Motorcycle Safety Foundation   |    Basic RiderCourse Overview

Curriculum

RiderCourse Handbook
The MSF Basic RiderCourse is designed for beginning riders of all ages. Start developing entry-level skills for riding in traffic. Purchase a Rider Handbook!

eP1x11 BRC eCourse

SectionsObjectives
1Course Introduction

  • RiderCourse Program Objectives
  • About This Online Basic eCourse
  • eCourse Structure
  • eCourse Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • General Information
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
2Motorcycle Types
  • Section Overview
  • Definition of a Motorcycle
  • The Three Basic Motorcycle Types
  • Street
  • Dual-Purpose
  • Off-Highway
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
3Controls, Indicators and Equipment
  • Section Overview
  • Handlebars and Throttle
  • Clutch Lever
  • Gearshift Lever
  • Front Brake Lever and Rear Brake Pedal
  • Fuel Supply Valve
  • Ignition Switch
  • Choke Control
  • Other Switches
  • Horn Button & Engine Start Button
  • Indicators
  • Equipment
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
4About Basic Operation
  • Section Overview
  • FINE-C
  • Engine Start Procedures
  • Engine Stop Procedures
  • Clutch Lever and Friction Zone
  • Riding Posture
  • Turns-Corners-Curves
  • Basic Steps for Turning
  • Search-Setup-Smooth
  • Basic Turning
  • Braking
  • Stopping
  • Total Stopping Distance
  • Upshifting
  • Downshifting
  • Engine Braking
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
5Preparing to Ride: The Four Preps
  • Section Overview
  • Motorcycle Fit
  • Pre-Ride Inspection
  • Tires and Wheels
  • Controls
  • Lights and Electrics
  • Oil and Other Fluids
  • Chassis
  • Stands
  • Maintenance
  • Personal Protective Gear
  • Head and Brain Protection
  • Helmet Basics
  • Choosing a Helmet
  • Helmet Care
  • Windscreens
  • Eye and Face Protection
  • Foot Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Jackets, Pants, Riding Suits
  • Rain Protection
  • Cold Weather Protection
  • Hot Weather Protection
  • Mental Attitude
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
6Risk and Riding
  • Section Overview
  • Risk Awareness
  • Why Crashes Happen
  • Risk Acceptance
  • What Causes Crashes
  • What Is a Good Rider?
  • Risk Management
  • Self-Awareness
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
7Basic Street Strategies
  • Section Overview
  • Positioning – Lane Choice
  • Positioning – Lane Position
  • Being Visible
  • RiderRadar
  • Visual Lead Times & Distances
  • Total Stopping Distance
  • SEE – Search
  • SEE – Evaluate
  • SEE – Execute
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
8Strategies for Common Riding Situation
  • Section Overview
  • Intersections
  • Between Intersections
  • Blind Spots
  • Lane Changes
  • Merging
  • Curves
  • SEE Curves
  • Additional Tips for Curves
  • Limited Space Maneuvers
  • Starting on a Hill
  • Obstacles
  • Parking
  • Road Furniture
  • Passing
  • Tailgaters
  • Night Riding
  • Group Riding
  • Self-Assessment
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
9Basics for Emergencies
  • Section Overview
  • Braking Systems
  • Emergency Stop in a Straight Line
  • Emergency Stop in a Curve
  • Front Tire Skid
  • Rear Tire Skid
  • Swerving
  • Swerving – On a Straight Road
  • Swerving – In a Curve
  • Brake or Swerve Decision
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
10Special Riding Situations
  • Section Overview
  • Road Surfaces
  • Carrying Passengers
  • Carrying Extra Weight
  • Touring
  • Wind
  • Animals
  • Select Maintenance Issues – Tire Failure
  • Select Maintenance Issues – Stuck Throttle
  • Select Maintenance Issues – Clutch Cable Failure
  • Select Maintenance Issues – Weave or Wobble
  • Select Maintenance Issues – Drive Train Problem
  • Select Maintenance Issues – Engine Seizure
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
11Rider Impairments
  • Section Overview
  • Alcohol
  • Blood Alcohol Content
  • Alcohol’s Duration in the Body
  • Drugs
  • Intervention
  • Distraction
  • Other Factors – Fatigue
  • Other Factors – Emotions
  • Other Factors – Aging
  • Other Factors – Riding at the Limit
  • Other Factors – Impairment
  • Risk – Revisited
  • Knowledge Check
12Select Topics
  • Licensing Information
  • Personal Protective Gear Requirements
  • State Motorcycle Equipment Requirements
  • State Insurance Requirements
  • Consequences for Impaired Riding
13Key Safety Concepts
  • Self-Assessment
  • Terms and Concepts from the Course
14Next Steps
  • Next Steps (Local)
  • Moving On
15Range Preparation
  • Section Overview
  • Range Safety Rules
  • Self-Preparation
  • RiderCoach Signals
  • General Sequence of Each Range Exercise
  • Knowledge Check
  • Moving On
16Introduction to Human Factors
  • Section Overview
  • 360° Videos
  • Human Factors
  • Physical Skill
  • Mental-Perceptual Skill
  • Social Skill
  • Skills Assessment
  • Driving Tendencies
  • SEE
17SEE – Search
  • Search
  • Seeing & Perceiving
  • Perception Differences
  • Perception Strategy 360
  • Perception Strategy
  • Traffic Scenes
  • Peripheral Vision
18SEE – Evaluate
  • Evaluate
  • Traffic Signs
  • Traffic Traps
19SEE – Execute
  • Execute
  • Perception and Reaction Time
  • Commitment to Safety
  • Safe vs. Risky Behavior
  • Situational Awareness
  • Values, Judgment and Choices
  • Central Takeaways
  • Virtual Reality Activities
20Conclusion
  • Next Steps
  • Results & Certificate

Range Exercises

LessonsDuration
Pre-Exercise 1 Activities30 minutes
Level I
1Motorcycle Familiarization 35-40 minutes
2Using the Friction Zone 35-40 minutes
Break
3Starting & Stopping Drill 30-35 minutes
4Shifting & Stopping
35-40 minutes
Break
5Basic Skill Practice 35-40 minutes
6Pressing to Initiate and Adjust Lean 30-35 minutes
Break
7Stopping More Quickly and Tight Turns from a Stop30-35 minutes
8Stopping Distance Demonstration10-15 minutes
Level II
9Limited-Space Maneuvers
35-40 minutes
10Stopping in a Curve30-35 minutes
Break
11Curve Judgment35-40 minutes
12Multiple Curves and Lane Changes35-40 minutes
Break
13Crossing an Obstacle and Swerving25-30 minutes
14Skills Practice
20-25 minutes
Break
TestSkill Test 55-65 minutes