Northern Illinois GWRRA Chapter Forum

If you're looking to get started in motorcycling, or want to refine your riding skills, there are a number of training facilities around to help you.

In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation contracts with local universities to provide Basic and Experienced Rider Courses. Most of northern Illinois is handled by the Northern Illinois University Motorcycle Safety Project (NIU-MSP), which conducts the course on weekends (mostly) at sites from the Lake to Freeport, from April through October. The University of Illinois Motorcycle Rider Program covers Chicago and much of eastern Illinois, while the Illinois State University Motorcycle Safety Education project handles central and western Illinois.

(While not in the IL-B2 area, the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Motorcycle Rider Program covers the lower half of Illinois.)

Pre-registered spots for these programs fill up fast in the spring, but there are frequently openings available due to people not showing up for their spot. You can take your chances and "walk in" at the locations on Friday night. Additional information can be found at each program's website, linked above.

There are also IDOT-approved private courses available; The NIU site lists two in Chicago on their "Other state programs" page.

I have set up a new website, Motorcycle Trainers, where I am working to get a list of ALL available motorcycle training, from basic to track days. Check it out, and help with building it, if you can!