Al and Teri are about the funnest teachers in the world. These two really love what they do and it shows in the way they teach the class. I was an experienced rider taking the basic course to get my license and still learned a ton. They always put the safety of everyone first and foremost. These guys ROCK!! So if you want to learn how to ride a motorcycle then give em a call. you will not regret it. Read Less

The people behind Silver State Motorcycle Academy are a class act.  Attending any educational based program usually results in boring lectures taken straight from the textbook.  This team is dynamic in ensuring you have a great time while you learn even the most mundane concepts of motorcycle safety.During the hands on training, the instructors make sure all of the boring stuff get put to use on the pavement -- which ends up making all the boring stuff fun!  If you find yourself not understanding, or your body not responding properly, the instructors come prepared with the experience and wisdom to translate into the proper technique.  They will spend the extra time with you to make sure you have every change to succeed.One thing I appreciated was their concern for the safety of everyone in the course.  Unfortunately for one of our members, the stress of learning was a little overwhelming.  Rather than endanger our group, the staff made the tough decision to pull the rider from the program.  They offered the rider compassion rather than anger.  These are real people.  You will enjoy the smaller class size because you will have more hands on time.  Everyone is extremely experienced and you will walk away knowing that when you hit the streets you have been given the best information for a safe journey.  Outstanding bang for the buck!  Great job SSMA! Read Less

This was an outstanding way to spend two days learning the safe way to ride a motorcycle. Teri is a gifted teacher and a very interesting character (in a very good way). Patrick M pretty much nails the positives. With regard to distance and not being good in California, it didn't matter to me. I had to drive 3 hours to get there and it was worth it. And even if you have to take the California test, you'll ace it, no problem. If you live in northern Nevada or Eastern California and you want to learn for the first time, brush up or unlearn bad habits, go see Teri at Silver State Academy. Read Less

If you are looking for a place to take a motorcycle riders course (MSF)...Stop reading, go to the web site silverstatemotorcycleaca…, and sign up.They are that good.  And I am including the more than 1 hour time for me to get there on my weekend from Tahoe/Carson City!When trying to learn anything new, or learn something from someone who has a lot to teach, it's very important to get an instructor who can relate to not only the material, but able to communicate it at a variety of levels depending on the students current knowledge, learning curve and capabilities.We can imagine or experience teachers who are out of touch w/ students.  Teachers who operate at their pace.  Teachers who ignore the needs of the students.  Al and Teri are not those kind of peopleWhen you go to class, you're in a small intimate setting.  We are talking two instructors and 6 students.  This allows a lot of one-on-one time in addition to allowing the instructors to help understand the needs of the students, focus in, and give guidance that is explicit to the needs of that person.  You are not run through, you do not feel rushed and you do not worry (much) if you don't get it - Al and Teri will help you get through it!If you are a experienced rider, looking for cheaper insurance, or wanting to get your MSF certificate because dealers and manufacturers have some nice incentives (e.g. BMW has a $500 incentive for clothing), take the class.  Al has decades of experience and can relate to all kinds of riders.  You will relate and immediately feel comfortable.If you're a gal, getting dragged into something you're unsure about because your boyfriend thinks it would be cool, Teri will help put your mind at ease.  The bikes are low, you start out easy, you have plenty of encouragement from a woman who can relate to what you're going through.  You will have a blast.  If you're a guy just starting out, but don't want to look like a moron, don't worry - you won't.  You're in a basic rider course with other folks who are feeling unsure and there are no expectations that you (being a guy) should pick this up.  Rest assured, you will pick it up because the instructors are good.  And you'll have fun doing it!Bring the right gear!  They have helmets (full face, great quality, clean [look new!]) of all kinds of sizes, so you don't have to worry about that.  If you have a question about helmets (Shoei, Arai, full face versus skull cap) just ask as they have plenty of new riders with the same type of questions but probably too shy or unsure about asking.  Gloves, boots that cover your ankles, glasses, and a lunch.  For many looking at a MSF course for the first time, they're afraid of dropping the bike, of wiping out or of unsure about the power of these things called 'motorcycles'.  Don't worry, you start of VERY easy (power walking where you give it just a little clutch and go) and the bikes are set low enough that anyone can flat foot it.  The course is structured like the MSF course for NV.  You have two days of riding & classroom work, where the classroom work is watching the videos, working together on the booklet and talking.  What is great is the talking is about motorcycle riding and when you pay attention, the test answers are cleverly interspersed as dialogue.  Makes taking the test very nice as you simply remembered what Al was talking about yesterday and it clicks!  The riding...  now that's where it is at!You are at an airport, not the busiest, but when a P-51 Mustang flies in, it's awesome!  So you have plenty of room on the tarmac but you do want to dress appropriately and bring layers and sun glasses.Here's the bad.  1.  It's far, at least for me.  It took a bit more than an hour to get there from Tahoe - but definitely well worth it!  Use the address and copy & paste it into maps.google.com or search for SPZ2.  The course is good only for Nevada.  If you're a NV resident, you're fine as you can simply take the card (once you pass the test) to the DMV and they'll hole-punch your license and in a few days (4 for me, same picture and address) you'll have an updated endorsement.  I would love my CA friends to take this course with these folks, but they'd have to figure out a way to get past the CA DMV (they're loss, not mine!)Ultimately and again, if you're looking for a MSF course to learn how to ride a bike (BRC [ Basic Rider Course], want to learn how to ride a bike better (ERC [Experienced Rider Course]) these are the folks you want to teach you!Totally and completely a fan!!! Read Less