As thrilling as buying a motorcycle, twisting the throttle and hitting the road are, safety and a legal license come first. To that end, JCCC began offering a new motorcycle training course this year.

The course, which provides 20 hours of instruction, including eight classroom hours and 12 hours of range instruction, is designed for the beginning motorcyclist who wants to operate his or her motorcycle safely and efficiently. A Kansas Division of Vehicles certificate of completion will be issued after successfully completing the course.

The three-day classes are usually scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In the summer months, classes are also held during the week. All instruction is held on the JCCC campus, with the actual motorcycle riding, including 17 exercises, taking place on a southwest parking lot. Riding and maneuvers. The staff are all Motorcycle Safety Foundation-certified instructors, who teach a maximum of 12 students per class.

"We teach proper techniques for braking, turning and swerving," said Cheryl Rogers, JCCC Rider Coach "Later we have had students thank us, saying those techniques saved their lives."

"Only a motorcyclist knows the thrill and exhilaration a dog has when it sticks its head out the car window," Cheryl Rogers said.

Bikes and helmets are provided for the class. Dennis Rogers, who teaches with his wife Cheryl,  advises taking the motorcycle training program before buying a motorcycle so, one, people know whether they like riding a motorcycle and are successful at it, and two, they learn to ask the right questions when buying a bike - Will you have a passenger? What size works for you? Will you be riding on the street or on dirt?

Taking the class reduces insurance rates and increases safety. About 92 percent of accident-involved motorcyclists were self-taught or learned from family and friends, according to Cheryl Rogers.

For more information, e-mail Phil Wegman, program director, skills enhancement, or call him at 913-469-4446.