Puget Sound Safety

Negative experience: Took a 2 day basic rider training course here in February. The time out on the course felt very unorganized and not well thought out. We had a lot of standing around time waiting for things to be reset, which they had to be after almost every exercise. The instructor gave us very basic instructions, meaning for a group beginners it did not feel thorough enough. When I approached the instructor at one point to ask about how to push past my fear of leaning and falling over, he told me to just do it and I'd figure it out. The weather that weekend was miserable, practically freezing, sleeting half of the time we were out on the course. Obviously that's not the schools fault but when everyone has been out there for two days in that kind of weather and then we're asked to take a skills test, it's a recipe for disaster. This is a safety training course and any safety information for motorcycle riding will tell you not to ride tired, extremely cold or uncomfortable. And that's what we were asked to do. I was one of four women in the class and two others were failedas well. That seemed a bit strange to me considering none of the men failed. It also was strange to the other two women who failed. The classroom time was to read our manuals and then a short slideshow. None of it felt well designed to help us become great riders. I'm not taking another basic rider course at another school and the difference is night and day. If you have the ability to go somewhere else for your training or even tearing, do yourself a favor and avoid this place.

Fantastic experience: This was my first time taking a motorcycle riding course for my permit, and it was such a great experience! Tom and Marissa were amazing instructors—so fun to learn from. The classroom part could’ve been a drag, but Tom made it entertaining with his awesome personality and humor. They were super helpful, always answering questions, and their energy made the 16.5-hour, two-day class a lot more enjoyable and manageable. I definitely recommend Puget Sound Safety!

Fantastic experience: My girlfriend and I took their permit level course a couple weeks ago and had a great experience. I have years of dirtbiking experience and I felt like I still learned a lot both on the course and in the classroom. Unfortunately my girlfriend did not pass the skills test, but I still believe it was worth attending the course since Tom and Todd were both really helpful and encouraging as she worked on her skills. I’ve seen negative reviews here, but if you have Tom and Todd as your instructors then you’ll have nothing to complain about! Would definitely recommend them even if you have no experience on a bike just like my girlfriend. I’m excited to go back and take their more advanced courses as they really helped me understand the importance of training. Seriously, Tom and Todd are both great instructors and Tom’s style of teaching in the classroom was both engaging and informative. I feel that Tom’s classroom instruction instilled a reverence for motorcycles and reminded me to keep my ego in check for when I finally hit the road. I’m very grateful how much he emphasized the danger of riding and all the ways we can manage the risk. They were also both very encouraging before, during and after the skills tests.

Fantastic experience: Big thanks to Tom and Thilo, they were great. They take pride in what they do and really seem to care about producing better and safer riders. In addition to the riding instruction, I very much appreciated the classroom discussions and real-world insights Tom offered. Much thanks to both of them! Thanks guys!

Fantastic experience: All the instructors I've met are good teachers and answer all questions. Good place for all skill levels.

Fantastic experience: Had the opportunity to get my permit with Thilo and Marissa as the instructors, two very enthusiastic and clearly passionate people that were great teachers. I have never ridden a bike before this class and by the end I felt super confident and had the itch to get on the road. I was super nervous registering for this class, but it ended up being some of the most fun I've had in a while. If you're thinking about about registering, just pull the trigger and have some fun.

Negative experience: Rented a bike from them. The bike was a little taller than i prefer and not what i would personally use for my riding style. I took my permit test and passed. Lost 2 points. Fair enough. And i did my endorsement right after. Did my brake test, no problem. In Figure 8, they wanted 22.5 seconds to complete. I did it in 23, and they failed me. I get that in the 22.5 seconds are margin for error, but come on. Renting a bike that you never rode before along with doing good on all the other tests you get failed over 0.5 of a second.. If they want to be so picky about 0.5 of a second. The last time i checked, the bike had to be street legal to test in. And i had no mirrors. No front fender and handlebar were shifted to the right by half an inch, but they will fail you or not even test you if you dont show up with the right gear to ride in as specified in the email they send you. The lady was at least nice, but the guy who tested me.. All he had to say was make sure you go online and sign up again. The hell not. Not at this area i won't.

Negative experience: Do NOT under any circumstances rent a bike for your endorsement test! The bike I rented from Puget Sound Safety cost me a passing grade on the driving test because it would not shift from first to second gear. The instructor told me I wasn't going fast enough but the bikes they loan you are cheap and they don't take care of them. It's best to bring your own bike and not get ripped off!!!

Negative experience: Told my girlfriend she should stop riding and just give up because she was brand new to it and wanted to get her endorsement. Their job is to say pass or fail not make people feel like shit for trying to get into riding and enjoy themselves. Rude people.

Negative experience: My class got canceled because they failed to arrange the parking lot, they agreed to gave a refund but when I contacted them, they never responded me back! Don’t waste your money, really not worth it!

Negative experience: Had a family emergency, they refused to allow us to reschedule the class date for later or refund. No concept of empathy by the staff.

Fantastic experience: I did the 2 day permit class. Tom was an excellent teacher, and made everything easy to understand. Thank you Tom!

Fantastic experience: Did the two day class with Thilo & Tim and had a great experience. They were patient, direct with feedback, and had great energy and humor. Would totally recommend.

Fantastic experience: Awesome teachers. They train you to be safe out there.

Negative experience: Garbage. Broke my wrist because an instructor told me to "drive faster." Maybe choose literally anywhere else! Least they gave me the second day free! Too bad by the time I heal, my test (passed it 49/50 because I read the book) will be expired by then... (>90 days)

Fantastic experience: James and Paul were phenomenal in being able to communicate complex ideas easily and smoothly, and even more importantly were able to explain with words concepts about leaning and body geometry that I never learned in a lifetime of hopping on and off dirt bikes for fun. The selection of rides was great, they even had a scooter! (For me. Trust me even if you've got an automatic vespa or something there is much to be learned from these classes) I'm coming back at least once a year or so.

Negative experience: Notified school more than 10 days out that I was not going to attend class and they refused to refund. Would not recommend this company

Positive experience: I had the instructors James or Jim? and Greg. Though I know it is stressful and difficult to instruct 16 people in my class. My experience with getting most out of the riding classes was James or Jim?. A very personable, knowledgeable, patient, willing to acknowledge mistakes to you professionally, approachable, and puts you more at ease to learn. Greg seemed to be unapproachable, not as much feed back given. Felt he made it more difficult for in that learning environment.All in all, I learned a lot.

Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend. Absolutely loved my first course. Our instructor Roger was friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable of motorcycles AND people. His style was perfect for me—the right combination of patience, humor, and seeing areas where we needed a little nudge out of our comfort zones. After this first course I have more confidence and excitement for the next course. Thank you! (btw, use the bathroom before you go. You don’t want to use the portable one. No fault of theirs…just trashed by locals.)

Fantastic experience: Kevin and James, thank you for helping me learn how to ride. I truly recommend if you want to learn how to ride, to go through Puget Sound Safety. I will continue to take classes to better myself.

Negative experience: I took the beginner class and they started out the gate criticizing me for not knowing how to shift. That’s literally the description of the class - how to start and ride a motorcycle. They sent half the class home because they didn’t want to teach them. I wasted so much money on the course to get my permit (somehow) but I didn’t feel it was safe to even take the test to get my actual license. I don’t understand how they gave me a permit knowing that they didn’t show me how to shift out of first gear. There was one point that we were riding toward them (working on shifting) and after three or four rounds of them watching everyone I asked for input and his response was literally “I don’t know I wasn’t watching you” and then walking away before I could ask anything else. Look elsewhere if you are just starting out - these guys won’t help you. They’re not shy about who they feel doesn’t belong there and they’ll tell you.

Fantastic experience: Jim and Paul were great, and I highly recommend this place for motorcycle training. With regard to the comments about their terms and conditions (not letting you ride without a helmet or proper attire, etc.), the terms are clearly communicated on their website, in the confirmation email, etc. It is not some kind of gotcha. Please make sure you read them and go prepared to have fun.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful and professional friendly. Great experience. Just be careful if you do one thing wrong they will kick you out. they don't care if you do not pass. So you can sign up again and pay. But Over all they are great and helpful.

Fantastic experience: Highly skilled and very professional instructors, they make the classes more enjoyable, entertaining with humor. Really helps me a lot getting rid of my "bad" habits in driving which I don't even knew until I took the classes and training. Very thankful for these people in helping me pass my endorsement tests.

Fantastic experience: Good people

Fantastic experience: They are great instructors, they make the classes more enjoyable, entertaining with humor, they give you personal training even when we are 11 people taking advanced motorcycle training 101, highly recommended Jason and I think his name is Jim are amazing, just amazing instructors.

Fantastic experience: I got more out of the motorcycle riding class than I expected, Tom was a patient and thorough instructor

Negative experience: Remember to read the terms and conditions before getting scammed out of $225

Negative experience: Remember to bring your helmet otherwise they will not work with you to refund or reschedule you into another class.