Experienced/Skilled Rider Course - HD style

[The Vol-can]

Since my last post, I've taken the Experience Rider Course through the Harley-Davidson Riders' Edge program. Wound up at HD because the State of Georgia did not have any Experienced Rider classes scheduled through the DDS (Dept of Driver Safety). The one-day class was conveniently located, and was scheduled for a Friday (darn). We had HD dressers, a Triumph Speed Triple, a KLM 990 Adventure, a BMW 1200GS, and, yes, one little ol' Kaw 800 in the class.

6 hours of the 9-hour class took place on the range and consisted of the maneuvers that are covered on the second day of the MSF Basic Rider course (Figure 8's, quick stops, use of the throttle going through curves, swerving, riding over obstacles). The big differences, of course, are that 1) you are riding your own bikes through this one, and 2) most everyone else had never taken the earlier MSF course. The figure 8 box was slightly larger, but still provided the greatest challenge to the class. Fortunately, my ride and I have been practicing that maneuver and several of the others since she first appeared in my garage. And it showed when the final range exam took place. "Candy" and I led off and aced every assignment on the first get-go. Most everyone else got called back for a "do-over". Candy's reward for her effort was new oil this morning.

The review of the "range cards" was pretty boring, and included most of the stuff in the Basic Rider booklet. There was also a test at the end of that review. I think everyone passed.

Overall, it was a great day. I may have known the material, but it was still extremely useful to have a knowledgeable rider coach help fine-tune your skills (like being sure to shift down to first when doing a quick stop). I found the course to be well worth the cost ($150), and I haven't checked yet with my insurance to see if there's any additional benefits coming to me.

[BigJohn]

Congrats on extending your education! Sounds like you had fun while you were at it, to boot.