Riders Edge Skilled Rider course
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Riders Edge Skilled Rider course
OK, I'm thinking of taking the Riders Edge skilled rider course which would mean having to use my big ol' Ultra for the training. But, the thought of having to take those darn figure 8's and tight turns at slow speed are freaking me out and I'm wondering whether it's worth it or not. I'd be so pi$$ed off if I dropped my baby during some of the potential maneuvers.
I'm not a newbie, been riding 15K per year for the last 6 years with no problems or spills. But, that little voice in the back of my head keeps saying: "you're going to drop it, fool"!
So, my question for those who have taken the course with a touring bike, what am I up against? Is it an impossible task, or do cooler heads prevail and it works out? I'd be interested in your experiences with the course, and observations of other riders who were in your classes.
Thanks in advance!
I'm not a newbie, been riding 15K per year for the last 6 years with no problems or spills. But, that little voice in the back of my head keeps saying: "you're going to drop it, fool"!
So, my question for those who have taken the course with a touring bike, what am I up against? Is it an impossible task, or do cooler heads prevail and it works out? I'd be interested in your experiences with the course, and observations of other riders who were in your classes.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by brgtr3; Mar 8, 2012 at 10:04 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 507
Likes: 3
From: 2 miles from the Sun!
Hello
Was not hard, would be easier on small bike but, thats not what I ride. If you keep focusing on telling yourself your gunna drop it, you will. Rent their bike so you can spend more time on the lessons, you can then practice what you learned on your bike when you ride the streets.
Russ
Was not hard, would be easier on small bike but, thats not what I ride. If you keep focusing on telling yourself your gunna drop it, you will. Rent their bike so you can spend more time on the lessons, you can then practice what you learned on your bike when you ride the streets.
Russ
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Don't psych yourself out. It's easier than you think. Law Enforcement does much tighter courses than offered in a civilian course and you could probably do half of the entry level LE courses and not realize it.
What you can do, however to give yourself some added peace of mind, is this. Go to the Fire Dept. in your area and see if you can get some old fire hose. You need roughly 4-6 pieces about 1 foot each. You need 1" to 2" hose. You split these lengthwise and you have instant "bumpers" for you engine guards and bag guards. Just wrap them around the bars and duct tape them. If you drop the bike you save the guards from scratches and possible dings.
Take the course. Your voice in the back of your head is usually right.
Have fun.
What you can do, however to give yourself some added peace of mind, is this. Go to the Fire Dept. in your area and see if you can get some old fire hose. You need roughly 4-6 pieces about 1 foot each. You need 1" to 2" hose. You split these lengthwise and you have instant "bumpers" for you engine guards and bag guards. Just wrap them around the bars and duct tape them. If you drop the bike you save the guards from scratches and possible dings.
Take the course. Your voice in the back of your head is usually right.
Have fun.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Georgia
You can get thick wall plastic tubing at Home Depot to accomplish the same thing... remove the saddle bags and front fairings, then tape the hose or tubing around your guards. It gives you good exercise at lifting the bike if you do lay it down and shows you how well designed those guards are 
The real advantage of the course is building enough confidence for you to do some low speed maneuvering on your own in parking lots and such. Emergency maneuvers like stopping and quick course changes are worthwhile too.
The real advantage of the course is building enough confidence for you to do some low speed maneuvering on your own in parking lots and such. Emergency maneuvers like stopping and quick course changes are worthwhile too.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Good call on the tubing.... Though I've found, other than cutting it, the hose is easier to mold to the guards....plus it's free.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Had the same feelings as you before going to the course.
The first thing they did was put one of the women instructors on her big dresser to run the course. She was about 5'5'' and feet only touched the ground on tip toes. She made it look so easy, that everybody got immediately relaxed.
We started off easy. Learned how to jump 2x6 lumber pieces in the road, make sharp curves, use your rear brake for stability, engaged the clutch friction zone, swerve to avoid obstacles, make smooth u-turns in tight circumstances. All in all a great time.
You start out with easy stuff, and gradually gain confidence, technique, and skills.
They showed how a Harley lays over on their engine and bag guards with no damage. SHowed how one person can lift a Harley by themselves in a safe and effective manner.
Got into a bunch of stuff I did not expect, and came out a much better rider after taking the course.
Enjoy yourself, and who knows, you might find yourself some new riding buddies.
Gave us some local HD dealership discount coupons, and invited us over to the shop to meet the meet the mechanics.
Pretty good experience all around.
The first thing they did was put one of the women instructors on her big dresser to run the course. She was about 5'5'' and feet only touched the ground on tip toes. She made it look so easy, that everybody got immediately relaxed.
We started off easy. Learned how to jump 2x6 lumber pieces in the road, make sharp curves, use your rear brake for stability, engaged the clutch friction zone, swerve to avoid obstacles, make smooth u-turns in tight circumstances. All in all a great time.
You start out with easy stuff, and gradually gain confidence, technique, and skills.
They showed how a Harley lays over on their engine and bag guards with no damage. SHowed how one person can lift a Harley by themselves in a safe and effective manner.
Got into a bunch of stuff I did not expect, and came out a much better rider after taking the course.
Enjoy yourself, and who knows, you might find yourself some new riding buddies.
Gave us some local HD dealership discount coupons, and invited us over to the shop to meet the meet the mechanics.
Pretty good experience all around.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Fennario
OK, I'm thinking of taking the Riders Edge skilled rider course which would mean having to use my big ol' Ultra for the training. But, the thought of having to take those darn figure 8's and tight turns at slow speed are freaking me out and I'm wondering whether it's worth it or not. I'd be so pi$$ed off if I dropped my baby during some of the potential maneuvers.
I'm not a newbie, been riding 15K per year for the last 6 years with no problems or spills. But, that little voice in the back of my head keeps saying: "you're going to drop it, fool"!
So, my question for those who have taken the course with a touring bike, what am I up against? Is it an impossible task, or do cooler heads prevail and it works out? I'd be interested in your experiences with the course, and observations of other riders who were in your classes.
Thanks in advance!
I'm not a newbie, been riding 15K per year for the last 6 years with no problems or spills. But, that little voice in the back of my head keeps saying: "you're going to drop it, fool"!
So, my question for those who have taken the course with a touring bike, what am I up against? Is it an impossible task, or do cooler heads prevail and it works out? I'd be interested in your experiences with the course, and observations of other riders who were in your classes.
Thanks in advance!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
I was an instructor and did both beginner and advance on my 07 Ultra with no problems peaple couldn't beleave you could do the figure 8 in the small box on one. Its fun. either **** or get off the pot. You learn more with your own motorcycle.