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I have taken both classes. The 'nuts and bolts' of riding skills are the same as the MSFcurriculum was used in the Rider's Edge class. A little more range time in the Rider's Edge class, so you could learn each skill at a slower pace was the only difference. Not worth the price difference tomost as the Riders Edge was $295 and the MSF in Ohio was only $25. Rider's Edge instructor's all are required to have been state instructors and manywork both. All my instructors in both programs were wonderful!!
Rider's edge gives you a patch, pin, $50 HOG bucks to use towards merchandise or your membership renewal, plus a pizza/cake party with awards. Both give you your "M"....and both offer insurance discounts here in Ohio.
As a 'never rode anything' new rider, I guess the kids gloves and more relaxed pace of Rider's Edge worked for me....the state class was fast and furious. But the state class is perfect for those that have some riding behind them.....just my humble opinion.....
already mentioned that Washington state doesn't recognize RE. I talked to somone at the state level in WA and they said it was because of the marketing aspect of course. They attempted to negotiate with the folks that run the RE program, but they refused to take out the marketing propaganda.
I took the MSF course offered in WA, which gave me my license, which allowed me to rent a couple models before making a final purchasing decision.
Been riding on and off most of my life, but never had an endorsment
Riders Edge class uses MSF materials, exercises, and tests. It is the same class. Riders Edge takes more time because of shameless dealer product promotion. Like a pointless dealer tour and time after discussing riding clothing to take a break and go shopping in the motorclothes department, etc. On the plus side, the dealer provided cake on the last day and a coupon for products purchased at the dealer. Buell Blasts are a pretty nice learning bike, too.
I took the riders edge course. It was great. Yeah there was some promotion for HD in there but it was ok, I planned on buying a HD anyway. The dealer I took the course from offered a full refund if you bought your bike from them within six months of taking the course. So, the course ended up costing me nothing. Also, once you graduated from the course your bike insurance went down and you didn't need to take the driving test to get the endosement on your license.
Wellthat explains why one ofthe dealers around here ishas it on their site that they do the Riders Edge course (and it does not say anything about the MSF course)butthey are listed on the MSF site as doing that trainingalso.
RE is just H-D's version of the MSF class. In NC, passing RE qualifies you as having completed the riding part required to get your MC endorsement down at DMV. There are a few benefits to RE, generally smaller class sizes which equates into a better student to instructor ratio and increased riding time during the course. At the dealer where I took RE, class size was limited to six students with 2 instructors. In my area the MSF classes are always booked months ahead so when I finally got ready to take the class I didn't want to wait that long., my new RK was coming in 4 weeks. I was able to get into the RE class in two weeks. If you happen the be a member of HOG before you take the course you can get a $50 coupon that can be used for purchases at your dealership. Riding on a new Buell is a lot of fun. Insurance companies look at RE same as MSF when it comes to discounts. And yes, you will hear some MOCO propaganda during the course.
Just look into your local MSF course. I took mine 14 years ago when I was 15, and it still helps me to this day!! Rider's Edge has too much fluff plus it is more expensive!!
Depends what type of class you want and why you are taking it. I wanted to take the class simply to get the MSF card (waiver of state riding skills test) because I didn't want to take my Street Bob through the cones. However, I also figured if I was gonna take a class it might as well be good one. I chose the $300 Rider's Edge course at Meredith Harley-Davidson over the $110 NH state sponsored MSF partially because I didn't want to ride the 250cc POS donated state bikes. I feel the Rider's Edge course was far more comprehensive than the state course and riding the Buell Blast seemed a little more realistic. Also, the state course is 20 hours while the Rider's Edge course was 25. Those extra 5 hours I think were spent riding...we put 33 miles on during the course doing various exercises (which is a lot of miles in parking lot).
I agree with the previous post. I also took the Riders Edge course at Meredith Harley Davidson in N.H. for the same reason. The endorsement. Now I am retiring from the Air Force and just changed my residency to New Hampshire. The class was awesome, I had already purchased a 07 Wide Glide. Rode her home today. Riders Edge was the difference for me and my wife. Both passed. The instructors were AWESOME and worked with us where we needed the help. They prepared us all very well. We had 5 in the class total including us and we all 5 passed. The test was exaclty as the state does it. Great course and defenently the way to learn to ride.
Just my 2 cents.
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The MSF bikes here are complete garbage and the classes have many more participants. I paid the money and went with the Rider's Edge. They had small classes and much better bikes. You still get a MSF card which allowed for a nice discount on my insurance.
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