Revolutionizing Motorcycle Licensing: Electric Bikes Streamline Rider Training
A significant shift is underway in motorcycle rider education, promising to make the path to licensure more efficient and appealing, particularly for newcomers to the world of two-wheeled transport. This evolution is centered on the integration of electric motorcycles into training programs, eliminating the intricacies of manual transmissions and allowing learners to hone core riding competencies with greater ease. The move is anticipated to not only simplify the learning curve but also to encourage broader participation in motorcycling, propelling the industry towards a more electric future.
Electric Revolution in Rider Training: A New Era for Motorcycle Licensing
In a pioneering development, the Bartels’ Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, situated in the sun-drenched coastal city of Marina del Rey, California, has become a vanguard in motorcycle rider education. As of July 23, 2025, this esteemed institution has incorporated LiveWire electric motorcycles, specifically the S2 Mulholland and S2 Alpinista models, into its Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)-based training curriculum. This initiative marks a pivotal moment, as it stands among the first in the nation to offer electric bike options for aspiring riders seeking to obtain their motorcycle endorsement.
This innovative approach directly addresses the traditional challenges faced by new riders. By removing the need to master clutch operation and gear shifting, a common hurdle with conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles, the academy allows students to channel their complete attention towards essential riding techniques such as balance, braking, and steering. Greg Andrews, the Riding Academy Site Manager at Bartels’ Harley-Davidson, eloquently likens this experience to learning to fly in a glider – focusing solely on the principles of aerodynamics before progressing to more complex aircraft. He emphasizes that electric motorcycles enable a singular focus on fundamental riding skills, a stark contrast to the divided attention often required when grappling with both riding fundamentals and the complexities of a traditional powertrain.
Graduates of this progressive course, under the tutelage of instructors certified by both the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) and the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, earn their DL389 certificate. This credential brings them just one written examination away from securing their full motorcycle endorsement. Early participants, including members from Alpinestars’ graphics team, have lauded the electric training experience. Tyler Emond, a course graduate, particularly noted the ease of navigating stop-and-go scenarios and tight turns without a clutch, advocating for electric bikes as the ideal starting point for beginners. Dillon Kinkead, another graduate, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the advantage of focusing on acceleration, braking, and turning without the added complexity of shifting, despite his prior experience with manual transmissions.
Bartels’ Harley-Davidson Rider Academy is now actively enrolling students for classes featuring these LiveWire S2 learner bikes, anticipating a nationwide expansion of electric rider training. This bold step promises to make motorcycling more accessible and less daunting, fostering a new generation of riders adept in electric two-wheeled technology.
A Paradigm Shift: Empowering Riders with Simplified Training
From the perspective of a seasoned rider and observer, this embrace of electric motorcycles in licensing programs represents a long-awaited and truly exciting development. For years, the necessity of mastering gear shifts and clutch control on traditional motorcycles often felt like an extraneous step, especially for those destined for an electric future. Why dedicate precious training hours to a skill that may never be utilized? This innovative curriculum bypasses that antiquated hurdle, directly fast-tracking learners to the critical aspects of safe riding, such as countersteering, lean angles, and evasive maneuvers. The analogy to learning to fly in a glider is particularly apt; it strips away the mechanical complexities, allowing the student to absorb the pure physics and technique of motion. This progression means less time grappling with a "friction zone" and more time developing intuitive control over the machine. Having personally navigated the licensing process in different countries on both conventional Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki models, the struggle many beginners faced with shifting, rather than riding, was palpable. In a rapidly electrifying world, where a new generation is increasingly opting for electric mobility, ensuring their initial riding experience is seamless and focused on core competencies is not just beneficial, but essential. This forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly draw more individuals into motorcycling, providing a clear and direct path to becoming proficient, confident riders.