Puget Sound Safety

I’ve taken three courses with Puget Sound Safety. I was a nervous beginner so I called and arranged a one on one training for a couple hours. The trainer was patient and there was no pressure at all. The trainer was encouraging when I would make a mistake or do something well. I then took the official beginners course and actually had a lot of fun. Good instructors and I leaned a lot. I also took the dirt bike class. It was challenging but a lot of fun. I’ve been impressed with the bikes, curriculum but most of all with the quality of people working for the company. They are low pressure and made something I was nervous about and thought would be overwhelming into a fun and enjoyable experience x3! Thank you!

I attended the Off Road 101 class at the Straddleline ORV Park in McCleary. My instructors were Fletch and Greg. We had about 15 students, 3 of which were women, including myself. Almost everyone had prior street bike experience, and several came to class on motorcycles. I just started riding dirt bikes on trails this summer and have only been out about 4 – 5 times. Prior to that, I had never ridden a motorcycle.
Overall, the class was fantastic. Some of it was stuff I knew already, like standing up is better. But they really go into all the tiny details of standing positioning, and then you get the chance to practice and apply it. Some of it was stuff I didn’t know, like proper body positioning while turning. Again lots of time to practice. Other skills covered were clutch/​throttle control, braking, going over obstacles, and hill climbs and descents.
The two things I didn’t like are small enough not to change my 5 star review, but worth mentioning. Almost everyone there rented bikes provided by PSSOR. I brought my own bike, a new to me CRF150R that I had only ridden on once since buying it (I was a riding an XR100 prior). Greg insisted that I use their 150 °F which I did at first. Then I switched back to my bike after the first segment. I really struggled on my bike because kick staring it is a pain, it hates going slow and everything we were doing was under 15mph, and I just didn’t have good throttle and clutch control on it. I do wonder if I would have started the day on my bike, if I would have gotten a better feel for it during the segment on clutch/​throttle control… Eventually I switched back to the 150 °F so I could practice the skills without stressing over the bike. All of that to say: the class is set up for electric start bikes that like to putt and chug along at very low speeds. So if you have a bike that wants to scream, make sure you are really confident on it before heading into class, or rent theirs.
The last thing was regarding Greg’s pulling out another female student to be the example for all the body positioning stuff. The first time, it was cute/​funny, because he knew her from a previous class and was just picking on her in a light-​hearted way. But he kept doing it all day, and it started irritating me a bit. He never asked her, «Can I pull you and your bike out into the center so everyone can stare at you while I tell you to move your butt over to the side as we demonstrate body positioning?» He would just pull her out and do it. And I never asked her, maybe she was fine with it, but it just seemed really misogynisitc and put a bad taste in my mouth. I did think they both were excellent instructors and I wouldn’t hesitate to take a class from them again. But if Greg pulls my bike out with me sitting on it to be his example without asking me first, I’m slamming on the brakes or just hopping off the bike.

I just finished the Basic Riders Course at the Olympia location with Zach and Jesse. Great course, Zach kept the classroom information interesting and relevant. On the driving range, they both did a great job. Instructions, practice, do it, feedback. I had never ridden a motorcycle (as the rider) or shifted anything before this class and I passed! Others in the class has some riding experience, others did not and they did a great job keeping the entire class engaged and on the same skills. I’m planning to take their off road course in a few months so I’m more comfortable on my dual sport off road too. Thanks guys!

Really glad I took the basic rider course at PSS. Ive been riding dirtbikes for a couple years but for the extra knowledge and confidence boost I walked away with, it was well worth it. A little riding expirience or at least basic theoretical knowledge is very helpful but not necessarily madatory. Roger and Rob are great instructors and by the end of weekend the entire class passed both tests. A completely novice rider could be put off depending on the age/​expirience/​attitude of the class and instructor but with that being said, my expirience was an excellent one and I would reccomend this course to anyone.

I attended the first 2013 season ADV camp and it was phenomenal. The PSS off-​road team is extremely friendly and helpful, and they deliver a really good overall experience. Highly recommended for adventure riders.
I really liked that Ridewest BMW (represented by Tracy) comes and gives you the opportunity to try out a couple of the GS bikes. No dealership anywhere near where I live does that. I’m planning to go out of my way to give them my business now.
I want to do the BDR camp next, where they do more training and guide you on the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route. I wish I didn’t live so far away (in Canada).

This place was great. Took the intermediate course since I’ve been on motorcycle most of my life and have been riding my street bike for the past year on the streets. So being I was nervous about the test at the DMV, figured this way might be a little easier and maybe teach me a few things I might otherwise miss.
Class was on a Saturday and it poured for most of the riding portion of the class. Started with misty kinda rain and by the end, just dumping on us. But we kept at it. I kinda felt like a few of the riders probably should have been in the beginner class, but they let everyone stay and everyone ended up passing except one girl who said she had been riding on the street before, but they stuck her on a scooter because of her height (feet couldn’t reach the ground on the other bikes) and I swear she never got past 10mph. Maybe just nerves. I know I rode a little different than I usually do. I mean, it’s wet outside, you’re trying to ride around cones that stick up about an inch from the ground and you have two guys watching you like eagles :)
Either way, if you can ride a motorcycle and feel comfortable getting into second gear, you should be fine in the intermediate class. I was really surprised with how inexperienced some of the people in the class were, but hey, we all gotta learn sometime. They had several different bikes to choose from. Most are small suzuki 250’s with pegs in a very forward position. They also have a couple of BMW GS650’s, CRF250 and a couple other random bikes. All have low miles but are pretty beat, which wasn’t a surprise I suppose. They can supply helmets, but be sure to bring the proper footwear (MUST HAVE ANKLE COVERAGE). Some guy showed up with regular shoes and luckily he lived close enough to go home and get better ones. Anyways, they run you through a bunch of courses, do this U turn, do this stop, do this turn, etc. Once everyone goes through everything and they think we’re good, they do the test. Super easy, all of them are easy, nothing to worry about. Seeing how some of these people rode and how easy it was for them to pass, wow.
Anyways, after the riding test, they give you a little bit of time to pick up some food and get to class. They suggested we eat at the class vs. stopping and eating somewhere. the class portion was okay. One video, lots of discussion. Just pay attention and you will do fine. I think everyone passed except the scooter girl, though I think she may have passed the writing half and only failed the riding part.
Overall, it was a great experience and I’m happy with the day I spent learning how to ride a motorcycle safely on the streets of Washington.

I took the Beginner’s class last month and wasn’t very impressed. The instructor even commented she had never had so many fail the written test. I’m a college graduate and not sure why so many of us had such a difficult time in the class. Truth be told I’m not interested in riding a motorcycle, I’m more of a scooter person. During the class I was only person who requested a scooter and apparently the only person who was not experienced in riding. Being a newbie and having a much less powerful machine it wasn’t easy to keep up with the others. The class was marketed for new riders. I haven’t figured out if the class is more appropriate for slightly experienced riders or the instructors weren’t that great and more into goofing off than teaching. I ended up leaving early, buying an online study program and passing myself. It wouldn’t surprise me if success is purely based upon the instructor

PSS’s motorcycle classes are best of the breed, my wife and I took the beginners class to pass the license test, which we did. She’s now enrolled in the trike class, I will have soon my Advanced Street Skill Class #1 @ the PNW Raceway. Great guys the intructors are, tons of knowledge which makes me feel very well taken care off, this for a fair price!

I just finished (and passed thank you) The beginner motorcycle course in Olympia with Zak and Jerry. These guys rock. I had a blast and learned a huge amount. They are fun but also firm and to the point. Interactive classes makes remembering important details a breeze and the riding course was comprehensive and really fun.
I love the small class size. The scooter option for those of us (raises hand) who have no intention of riding a motorcycle but need the endorsement for an amazing scooter.
I think I may have to continue to take classes — It’s empowering to learn new skills .
Side note: Do not go straight to the DMV, they will take your new license photo with helmet head and will laugh at you! ask me how I know!

I just finished the PSSOR intermediate off road course and loved it! The instructor, RJ, was great at explaning the techniques and extremely patient.
The field was perfect for practicing the skills and techniques taught in the class.
It’s a great place to either learn how to ride if you’re a beginner or learn good fundamental skills even if you’re an experienced rider.

Motorcycle training at its best! Awesome place!