Mike’s Famous Adds Classes, CONREP Still Absent

NEW LONDON, CT – Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson in New London, CT is adding additional New Rider Course classes to its Riding Academy as a result of the continuing absence of Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) offerings across the state.

“We’re getting more calls. We’re trying to put more classes on. We’re adding classes to meet the demand,” said the dealership’s owner, Mike Schwartz, on Friday.

Schwartz was unable to immediately say how many classes have been added or how far out the Riding Academy’s New Rider Course is booked. The Mike’s Famous website suggests that class openings are not available until mid-July.

The move by Mike’s Famous comes as a result of an months-long standoff between CONREP and Connecticut State Community College apparently over the fee structure for courses this year. The situation has resulted in enrollment being delayed and courses canceled. At least 10 classes across CT have not been conducted as planned.

Another week passed last week without any reports of progress in resolving the situation that has frustrated aspiring riders and instructors alike. “Still no word from anyone. Crickets,” said one CONREP insider in an email to RIDE-CT on Friday. Given the fact it may take time to enroll students and start classes, it might now be May before CONREP can begin teaching again.

Classes at various community college locations across the state usually begin in late March into early April, preceded by the opening of enrollment. The web pages devoted to classes at those locations still stated “Registration is currently closed” as of Sunday evening.

An email written by one instructor, circulated among some CONREP instructors and leaked to RIDE-CT, suggested another factor in the delay in opening enrollment and starting classes is the consolidation of enrollment through CT State, rather than through the individual community college campuses which has been the case in the past.

What most concerns CONREP personnel is that some wannabe riders may take to riding illegally without proper training, endangering themselves and others. “Sadly, the real losers are the riders who can’t get training and may become a statistic,” wrote the concerned instructor. The instructor also expressed concern that some rider coaches may quit due to the standoff, “which will mean more cancelled classes in the future.”

Another instructor called the ongoing situation a “very aggravating state of affairs,” and noted that the state Department of Transportation, which administers CONREP, wants to make the classes “more affordable” to students whereas CT State doesn’t.

Months ago, CONREP proposed an increased tuition fee of the $260 for the Basic Rider Course in 2026. CT State countered with a heftier price tag of $350, a 46 percent increase from the $240 charged in 2025.

Mike’s Famous charges $395 for its New Rider Course, which has smaller class size and more thorough training. “For us as a dealer, it’s all about safety,” Schwartz said. “We’re trying to provide best in class. We want our students to safe.”

The lone other option for getting new rider training in the state, which will result in the successful rider earning an “M” endorsement on their driver’s license, is through the Training Wheels school in Bristol, CT. State law requires that motorcyclists pass a training course to obtain the endorsement.

Training wheels is expanding from three-wheel classes in CT with the addition two-wheel classes. As reported by RIDE-CT on Friday, Training Wheels classes are targeted to begin by the end of May. The price is $479, which includes access without additional charge to the school’s follow-up BRC2 class once riders get some experience.

(Photos by Bud Wilkinson unless otherwise noted.