Bike Bonding RiderCourse)
6. Curve Adjustments
7. Curves: Sweepers and Hairpins
8. Decreasing Radius Curves
9. Multiple Curves
10. Multiple Curves and Swerves

Courses may be offered at existing NYSMSP Training Sites that have approved ARC ranges. MSF-certified RiderCoach Trainers who have been pre-approved by the MSF may conduct an ARC Certification Course. Passengers are not allowed in ARC.