https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...cid=spartanntp

whatcha think?

 

I think I clicked on it and a virus popped up on my phone. Thanks...

 

I'm thinking young kids need to have the desire and opportunity to ride minibikes/dirtbikes when young so they might be interested in street riding when older.
Otherwise it's just more jaw flapping.

 

Did I read that right that the Harley Academy is 3-4 days?

Who has time for that...

Most people have a hard time finding time off for the 2 day courses. If I had to take a 3-4 day class, I wouldnt have done it simply due to no time.

 

But they might hurt themselves! Its dangerous! (Heavy, heavy sarcasm)

 

This thread beat you to it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ales-drop.html

 

IIRC the Riding Academy uses MSF curriculum, which is 3 days (actually one evening for the book stuff, and 2 partials for actual course work/testing). At least thats the way MSF shook out when I took my class many moons ago.

Now, having the training available at HD dealerships I think is a good move. No other manufacturer invests in offering the training directly, they just farm it out to independent entities. Every weekend at my local, I see the classes out there training and riding (and there are always students).

This HAS to generate traffic through the showroom, just due to proximity (yeah, I just went in to LOOK during break, and it followed me home....)

Even among those students that either fail out/decide it isnt for them/get another bike, it generates traffic and also creates awareness of the rest of us out there once these drivers/riders see how exposed we are. its a good thing on all fronts

 

Since the "MSF curriculum" isn't any good anymore in Calif, HD uses the current sponsored curriculum for it's "Rider's Academy"program.
If memory serves, HD trained 65,000 new riders last year, and they're increasing that number this year.

I'm all for more people learning how to ride. Even if they don't continue, they now have a better understanding of what it means to be a rider. And, hopefully, they'll be more conscientious when they drive. Hopefully.

 

The class at the dealer I frequent is always packed. The last time I referred a friend to it, he told me there was quite a waiting list. The PA MSF class is the same way, register early and maybe you'll get into a class sometime the same year.

 

I think price is more of their problem than training. The training is a good idea but if these people walk into the dealership and the bikes cost the same as their SUV.. well.. most younger folks aren't going to buy when a sport bike is going to cost them much less.