Student Testimonials

Ed,

A belated note regarding my experience with the school this past July at MHCC. This was one of the most intensive classes I have ever attended. That being said, I learned a great deal about proper riding skills, shucking bad habits, and  was exposed to more extensive riding skills than in any other motorcycle riding course I've attended. I feel that the course definitely helped improve my riding skills and abilities. I finished the class with enhanced skills and knowledge as well as discovering areas where I needed to practice further. The exercises and the riding course was great, however, the breaks where we performed "follow the leader" were also immensely helpful. I can't say enough about the low student to instructor ratio along with the quality and patience of yourself and the other instructors.

I continue to set aside some of my saddle time for the purpose of practicing the exercises and manuevers. Using either lightly travelled roadways or parking lots in off-hours, I find it both enjoyable and a confidence builder to do so. Once again, thanks for a great class.

Bruce from Illinois

Ed,

Thanks for teaching this course in the Portland area! My wife saw your class advertised in the MHCC catalog and told me that if I wanted to continue riding a motorcycle, I had better take this course ;-)
 I've learned more in the last two weekends of instruction than I have from my past 10 years riding experience. I'm amazed at what is possible on a motorcycle and this course has enabled me to maneuver through and around obstacles and to stop and execute and an escape plan in distances and areas that I just didn't think were possible.
Rather than learn (if I was lucky) from the school of hard knocks, we were taught in a controlled environment with bikes that were "ok" to (and each of us did) drop or lay over. The quality and quantity of instruction provided over this two weekend course is worth every penny. The techniques taught in this course will not only potentially save me thousands of dollars in repairs to my motorcycle but may one day save my life.
 Please put me on the waiting list for the next refresher course offered at the Portland location!
 Sincerely,
-mark

Hi Ed,

I went out yesterday for a short ride and it was so great that I ended up going 100 miles.
The class was very helpful.  I now have a lot more confidence and better riding skills.  And, the bike is much better behaved now, it is smoother and does what I want without fighting back.  Funny how that works!  Probably the most important, I am now much more aware of my capabilities and weaknesses.  I know what things I need to work on and what things I don't have to worry about. 
Best Regards, Gary  

September, 2008, I had the pleasure of receiving motorcycle handling training/instruction from the Northwest Motorcycle School. Under the tutelage of the Ed and Chief Instructor Zsolt I spent 4 enlightening 10 hour days with the school. The skill sets demonstrated and taught were all practical and safety oriented.

My class, composed of 6 students, developed the abilities to turn 360 degrees in confined spaces, obstacle avoidance, maximum braking, and other skills necessary for survival on the road. During the course we used the schools motorcycles. This removed our concern about dropping or falling off. The Northwest equipment is well suited for the instructional learning and course experience.

My fellow students and I were carefully coached and instructed by Ed and Zsolt. They both have an uncanny ability to observe and correct our riding skills. This course is really the best use of instructional dollars I have ever heard of or taken part in.I strongly recommend partaking in this adventure.

Be prepared for long tough days with a sharp learning curve, but worth every minute.

John, Gold Wing Rider.

Langley, British Columbia

Canada

When I attended the class, I'd only been riding for a couple of months.  I was concerned that I should have more experience so that I could learn more and do better in the class. But I was assured that my inexperience was nothing to be concerned about & that another woman took the class with only a couple of days of riding experience.  I actually feel that in some regards I had the advantage over those, like my husband, who had years of experience and many bad habits to go along with it.  I, on the other hand, didn't have to overcome any bad habits because I hadn't ridden long enough to develop any!

   I would highly recommend the class. Though I was concerned about the cost of the class & hotel my husbands attitude was that if I was going to be a rider, he wanted me to have the best knowledge and skill possible, because motorcycles are dangerous.  It was one of the top three hardest things I've ever done in my life, mentally or physically.  Few things can compare to the rush of succeeding at something hard.

    The class is absolutely fantastic!  Zsolt, the instructor, has a great attitude and doesn't get mad or make anyone feel stupid.  If you keep making the same mistakes, he will run along beside you telling you exactly what to do and when to do it.  He knows what he's doing & rode motorcycles as a career as well as for pleasure.  His attention to detail is amazing.  He notices things as seemingly minute as how far your head is turned and where your vision is focused.  He is a true professional and has many competitive awards for his skill and attention to detail.  I promise you that if you do what he & Ed say to do, you will be amazed at the improvement in your riding.  I never thought I could lock my handlebars and turn within 18 feet and not fall down!  I crashed & crashed & crashed until finally it clicked and I actually FELT what they'd been telling me.  Oh my gosh!  It felt awesome!  Even though both Ed & Zsolt wondered whether I'd be able to pass the course, they never showed it or gave me less attention than the guys who were gettin it.   I had a little trouble staying upright!  I also was very afraid to lean or to give it more gas.

    Again, I'd recommend this course to anyone who rides a bike, even if they've ridden for 30 years.  It can give you the edge and the confidence to make the difference between living or dying.  It's a fact that people respond to situations the way they have practiced it.  If you never practice how to turn from right to left within a tight space at a high speed, how will you ever be able to do it in real life?  And, none of us want to crash our own bikes practicing tight turns, therefore, we don't practice them.  Crash their bikes! (don't tell them I said that!) Make your mistakes in a controlled environment with professionals who can show you how to do it correctly.

Roxy,

Hayden, Idaho

Wow!

I’ve attended my share of riding courses and I am a licensed Motorcycle Instructor myself, and this course is by far the best one I have ever attended. This course will greatly improve your skills regardless of your current level of riding proficiency. All street riders from novice to expert alike will benefit from this exceptional training.

Police Motor Officers are extremely well trained and are some of the most skilled riders you will ever find on the road. For civilian riders to have access to the very same type of training is a very rare opportunity that should not be missed. For 42 hours of training by "master riders" this course is a tremendous bargain. You won’t find this type of training anywhere else. I cannot recommend this course highly enough.

So do yourself a favor and click on the “register” button now. You won’t regret it.

Ride well, ride safe,

Steve
Vancouver, BC

"Northwest Motorcycle School exceeded my expectations! I was worried about the cost as it was much higher than the competitor’s one and two day classes. I had only been on a bike a few hours total in my life. I took a three hour private lesson that was amazing just to get me up to the skill level I needed to be at to take the class. Each day I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to complete one of the tasks but Ed and Zolt were wonderful, patient teachers and got me through it. They didn’t even get upset when I dropped the bike (about 30 times by the end of the four days)! By the last day of class I was confident enough to buy my dream bike and pass the DOL test to receive my license. My Dad who has been riding for over thirty years is amazed at the skills I acquired in only four days! You NEED to take this class!!!"

Beth

Seattle, WA

Gentlemen,

A little student feedback.  I got on my bike (BMW 1150GS) and noted ABS off, usually due to low battery voltage.  I decided to continue my ride to work.  While traveling downhill in heavy traffic, a car parked curbside in my lane pulled out.  I was unable to swerve due to another vehicle passing on left.  I mashed brake and induced a front-wheel skid.

The bike skidded down and to the right and I instinctively put my right leg down, unfortunately.  I recognized the skid and released the front brake.  The skid ended, I straightened the bike and braked.  No impact with vehicle.  Unfortunately, I sprained my right knee in the process. 
Lessons learned:

the over reliance on ABS made me heavy on the brake, which directly contributed to the skid.
Putting your foot down is a novice move, however, I am not sure the instinct may be overcome without many hours of practice, far more than the average rider.

The braking exercises in your school helped me recognize and reverse  the skid, which if continued would have resulted in collision or spill-out in heavy traffic.

So I am embarrassed and limping instead of in the hospital or worse.  Just wanted to give you some feedback and say Murphy is a son-of-a bitch.

Regards,
Kevin

Dulles, VA