Ah take the ERC every 2 years. Figger it's worth the small $$$ an' time investments ta keep the skill levels polished....

 

Here is my long-winded story... bought a bike (V-Star 650) back in Oct. '05 and didn't have a clue how to ride it.Dealer actually dropped it off on a trailer and I wheeled it into the garage. Luckily my dad came over to the house that day and taught me how to ride it. He has ridden bikes for 20+ years. Later that month I took the course. It was a lot of fun and taught me so much. Maybe not enough since I wrecked last year[:@], but anyway... 6 months into having the V-Star I bought my first Harley and gave my dad the V-Star since he didn't have a bike and wanted one. We (mom and I) signed him up for the classbecause for whatever reason he couldn't pass the license test (failed it 3 times I think). He said he learned more from that class than he had in 20+ years of riding. Now almost 2 years later he still has that V-Star 650 and has logged over 9,000 miles on it. I of course have to rub it in that I have the better bike, but that course definitely saved both our butts a few times. I am actually thinking about taking it again as well as the advanced one. If nothing else, you get to spend an entire weekend doing something you love anyway.

 

Took the MSF ERC2 course in May, my 1st one ever, after over 15 years on streetbikes. Its worth it even if you think you are a seasoned pro veteran, there is always something new you can learn. Besides skills practiced on the bike, it teaches ya mental know how. I initially walked away from it thinking I learned nothing. I know now I was wrong... I ride more "aware" these days...

 

Take the ERC every3 or 5 years orif I get a new bike. Well worth any money spent on the course. Amazing the little things you forget or just don't do.

 

The MSF class is good. Look where you want to go, and push right to go right, push left to go left are what you learn. Also how to drive defensively and know when you are invisible. Beyond that, it's fun and common sense. It's good to do if only for the insurance discount.

So having said that, I think a better bang for your buck is Proficient Motorcycling by Hough. That's the Bible and sits near the throne for continued browsing.

 

Hmmm... Well, I read a some posts on here a few months back about how great the MSF course was even for old timers. I have around thirty years riding experiance. I started riding when I was nine. I bit the bullet and took the course. In Texas it runs eight hours a day for two days. Some classrom discussion and videos to watch and then a ton of parking lot practice. I actually reset the odometer and I rode twenty five miles in that parking lot. I didn't learn a thing. Everything they taught was the stuffI picked up intuitively just from getting out there and riding. Friction zone? If you don't automaticlly know how to do that within a day or two of riding then there is something wrong. Obstacle avoidance, look where you want to go through a turn and not where you are going, it is all stuff you already know how to do without even thinking about it. I asked the instructor about the advanced course and he said it was the same information covered but you do it on your own bike. Which by the way brings up something. They provided 125CC and 250CC bikes for the course. We had several guys show up in their do-rags and leathers. I'm sorry but there is just no way you look cool riding a Suzuki 125 with leathers on. The course does save you on insurance. But at $175.00 it will take me five years to break even. In Texas it also give you the right to ride without a helmet without the necessary medical insurance coverage but I don't do that either. Maybe its just me but I would take the $175.00 and spend it on gas. If you are a brand new rider (less than six months) then the course wouldbe beneficial. If you are an old timer and haven't ridden in a while it would be bennificial because of all the practice they make you do but for me anyway, it was a waste of time and money. Just my opinion of course and you know what that and $4.00 will get you at Starbucks.

 

I took the new rider course alast year. I'm thinking about taking the advance class now that I have a dresser.

 

It's a great idea - I have seen guys who have ridden their entire life dragging their feet at intersections, walk the bike around a tight turn in a parking lot, and go around the block rather than do a U-turn on a side street.

Anyone can ride straight and fast - it's the slow speed maneuvering that takes some practice - especially on that big 'ol Ultra

 

Took the course last year in Fla. I have been riding most of my life since about age 8. Raced motorcross for a few years in my youth and then again around 1998-01. Bought my first Harley when I got back from Desert Storm, now ride a RoadKing. I went into the course thinking two trains of thought. 1) this was going to be a boring weekend of high schoolish drivers education type course where you watch the outdated DOT movies etc. 2) that i was slightly nervous that maybe all the riding traits and habits i had picked up over the years was completely wrong and it would be murder to relearn and try and correct.

I was pleasantly surprised regarding both situations. What i had instictively been doing all these years was pretty much right on, with some minor adjustments and changes, and the course is professionally ran and kept my attention.

In Florida the basic is now $265. They provide all the drinks, snacks, helmets (if you need one) bikes of course.

What was also neat to me, was the cross section of people taking the course. Might have been 15-18 of us total. There was a gentleman from NY who just moved down after retiring from the NYPD whom never in his life sat on a bike. Had some problems, but did make it through the course and pass. Then there was this hottie school teacher, who had on some damn killer jeans where you could see the top of her thong for the friday night class work. Jesus Christ, that i made it through the course work that first day is a feat in and of itself.

None the less, young, old, lots of riding experience, little riding experience, that course is professionally ran, and geared just right that it fits all walks of life the way i see it. There is something there for eveyone.

 

I have been riding 20+ years... Just took the BRC from th MSF and learned quite a bit and had a lot of fun! It surely can't hurt to take it and you might just make a few friends. I am going to take the ERC soon but want a bit more time on the Ultra before I do