In order to obtain a license in Colorado with your "M" (for motorcycle) endorsement you have the options of taking the skills test, directly. The alternative, if you are not that proficient of a driver or it is your first motorcycle endorsement, you will opt for first taking a Colorado Motorcycle Safety Foundadion (MSGF) training course.

This particular motorcycle training course lasts betweeen 7 to 10 very intense training days, with the course being about 65 hours in length. The RiderCoach student must pass a riding skills' test which places higher demands than the usual MSF test given to get your Colorado motorcycle license.

This course teaches the Basic Riding Course (BRC) curriculum, with parts of the course being taught in a classroom environment. At the end of training all students are given a knowledge test which must be passed in order to continue in the program.

"The course culminates when you and your classmates teach a complete BRC to a group of new riders. The RiderCoach Trainers will evaluate your performance. Successfully completing student teaching is your final requirement to qualify for MSF RiderCoach certification." (www.msf-usa.org)

"The course is organized by a state program, a military sponsor, or an area RiderCoach Trainer." (www.msf-usa.org) The link http://msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl=1&action=display_all&content=228C3774-A0CC-53D5-641BAAF07CDB3F7C&pagename=Contact%20Us will take you to the website where you may contact Colorado Motorcycle Training civilian and military course sponsors in your area.

These basic Colorado motorcycle training RiderCoach courses are offered by companies with "RiderCoaches"- i.e., "MSF-certified RiderCoach Trainers teach the course. These specially trained RiderCoaches have completed the MSF's RiderCoach Trainer Preparation Course and are authorized to train candidates for MSF RiderCoach certification." (www.msf-usa.org)

Firstly, the RiderCoaches " must be a licensed motorcyclist, at least 18 years old, who currently ride on a frequent, routine basis; have several years of varied riding experience; as a teacher, you need good communication skills.

Normally, the Colorado Motorcycle Safety Training Course costs about $100. In some areas of the country the price may vary, slightly.

"Generally, tuition will depend on financial support available from state or military programs. For private programs, it may depend upon how many candidates enroll." (www.msf-usa.org)

Riding gear required for those taking the course includes:

• a helmet that complies with DOT standard
• eye protection
• over-the-ankle, sturdy leather footwear
• long pants
• long-sleeved shirt or jacket
• full-fingered gloves (preferably leather).

The acronym stands for "Rider Education & Training System Online Resource Guide. RETSORG is a place where members of the training community can submit Best Practice and curriculum/system change suggestions for review and view the MSF-sponsored Best Practices Board." (www.msf-usa.org)

In Colorado there are basic Motorcycle Safety Training courses being offered by numerous companies for those attempting to obtain their "M" endorsement for the first time or, transferring from another state.

Due to the fact that there are at least 1500 places where this course may be taken, when choosing your training facility consider that "The MSF Basic RiderCourse is designed as a 15-hour curriculum that takes place over a few days or consecutive weekends. some locations add additional modules of instruction/discussion that lengthen the class." (www.msf-usa.org)

An example of a possible class schedule, which is stretched out over 4 days, will include "two 2-1/2 hour classrooms and two 5 hour riding sessions." (www.ccmtrider.com) But, nothing is written in stone here and schedules may be altered to accommodate the students' schedule, with theory taught during weekdays and riding on the weekends.

Topics which will be covered in the Colorado Motorcycle Basic Safety Training course theory portion include:

• "learn about the different types of motorcycles, their controls and how they operate
• how to become a responsible rider
• how alcohol and other drugs adversely affect your ability to ride safely" (www.ccmtrider.com)

In the riding portion of the course you will be taught:

• "all the basics like how to operate motorcycle controls properly
• straight-line riding, turning, shifting and stopping
• more advanced skills like cornering, swerving and emergency braking." (www.ccmtrider.com)

After successfully passing both parts of the Colorado motorcycle safety training riding test you will be given an MSF Basic Training Certificate which you will then take with your drivers' license to the closest DMV Office - i.e., " If you do have a valid motorcyle permit, you will take the certificate to the DMV and they will give you your motorcycle license.

If you do not have a motorcycle permit, you will take the DL389 to DMV and take the vison and the written DMV motorcycle tests only. Once you have passed you will go directly to getting a motorcycle license. In either case you will NOT have to take a motorcycle to DMV and take the DMV riding test." (www.ccmtrider.com)

You will also find Colorado motorcycle classes involving racing in categories such as road and drag racing as well as moto and supercross.

In order to obtain a road racing license the Motorcycle Road Racing Association (MRA) requires " all novice riders take a "Race School" with the MRA, or through an accredited, local race instructor." (www.mra-racing.org)

To obtain your licenses in the moto and supercross classes you, firstly, need to start accumulating points within one year's time span. These points are obtained by attending races. "in order to get your pro license, which there are two different kinds in motor cross and super cross. It takes a little bit of point accumulation under the ProAm Motor Cross series. ProAm is just your professional amateur. You have to get one hundred points in one racing year. So, let's say you start racing in April, by next April, that following April of that next year you're going to have to have one hundred points. That's to get your Super Cross license. You need eighty points to get your Motor Cross license.

They are two separate deals, because Super Cross racing usually primarily takes place in say, January to April. Motor cross racing takes place in the summer. It is two hundred and fifty dollars for your Motor Cross license and to get your Super Cross it would be four hundred and then that's combined. Motor cross is your basic deal.

You need your Motor Cross license before you race, before you get to sign up to any of these motor cross races and before you get to sign up to any Super Cross races.

In order to obtain your drag racing license, "Competitors with a dial-in of 9.99 or quicker are required to have a valid NHRA Competition License. " (www.mdra4u.com)

Aside from the Beginner MSF Course schools in Colorado, such as the Ricky Orlando Motorcycle School, offer other Training courses such as "scooter classes, a refresher course with a written test, a 5-hour real world riding course, Advanced Track Session with "Street" and "Race" separate categories, and a fun course titled "Do It In The Dirt". (www.rickyorlando.com)