Motorcycle Training Wanaka & Central Otago
Our team delivers expert motorcycle training in Wanaka backed by 100 years of combined experience.
Welcome to Ornsby Motorcycle Training Wanaka. Meet Simon Richards & Matt Bailey, two of our highly professional and fully qualified instructors who provide beginner-to-advanced level training and all licensing services.
Regardless of whether you are an absolute beginner and don’t know a throttle from a piston… or maybe Uncle Stu taught you to ride thirty years ago and you just have a nagging feeling that you could be getting more from your riding – Simon, Matt & Ornsby Motorcycle Training can help you open the road ahead!
Motorcycle Licensing & Training Options in Wanaka and Central Otago
Ornsby Motorcycle Training is the region’s specialist for motorcycle licence Wanaka services, running courses across Wanaka, Queenstown, and the wider Central Otago area. Whatever stage you’re at, we can help:
Basic Handling Skills Test (BHST)
The first step toward your learner licence, held at the Wanaka Primary School staff car park, 7 Ironside Drive, Wanaka. Passing your BHST is what allows an NZTA agent to issue your Class 6L learner licence.
CBTA Restricted and Full licence assessments
For riders ready to progress. Our NZTA assessors deliver both the training and the official CBTA assessment, so you can prepare and test with the same trusted instructor.
Ride Forever courses
ACC-subsidised Bronze, Silver, Gold and Motorbike Skills courses, giving riders of every level access to some of the best-value coaching in New Zealand.
For anyone searching for motorcycle training in Central Otago, our mobile unit is based in Wanaka and services the surrounding region, so you’re never far from a qualified instructor.
Your Motorcycle Licence Pathway
Getting your full motorcycle licence happens in stages, and our Wanaka instructors can support you through every one of them:
Learner licence
Start with our learner licence rider training, which prepares you for the BHST and enables you to legally ride on New Zealand roads.
Restricted licence
Once you’ve held your learner licence for the required period, our restricted licence training builds the skills and confidence needed to pass your CBTA Restricted assessment. If you’re after a restricted motorcycle licence in Wanaka, this is where local knowledge of Central Otago’s roads really pays off.
Full licence
Complete your journey with a full licence assessment, the final step before you’re fully licensed to ride unrestricted.
For a full breakdown of how the stages fit together, see our complete motorcycle licensing process. Already licensed and want to sharpen your skills? Our Ride Forever rider courses are ACC-subsidised and available right here in Wanaka.
Meet Your Wanaka Instructors
Simon Richards
I’m 55 years old, born and bred in Dunedin and have recently relocated to Wanaka after completing 30 years of policing. For the first four years of my police career, I worked as a motorcycle officer. For the last fifteen years, I’ve been the Police riding and driving instructor for the Otago/Southland area. Motorcycling has always been a passion of mine. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to own numerous bikes, ranging from Kawasaki Z1S to the most recent Yamaha R1. I’m involved in the post-classic motorcycle racing scene, having regularly competed on tracks throughout NZ. For the last seven years, I have represented NZ in the post classic motorcycle team at Phillip Island in Australia. I am looking forward to helping other people enjoy motorcycling as much as I have. — Simon Richards
Matt Bailey
Alongside Simon, Matt Bailey brings a different but equally valuable background to the team. Having owned his own aircraft maintenance company and worked for years as an Aircraft Engineer, Matt now brings that same precision and passion to motorcycle coaching. Riders describe Matt’s calm, patient teaching style as a highlight of their course, whether they’re sitting their first BHST or working through a Ride Forever programme.
Why Riders Choose Ornsby in Wanaka
The Ornsby Motorcycle Training team are all fully qualified, professional instructors with 100 years combined riding experience. On average, we each clock about 40,000km per year coaching other riders, making us one of New Zealand’s most experienced motorcycle training teams.
Past students have thanked Simon and the team for “a wealth of knowledge and information,” and highlighted how the Wanaka BHST and Ride Forever days combine real skill-building with some of the best riding roads in the South Island.
It’s this local expertise that makes Ornsby the trusted choice for motorcycle training in Wanaka and Central Otago at every stage of their licence.
Book Your Wanaka Motorcycle Course Today
Ready to take the next step on your riding journey? Whether it’s your first BHST, a restricted motorcycle licence Wanaka assessment, or an ACC-subsidised Ride Forever course, Simon, Matt and the Ornsby team are ready to help.
Call 0508 ORNSBY (676 729), email info@motorcycletraining.co.nz, or book online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does motorcycle training take place in Wanaka?
Our BHST courses run from the Wanaka Primary School staff car park, 7 Ironside Drive, Wanaka. Ride Forever and motorcycle licence assessment across Central Otago. Check your booking confirmation email for your specific meeting point.
Do I need my own motorcycle for training?
We recommend checking with our team when booking, as this can depend on the course. Our instructors will confirm exactly what you need to bring for your BHST, Restricted or Full licence assessment.
How experienced are your Wanaka instructors?
Simon Richards spent 15 of his 30 years with NZ Police as the Otago and Southland riding and driving instructor, and Matt Bailey brings a precise, calm coaching style backed by years of technical engineering experience. Together with the wider Ornsby team, they’re part of a group with 100 years of combined riding experience.
How do I book a motorcycle course in Wanaka or Central Otago?
You can book directly through our website, or call 0508 ORNSBY (676 729) or 0398 08933. You can also email info@motorcycletraining.co.nz with any questions before booking.