Riders Edge Skilled Rider course
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Forgot a few things. They had us doing hard stops, comparing effectiveness of rear only, front only, and both brakes together. (a real eye opener).
We did accelleration out of corners, braking in corners, swerving through cones, learning to dip your bike, countersteering, and turning around inside increasingly smaller boxes. You will do things you never believed your bike could do, and develop confidence in your scoot.
My favorite thing I learned was how to go from stopped at a curb, to a full lock u-turn going the other way, inside a two lane wide course. I can now swoop out of a parking spot, and make a 180 on a normal city street, with space to spare.
I had just gotten a new street glide, and had been off bikes for over 10 years. Wanted to brush up on my skill, but came away as a far better and safer driver.
We did accelleration out of corners, braking in corners, swerving through cones, learning to dip your bike, countersteering, and turning around inside increasingly smaller boxes. You will do things you never believed your bike could do, and develop confidence in your scoot.
My favorite thing I learned was how to go from stopped at a curb, to a full lock u-turn going the other way, inside a two lane wide course. I can now swoop out of a parking spot, and make a 180 on a normal city street, with space to spare.
I had just gotten a new street glide, and had been off bikes for over 10 years. Wanted to brush up on my skill, but came away as a far better and safer driver.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
Forgot a few things. They had us doing hard stops, comparing effectiveness of rear only, front only, and both brakes together. (a real eye opener).
We did accelleration out of corners, braking in corners, swerving through cones, learning to dip your bike, countersteering, and turning around inside increasingly smaller boxes. You will do things you never believed your bike could do, and develop confidence in your scoot.
My favorite thing I learned was how to go from stopped at a curb, to a full lock u-turn going the other way, inside a two lane wide course. I can now swoop out of a parking spot, and make a 180 on a normal city street, with space to spare.
I had just gotten a new street glide, and had been off bikes for over 10 years. Wanted to brush up on my skill, but came away as a far better and safer driver.
We did accelleration out of corners, braking in corners, swerving through cones, learning to dip your bike, countersteering, and turning around inside increasingly smaller boxes. You will do things you never believed your bike could do, and develop confidence in your scoot.
My favorite thing I learned was how to go from stopped at a curb, to a full lock u-turn going the other way, inside a two lane wide course. I can now swoop out of a parking spot, and make a 180 on a normal city street, with space to spare.
I had just gotten a new street glide, and had been off bikes for over 10 years. Wanted to brush up on my skill, but came away as a far better and safer driver.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
If you feel that your concern about dropping and damaging your bike will be too distracting, what about renting the same bike you ride from your local dealer? Sure it will increase the cost of taking the class, but it might be worth it if not using your bike will allow you to be less hesitant to try learning new skills.
Just a thought...
Just a thought...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
If you feel that your concern about dropping and damaging your bike will be too distracting, what about renting the same bike you ride from your local dealer? Sure it will increase the cost of taking the class, but it might be worth it if not using your bike will allow you to be less hesitant to try learning new skills.
Just a thought...
Just a thought...
When the schools started praising kids for everything, I read a federal report that had this quote "True self-esteem is gained by grasping information that you initially felt was beyond your reach". I think taking the course on your own bike, overcoming your anxiety and performing above your estimations makes you a more confident rider. I don't think it would mean as much on a rented bike.
Just do it!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
I think that becoming comfortable with your own bike is an important part of the course. And nobody dropped their bike when I took it.
When the schools started praising kids for everything, I read a federal report that had this quote "True self-esteem is gained by grasping information that you initially felt was beyond your reach". I think taking the course on your own bike, overcoming your anxiety and performing above your estimations makes you a more confident rider. I don't think it would mean as much on a rented bike.
Just do it!
When the schools started praising kids for everything, I read a federal report that had this quote "True self-esteem is gained by grasping information that you initially felt was beyond your reach". I think taking the course on your own bike, overcoming your anxiety and performing above your estimations makes you a more confident rider. I don't think it would mean as much on a rented bike.
Just do it!
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
If you want to practice the figure 8, find an abandon parking lot and use two parking spaces end to end. That is about the same size. No embarrassment, no on lookers, improved skill.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
I understand what you are saying, and correct me if I'm wrong, but when police officers take the motor officer class, which is much more demanding than the class the OP is taking about, don't they do their course on training bikes similar to the ones they will ride? They dont take it on their assigned bike they will ride on duty, they do them on similar bikes...and they seem to do ok.
Most departments lack the funds to have separate "training" bikes. We have four '05 Road Kings that serve as extra bikes for when our EG's go down for repair, but a motor officer prefers to train on what he rides. I recommend that. You know your bike. It is, and what you will be using. If you are apprehensive about damaging your bike, try to train on an identical model, or as close as possible.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Again, many thanks for all the comments here. I'm feeling so much more confident already, and the course isn't for another two months. I'm going to do it on my bike, and will succeed. I'll post some comments about my experience once it's done. I'm actually excited for it now!