It’s high time that manufacturers start taking rider training into their own hands. In order to drive sales, you need people that can ride, and what better way to teach them to ride, than on one of your own bikes. Genius.

The program is similar to any other rider training, you start off in a classroom where you’ll be taught the basics, like the controls and some general safety info, before heading off to the practice range where you will actually get to ride on the bike.

All you need is basic skills to maintain balance on a bicycle and some common sense. You will be provided with a helmet, gloves and a jacket, you just bring some decent boots, and long trousers. The duration of the course is 2 days which includes 1 day for licensing.

Harley-Davidson went the extra mile to ensure that the instructors are top-notch and you can rest assured that you are instructed by some of the best in the business.

Currently there is only one H-D Riding Academy and it’s situated in Hartbeespoort, near Pretoria. But I am sure that as interest grows, they’ll be opening a few more of these riding academies.