Does anybody know the real difference between the two, other than price! I checked out a school here in Austin, www.motofun.com that teaches MSF curriculum and costs $180 and the Riders Edge course through H-D is about $295. Am I missing something by going with the cheaper course? I know that the cost for the Riders Edge course can be deducted off the price of a new bike, but I probably won't be able to make that purchase within the 6 mos time limit. Any thoughts?

 

The MSF course is great! I took it after riding for two years and I was a far better rider after the BRC (Beginner Riding Course).
Can't speak for the Harley offered course.
If you can save the cash off a new bike though, that's a pretty decent deal.
I'll bet they're both very very very similar.
The principles are the same..
I'll be these courses vary more from instructor to instructor than they do from course to course.

 

They teach the MSF course of cheap, lightweight metric bikes. I learned at one on a Honda Rebel. I believe they teach the Rider's Edge course on Harley Davidsons (not sure what type, but probably Sportsters, if I had to guess.)

The only difference I could see is if you are dead set on buying a Harley as a first bike (which I don't recommend), and you could learn to ride on the same model you want to purchase. Otherwise, the MSF course is fantastic.

 

Down here the only differences are the location and the bikes. The MSF is held at a local college and the Edge is in a parking lot near the Harley dealer. The MSF uses smaller (125 to 250cc) street bikes and the Edge uses Buell Blasts. The same instructors teach both courses...

 

I remember when I took it, they put me on some kind of little kawasaki dual sport with all kinds of torque (for a little 2 cylinder) and it weighed nothing.. That thing as a lotta fun! hehehe You could throw it around like a little sportbike.

 

You won't miss a thing by taking the MSF versus Rider's Edge. They normally have great instructors and good equipment. Just shows to go you, tack on the Harley name and you can tack on an extra $100.

 

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Man! I wish I could get a Harley for $100 more than a metric bike!

 

Rider's Edge courses are taught on a 492cc Buell Blast. Down here the MSF course is taught on 250cc Honda Rebels. The Rider's Edge is a little more in depth where I am too:
MSF - One evening of classroom training, 1 and 1/2 days driving, then half a day in a classroom.
RE - 3 nights of classroom training, 2 full days of driving on the range.

 

I hear ya' oldrookie! But it's better then ...hmm... a lot of things! Some days even better then a whole lot of things!
Have you been checking out some different dealers yet?