Anyone can become a safer and more proficient rider with the proper professional training, guidance and evaluation. It’s true in most sports, whether it’s riding a motorcycle, playing golf or skiing. The pros know that to get better you need to practice the right things and most have personal coaches to guide them.”

That’s the philosophy at the Big Apple Motorcycle School, founded by my husband, George Tranos and me. We provide professional motorcycle training with certified instructors for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. Our philosophy is simple: “Whether it's your first time on a bike, or your first skills practice on your own motorcycle, the Big Apple Motorcycle School is ready to help you. 

The core of our training fleet is the Kawasaki Eliminator^® 125. “The 4-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder engine and light weight inspire confidence with their ‘big bike’ look and feel,” says Tranos. “They fit a variety of riders well. We’ve had students that are over 6-feet tall and a few hundred pounds to women under 5-feet tall and barely 100 lbs. Both were able to ride the bike and successfully complete our training program and get their motorcycle license.” The bikes have a standard 5-speed transmission, a 57.9 inch wheelbase, drum brakes and a generous 3.4 gallon fuel capacity. The seat height is a low 26.8 inches.

The school began after an event that many can empathize with—a downsizing. I had worked at a major East Coast daily newspaper for over twenty-five years training reporters and editors, writing stories and taking care of the foreign and domestic bureaus. In 2005 there was a shift in the company management and the bureaus were being phased out.

Over the years I joined my husband by becoming a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructor, teaching part-time on the weekends. I took a job as general manager at a local motorcycle school, but a month later the school was forced to go out of business. That left me with a big decision to make which resulted in the opening of the Big Apple Motorcycle School!

Right up front our philosophy was different. Both George and I come from a background of public service and training, and we wanted to continue that with our school. Both of us are FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operators (hams) and have been teaching courses in electronics and communications for many years. We also provide communications for events, such as the New York City Marathon. Both George and myself are past presidents of one of the largest public service ham radio clubs in the country, the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club based in Levittown, N.Y. We are also certified instructors with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, a civilian unit of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Safety is very important to us and we enjoy helping people become proficient, whether it’s on a motorcycle, or on a boat. I’ve led the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Manhattan and the Suffolk County Marathon with Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) radio equipment mounted on a Kawasaki Eliminator 125. It allowed me the flexibility to ride slow and maneuver through areas that would have been difficult on a larger bike. Small is definitely better when you are in crowded areas. The bikes handle great! They are also very economical to run and maintain. 

We bring our teaching and public service skills to motorcycling by presenting motorcycle safety and training seminars at local libraries, clubs, schools, community groups, dealerships and events such as Americade ( the world’s largest touring rally in Lake George, N.Y.). At the Big Apple Motorcycle School we provide one-on-one personal training in a friendly, learner-centered environment. We treat you the way we'd want to be treated — with respect and empathy. Once you've completed our class, you'll not only be ready for your motorcycle test, you'll also be prepared for riding on the road.

Our school also provides road test services and will make the motorcycle road test appointment for you, provide a motorcycle, instructor and car. “We have certified instructors with years of experience and will tailor an instructional program to your needs,” Tranos says. “We will work with you to develop and improve your riding skills. Our goal is to help you go beyond getting your motorcycle license and prepare you for real world challenges. Motorcycling is a fun activity and we can help you manage the risk inherent in it.”

We consider ourselves more than just a school and provide a number of services while working with the community and our legislature to promote safe motorcycle riding. It benefits everyone. Many of our students find that they want to get a Kawasaki motorcycle of their own after they experience learning on one. The Kawasaki Ninja^® 250R and Ninja 650R meet the needs of many beginners and are very popular with our students.

We’re always learning and improving our skills and strive to communicate that to our students. George and I just love motorcycling – whether it’s on a Kawasaki 125 Eliminator, Ninja 250R, or a Ninja ZX™-6R. For additional information, visit their website at www.BigAppleMoto.com and tell them you heard about them from ROK.

Big Apple Motorcycle School, Inc.
66 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801
516-639-9977 

By Diane Ortiz

Certified Instructor Diane Ortiz has been involved in training and safety education for over 25 years. As a motorcycle journalist and editor she has road and track tested an array of motorcycles for various publications. She is the president and founder of the Big Apple Motorcycle School, a motorcycle safety training and education organization in New York State and lives on Long Island with her husband, George Tranos.

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