Arroyo’s Motorcycle Training at Mt. SAC

Took this class this past weekend. First time on a bike so it took a little getting use to. The instructors were awesome and patient with all us new riders. Arrived early before the first class to ensure I would be there as others mentioned not to be late. There were a couple people coming in on time, didn’t seem to be an issue, just don’t be late or your spot will be taken by someone on wait. Instructors have a lot to teach in a short amount of time. This class was definitely worth the time and price.

I just took this CSMP course offered by Arroyo’s school last weekend. It had been about 2 years since I’d been on a bike, and about 10 prior to that messing about on a friends dirtbike. Total time on motorcycles: probably 25−30hrs max, spread out over a decade haha. So after recently deciding that I wanted to finally purchase a motorcycle, I knew that I could use a refresher course on all the basics and promptly signed up for this class when I had the free time.
First things is first, and I can’t stress this enough: BE ON TIME. Be early in fact. It’s a class, with (in my case) 18 other students, all of whom paid money to learn. If you’re not on time, you can’t learn the required info to progress, and they’re not going to restart the lecture or exercises for everyone just to accommodate you (and why should they?). The course and building are a bit tricky to find the first time, so either stop a safety officer/​security guard like I did and ask for directions, or just check the pic I uploaded. Don’t enter on Grand, go down Temple, turn on Bonita, make the first right and it’s in that parking lot.
Now that you’ve found the place, and you’re there on time, the other thing I can tell you is read the info on the Mt SAC site, and the download and read the handbook. You’re riding a motorcycle, which is inherently dangerous. You have to have safety in mind (which they’ll stress during the lecture and riding portions), and you have to be prepared to ride. When I was there, 3 people got sent home before the riding portion started because 2 thought it’d be cool to wear jogger pants, and the 3^rd if I remember correctly had some low top sneakers. Just wear jeans with no holes, get some cheap leather work boots from wal-​mart, and wear a long sleeve shirt and you’re good to go. (hint: the info given on the site CLEARLY tells you this) They’ll provide helmets and gloves if you need them, but I opted to buy those.
The class instruction was very thorough, and covered a lot of techniques to operate the bikes, how to start, proper turning, stopping, operating on public roads, adverse conditions, etc. Basically you’d have to spend all week watching youtube videos and reading everything you can, and you’d probably only get a portion of this knowledge, without the benefit of being able to ask questions if you’re unsure on something.
The riding portion of course is the fun part. You get some old small bikes so you’re not overwhelmed with power or weight, and you get to go through several exercises that will help you to operate the bike should you decide to pursue motorcycle riding. Even though I had someone else teach me, and had a little experience prior, I still took A LOT from the course. Richard is a great instructor, and when I messed up one of the exercises (those damn slow weaves lol) he had plenty of positive encouragement and tips for improvement. Mr. Arroyo was the same and had a wealth of knowledge that poured from him if you simply asked a question. Take advantage of these two and soak up as much info as you can.
All in all, I’d say it was worth it, and if you’re brand spanking new or need to brush up on your skills to gain a little more confidence it’s a no brainer. I’d recommend to anyone, in fact I’m hoping to be able to take an advanced course in a couple months to improve my skills even more!

Great instructors! patient and encouraging even when I rode like a idiot
They have classes almost everyday so more spaces available. It’s great you are trying to sign up last minutes or add.
Just don’t be late go figure out the campus map or whatever it’s not that hard.
Try to buy your own gear after the class. You’ll get discount from the stores once you get the certificate card.

First of all I’m not from around here, i drove from Riverside. The address on the site takes you to the front of the school, i get there im completely lost. I ask one girl and she takes me through a construction zone thats one way (btw theres a lot of construction) and it definitely was not the right way i end up at a dead end.
Mind you it is 7 am so the school is pretty empty i drive around another 10 mins and the guy is like «go there make a right, you’ll see a bend make a sharp right, at the stop sign make a left, go down to the empty parking lot make a uturn»
At this point im frustrated as hell i jus sat in traffic, drove to hell and back but i finally find the building in the middle of nowhere (literally i think im next to a farm).
I walk inside and the doors are locked at this point its 720am class started at 7 so i knock. Someone lets me and the teacher or instructor or whatever pushes me out the door and tells me im 30 minutes late and come back at 12 then slams the door in my face. Just fucking rude, luckily im a law abiding citizen cause lord knows.
Now im sitting in my car because im not going to drive 45 minutes back to my house to come back at 12. i definitely do not recommend this fucking douche bag!

Great instructors and classes. If you are looking for weekday classes, they offer morning and afternoon (from 3pm to 11pm) classes on Thursday and Friday.
Remember to wear extra layer of clothing for night.
Either you are an experienced or first timer on motorcycle, this education program will help you to be more safe, smart & aggressive scanner on the street.
Thanks again to Ralph, Eric and Joe.
Have a safe riding guys!

I heard a lot of great things about the class from a few friends who took it even though they had been riding for years and they all said that they learned something. It also will give me a break on my insurance. I had a good time class went by quickly and the next thing i knew it was over and i passed my tests. The classroom instructor was knowledgeable and the skills instructors were very patient it was a good couple of days.

Just finished lesson last weekend! It’s totally fun and impressive!!! Eric is definitely a good instructor!!! Whole time was relax and made students enjoyed the learning!!! Super recommend this bike school if you really want step into bike life!!!

If you are looking for a great riding school, you have found it. I was very skeptical at first, having ridden for awhile on my own, but needed to fulfill my DMV licensing requirements so I chose this place.
The classroom part can be a little redundant to some, but time on the driving range (around 5 hours of actual riding each day), is sure to teach an old dog new tricks. Sure, everyone thinks they are Valentino Rossi when going fast, but true riding skills shines through when you have to do slow speed maneuvers at walking pace, and this is exactly what this class is about.
Along with valuable safe riding skills that everyone must master, this class has the main focus on cornering, which is the area that most motorcyclists have trouble with. Just keep an open mind if you already know how to ride, as there are things that you will pick up on that may one day save your life; if you have never ridden a motorcycle before, just pay attention, do what you are told and you will pass!
P. S. Richard and Joel are awesome! Make sure you yell out «good night, Richard!» when leaving for the night, as it would surely put a smile on his face!

I’ve driven past here so many times I’ve lost count and every time I promised myself that I would sign up for the class as soon as I got a chance. Well finally I decided to stop procrastinating and sign up for a weekend class.
REMEMBER TO BRING THE FOLLOWING THINGS WITH YOU:
–Sturdy jeans/​long pants
–Over the ankle boots
–Long sleeve shirt or jacket
If you don’t have a helmet or motorcycle gloves that is okay since they will loan you it but beware that many people have used that before you so it can be pretty gross especially if you are a germaphobe. Also make sure to bring plenty of water/​snacks since it does get hot out there and staying hydrated is important.
Coming in here not knowing a thing about motorcycling, I was prepared to soak in all the information that I could. You start off with a classroom lecture for about 2 and a half hours before spending the majority of your time out on the range with a motorcycle practicing your skills. The lecture went by surprisingly quick, our instructor, Ralph was very easy going and knowledgeable about teaching us the various techniques to ride safely. Everyone gets a small pamphlet to follow as the class goes on for taking notes and using it for reference.
After finishing the classroom time, it’s time to get to the fun part of the day which is practicing riding the motorcycle! For the two days, I chose a Honda Rebel to ride since it was extremely easy to get the hang of it once I found the friction zone on the clutch. Our instructors for the day were Joel and Mr. Arroyo himself. I advise that you get there early so that you can choose the bike that you want. You start with the basics skills of mounting, starting and getting moving with your bike. For new riders, this may take a while to get used to but at the end of the day you would have mastered the art of starting from a stop and riding a long your way. Joel and Ron were very good teachers, patient and understanding, giving you tips along the way to help you correct your mistakes or ride better. The exercises ranged from driving in a circle to riding around cones, very basic stuff so that you get used to the bike.
The second day consisted of another lecture and at the end was the written test consisting of 50 questions multiple choices. If you have been paying attention at all during class then you should have no problem passing this test. I only missed 2 and to pass you can miss up to 10. The practice range was focused on cornering, turning and stopping quickly. At the end you are evaluated one by one on 5 different courses ranging from swerving, quick stopping, turning in a curve, etc. Anything below a 21 is a pass.
Out of my group (about 12) only 2 failed. If you fail, you can come back to re-​take the test up to a certain time frame. Once you pass, you get a certificate to show your insurance company to get a discount as well as a certificate which you will receive by mail around 10 days to take to the DMV so you don’t have to take the ridden test but you still have to take the writing test. After you pass the writing test at the DMV you will get your M1 license.
Overall, this was a great class to take and I wish I did it sooner. If you are even remotely interested in riding a motorcycle or just want the experience, give this place a shot and it will be worth every penny!

Just passed their course on Wednesday. Greatest class ever. I learned how to ride in just a few hours and I had never even been able to drive a standard car before. The bikes there are small enough for you to feel safe but also big enough to give you the confidence to go out and ride a bigger bike on the street. Im already riding my ninja to work and to run errands everyday ! The teachers are chill as fuck and never make you feel pressured. Now I just need to take the written test at the dmv and I’ll be licensed. So if you have to take an MSF course to get licensed come here!!!

Great instructors and course/​Class. Never riding before I wasn’t sure how quick I’d pick it all up but with both the in class and the actual riding portion of the class it worked out perfectly. I’d highly recommend the class and the instructors.

How can anyone not give 5 stars must be from another planet? This class was amazing. The instructors were super fun and nice. I never leave comments online except for exceptional experiences in which case this was. Eric was patient with me as a new rider and I appreciate that considering I had allot of anxiety. I passed with flying colors and am looking forward to taking the state exam and going back for advance classes to become a safer rider. Thanks to all the instructors.

Wow. Stoked on life.
Finished the course earlier today, took it this past weekend. Would highly recommend it. Was enrolled in the 7 am — 3 pm class. Its honestly a really fun and great experience. I’ve never ridden a motorcycle in my life, but i have been watching a lot of motovlogs lately so I’ve kinda gotten an idea beforehand.
If you take the course do what the house rules advise and show up as early as possible. On the first day 5 people tried getting in but only 1 did, so go early and secure your spot. The classroom sessions aren’t bad and fly by if you’re engaged in the lectures. Make sure you pay close attention and the written test will be easily passable without studying, but study anyways. The classroom instructor Ralph was a cool guy, and really made the lectures easy to understand and follow. Take notes in the booklet they gave you, i took my own notebook.
The riding portion was obviously the funnest. The class capacity is 12 people, I’d say half of us have riding experience and the other half of us have never ridden a motorcycle. All of us passed though! The exercises they have you do are really reinforcing and helpful. Biggest tip, be confident, especially with your speed. Trust me, the last exercise of the first day was taking corners at not-​so-​slow speeds which required countersteering and i was having trouble because that stuff is kinda scary at first haha but by the second day you feel pretty confident. The evaluations weren’t bad as long as you always tried hard during the exercises. After all, any mistake in the real world can leave serious injury. Take the class and be confident in yourself, you’ll be fine if you just listen. The bikes are pretty beat up but they’re old and have been learned on by many students so of course they won’t be pristine. I was using the ninja 250, they let you choose your bike so get to the one you want quick! They have rebels, little dual-​sporty bikes, so they have a good variety. My speedo wasnt working which kinda made it hard to know how fast i was going through the turns, and the pegs were kinda loose but the bike was stoll perfect and fun to ride, i think that fact overall helped me understand the riding experience even better.
Lengthy review i know but i could say so many more great things. The riding instructors Eric and Joel were super cool dudes, they genuinely care about your safety, but still have fun while teaching. Highly recommend this place if its relatively close to you. I loved this weekend and cant wait to ride.

There’s two reasons you’re reading this post, right?
1. You’ve been thinking about motorcycles. and let’s be honest, a lot. Pipeburn has probably become your new online porn and the sound of a ducati whizzing by your car brings about the response of a head nod of respect. Yup. you want a bike.
2. You already have a bike and you either want to avoid getting a ticket for riding without a license… or it’s too late and you gotta get it now.
Well. it’s your lucky day.
Seriously. you clicked on the right Unilocal link. Why would I BS you?
I just took this class and I promise you that I couldn’t be more happy about that choice.
Passing the riding test aside… I actually learned an incredible amount and was able to put it to practice in an encouraging hands on environment with 200/​250cc bikes over two days. Not only did this naturally increase my learning curve but how this class is taught aided greatly in my retention of critical fundamentals… not to mention all of this also bonded the students in my class together.
Every one of us has had that one cool teacher that was passionate about what they were teaching so that when you were in class learning… it didn’t feel boring or like you were just being taught chapter lessons. Eric who I had my class with along with Ron, who runs the program, is that guy. Seriously. if your teacher is Eric. you just won the motorcycle teacher lotto.
To quote every single student in my class on our daily mantra to each other on breaks… «this class is more than worth the money!»
Best advice you’ll have here
1. Be there 15 Minutes Early Every Day before class.
1. Download and read the study book BEFORE you go to the first class the night before. It’s 90 pages as a PDF. Takes just over an hour to read it. Trust me.
2. Make sure you’re wearing the right boots, gloves, jeans and long sleeves (nothing with holes in it) BEFORE you get there. Go ahead and wear those Doc Martin boots you still have lying around. and if you’re not sure about gloves… go buy a leather pair at a motorcycle shop the day before class.
3. Pack food, snacks, gatorade, coconut water and bottled water in your backpack. You can snack while in class and on breaks and there may not be time to go drive somewhere to get a bite. you’ll drink liquids on every break to hydrate yourself, especially if your class is in the daytime.
Look, like you. I did my Unilocal research before I committed to finding a class like this and I know I made the right choice for me.
Now the choice is yours.

I took this class over a year ago. Sorry for my late review…
So, I had years of dirt bike riding experience, but ZERO street riding experience. It took me forever to go and get my M1 class license because I just wasn’t sure if I was ever going to ride a street bike. Well, I’m so thankful to my sister who finally pushed my ass to go and do it, by getting hers 1^st. After that was a sealed deal, I then took the class & passed it the 1^st time. We both took Arroyo’s class where the instructors really do take great care of you, making sure you’re aware of everything you need to know about safely riding a motorcycle. They were very informative, covering everything in the 3 days your there going over scenario’s along with all the do’s and don’ts.
My sister and I are working that bucket list by both going big after getting our M1’s last year and bought 2013 Harleys. We just got back from a weekend ride to Las Vegas. It was great to split traffic there, but sucked ass when we got into Nevada. Splitting traffic is illegal in Nevada… Boo! We’ve only been riding for a year now, racking up some major street miles. We just wished we would have taken the class years ago. I also do agree, if you’re signing up for the class; don’t be a slow ass & show up when class starts. Get there early, be prepared & make sure you’re wearing the recommended basic riding gear and have fun! It’s definitely worth it! Thanks for the experience Arroyo! All your instructors make learning how to ride fun, yet safe! Chicks on Harleys… YOLO!

Took this course months ago but am finally taking the time to write their well deserved review.
I went into this course without any experience. Matter of fact, I went into the class with only learning how to ride a regular bicycle a week prior. Class includes 1 day of classwork and 2 days of actual riding. This course and all its instructors teach you so much. My instructors were Ron and Ralph. Both were genuinely interested in making sure I was learning all my fundamentals while being safe. I learned so much more than I thought I would from this course.
TIPS: Don’t show up late. Showing up late can get you to lose your spot in the class.
People complain about how it’s impossible to reschedule but in all honesty it really is not. Ron is easy to communicate with and will be able to get you into a different class if needed.
I recommend this course to any beginner and even experienced riders.

«you guys ready to play?»
I finished the class today, I have no complaints what so ever. Ralph and Ron were my instructors very professional and patient guys always giving you great feedback and constructive criticism. I’ve been riding for about 6 months and I feel so much better now that I’ve taken the course totally worth the $ 250.

I have zero experience in riding and was very nervous in signing up. I kept postponing it for years and finally did it! Not only was this class very informative but also a fun learning experience. The ridercoaches Ron and Ralph were very professional, patient, and extremely helpful. They both have a wealth of riding experience and knowledge. There were a few existing riders in my class who have been riding for many years but don’t have the license, and they were telling us how they are learning a lot from them. This class gave me a whole new respect for riders out there and not only will this class make you a more conscious and safe rider but also as a better driver. I highly recommend taking this class whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider.
Warning: DO NOT SHOW UP ON THE POSTED START TIME! Come in at least 15 minutes EARLY. Let me repeat, come in at least 15 minutes EARLY than the posted start time. It clearly tells you on the registration, on the website, and the reminder email that you get a few days before your class starts. If you get dropped that’s because your ass is late!!!
I can finally cross this off my bucket list — I came, I learned, I rode. I’m now officially a rider.
Take the class even if you’re not planning on purchasing a bike. It will make you a better driver when riders are present.
Good luck!

I have been riding for a long off and on. I know enough to stay alive on the street and can hold my own Witt traffic. Took the class to avoid taking the driving test at DMV because my bike is a big 1500cc. It’s almost impossible to pass the DMV test on that heavy of a bike.
RALPH did the classroom and RON did the driving portion. Both were extremely knowledgeable, patient and friendly. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY BE ON TIME BUT BE EARLY EXTREMELY.
Whether you are new or experienced I promise you will learn something to make you a better rider and possibly save your life

I took the class recently and I found it informative and fun! I had never ridden a bike before so I was nervous but the instructors were patient and great teachers. I had Ron and bane, they were laid back and chill. Overall it was a great experience and I would strongly recommend that you take this class if you plan to get your license. Especially as a first time rider. You learn a ton about riding that you would never have thought to ask.
Take the class, you will enjoy it.