Which training refresher?

[Jeff10236]

For a couple reasons I was thinking about a refresher for my MSF training. My bike has been out of commission for many months. One, that means I'm going a bit nuts and figured if I took a class that provides the motorcycle I'd be able to get some time on a bike while waiting for my bike to be ready (there was a 2-4 week delay in getting the parts, so I have anything from another week to nearly a month before I get my bike back). Second, being off the bike since last summer, I am a bit rusty. Also, I took my Rider's Edge course the first week of May 2010 so it has been two years and I want to be sure I'm not developing any bad habits.

If I take one of the basic courses, I'm thinking it may be a bit more rudimentary than I need, but people who have been riding for years learn new things, and even though I took the class it might be nice to have a refresher. If I take a more advanced course I'll presumably get to practice skills at a higher level, and they'll be on my bike. However, if I am a bit rusty from being off the bike so long, I may not have the skills for the advanced course without a bit of practice first.

So, that said, which course should I take?

My original idea was to take a class offered by a nearby community college which is just a few hours of practice on one afternoon for those who passed the BRC but are a bit hesitant. They provide the bikes, it is cheap, and it is quick, but I'd get to practice some basic skills that are probably rusty (slow speed maneuvers such as the figure 8 especially).

Of course all the local community colleges and most (if not all) Harley dealers offer the basic riders course. They are a bit more expensive, but they are more involved. 2 days of classwork (of course, I can always review the book I got in the Riders Edge course since I still have it) and 2 days on the range. While more involved, it is very basic stuff.

I could take one of the Alternate Basic Riders courses at the community colleges. They are truncated versions of the MSF BRC for those who have been riding illegally and already know how to ride but want their license. So, it doesn't take as long, presumably some of the skills are a little more advanced, and it is less expensive. This class is also done on their motorcycles.

I could take the MSF Experienced Riders Course (ERC). It would presumably be more advanced than the other courses above, but one local community college has ECR students sign up for the Alternate BRC and contact them to let them know they want to take it on their motorcycle as a ECR student.

Then there is the Total Control Riding Clinic offered by a nearby community college for more experienced riders. http://coned.howardcc.edu/motorcycle...%20Clinic.html This one looks very interesting and will truly be more advanced skills and practice. However, since I've been off the bike as long as I have I'd probably wait until autumn if I take this one.

[Dodsfall]

Originally Posted by Jeff10236

...which course should I take?

My original idea was to take a class offered by a nearby community college which is just a few hours of practice on one afternoon for those who passed the BRC but are a bit hesitant. They provide the bikes, it is cheap, and it is quick, but I'd get to practice some basic skills that are probably rusty (slow speed maneuvers such as the figure 8 especially).

This one seems to be the best fit.

[Jeff10236]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

This one seems to be the best fit.

That one would be a nice, quick, and cheap refresher of existing (but probably rusty) skills. I like it because it would be a $50 way to spend 4 hours on a Saturday on a bike (even if just in a parking lot). It would also be good to practice the basic MSF skills (rusty or not) since I am a teacher and I love riding, I'm thinking in that the next couple years I might take the training to become an instructor (after grad school is finished). However, I was too busy the past couple weeks to take the class, and the next one won't be open until early June (and hopefully I'll have my own bike back by then). So, since I likely won't be able to take it before I get my own bike, and all the different classes next open meeting is around the same time, I am also considering one of the higher level courses that might give me something new.

It does seem to make sense to do this course now (or in June) as a refresher, then the ERC or the Total Riding Clinic later (maybe the ERC in July or Aug, and the TRC in the fall).