March 29, 2024

Illinois Motorcycle Riding Schools

Learn To Ride

Information about different motorcycle riding schools in Illinois. Learn how to ride a motorcycle through training schools or centers. In Illinois, these are the motorcycle riding schools approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

Chicago Motorcycle School

If you live anywhere in Chicago and wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy Learn to Ride Class is Harley-Davidson®’s Academy of Motorcycling will get you covered.

You’ll be riding a Harley-Davidson® Street 500 (may or may not be the latest model), but here are some of the base features of the bike you may want to know.

  • 494 CC Liquid Cooled Revolution X Engine
  • 6 Speed Transmission
  • Belt Drive
  • Single caliper disk brakes
  • V Twin 60 Degree 4-Valves per Head
  • Wheel Size: 17″ Front, 15″ Rear
  • Wheelbase: 59.5″
  • Weight: 480 LBS (WET)

Chi-Town Harley-Davidson (http://www.chitownhd.com/)

Life starts at the edge! That is why the Chi-Town Harley-Davidson dealers in Tinley Illinois offer motorcycle training services to both new and experienced riders through Rider’s Edge. According to their official website, they offer courses approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They offer hands-on instruction and real-road experience that can teach you the skills you need to get the most out of riding. For course registration, call Sue Ann at 708-623-6000 ext. 103 or send an email to chitown@chitownhd.com.

Conrad’s Harley-Davidson (http://www.conradshd.com/default.asp)

The Conrad’s Harley-Davidson in Joliet Illinois offers motorcycle training to new and experienced riders  through Rider’s Edge; the Harley-Davidson’s Academy of Motorcycling. For more information, please contact (815) 725-2000 or email them at info@conradshd.com.

Illinois Harley-Davidson/Buell (http://www.ilharley.com/)

If you live anywhere in the Chicago area and wanted to learn how to drive, the Windy City Harley-Davidson offers motorcycle training classes through Rider’s Edge Academy of Motorcycling. The New Rider course they offer is a mixture of classroom time and actual riding that delivers the basics of motorcycle operation. Courses were taught by experts certified by both the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Harley-Davidson to provide topnotch instruction in a relaxed and fun environment. For class scheduling and requirements, please visit http://www.ilharley.com/custompage.asp?pg=riders_edge, email them at info@windycityhd.com or call (708) 788- 1300 or (708) 788-1356.

Kegel Harley-Davidson (http://www.kegelmotorcycles.com/)

The Kegel Harley-Davidson in Rockford Illinois is known to be the world’s oldest dealer. But aside from that they also offer motorcycle training course for those who wants to learn how to ride. The Rider’s Edge is the Harley-Davidson’s Academy of Motorcycling, a Motorcycle safety Foundation’s approved provider of motorcycle training courses for new and experienced riders. For more information please visit http://www.kegelmotorcycles.com/contact_us.asp, or contact them at 815-332-7125.

LRN2RYD Motorcycle Training (http://www.lrn2ryd.com/)

This motorcycle training center as started in 2006 by an avid motorcyclist and long time rider and educator. It delivers a variety of training courses for all kinds of riders. According to their official site, their goal is to deliver the best training possible in a friendly and enthusiastic manner. LRN2RYD students were given lots of on-bike time in classes. It is also licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State as a commercial driving school and is approved by Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to provide motorcycle rider education. For more information about their course and registration, please contact 847-438-6588, fax 847-749-4354 or email scalzitti@mindspring.com.

Motorcycle Rider Program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (http://www.mrp.uiuc.edu/)

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers motorcycle rider programs. According to their site, the Basic course and the Experienced course are offered through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety; the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and community agencies to reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents. This is done through the teaching of risk management skills and development of essential riding skills through both classroom and riding instruction. To select a course, visit http://www.mrp.uiuc.edu/selectCourse.aspx or email questions to questions@mrp.illinois.edu.

Motorcycle Riding School (http://www.motorcyclelearning.com/)

This motorcycle safety school founded in 2011 was the first of its kind in Illinois. According to their official website, their curriculum is provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation which is the internationally recognized developer of the comprehensive, research-based, Rider Education and Training System. They offer Basic Rider Course, Scooter School, Experienced Rider Course, Motorcycle Maintenance Course and Stick Shift Training. Instructors are all MSF certified RiderCoaches. To register, call 773-YOU-RIDE (773-968-7433), fax 312-337-9109 or email info@motorcyclelearning.com.

NIU Motorcycle Safety Project / NIU Outreach (http://www.outreach.niu.edu/mcycle/)

Provide free motorcycle rider training classes offered throughout Illinois which are part of the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program. According to their site, the motorcycle riding courses are administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic safety, Springfield, Illinois and supported by Public Act 82-649, the Cycle Rider safety Training Act. The Illinois Department of Transportation makes these courses possible with funding provided from a portion of Illinois motorcycle registration and driver’s license fees. For registration, visit this page http://www.outreach.niu.edu/mcycle/registration.shtml or http://www.outreach.niu.edu/mcycle/schedules.shtml for schedules.

Ride Chicago (http://www.ride-chicago.com/)

Ride Chicago motorcycle and scooter riding school offers motorcycle instructions for both new and experienced riders looking to enhance their skills. They are sure to provide the kind of instructions that suits your needs. According to their site, thousands of new riders in Illinois have obtained their motorcycle licensing through Rider Chicago. They offer both basic and experienced classes to suit all skill levels as well as private lessons for those who are seeking one-on-one instructions. For more information, contact 773-878-RIDE (7433) or email info@ridechicago.com.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (http://mrp.siuc.edu/)

This University offers Motorcycle Rider Program which aims to provide quality instruction in safe riding techniques for both beginning and experienced motorcyclists.  It is also their goal to increase riders’ skill level and knowledge, in an attempt to produce a safe and conscientious motorcyclist. They offer Basic Rider Course, Intermediate Rider Course and Experienced Rider Course. To register to a course, visit http://mrp.siuc.edu/register.htm or call 618-453-2877, fax 618-453-2879 or send an email to their program administrator at skipstr@siu.edu or his assistant at jaredb@siu.edu.

These are some of the motorcycle riding schools and training centers in the state of Illinois.


Are we missing a school on our list? Or did you attend one of these schools and want to leave a review for future riders? Leave a Reply below and share what you know.

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