General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

BRC - OpED

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 10:41 AM
  #1  
geo10's Avatar
geo10
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From:
Default BRC - OpED

I've been riding most of my entire life (35+ years) and I've finally completed the Basic Riders Course.

My opinion is this.... I wish I would have taken it 20 years ago when I could have really used it instead of being self taught. The good news is that I found out that most of what do is the correct way..In any event I would recommend this class to anyone.



Have you taken the class or do you have any comments?




Pork


/
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
rick's Avatar
rick
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 5
From: miami,fl
Default RE: BRC - OpED

Atleast you did it. My first time on a bike was when i took the course about 4 1/2 yrs ago,have'nt stopped since.

[IMG]local://upfiles/7312/9051E6A6430042A4A42A80B03D5F2A56.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/7312/A6C3F945D332460DBA35C80D2B54BC37.jpg[/IMG]
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:18 PM
  #3  
llbandit's Avatar
llbandit
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 1
From: Little Elm, TX
Default RE: BRC - OpED

I took the course a month or so ago. I needed it to get my license. There was no way I could have gotten two legal bikes and riders to the DMV for the driving part of the test so this helped me out a lot. Like you I found I was doing most things correctly, just never knew exactly why I was doing it. I enjoyed the course and picked up several things. I'm going to have my wife take it when she decides to get off the back of mine and get her own.
John
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:28 PM
  #4  
dawg's Avatar
dawg
Seasoned HDF Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,552
Likes: 3,954
From: Vermont
Default RE: BRC - OpED

Got my Harley in March with very little to no experience and took the MSF BRC in April. Haven't looked back. I plan on taking the experienced course next year and then taking the police motor school sometime down the road (not to be a motorcop as we currently don't have any in our dept., but I just want the experience).
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:35 PM
  #5  
cjmilez's Avatar
cjmilez
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,629
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: BRC - OpED

I took the class last November...I had ridden before that, but really wanted to learn EVERYTHING! I felt comfortable riding after taking the class and getting my license. When I took the class, it poured both Saturday and Sunday and they continued with the class....it helped break my fear of riding in the rain too! I plan to take the Advanced Riders Class as soon as the weather cools down...
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:55 PM
  #6  
Tin Gizel's Avatar
Tin Gizel
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Bealeton, VA
Default RE: BRC - OpED

I took the MSF BRC class through Apex this past weekend. I had been riding for about 2 months prior to taking the class. Learned that for the most part I was doing everything right, but picked up some pointers to make riding easier (turn your head!!!) and feel more comfortable should i have to react to an emergency.

And the best part, now i have an endorsement on my license and no longer ride as an outlaw.

Calling the insurance company today to see how much I will save on my rates having completed the course.
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 02:07 PM
  #7  
whaap's Avatar
whaap
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
Default RE: BRC - OpED

Geo, if you really want to step up, take the experienced rider course as soon as you can. It will help you even further. (Speaking as a former MSF instructor)
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 02:15 PM
  #8  
geo10's Avatar
geo10
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: BRC - OpED

ORIGINAL: whaap

Geo, if you really want to step up, take the experienced rider course as soon as you can. It will help you even further. (Speaking as a former MSF instructor)

whaap, Thanks for the affirmation. I've already started looking for the next available class :-).

I heard that the skills tracks are the same but 1.) Use our personal bikes 2.) Additional requirements such as the cone swerve using 1 hand.... true?



Pork
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 05:10 PM
  #9  
Harleypingman's Avatar
Harleypingman
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Default RE: BRC - OpED

Took the BRC in March 05 when I resumed riding after 40 year hiatus and purchased an Electra Glide. I stopped counting or even trying to remember all of the incidents the skills and training I got from that course have kept me from being knocked down by a car or truck; or the riding conditions I could easily deal with.

Took the ERC this April and it was a great check-up on where my skills were and had I developed better or worse habits.

Requiring BRC for licensing interferes with Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, much like mandatory seatbelt laws, child saftety seats, etc. do; but anyone I care about should, I pray, take the course before purchasing a bike.


 
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 12:44 AM
  #10  
PSO169's Avatar
PSO169
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: BRC - OpED

I took the class prior to getting my Road King in 2002, I have never ridden a street bike before. My 2002 was my first bike. I was glad I took the class. I used several things that were taught that may have kept me on two wheels instead of sliding down the pavement.
Jeff
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:56 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE