The training is a great way of getting people in the door. The dealership I frequent that does the training always has full sessions. No idea how many have bought a bike afterwards but I know a few have.

Then they get a price to insure that sportbike and they walk out. It's been a few years, but a friend of mine went bike shopping with his 18 or 19 yr old son. Every sport bike he inquired about the insurance quote was for $5,000 just for liability. And he wasn't looking at anything like a Hayabusa. He ended up on a Triumph as that was the only bike with "reasonable" insurance for a sport bike. In summary, they are all expensive to someone young, it may just vary on who they are paying.

Also keep in mind the courses are not limited to teenagers. I've seen quite a few in their 20's, 30's, and older taking the training as well. They are likely past the point of outrageous insurance costs so they could end up buying a sport bike as stated, but I doubt many would seek out a training course at the Harley Dealer if they were not at least interested in a Harley

 

The Motorcycle Industry Council says the median age of motorcycle owners increased from 32 to 47 since 1990. About 46 percent of riders are over 50; only about 10 percent are 30-34.
I am certainly one of the 46%. I had to go to a trike due to no longer feeling safe on that 900# behemoth.
It certainly hurts to be forced to give up what you love, lost my CDL, pilots license and the ability to stay upright on two wheels. Sux to get old.

 

You never give that up! Maybe your medical, but that certificate is yours! Fly with a CFI from time to time!

 

In New York state the completion of an MSF course is an automatic Motorcycle endorsement on your license, not sure if the Harley course is the same.

 

A fews years back, H-D started offering their course to military types (active and former) for free. Nowadays, sadly, I think it's $100. Anyway, being an ex military type, I decided to take them up on their free course even though I've had a MC license since 1968. I figured I might learn something. And I did. Thankfully, I passed easily and avoided the humiliation of failure. I did ask the instructor how often folks with licenses fail the course. He said that it was not at all uncommon and that quite a few of the fat old 'badass' types do poorly. I'm old, but not fat and not a 'badass' so I guess that's what saved me. :-)

 

While I am a rabid fan of both the beginer & advanced MSF course, I am NOT of the mindset that you should get your “M” endorsement after completing the beginer course. Gal pal did and no way was she ready for solo on the road.

I do think HD rider training is a great idea for dealers to build their base & HD’s brand.

 

Yeah,over the years I have met people who completed the basic course and had an over the top confidence in their ability.

 

You got that right!

Price is what's keeping younger folks away from Harleys. They see articles about CVO bikes in magazines priced 45 large and say no way.

 

Not sure if it will help or not. But I will say my wife got her license through the HD dealer course and they really did do a great job teaching the skills needed.

 

Then she shouldn't have been passed by the instructor. It's not like a driver's license were you can drive with a licensed driver to be corrected and gradually learn. You either know enough to handle the motorcycle safely and gain experience, or you don't.