Big news on the top-name riding schools front: After eight years at Road Atlanta, the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School is moving to Barber Motorsports Park, the Freddie Spencer High-Performance Riding School has ceased operations, and veteran automotive tutor, the Skip Barber Racing School (www.skipbarber.com), has launched a new, two-wheel-only program headed by former racer and Spencer school alum Jeff Haney using KTM motorcycles.

Meanwhile, it is business as usual for author Keith Code and his traveling California Superbike School (www.superbikeschool.com). Ditto father-and-son Reg and Jason Pridmore, each of whom has his own operation—Class Motorcycle Schools (www.classrides.com) and STAR Motorcycle School (www.starmotorcycle.com).

On top of his move to Birmingham, Alabama, Schwantz is expanding his program. Besides the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School (www.schwantzschool.com), the 1993 500cc world champion is launching the Kevin Schwantz Super School, with support from the Motorcycle Industry Council, Suzuki and Honda. Curriculum for both schools, each of which has four scheduled dates, will be identical. Other bike-makers may later become involved.

"Because of the current economy, some brands don't have the ability to be involved in our program," said Schwantz. "But I would like to think that in the future we might have six, possibly eight, manufacturers involved and holding 10, 15 or maybe even 20 schools per year. We need to continue to push education and safety, and during times when budgets are tight, it makes sense for us to all work together."