Best Motorcycle Safety Online Courses - Top Rated Options (2023)

While motorcycle enthusiasts look very cool when they take their bikes out for a spin, it can be incredibly dangerous if the right degree of safety precautions are not taken. A road is a place where you could be putting yourself at risk at any given time, regardless of what mode of transportation you are using. The highest number of accidents usually involve cars but motorcycles are not too far behind when it comes to driving accidents. In order to keep yourself and others around you safe on the road, it is important to get an understanding of motorcycle safety and ways in which you can be more careful when you are riding a motorcycle.

For this reason, there are many states in the country that require you to complete a motorcycle safety course before you can get your license. In many cases, a part of your test may also be waived if you have completed the said course. The main authority offering these courses is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. During the course of this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the best courses that you can take from the range of options offered on the MSF platform when you are looking to improve your skills and lead a safer life.

Basic eCourse by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

The first course on this list — also the most popular motorcycle safety course in the country — is the Basic eCourse offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. As this is an online course, you need to pay a nominal amount of money to enroll yourself in the course, which is a part of a relatively more hands-on module. There are tons of video components as well as other graphics that make the course more interesting and engaging. It also helps you understand which bike will suit you best. Keep in mind that if you just want to take this online course, you don’t need to complete the Basic RiderCourse. It is also available in Spanish if you prefer to take the course in the language.

Another point to remember is that this online course alone will not be considered a license waiver in any state.

Basic RiderCourse by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

If you are interested in riding motorcycles, you need to spend some time improving your understanding of motorcycle safety and a fantastic point to get started is the Basic RiderCourse offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This includes completing the eCourse that was discussed before this, in addition to formal classroom-based modules that run for 5 hours. In order to complete this course, which is conducted in person, you will have to go through a few sessions of riding instructions as well, which add up to close to 10 hours of time on the bike. As there are some tests conducted over this period, you will be able to track your progress well.

Keep in mind that if you complete this course, some states may offer to waive the license test and some insurance companies may also offer special discounts.

Basic RiderCoursePrice: Depends on the institution in your area that is offering the course.Sign up for the Course

Street Strategies eCourse by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

The other online course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is the Street Strategies eCourse, which is geared towards those of you who have been riding and are familiar with basics like how to ride or control a bike. While this course is similar to the basic course discussed above, some of the more entry-level aspects of riding are ignored with this course. Instead, you will be able to develop strategies that help as you take on the road or difficult traffic conditions. Again, you cannot use this course to get a license waiver from the state that you reside in.

Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME) by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

While there are multiple courses that address those of you who have some experience riding motorcycles, this particular short course is designed to give you an introduction to a bike even before you start riding. Set across two hours, you will not learn how to ride motorcycles during this course. Instead, the focus is on introducing you to the different parts of the machine and how you can control it. There is also an assessment for you to conduct on your own, where you’d get a better understanding of where you stand.

Introductory Motorcycle Experience (IME)Price: Depends on the institution in your area that is offering the course.Sign up for the Course

Street RiderCourse 1 by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

This is the first part of the two-part Street RiderCourse offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Designed keeping the skill level of newly licensed motorcycle riders in mind, the Street RiderCourse 1 offers a great initiation into the realm of street riding as you get to venture out with a RiderCoach offered by the platform. As the activities during this half-day course are all guided and supervised by the coach who is in charge of the class. The same coach gives you directions during the ride and also conducts the activities that improve your knowledge of your surroundings and riding skills, which are developed through hours of riding through an area around the class.

Street RiderCourse 1Price: Depends on the institution in your area that is offering the course.Sign up for the Course

Street RiderCourse 2 by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

The second part of the Street RiderCourse offered by the platform builds on the lessons you get with the Street RiderCourse 1. In addition to giving you additional insight into the basic skills that you need to become an advanced street rider and developing strategies that help in improving your skills, you can also rack up many more hours of practical experience. The RiderCoach again has an important role to play in this course, just like the coach in Street RiderCourse 1, where he or she will be giving you instructions as you ride and help you answer any questions that may arise while you get some experience on the bike. Keep in mind that you’ll need your own bike but there may be a chance to get a training motorcycle in some locations.

Street RiderCourse 2Price: Depends on the institution in your area that is offering the course.Sign up for the Course

Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

If you don’t have time for a long-term course to advance the basic skills that you have already developed on the road, the Advanced RiderCourse or ARC by MSF is a good option. As this is an in-person course that runs for one full day, you will have to visit the platform using the link given below and fill in your zip code to find a location that is close to you. The course has been developed to include a conventional classroom segment that is augmented with the use of different engaging activities. The ARC module aims at working on your perception and awareness of what is going on around you. It also includes a personal risk assessment so that you can improve your existing skills.

Advanced RiderCourse (ARC)Price: Depends on the institution in your area that is offering the course.Sign up for the Course

Ultimate Bike-Bonding RiderCourse by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

The formal classroom setting doesn’t suit everyone and this is especially true for riders who usually prefer a degree of flexibility in their learning experience. With the Ultimate Bike-Bonding Rider Course offered by MSF, you get a concentrated session that runs for five hours. There are a range of exercises that have been designed keeping police training courses in mind with a chance to practice maneuvers where there is a space restriction. The exercises offer more and more of a challenge as you go through the course. When you sign up for this show, you will have to get your motorcycle license or permit as well as an insured and registered motorcycle with you.

Ultimate Bike-Bonding RiderCoursePrice: Depends on the institution in your area that is offering the course.Sign up for the Course

While some of the courses offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation are available online so that you can easily access all the information you need from within the comforts of your home, there are many others that can only be accessed in person. If you fill in your zip code, the platform will tell you what the closest location for the course is. This gives you the chance of getting some practical learning while you brush up on your basic skills when it comes to riding motorcycles. You can complete some of the more affordable online courses or try your hand at the in-person ones!

If you’re going to ride a motorcycle, be safe. Taking a motorcycle safety course is a great way to ensure you understand how to ride a motorcycle and can keep yourself and others protected on the road. Want to be extra careful? Consider adding a defensive driving course to your studies! There’s no such thing as too safe when it comes to riding a motorcycle.