Which class would you recommend?

[Have2BeFree]

I have been wanting to take a riding course for a while now. I never took the MSF basic riding course as it wasn't offered in this area when I was learning to ride. I would appreciate your opinions on which course you think would suit me best. I have about 8 years of experience riding cruisers (this is my first sport bike and I'm finally getting it registered today) though I have ridden on the back of my friends Concours and then his ZX for the last two years and learned a lot. I also took his VFR out last week and had a blast - it handles so nice and I felt very comfortable with my skills on it.
The courses I am considering are the Experienced Rider Course, Total Control Intermediate Riding Clinic, or Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic (Level 1). I am looking for cornering, braking, and basic techniques to improve my riding skills. Thanks for your suggestions.

Below is a link to the local college that offers the MSF courses and it explains them in greater detail:

https://www.hvcc.edu/rider/index.html#erc

 

[madmanmaigret]

I voted intermediate. You won't be paying for part of the class on the effects of drugs and alcohol and it seems better suited for what you want/need to learn.

I have never attended any of these schools just the MSF basic rider course.

whatever you pick let us know how you like it/what you learned.

 

[MarinaFazer]

Total Control...We had a private classroom session by Lee Parks at Bonobo Performance over the summer. His information was great! Granted, the class takes place in a parking lot, but you'll still be dragging knee...speed is just a by product of control.

I want to eventually take the full school! Intermediate may be a good choice since you haven't been on a sportbike for a while, although the class is taught to ALL bikes...guys are dragging floorboards on their Goldwings!

 

[mstewar1]

You might also consider Reg Pridmore's Class.

I did Class some years ago and it made a difference, for me. Reg's focus is on learning how to ride smoother. And while you'll learn stuff that's applicable to riding on a track, the focus is on making you a better, safer, more aware rider out in the real world.

As has been mentioned, let us know what you take and how it went.

 

[Have2BeFree]

You might also consider Reg Pridmore's Class.

I did Class some years ago and it made a difference, for me. Reg's focus is on learning how to ride smoother. And while you'll learn stuff that's applicable to riding on a track, the focus is on making you a better, safer, more aware rider out in the real world.

As has been mentioned, let us know what you take and how it went.

This is a good suggestion but doesn't seem to be offered anywhere near me

I will definitely let all of you know what I decide on and how it goes.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions!

 

[FZ1inNH]

In NH, if we want to take the intermediate class, we have to do it the same year as the BRC. So, if I want to take it, I have to do the BRC all over again.

 

[madmanmaigret]

In NH, if we want to take the intermediate class, we have to do it the same year as the BRC. So, if I want to take it, I have to do the BRC all over again.

Wow, that sucks. Our BRC was $255 and the intermediate was around $100 I believe so you would have to pony up ovr $350 just for the one course?

 

[dako81]

I was under the impression that you have to take the BRC before the Advanced Rider Course.

If you haven't taken any classes yet, I would recommend the BRC. It may seem redundant and they treat you like you have never seen a motorcycle before, but it gets you on the same page as everyone and you actually pick up some pretty good skills.

So, I would take the BRC, then probably the advanced course, then with the intermediate riding clinic, and so on.

Like I said it may really seem redundant, but I took the BRC with my best friend and my girlfriend, and I enjoyed it and have been riding motorcycles for 8 or 9 years before I took it. I took it through a community college here and it was $25.

 

[blchandl2]

In IN, you can take the ERC to get your endorsement without taking the BRC. The BRC costs $50, ERC $25. Neither are racing or speed schools of course. The ERC does force you to get to know your bike which you should do before you go on a track IMHO.

 

[Botch]

In NH, if we want to take the intermediate class, we have to do it the same year as the BRC. So, if I want to take it, I have to do the BRC all over again.

That's weird. Here in Utard you have to WAIT twelve months after the BRC before taking the Intermediate; I'd double-check there in NH, and if they still insist on those conditions, write a glaring Letter to the Editor in your local newspaper, and all the motorcycle magazines, and embarrass them into submission.

w00t!