basic rider courses
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
I took the course as basically some sort of education was required by the state of IL before I could get my MC license. Grew up on my dads' 1954 BMW shaft drive where the instructions were...."Where are the keys?". We grew up on tractors and go-karts. The best things I took away from the class were:
1. Gear...in fact I dumped the Buell Blast in some gravel and without the gloves there would have been an ambulance involved. Instead, I dusted myself off and went back at it.
2. Turn your head and look where you want to go. Had I know this when I was on the BMW I would have stayed on the road and not in the ditch that one afternoon..
3. The front brake will save your life. Just the other day on the Fatboy, I was day dreaming about the ride and when I looked up, someone was making a left hand turn in my lane, everyone was doing everything correctly but me..... I had to brake hard to avoid the rear end collision. Using just the rear breaks would have been a disaster but with the rear break AND the front break, everything was okay.
Without the BRC I would have been a disaster on the road and to other bikers.
1. Gear...in fact I dumped the Buell Blast in some gravel and without the gloves there would have been an ambulance involved. Instead, I dusted myself off and went back at it.
2. Turn your head and look where you want to go. Had I know this when I was on the BMW I would have stayed on the road and not in the ditch that one afternoon..
3. The front brake will save your life. Just the other day on the Fatboy, I was day dreaming about the ride and when I looked up, someone was making a left hand turn in my lane, everyone was doing everything correctly but me..... I had to brake hard to avoid the rear end collision. Using just the rear breaks would have been a disaster but with the rear break AND the front break, everything was okay.
Without the BRC I would have been a disaster on the road and to other bikers.
Last edited by shucks; Mar 19, 2009 at 10:37 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
My son took it last year and he loved it. He said he was much more confident riding after the class.
Also, in MA, if you pre-pay for your license, after you complete the course they will mail you your new license with the Class M endorsement.
Also, in MA, if you pre-pay for your license, after you complete the course they will mail you your new license with the Class M endorsement.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
When I took BRC I had almost zero experience riding. The course is packed tight with the core lessons and little or no fluff (so pay attention to every second).
Some of the things that concerned me most was that you hardly ever get above second gear the whole time. Also, the course is flat, with no driveway approaches, potholes, hills, etc. Most importantly the course teaches you riding skills, but getting off the course and out into traffic feels a little like going from the kiddie pool straight to the high-dive.
If you already have the bike it may not make sense to pick up another one (but that's your decision). I kept to the quiet streets, parkways, parking lots (Juneau Avenue, baby!
) until I started to feel like I "had it". Then I tossed in a few exits worth of four lane, and then downtown traffic, etc.
I think you would be ok on the Glide as long as you take your sweet time and don't try to overdive your skills. To quote the great philosopher Han Solo, "Don't get cocky, kid".
Some of the things that concerned me most was that you hardly ever get above second gear the whole time. Also, the course is flat, with no driveway approaches, potholes, hills, etc. Most importantly the course teaches you riding skills, but getting off the course and out into traffic feels a little like going from the kiddie pool straight to the high-dive.
If you already have the bike it may not make sense to pick up another one (but that's your decision). I kept to the quiet streets, parkways, parking lots (Juneau Avenue, baby!
) until I started to feel like I "had it". Then I tossed in a few exits worth of four lane, and then downtown traffic, etc.I think you would be ok on the Glide as long as you take your sweet time and don't try to overdive your skills. To quote the great philosopher Han Solo, "Don't get cocky, kid".
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
There will be a noticeable difference between the 250 you are training on and the ULTRA. You will find that you can lean the 250 over more at slower speeds than you can with the ULTRA. The 250 will be a lot more forgiving in terms of making mistakes and being able to quickly correct; whereas the ULTRA if you lean it just too far over because you weren't paying attention to where you were looking the bike may come out from under you. When you are comfortable and just start out on the ULTRA I would recommend that you try to keep the bike as straight up as possible on slower speed turns until you get used to it...ride it at slower speeds first. You need to figure out the motorcycle's limits in regards to how fast to take turns and how far over you lean the bike before it falls over. Listen carefully to the instructors regarding the slow speed turning and the turning from a dead stop. Very important! Be careful and practice, practice, practice.
Last edited by jhall201; Mar 19, 2009 at 10:52 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
I took the cours eyears ago when I was in the Marine Corps. It was 40 hours and mandatory. I was riding yamahas back then. Just bought a Fatboy and have signed up to take the course through NYS DMV again. Figure I can always learn something
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
The biggest differance will be weight. When push comes to shove you can muscle that little 300 pound bike around, but you aren't doing that with a 700 pound bike. The biggest thing is not really the differance in bikes, but the differance between bikes and cars. If you've ridden a bicycle then you well appreciate how little respect people have for your right to be on the road. They only grudgingly respect your rights a small bit more on a motorcycle. Run down the edgeline and they'll pass half in your lane. Faced with hitting you and about anything else in this world and they will hit you.
I have never riding either till this year. my first bike i rod on was my friends 1100 metric cruiser. I did allot of parking lot riding, stop and goes. finally I got used to it and I dont stall it anymore. I have the course coming up in 2 weeks and I already bought my nightster and been riding that up and down the block a few times but I will feel better once I actually take the course and push their bikes with the slow speeds... It's the slow speeds that are the hardest. especially slow turns
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Got a nice discount when I informed AllState I passed the course. As others have stated, the course will teach you not only learn motorcycle skills but prepare you for those circumstances which require a quick response after you complete the course.
With limited driving experience, learning on a small 250 will be much easier handling those small figure 8's in a confined area (part of the course) as apposed to learning on a larger and heavier beast in my opinion.
Good luck.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
I took the class and bought a Ultra. Dropped it four times. 2 times with the wife on the back. Once in the Ride like a pro class and once forgetting to put down the jiffy stand.
The hardest part is slow speeds like others have said. I would get the "Ride Like A Pro" Video and be sure to tell your instructors that you are planning on riding the bigger bike.
Ask for their advice also. Don't turn the front wheel and touch the front brake alone while slowing down. You will drop it. Use both brakes and keep the wheel straight.
Good luck. You will do fine once you understand a few basic principles taught at the class.
The hardest part is slow speeds like others have said. I would get the "Ride Like A Pro" Video and be sure to tell your instructors that you are planning on riding the bigger bike.
Ask for their advice also. Don't turn the front wheel and touch the front brake alone while slowing down. You will drop it. Use both brakes and keep the wheel straight.
Good luck. You will do fine once you understand a few basic principles taught at the class.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 64
From: Southern Maryland
Last year turned 50 and got an 08 FLHTC for my present. I had not been on a motorcycle for 15 years and had let the MC portion of my license. I took the class to refresh my skills and, as i found out, learn some new ones. Once I completed the class at the local college, the certificate was proof enough for MVA and did not have to do anything but show the certificate to get the license. No test, no performance no nothing. It was well worth my money. When you get the license see if the local HOG chapter at your store has a class on operation in slow conditions. I took it and it even gave me more hints on how to handle this big machine.