Bartels’ Riding Academy

You can’t go wrong with Alli. She is an excellent instructor. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude makes this class a breeze. Even those who have «The Fear» (as my honey calls it) in them can find clarity and the courage to ride. This course has changed my technique in the short amount of 2 days on the range. I want to take the internet course and will only take it with Alli. That’s a promise!

Alli and John were fantastic. They really make sure to take their time to give you the tools you need to ride safely and effectively. Not only that, but they’re really great people and a blast to work with. I would recommend this course to anyone, whether a newbie or a seasoned rider looking to brush up on skills.

After being off a motorcycle for years I decided the take the Riding Academy class. I will admit that part of the draw was not having to take the DMV riding part of the test.
Let me tell you THAT is now the LAST reason to take this class. Alli and Pete were fantastic teachers. We had people who ranged from never riden to be experienced riders.
This class literally just saved my wife and my life. We are on a ride in the Sierra Mountains. We got caught in a Hail and rainstorm.
Short version, going slow, rear wheels still hydro-​plained to slide in a really tight right hand turn. Brake, down shift, straighten out, and stop before going over cliff.
THANK YOU Allie and Pete
p. s. my wife will be taken the beginner class when we get home and I will be taken the advanced class.

Pete and Alli are amazing! As other reviewers mentioned, both instructors are highly knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging. Most importantly, they care deeply about their students’ safety and success.
The basic motorcycle training course consists of 3 classroom sessions and approximately 10 hours of riding. I took the class with several friends, and our skills grew by leaps and bounds over a couple days. Most of us were complete newbies, but by the end, we all felt ready for the street.
Pete and Alli instilled respect for the fundamentals, a focus on safety, and confidence in every member of our group — which we’ll carry with us for the rest of our motorcycle-​riding lives. If you have any interest in learning to ride, or just want to do something fun with your buddies on a weekend, I highly recommend that you take their course.

Awesome course with extremely proficient instructors in Alli and Pete. They kept it fun but commanded the respect of the entire group with their breadth of knowledge and demonstrated riding skills. I’ve ridden since 2008 and have taken a basic riding course before in my home state, but the Bartels Academy was by far the best for any novices looking to get started, or for intermediate riders looking to brush up on the basics and refine their abilities. Highest possible recommendation for this fantastic team.

I just completed the class with Allie and Pete this weekend. What an amazing experience. It’s rare to find people in any industry or job who are so genuinely engaged and excited to teach.
Both instructors were experts in all aspects of motorcycle knowledge. The course is long and they throw a lot at you. Which is a good thing as it’s all information you need to learn. I had never ridden a bike before and left the weekend feeling comfortable enough to want to get on the street asap.
Since the class is long and it’s important to not overthink things while learning, the humor that both Allie and Pete brought to the class was amazing. They are both just genuinely great humans!!!
Highly recommend this to anyone who wants to not only learn how to ride, but also have a great time!
Sparkles 4 Life!

Fantastic course. I’m a new rider with only a shred of previous experience, Alli and Pete were outstanding instructors, extremely knowledgable, great curriculum and tons of range time. On top of all this they are easy going with great personalities making the whole class fun and enjoyable. They also do graduate rides which I’m excited about as well. I can suggest them highly enough. If you want the best look no further!

I took this course because I was planning on getting a scooter but wanted to get a motorcycle in a few years. I learned so much and had a lot of fun! It’s a great course and Pete & Alli are the best teachers you could ask for.
Now, I’m thinking about skipping the scooter and getting a motorcycle instead. #brapbrap

From my first call to the dealership inquiring about the riding academy up until today, I’ve had nothing but an amazing experience with the staff of Bartels.
Allison and Pete were amazing instructors. They were compassionate and understanding of my initial fear of motorcycle riding and turned it into confidence and love for motorcycling. The patience they both showed made me feel comfortable and eventually confident. Their knowledge was top-​notch! They knew exactly how to show someone with no experience the ropes and pushed me to feel comfortable on a motorcycle in a safe and fun manner. Thank you Allison and Pete! You guys rock!
Overall, the professionalism and friendliness of Bartels employees completely made me feel that I made the right choice in joining the Harley Davidson family. Thank you so much for an unforgettable experience. I look forward to returning over and over again for all my motorcycle needs.

Alli and Pete are amazing instructors! I would recommend them to anyone who wants/​needs to take a motorcycle riding class. I took this class not knowing anything about riding. By the end, I learned a lot and feel confident riding a bike. They make it really easy and fun. I highly recommend it.

I’d absolutely recommend Bartels’ Riding Academy to anyone that wants to learn how to ride in a safe environment and on some badass Harleys:)
Alli and Pete are a great team and they really take the time to make sure that you learn at a comfortable pace.
Seriously worth ever penny!

Pete and Alli are a great team and make learning the essentials of motorcycle riding in CA a great experience. from skilled riders to first timers, we all learned something new, and all left with confidence and smiles on our faces. when you decide its time to start ‘riding legal’(with your DMV endorsement), this is the program for everyone. they have great equipment (new, clean, appropriate bikes and helmut/​gloves), a course thats easy to get to (with secure parking), and qualified and personable instructors that make it fun and rewarding. its takes a commitment from you to stay focused and do the hours, but if you aren’t prepared for at least that, you probably shouldn’t be getting on a bike to begin with.

Alli MacKenzie is outstanding.
You will learn a lot, both safety and skill.
Alli handles all levels and all types and makes the class thoroughly enjoyable at all levels.
Do your homework, engage, focus, and enjoy: You will get your CA certification (which we all did).
Pete assists Alli and they are a terrific team!
Pete is a riot. Not the sort of thing I would expect from a buff very experienced CHP officer!
The hardest thing about this course is getting in!
PS.
I know a thing or two about education having received many teaching awards including UCLA’s highest. With over 2000 enrolled students in my classes per year and supervising/​training over 40 teaching assistants and undergraduate assistants per year all I can say is this is an outstanding beginners course. Once I get more riding experience I plan to take the next level up.

Fantastic course taught by a fantastic instructor. Alli obviously loves what she does and is an expert at it. Not once did I feel inadequate or uninspired to learn more. She answered questions (some were the same questions, multiple times), was patient on the range and in the classroom. She totally facilitated the entire learning and riding process. Equipment and helmets are well kept and cleaned, class is well-​organized. 10 stars if Unilocal went that high. The range is well kept (clean bathroom) and has a large parking lot, which is just one less thing to stress over in LA.

If you want to learn to ride or brush up on your basic skills, this is the place! Extremely well organized and run, new Harley’s were in perfect condition and easy to ride, FUN instruction and helped me get my license with no issues. Alli (lead instructor) has this course down to a science!

Pro’s —
Allie is an Awesome Riding Coach
The Whole Bartels’ team makes you feel like you are welcome and are excited about your progress.
The bikes are all new Harley’s and are 500CC (so your ridding a real bike)
The Class work is spread out in a way that it doesn’t kill you.
Con’s
Only one I could think of was the 8a start on range days, (but honestly thats just because i hate to wake up and it really is a pro as it gives you the most ridding time)
I took this class as I have not been ridding in 7 years and I wanted to get back into it. I wanted to explore if riding was really something I was interested in again. It started off by coming early the first day and getting the store tour. It was great if you have any mechanical interest this is great as you get to see the «behind the seens». You also meet everyone one and I mean all of the Bartels’ family and they are very welcoming and excited that you are there. The Classroom is nice and setup with everything you need. Best part is during the breaks you get to hang out on the show floor and look at all the bikes.
As for the Class I can not say enough about the Coach Allie. She did a great job going over all the information and not making it too boring. She also took the time to have discussions as questions came up. We had a very wide range of skill levels during my class and i was impressed how well she handled the differing skill levels.
The range is nice and clean, easy to get to. I was very impressed that we were riding all new harley speedsters 500. A big enough bike to get a feel of what riding would really be like but small enough to not be intimidated.
Over all This was a great class and It reconfirmed for me that I do need to get ridding again. Also big plus is It helped me get my motorcycle endorsement.
Just need to pick a bike now.

i decided to take up riding after 10 years. and also having moved from a different country to the states LA. when i found this school. i spoke with the instructor, she re-​assured me about riding and the safety and techniques i would learn even advised me on some before hand bcoz i had already bought a motocycle„ anyways it helped and when i finally went to the lasses i learnt soooo much that i didnt even know was possible especially things about lane positions which has helped me alot anyways after my lessons i literally went to the dmv a day after and passed. i had learnt so much in those few days, the instructor Alli, was very patient, fun to talk to. came across more like a friend whch made things more easy to digest, she was firm also in making sure you were learning not just paying to learn but taking it serious for your own safety which i thought was very considerate. and the team at Bartels made it feel comfortable they were welcoming an inviting, in all it was one of the best experiences i will never forget, i’m a legit rider now bcoz of them and i plan on doing more advance classes in a few months or so.