Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic
To choose your class pick a class from these listings
and write down the “class name.” Then Register using that information.
Want to become an expert rider? Choose this class! Whether you ride a cruiser, a naked bike, a sport bike, or a tourer, you can benefit from this advanced training in how to ride like a pro.
Cornering technique is the primary focus of the Total Control ARC. Individual skills include corner entry, line selection, body position, and corner exit. There are slightly different versions of these depending on the type of bike ridden, but all follow the same principles taught in the course. Throttle control and throttle/brake transitions are also covered in great detail.
Expert knowledge of these principles makes the difference between being an ordinary rider and becoming the expert of your group. It may also make the difference between traveling safely through a corner or not. Though designed for street riding and street riders, Total Control is also a great way to tune up your trackday cornering ability or to prepare for your first track experience.
Total Control ARC is also a great way to learn how to extract more cornering performance from your touring bike or cruiser. Total Control ARC will teach you how to ride any bike better. Are you already a Total Control graduate? Total Control Practice Day is April 13!
Instruction focuses on:
| With only six students per instructor, you'll get lots of individual coaching. Both theory and application (70% on bike) help you improve your skills substantially. In the Body Position portion of the class, you'll learn how simple physics affects your everyday riding. In Suspension, you'll learn how to analyze your settings and to make adjustments for maximum control or comfort or both. In Riding, you'll work on one riding skill at a time, building confidence in small 2-mph increments until you achieve the desired performance. This training builds from your starting point, whatever it may be. |
| Our lead instructor is Tracy Martin, co-developer of Total Control ARC, writer for Motorcycle Consumer News, Road Bike, Iron Horse, Motorcycle Product News, and Dealer News, and co-writer of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Guide to Motorcycling Excellence. He has ridden all types of motorcycles for over 37 years and has taught Total Control ARC since 1998. His most recent book, Motorcycle Electrical Systems Troubleshooting and Repair, has been published by Motorbooks International. |  |
| Well-known moto-journalist Tracy Martin
is the lead instructor for Total Control ARC. |
To attend this class, you must have a class “M” license and proof of insurance, provide your own bike in good working order, and have at least one year of riding experience. Please read the Required Safety Gear policy below. Course cost: $325
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic - LEVEL 2
Level 2 takes off where the original left off. More challenging exercises from the best-selling book Total Control plus some exciting new ones mean you will take your riding to a whole new level. Hard braking, trail braking, shifting, decreasing radius turns, mutiple apex turns, bike set-up, and more will be featured in this follow-up to the most effective advanced riding instruction you can find anywhere. Please read the Required Safety Gear policy below. Course cost: $325
•Open Classes
•Registration Form
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Total Control Practice Day is April 13
Sharpen your riding skills and practice the techniques you learned in the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. You'll practice the mid-corner exercise (body position), ovals, corner transitions (figure 8s), and trail braking. Two Total Control instructors will provide demonstrations, tips, and encouragement.
This is a practice session only, not a repeat of Total Control. You can show up any time and stay for a few hours or the entire day. Please register in advance. Lunch break provided -- bring your own or eat nearby. This class is only open to Total Control graduates. $125.
►Apr 13, 9am-5pm Lot F
Course number: XE-894-8912
•Register Here
REQUIRED SAFETY GEAR
All Total Control classes at The Rider School require that you wear the following safety gear:
- •A motorcycle helmet that meets DOT standards and is either ¾ or full faced. Off road helmets are OK. Snell certified helmets less than five years old are preferred. No half helmets are permitted by The Rider School. Loaner helmets are available.
- •Eye protection in the form of a face shield, safety glasses or plastic-lense sunglasses. Loaner safety glasses are available.
- •Full fingered gloves, preferably motorcycle specific gloves. Loaner gloves are available.
- •Boots that cover and protect the ankle. Hiking boots are OK. Steel toe boots are OK but make it harder to shift.
- •For Total Control Intermediate Licensing Courses, a sturdy jacket and pants.
- •For Total Control Advanced Rider Courses, a motorcycle-specific jacket (mesh is OK) and motorcycle-specific pants (kevlar jeans or chaps are also OK.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Do I need a motorcycle license to take the TCARC?
A. Yes. This course is for riders who already have a current, class "M" (motorcycle) drivers license. Total Control does not teach beginning riders how to operate or ride a motorcycle. This course does not offer a license waiver.
Q. Do I have to bring my own motorcycle to the class?
A. Yes. You must provide your own motorcycle. It must be street-legal and have current registration. In addition, you must have a motorcycle insurance policy in force and must bring insurance and registration documents to class.
Q. What kind of motorcycle do I need for the class?
A. Any standard, naked, cruiser, dual sport, sport, sport-touring, or touring bike of any size.
Q. I ride a sportbike--what am I going to get out of riding in a parking lot?
A. More than you'd imagine. This is a class for developing advanced riding technique. By practicing what you'll learn in the class, you may just become the best rider in your group!
Q. Is this a race or a racing school?
A. No. This is an advanced riding school. Motorcycles are never on the same course at the same time, there is no timekeeping, and it is not a competition. However, if you are interested in competition, this is an ideal course to prepare you for participating in a track day. You will learn principles that can help you corner more quickly and with more precision.
Q. I ride a heavy cruiser or full touring rig with floor boards. What can I expect?
A. The opportunity to expand your limits. Many touring riders fear dragging hard parts of their cycle. Our curriculum will show you how to use body position to avoid dragging.
Q. I've only been riding a short time. Can I take the course?
A. Total Control is for experienced riders. Our minimum requirement is 5,000 miles of street riding and one year of experience. Call us at 443-518-4808 if you would like us to waive this policy.
Q. What type of riding gear do I need?
A. Required protective riding gear includes a riding jacket (or mesh jacket), riding pants (leather chaps or Kevlar jeans are OK), gloves, boots that cover the ankles, and a legal helmet in good condition (full-faced helmet is recommended but not required).
Q. Do I need to do anything to my motorcycle prior to taking the TCARC?
A. Please ensure the following:
- Your motorcycle should be well maintained.
- Tires should have sufficient tread (at least 3mm). Air pressure will be checked before the class starts.
- Your bike should be able to perform satisfactorily in hot weather. Your bike should not overheat while stopped with the motor running.
- Check your fluids before you arrive.
- Make sure your brakes are in good working order.
Q. How much of Total Control is in the classroom vs. on the range?
A. The course consists of 30% classroom (theory) and 70% range (application) exercises.
Q. How is Total Control taught?
A. With both classroom and riding instruction, using lots of individual coaching. Topics include: throttle/brake transitions, mental state, corner vision, corner entry and line selection, mid-corner body position & corner exits, corner transitions (figure 8s), and basic motorcycle suspension.
Q. What happens if it rains?
A. The class will be held in light rain. If the class is canceled, you can reschedule at a later date or take a refund.
Q. How long is the class and what about lunch?
A. Total Control is an eight-hour course. Bring a lunch or snack. Water will be provided.
Q. How many students will be in class?
A. TCARC class size ranges from 6 to 12 students. The instructor-to-student ratio is one instructor for every six students.
Q. What about liability insurance?
A. You must have your own insurance policy for the motorcycle you are riding. Please have the insurance card when you arrive at class.
Q. What qualifications do the TCARC instructors have?
A. All TCARC instructors are certified and have received intensive training. In addition to the formal training, instructors are supervised by a master instructor until they become fully qualified as a master instructor. Instructors must have at least five years of riding experience. Refresher courses are given annually.
Q. Do students get a certificate after taking Total Control?
A. Yes. After completing the class, each student will be mailed a certificate with his/her name on it.
Q. Can I bring my spouse/significant other as a passenger? We'd like to take the class as a couple.
A. Yes, provided you and your passenger have already established comfort and trust. We have taught rider/pillion couples and all the lessons apply equally to one-up or two-up riding.
Q. I loved the Total Control class. Is there a Level 2 course I can take?
A. Yes, we will be offering Total Control Level 2. Please check the schedule for upcoming dates. Level 2 is open only to riders who have taken the first-level course, Total Control Advanced Rider Clinic.
To choose your class pick a class from these listings
and write down the “class name.” Then Register using that information.
