basic rider courses
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3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7
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From: plymouth mass
basic rider courses
im taking the basic rider course in a couple weeks and i wanted some opinions from you guys on how well they relate to every day riding.
i have been a passsenger on my dads bike while growing up and he left me his bike when he passed. so my first bike is an electra glide. they teach on 250's what would also be the biggest difference from the 2.
thanks
i have been a passsenger on my dads bike while growing up and he left me his bike when he passed. so my first bike is an electra glide. they teach on 250's what would also be the biggest difference from the 2.
thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Just take the Basic Rider course with an open mind and don't think you know it all and will learn a lot... Pay special attention to the Stopping and Figure 8 Turn.. Anyone can go straight down the road.. Is the use of Turning, Swerving, and Braking Properly that may save your life on the Real Road...
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 241
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From: FL
Well, obviously a big difference between the two bikes will be the weight. How that relates to handling, etc will become clear. Pretty sure the fundamentals that are taught in class should apply to any bike.
Have fun in the class, push yourself and the bike, that is what it is for...make mistakes on their bikes...in a controlled enviorment.
Have fun in the class, push yourself and the bike, that is what it is for...make mistakes on their bikes...in a controlled enviorment.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
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From: Georgia
Learn to trust your training not your instincts because your instincts will be wrong. Bike will go where you look so you need to keep that in mind at all times and not fixate on potential danger, etc. Handling a slow parking lot speeds should be your first concern because anybody can drive a bike a 10 MPH or faster.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,040
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From: Nice home on the NorCal Coast
Just take the Basic Rider course with an open mind and don't think you know it all and will learn a lot... Pay special attention to the Stopping and Figure 8 Turn.. Anyone can go straight down the road.. Is the use of Turning, Swerving, and Braking Properly that may save your life on the Real Road...
I took the basic and advanced courses after riding without a license for close to 25 years.
If you keep an open mind and listen, you'll learn a lot more than you think you will.
I know I did,
Krusr
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Western South Dakota
You will get a discount on your insurance and you will not have to take dmv test to update your license, and you might even learn a thing or 2.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: SoCal
Just take the Basic Rider course with an open mind and don't think you know it all and will learn a lot... Pay special attention to the Stopping and Figure 8 Turn.. Anyone can go straight down the road.. Is the use of Turning, Swerving, and Braking Properly that may save your life on the Real Road...
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Arlington and Shenandoah Co. Va.
I got back to riding after a long time and I found it is an excellent course packed with useful information and skill learning, but it is just an introduction to riding. Much of actual operation must be really learned with riding time and experience. I went from a 250 Honda Night Hawk in two days of riding class to another 250 for months before I got a 750 metric. Eight months after the class I got a Sportster 1200 C. I thought the last bike was a giant step, but it really wasn't by that time. I might have pushed it if I had gone from a small bike in class to a bigger Harley right away. Any way, the building of confidence, as well as skill is important, and that comes with not pushing riding a bigger bike before its time. The Electra Glide is a big step up after limited riding on a 250.