Zen Cycle Academy is a Veteran owned and operated Motorcycle School. The owner is an avid rider who started riding in the early 80s on the dusty backroads of East Texas. After riding for many years, he decided it was time to "get legal", taking his first formal motorcycle training in 2003.
He really enjoyed the peace he found with his new skills and no longer worried about getting caught without a license. Riding became his outlet when he wanted to clear his mind. He spent many afternoons and weekends taking small road trips on his motorcycle.
As often happens, work requirements kept him from riding for a few years. In 2017, while on a road trip with the family, his wife asked him if he'd ever thought of getting another bike. It was all he could do not to turn the van around and go home to find his next ride.
Fortunately, so says his wife, he decided to finish the vacation and then start looking at motorcycles. He made an accidental discovery when buying the new bike: just changing his riding position allowed him to extend his trips by hundreds of miles daily. Since it had been several years since he had taken training, he decided to take additional training to refresh his skills.
In one of those classes, an instructor posed the question "Have you ever thought of becoming a RiderCoach?"
In 2020 he had a few multi-day trips scheduled but realized that those trips would be difficult to accomplish during the pandemic. It was then that he remembered the simple question the previous instructor had asked. With plenty of time to think about it, it was an easy choice to pursue and he became a certified MSF RiderCoach.
Since then, he's expanded his certifications to be able to provide basic, intermediate, and advanced classes through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. He's also certified for motorofficer based training through the ProRider curriculum. The owner, and later his son, have instructed over one thousand students.
Zen Cycle Academy was created to offer the community the opportunity to learn to ride, increase skills, and discover the world around them on two wheels. We do this by providing a range of training opportunities from an introductory experience, to gaining your endorsement, to riding with the skills of a law enforcement officer as well as individual and customized offerings. If you’re looking at getting licensed, refreshing your skills, or pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the bike come ride with Zen.
... Because proven practice promotes peace.
To keep things simple, below are a few questions we find ourselves answering often.
Do you guarantee success?
No. We guarantee opportunity and coaching. We have an outstanding record of success, but you'll need to successfully operate the controls and attend 100% of a class to earn your completion card.
What do I need to do after successful completion of this class?
If successful, you'll receive a completion card known as an MSB-8. You'll need to make a trip to the DPS to get your license updated, but will have completed all of the practical requirements of obtaining your endorsement.
Do you offer on-road training?
As of now, we do not offer training outside of our controlled ranges.
What is your refund policy?
Class registration payments made to Zen Cycle Academy LLC directly through our website are non-refundable. However, given 14 days notice, we'll apply your money to the class of your choosing over the next 60 days. This can result in additional charges if pricing or class selections change. If Zen Cycle or the class location cancels your class, you'll be offered a reschedule or refund.
Do I have to sign off on the waivers and memorandums of understanding to participate?
Yes, all waivers will have to be accepted to participate in class. (Notarized, with parent signature, if you're under 18 or a parent's signature must be witnessed by the instructor prior to starting the class).
Do I have to supply my own gear?
Yes, you must supply a DOT approved helmet that is less than 5 years old, sturdy jeans or riding pants (denim or leather) without extra rips or tears that cover your ankles and do not interfere with shifting, brakes or getting your feet past the foot pegs, not stretch denim, yoga pants or athletic pants. Over the ankle 6''+ sturdy boots (motorcycle specific, work boots, or hiking boots) are required. Shoes, dress boots, cowboy boots, winter boots, rain boots, tennis shoes, high-top or not, are unacceptable.
Sturdy, full finger riding gloves with closed back of hand, (do not wear disposable or cotton gloves, or bicycle gloves) are required. You must supply eye protection, that could be your helmet shield but we recommend safety glasses so you can improve air flow as you ride. You'll need a sturdy long-sleeved shirt with a closed neck. We're looking for no bare skin from the neck down.
You might like to have a sturdy button-up shirt that can be taken off when you're not riding. Textile riding jackets tend to offer good protection when it's hot. Dress for the weather, we ride in rain, wind and cold. We'll pause for lightning.
Failure to bring all your gear to class will cause you to lose your class fee.
Is this activity safe?
Motorcycling is a dangerous and physical activity. You need to be in relatively decent shape to make it through a class. You may be injured or even die during your participation in this course.
We've got a great track record, but you need to know what is possible. You need to be able to balance (2 wheel class), manipulate various controls (clutch, throttle, brakes, steering). We expect that students may tip over at zero speed during the first 3 exercises.
However, losing control while braking or under throttle that results in personal or property damage will be the responsibility of the student at the controls of the assigned motorcycle. The saying "you broke it, you bought it" comes into play here. You have to ride the bike on your own, we're here for guidance and coaching.
If at any time you don't feel comfortable, you can walk away. If you cannot achieve objectives or are deemed a danger to yourself or others, you may be asked to move on to other things. We know it may hurt your ego, but we hope to identify any factors that may negatively affect your safety or wallet!
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