Last summer, I bought a bike and started riding regularly again. I took the HD Basic Rider Course at that time, even though I still had my motorcycle endorsement on my license. I found BRC a very good course that refreshed my skills, and I learned improved slow maneuver techniques. I am thinking about taking the Skilled Rider Course this summer, but I have heard very mixed reviews on this course, including to not take it because of the increased risks of tip-overs in this course.

Will appreciate any feedback on your experience in the Skilled Rider Course if you have taken it lately. Thanks.

 

nothing I did in the Skilled Riders course I took did anything to increase the risk of dropping the bike, the Ride Like a Pro class, different story but I didn't drop it "that" day.

there's nothing wrong with taking the course and having someone give you a regimen to follow and observe you doing it. Take the class.

 

Thankfully we have a school here that provides bikes for their intermediate and advanced courses. They even have a 4 day advanced camp.

 

The point of the course is to improve the handling of your own bike. When I took it in 2011 they recommended having at least 3k miles experience.

I never came close to tipping my 2003 FLHTCUI. It was a pretty good course. Worth taking.

 

If you don’t take the course you’ll probably drop it anyway. Most of the Skilled Rider Course excersizes are the same as the BRC but on your own bike. They are stepped up a little because we can concentrate more on technique because there are no first time riders.

 

I too am a firm believer in training on the mount you're going to ride. But, there are exceptions. A lot can be learned on a bike identical to yours, such is the case in police motor school. Being free of the fear of damaging your machine can give you the confidence to learn skills one might not ordinarily push to is another level of training. There are training companies here in the US that will rent you a Road King or Electra Glide to use during their training, even for civilians.

 

The school I mentioned above has former Police Road Kings, a former Police Dyna, Street 500's, and Suzuki TU250's for you to use, or you can ride your own bike. Last course I took from them I started out on the Police Dyna, about halfway through the course I switched to my Sportster. I definitely pushed myself harder on the Police Dyna with the crash bar and reinforced saddle bags than I did on my Sportster.

 

The erc or brc2 helps with some braking and swerving.
Rlap, does not.
If I remember correctly, the price for brc2 wanst that bad, I'd personally say take it without super high expansions, then look into rlap, then if your still looking for training search for more advanced police style training in your area.

 

The best thing I can suggest to you my friend, (I do not get it any kickback or anything from this) but go to this location https://www.ridelikeapro.com/ or click HERE and either download the digital version or the $19.95 DVD version of Ride Like A Pro. <-- It is without question the best thing you can do to become an expert rider. Just do not get cocky.

 

Videos are great, but it will not replace a skilled instructor watching you and telling you what your doing right or wrong.