BRC Handbook - Edition 1.0 - First Printing - March 2014

Oct 12, 2026

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Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourseSM Rider Handbook (BRC) outlines course expectations and instructional foundations for developing entry-level motorcycle riding skills. It provides a comprehensive table of contents covering course introduction, motorcycle types, controls and equipment, basic operation, four preps, risk and riding strategies, street and common situation tactics, emergency basics, special scenarios, rider impairments, key safety concepts, knowledge testing, and next steps, plus glossary, study questions, and student survey materials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages84

Reading Time29 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome

Section 1. Course Introduction

Course Requirements

Risk and Responsibilities

Section 2. Motorcycle Types

Street Motorcycles

Dual-Purpose Motorcycles

Off-Highway Motorcycles

Section 3. Controls, Indicators and Equipment

Primary Controls

Other Controls

Indicators and Equipment

Section 4. About Basic Operation

Engine Start and Stop

Clutch Lever and Friction Zone

Riding Posture

Basic Turning

Braking to a Stop

Shifting

Section 5. Preparing to Ride: The Four Preps

Motorcycle Fit

Motorcycle Inspection and Maintenance

Personal Protective Gear

Mental Attitude

Section 6. Risk and Riding

Risk Awareness

Risk Acceptance

Risk Management

Self-Awareness

Section 7. Basic Street Strategies

Positioning

Being Visible

An Active Strategy

Mental Processing

Escape Paths

Section 8. Strategies for Common Riding Situations

Intersections

Between Intersections

Blind Spots

Lane Changes

Freeway Merging and Exiting

Curves

Limited-Space Maneuvers

Starting on a Hill

Obstacles

Parking

Road Furniture

Passing

Tailgaters

Night Riding

Group Riding

Section 9. Basics for Emergencies

Braking Systems

Emergency Stop in a Straight Line

Emergency Stop in a Curve

Front Tire Skid

Rear Tire Skid

Swerving

The Brake or Swerve Decision

Section 10. Special Riding Situations

Road Surfaces

Carrying Passengers or Cargo

Touring

Wind

Animals

Maintenance and Emergency Issues

Section 11. Rider Impairments

Alcohol

Drugs

Intervention

Other Factors Affecting Safety

Section 12. Select Topics

Licensing Information

Personal Protective Gear Requirements

State Motorcycle Equipment Requirements

State Insurance Requirements

Consequences for Impaired Riding

Section 13. Key Safety Concepts

Self-Assessment

Terms and Concepts from the Course

Section 14. Knowledge Test

Section 15. Next Steps

Section 16. Range Preparation

Range Safety Rules

RiderCoach Signals

How the Range Exercises Work

Glossary

Study Questions

Activity Sheets

Student Satisfaction Survey Form

Edition 1. 0, First Printing: March 2014 © 2014 Motorcycle Safety Foundation All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF®) . Under no circumstances may the material be reproduced forresale. Please send request by email to: [training-systems@msf-usa.org](training-systems@msf-usa.org). Portions of this book may be reproduced by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation certified RiderCoaches solely to facilitate their presenting this MSF Basic RiderCourseSM. Under no circumstances may a RiderCoach reproduce this material in its entirety. The MSF Basic RiderCourse is based on years of scientific research and field experience. This current edition has been field-tested and has proven to be successful in developing the entry-level skills for riding in traffic. Through its various iterations, over seven million riders have been trained since 1973. The information contained in this publication is offered for the benefit of those who have an interest in riding motorcycles. In addition to the extensive research and field experience conducted by the MSF, the material has been supplemented with information from publications, interviews and observations of individuals and organizations familiar with the use of motorcycles and training. Because there are many differences in product design, riding styles, and federal, state and local laws, there may be organizations and individuals who hold differing opinions. Consult your local regulatory agencies for information concerning the operation of motorcycles in your area. Although the MSF will continue to research, field-test and publish responsible viewpoints on the subject, it disclaims any and all liability for the views expressed herein. Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Polaris Motorcycles, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or [visit msf-usa.org](visit msf-usa.org). TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Section 1. Course Introduction Course Requirements 1 Risk and Responsibilities 1 Section 2. Motorcycle Types Street Motorcycles 2 Dual-Purpose Motorcycles 3 Off-Highway Motorcycles 3 Section 3. Controls, Indicators and Equipment Primary Controls 4 Other Controls 5 Indicators and Equipment 5 Section 4. About Basic Operation Engine Start and Stop 8 Clutch Lever and Friction Zone 8 Riding Posture 8 Basic Turning 9 Braking to a Stop 10 Shifting 11 Section 5. Preparing to Ride: The Four Preps Motorcycle Fit 12 Motorcycle Inspection and Maintenance 12 Personal Protective Gear 13 Mental Attitude 17 Section 6. Risk and Riding Risk Awareness 18 Risk Acceptance 18 Risk Management 18 Self-Awareness 19 Section 7. Basic Street Strategies Positioning 20 Being Visible 21 An Active Strategy 22 MSF BASIC RIDERCOURSESM RIDER HANDBOOK i TABLE OF CONTENTS Mental Processing 24 Escape Paths 25 Section 8. Strategies for Common Riding Situations Intersections 26 Between Intersections 26 Blind Spots 27 Lane Changes 28 Freeway Merging and Exiting 28 Curves 28 Limited-Space Maneuvers 30 Starting on a Hill 31 Obstacles 31 Parking 31 Road Furniture 31 Passing 32 Tailgaters 32 Night Riding 32 Group Riding 33 Section 9. Basics for Emergencies Braking Systems 34

FAQs

What learning goal does the Basic RiderCourseSM Rider Handbook support?

It supports learning the physical and mental skills needed for entry-level motorcycle riding, proven through field testing and ongoing training since 1973.

What topics are covered under basic operation and preparation before riding?

It covers engine start/stop, clutch friction zone, riding posture, turning, braking, shifting, and the four preps: motorcycle fit, inspection/maintenance, protective gear, and mental attitude.

How does the handbook address risk and safety during riding?

It presents risk awareness, acceptance, management, and self-awareness, then expands into street strategies, common situation tactics, emergency basics, and decision-making such as the brake-or-swerve choice.

Oct 12, 2026

Upload by Rowan