Bay Area Motorcycle Training

Fantastic experience: As soon as you enter, you'll need to dodge many big pot holes in this parking lot. Be careful ⚠️! But the class was great, the instructors were amazing. I recommend it

Fantastic experience: A great beginner riding course that teaches the fundamentals. Feel much more confident about getting on the road. Eric was a brilliant instructor.

Negative experience: Rude and unprofessional. I have been a stand by student trying to get my license and after 4 attempts, each time it getting too full or me not being able to get the scooter; they tell me come back next time. I finally make it to a class in the afternoon, no one is there, and the guy straight up cancels the class because I am the only one there and he just doesn't want to teach it. He says oh I will make sure I can get you a seat next week for making you wait 40 mins here. I am like okay, I call next week and no one answers so I leave a voicemail. A week later today and no one has answered still. I call the phone number, and someone picks up. I tell them about the whole situation and how the guy last week was promising me a spot for a class due to canceling the class and how I called last week and no one ever got back to me. She straight up just left me on the line. I realized after I talked, she literally didn't even stay on the line to speak to me. I decided okay, I will wait until they answer. I waited for 9 mins, and only for them to hang up on the 10th min. I called again and of course voice mail. Absolutely ridiculous. You guys are the worst.

Positive experience: Most of the poor reviews are from those who didn't follow the instructions that were clearly stated several times in multiple documents (arrive early, wear the right gear). My friend and I both had a lot of fun and really enjoyed our experience throughout this course. I have never ridden a motorcycle before and barely know how to ride a bicycle, so balance was challenging for me. Despite this, I learned a lot through the patience of the instructors Anthony and Catherine (might be misremembering her name sorry!) who happily took the time to explain the concepts and reasons behind different techniques, gave demonstrations, and answered any and all questions that I, my friend, and others in the group had. They also gave us thorough individual feedback about what each of us should work on to increase our skills as beginning motorcyclists. Our instructors had very pleasant attitudes and I could tell that they do really care about making sure we understand how to ride safely, which just added to my experience of the course. Taking this course doesn't guarantee that you'll pass, but you'll learn a lot. I would recommend it :)

Positive experience: BMW motorcycles were brand new, with less than 100 miles on them! Exercises seemed useful although you obviously have the issue that everyone is at different skill levels and when you are all riding in a line, everybody ends up moving at the speed of the slowest person. The instructors are fine but really there is poor 1:1 communication because you are speeding past the instructors and your helmet is on. But overall a good course to take. Please , if this review is helpful or accurate. Thx

Negative experience: They keep failing to deliver the certificate. It’s been over a month and a half now since completing the course and I’ve had to call 10+ times to ask for it to which they say they would deliver by the end of the day. Almost laughable how bad at they are at communicating and their job in general.

Negative experience: Instructors act like you are supposed to already know how to ride a motorcycle, and make fun of you.

Fantastic experience: I’m surprised to see the one-star reviews here, and after reading them, suspect the “scammy”problem may be with the review poster, not the instructors… I had a great experience with the SF classes, both in the classroom, and on the range at CCSF. The instructors were very professional, and from what I saw, had a good rapport with all of the students. I’ll be back for the intermediate and advanced classes. Highly recommend for any motorcyclist who wants to learn the skills and good habits to stay alive out on the streets…

Negative experience: Never got my refund. They cancelled my class during covid and told me for six months that they’re processing my refund. The guy who picks up the phone just says he doesn’t know what finance team is doing. Very scammy

Negative experience: Similar to others down here, i had a horrific experience with this scammy practice due to constantly being discriminated against during class. I ended up signing for another moto school and did a great job under instructor's patient guidance, despite having to drive a bit further.

Negative experience: I enrolled in this class and was on time, I was waiting for an hour at the location (SF) and was never told that it was closed, I enrolled Feb. 8 2021 and my class was on Apr. 17 at 6:30am. In those two months no call or email was sent out to notify me. I called and emailed them, but no response. I highly recommend to look somewhere else and not waste your money (hard to get a refund) and time.

Negative experience: During this pandemic I get that it is reasonable to cancel classes, but to call their office as well as email various amounts of times is just unjust. I haven’t received my refund and its been 2+ weeks counting.

Positive experience: the class itself was good, but I never received my DMV test waiver and the office has not responded to my inquiries after months of calling and emailing. Considering the reason I took the course was to receive the waiver, this is very disappointing. Would avoid. UPDATE: I was able to get in contact with the office and they went out of the way to personally deliver my waiver to me. That was very appreciated - if you need help, definitely try the office phone as well as emailing and they’ll eventually get back to you

Negative experience: I highly recommend to pick another school. It's been my worst experience ever with a business. Instructors are rude and the people in the office don't even reply

Negative experience: I'd like to confirm that their late policy is absurd. They're extremely strict on time. So I've spent $100 extra to complete the course for a total of $450. Get there 30 minutes early and don't take breaks. They don't care about your time, but they're extremely protective of their own. On top of that awful experience, I've yet to receive my DL389 completion form. Nor have I received any confirmation that I've completed the course. I've tried to sort this out for the past month and they've become completely unresponsive to email, phone calls, and voicemail. So it seems I've wasted $450 and 3 days of my time.

Fantastic experience: I participated in the class a few years ago. As with anything, you get out what you put in. As for the gentleman who failed because of not looking where he was going. Well, point blank, you were being taught basic fundamentals. No way you'd get a passing grade without demonstrating that basic skill. Instructors were great, class is beginner instruction so it's up to you to continue on your motorcycle adventure. They'll teach you the basic skills to obtain your motorcycle endorsement but, it's up to you to continue educating yourself & practicing the skills you've been taught.

Positive experience: Very worthwhile training course. Staff were friendly and experienced. Provided bikes were a bit battered (to be expected) and there aren't many places to sit and rest between sessions or to shelter from the rain, but if you bring the correct clothing and snacks, you'll be fine.

Fantastic experience: They provide informational and hands-on courses.

Negative experience: The short version: The training was terrible, the instructors exhibited a horrible unprofessional demeanor to the class. They were extremely strict on time, 5 minutes late and you have to reschedule and pay a 100 dollar fee. What I experienced was this ridiculous scenario, after being there since 6:45 AM on Saturday and riding in the rain until 4:00 PM they gave us a 10 minute break. I had to use the restroom, but I also had appendicitis about a week ago so straining to poop was cautioned by my doctor post surgery; for I still felt discomfort when I sneezed. But I felt great besides that with the confidence my doctor instilled in me, saying I will be fine and able to practice motorcycles being that I don’t do extraneous movements like weight lifting. I was also making the most of the training despite the snarky comments from the irritable instructors. After 15 minutes, 5 minutes over the break time, the instructor didn’t allow me to rejoin the class and finish the day. She said I needed to reschedule and come back tomorrow, I couldn’t believe my ears. For 5 minutes they were going to have me waste the entire day I was there and pay another 100 dollars to do the same thing, all because I needed extra time in the bathroom because of my health complication. I told the instructor of my situation, who had to talk with her manager, that eventually said I could rejoin only with the condition I provide medical documentation. I would give this place 0 stars if I could for what next transpired. The outcome: I ended giving them the documentation. But after being in the rain most of the day and practicing on the motorcycle. I felt tired, I exerted myself, so I followed my doctors orders and decided to rest the following day. After notifying the program, and to my amazement, they said they would have to discuss what they can do for my situation. I thought it would be as easy a rescheduling like they almost had me do after being 5 minutes late in the last hour of the 12 hour training that day. This place is such a trashy excuse of a program, because their solution is that they wanted to have me provide documentation from my doctor saying I can practice riding motorcycles for 5.5 hours, and pay the 100 fee to reschedule. I rarely leave reviews but do yourself a favor and don’t waste your time or money here! I am taking the skills test at the DMV this coming week and getting my license for 1/5 of the costs, just because I walked on at the DMV and took the written part after reviewing the pamphlet. If your over 21 my advice is to do that, if you need to take this course; try Pacific Motorcycle Training. The time I wasted at this place and money left me so disgruntled that I want to let anyone I can to avoid this place. I don’t want to see what happened to me and many others happen to anyone else any longer...

Fantastic experience: I failed in July 2019 and passed in September 2019. I had Kevin McGee as my instructor and he is amazing!! I wish I can have everyone I know learn from him. His method of teaching just sticks. He has a fun and personable personality. This course was the best decision that I’ve made. If you are new to the riding world or you have been riding and finally want to get legal take the course. This program is the way to go!! Be safe and ride safe!

Fantastic experience: Everything was just great! The instructions were wonderful! They were very informative, gave tons of examples from real life, and you could really feel they care about preparing you to the real ride and making you safe.

Fantastic experience: Vallejo Beginner Course - Prep is key here. Do your homework, and make sure this is not the first time riding something with two wheels. Early is on time. On time is late. Don't be caught out. This was the first time on motorcycle for me, but but could ride a pedal bike pretty good. I enjoyed the course and feedback from the instructors. Ask questions in the classroom and on the range. The two days are so intense that you get all the jitters out of the way on day one. Just relax.

Fantastic experience: I had never rode a motorcycle before coming to this class and I left with a very good sense of the fundamentals so I can go and practice much more on my own. Someone else mentioned Alain in their review and I thought he was a great instructor. Very supportive, informative, and patient. He's not going to let you just breeze through the course but that's exactly what you want. You're there to learn not to just pass some test. You need to be ready for anything. He took a good amount of time to talk with the students who did not pass so they could be more successful in the future.

Negative experience: DMV, STOP THIS NON-SENSE OUTSOURCING....... Remember the class starts at 6:30 am on Saturday and Sunday. Their SFO location is very hard to find. The markings on the range are poor and they just set up paths with cones. For a riding range test, the instructor did arrange a sharp right turn few yards away. Two of us were mentioning that we would like to go and see, how it is arranged so that we can do what he(Alain) is asking for. He said, "it would be more confusing if we see it. Trust me". How can he decide that it would be confusing for us. Something confusing for you might be clear for me. So, we did it without seeing it. Finally those two failed. When we were given breaks between session, we weren't informed next is the riding test. Honestly I thought I would go to pee right before the test. He said, Take a 15 minutes break. After the break, he said now its your riding test, and I was like "What ?". They have riding range at one location and class at another location. Apart from paying 260$, they are making us to pay for uber to move from one location to another. This is BS.

Negative experience: Instructors are partial and unprofessional. Remember the class starts at 6:30 am. They mention that, if you are late they have the right to kick you out. We were there at 6:30 am and they started only at 7 am. So, if they are late, no one questions them. HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR OUR TIME. No wonder 6 out of 30 people dropped out after first knowledge session. The way they had set up two entries (one as Bay area motor cycle and another Bay Area motorcycle Training range)in Google reviews say that how big cheat they are. Because they knew, their ratings would go down, if they put as one listing.

Negative experience: The driving classes were good. I suggest them to conduct classes from 9 AM - 6 PM rather than starting at 6:30 AM. I saw a hand bunch of people dropping out from day 1- day 2 to day3. This lead us to feel crappy and sleepy on Saturday noon session classes. I didn't email from them saying that there will be a knowledge test on Saturday noon. It was a shocker and I wasn't prepared. Those results had an impact on Sunday on-wheel driving test too. I did notice that someone who performed worse than me(the other person put his feet on road while swerving more than 3 times) was passed, but I failed in driving test (and the reason they gave me is I didn't have good head turns - Honestly, I had drive mopeds for 6 years back in my country and I prefer to look at road than looking up. I do both as how we check rear view mirrors and also check blind spots. But the instructor said that I didn't look up properly, but I did perfectly what he asked for). Anyways, I was mainly looking for someone to teach me how to drive geared motorcycles and they did. Having the classes and range at different location is another drawback.

Fantastic experience: I had been riding for ten years and still learned something new. Well re-learned it, anyway. Walked away with a new appreciation for little motorcycles, too. The trainers here have been riding for decades and could own me if I were on a literbike and all they had was a scooter.

Fantastic experience: Just finished up my course and overall a great experience compared to what some reviews say, took mine in Alameda and instructors demonstrated everything in detail and timely matters, definately would recommend to anyone.

Fantastic experience: Took the intro class in Alameda to finally get my license. I found the classroom portion to be very informative as it takes you down to the basics. Of course, some of it was a bit dry since it's a driving class. The class itself was full. Can see why other would call it crowded. Nothing worse than your standard packed classroom. That's fine. Whatever. The time out on the range was great. Wasn't crowded the way I thought it would be. Instructors were friendly and knowledgeable. Felt it was extremely helpful. I took the written test the week after passing the course and immediately got my license. Worth it.

Fantastic experience: Vallejo, CA Course Review: Ray & Al are great! Honestly, they make the class engaging, fun and interactive. I didn't think I was going to take much away from this class as I have been riding for a little while, I was proven wrong. I have nothing but great things to say about the instructors and their persistence to ensure we engrained safety into our cycling careers. Highly recommend these two instructors and this course! I walked away feeling like a safer rider. Thanks Ray and Al!

Fantastic experience: The beginner course was well structured and executed. Instructors were great. Administration did everything I needed them to do, including rescheduling my class because I had picked the wrong date. Show up on time, do your homework and everything will work out just fine.

Fantastic experience: Great staff! Great place to become acquainted with a motorcycle

Negative experience: This is a waste of time and money. Greedy scammers.

Negative experience: Was a ripp off had to traing eles were 250 dollars down the toilet.

Negative experience: I've been trying to call them , place and paid for my classes but still haven't received email confirmation. I'm starting to thing this place is a scale now I'm $250 short FML just want my money back.

Negative experience: Terrible experience. Our instructor, Pierre, had a meltdown for reasons he didn't communicate. He just started shouting that he was going to stop the class and call the police. I am not kidding. The situation was very bizarre. The situation was additionally stressful for all of us because it wasn't clear to any of us what had gone wrong. Shortly after Pierre's tantrum, a participant wiped out. All of us received notice that we would have to repeat the course. All of the other groups had a great time - no accidents or drama.

Negative experience: Very Rude And impatient do not waste your money here!!!

Fantastic experience: Don, Jon, and Mike were outstanding! Super friendly, knowledgeable, and relaxed. I saw some of the negative reviews and wonder how they had such a poor experience. We had beginners to experts in the same class and all of us had a great time. I've been riding dirt bikes for years and still learned a good bit. I would recommend this class and company to anyone. (by the way, don't be late! That's pretty much the only rule that could cause you to have a bad experience.)

Negative experience: Listen to the bad reviews as I should have. Please Listen. Do not go here.

Negative experience: As others mentioned, it is poorly administrated. Long story short, they changed the rules regarding taking a make-up class, expecting me to pay another fee, on top of the one I paid for having missed class. They don't deserve your time or money.

Fantastic experience: My son and I took this course and LOVED IT! We had a great weekend. The rider coaches were so relaxed their vibe made it easy for all the beginners, yet entertaining for the advanced clients. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to ride and stay alive. Thank you Mike C!

Negative experience: I went there late and they didnt let me in. It's like a scam, they tried to charge me $129 for the ''''''Document Fee'''''''' ?!?!?! dont go there, staffs are impolite and impatient

Negative experience: I took this course with the interest in learning how to ride a motorcycle. The course itself I would say was just fine. It taught me the basics, and even the riding portion, while crowded was acceptable. The issue began when I had to take one of the riding sides of the course a 2nd time. As part of the program, if you need remedial training, it is included, which I thought was fantastic since I have never ridden and it would make sure that if I needed more I would get more. After being informed that I needed to do 1 of the 2 days of riding a second time and to contact the office on Monday I left for the day and waited. On Monday, post my course, I received an email outlining the options. That I would be on standby for 3 course, if I could not get in on standby after 3 tries I would be scheduled into a class. I called into the office to find out the next offering of the R2 portion of the course. The gentleman who fielded my call said Feb 29 there were two offerings. I went off, and realized that Feb 2015 did not have a 29th, called back and he confirmed that he meant Mar 1st. Mar 1st rolls around, I travel to Vallejo, 45min prior to class, and wait and hour. No one shows, nothing. I come back that afternoon at the time the 2nd offering was supposed to be there, nothing again. After getting home, I email the office my concerns and the fact that at a minimum, I could care less that the information was incorrect, but I want those 2 attempts to count towards my 3 so that I do not have to make 5 attempts to get into a remedial course. To point, the office has glossed over that request and keeps sending me the exact same thing back. A short response saying the next 2 offerings of the course. I finally got times out of them in the same email with my request. To be frank, the front office there lacks customer service skills, and overall overshadows a positive experience with the course itself. The trainers are very seasoned riders and have a wealth of knowledge, if only the front office would be more customer friendly I would say this is definitely the place to go, but at this point I would recommend using caution, or better yet finding another training organization.

Negative experience: Good curriculum, bad driving experience, terrible administration. The curriculum was solid. I came in with zero prior experience and I was gradually eased into riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately they overcrowd the driving range. My day was like being stuck in thick rush hour traffic. This is fine at first when you are just starting and stopping, but gets downright aggravating when you want to practice maneuvering and gear shifting. Bottom line is I do not feel ready for the streets after this class. Two stars for the driving experience. Zero stars for the bureaucrats running this outfit. They do not have your best interest at heart. Strike one was when they screwed up my registration and missed the fact that I wanted a scooter. Strike two was when they gave my spot away even though I arrived half an hour early. I got it back, but only after chewing out the instructor. But the worst part is their late policy. If you are four minutes late, they expect you to pay for another class, show up very early, and maybe, just maybe, get a spot. IF someone else happens to miss a class and you happen to be first in line. Otherwise, better luck next week. No. This is not how we treat paying customers, BAMT. Either make me pay to reserve a spot, OR make me wait to take someone else's paid spot, not both. I planned on arriving half an hour early like I did the day before, but sometimes things happen that you cannot plan for. It could get worse though. There is a mother on Yelp who they expect to go through this nonsense for all three of her missed classes because she made the mistake of catching pneumonia. Buyer beware.