State Course Vs HD Dealer course? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

lutalivre · 04-21-2009, 03:38 PM

Hello,

I'm going to take the beginners motorcycle class so I was interested in knowing which course would be best.

The local HD dealer in town offers the class for $350 which includes more instructors, apparently better bikes to train on (Buell Blast) and they claim more in class hours for the price. The instructors are certified to test at the end of the class and I believe you earn your endorsement at the end of the class if you pass the skills test.

The state only charges $160 for their course but I'm not sure what kind of bikes they use.

I'm wondering if it's worth paying the extra money going with the riders edge course from the dealer or just go with the state.

I'm looking to buy a Harley in the near future and thats how I found out abot the riders edge course that some dealerships offer.

Anyone have any ideas or thoughts?

Cop_Stanger · 04-21-2009, 04:23 PM

The dealer I bought my bike from cuts a break on their Riders Edge cost when you buy the bike.

NJ RIFF RAFF · 04-21-2009, 04:30 PM

In New Jersey, state classes are free, but the waiting list is long. I went through local college and paid $250.00 for the 2 day course. Worth every dollar!!!! No matter where you take the course, it is regulated by the state anyway. You should be in a win-win no matter where you take the course. JMO

NJRR

MadCity · 04-21-2009, 05:01 PM

Back in 2004 I took the MSF course at a local community college for a grand total of $50, which I got back in a reimbursement for being a HOG member. The bikes used were little 250- and 350-cc Suzukis and Hondas. The instructors were fully certified, and when I successfully completed the written and riding skills tests I got my certification, which waived the requirement to do a skills test for an endorsement on my license. The same course costs at least double that now, but it's still far less expensive than the HD Rider's Edge course. Later on that summer I rode out to my local dealer and saw some Rider's Edge students doing their thing. I walked over to watch for a bit and, when they took a break, one of the instructors came up to me. She was the same instructor I had at the community college course. It was her opinion that the community college has a larger and better range than the dealer does, and she was not sold on Buell Blasts either. They're one-bangers. She said they vibrate a lot. Anyway, that was my experience. Good luck.

09FLHT · 04-21-2009, 05:17 PM

Hd course is fine,like posted before,the local class probably has a long waiting list,as with the ones here in vegas.
Once completed,you just take your card to the dmv and get your "M" endorsement on your license.
BTW have you started eyeballing some harleys?

lutalivre · 04-21-2009, 06:47 PM

Yup, I've been looking at the softail deluxe and the fatboy. I'm still wondering if these bikes are good first bikes or not. I've ridden dirt bikes before when I was much younger but I still consider this my first REAL bike other than a dirt bike.

I've spoken to other harley owners and they told me to go out and buy the bike I want rather than start out on something smaller like a Buell. When I questioned a couple of sales people at the dealership they told me that the softail deluxe or the fatboy for that matter would be a great first bike, especially the deluxe with it's low center of gravity so it's something I'm thinking about.

The one instructor at the dealership told me they are so confident after students finish their course they allow their students to rent or even test drive their bikes. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Once I complete the course I may just have to rent a deluxe to see how I really like it.

Nazzdak · 04-21-2009, 11:35 PM

Hello-

As for which Harley to buy, make sure to get the bike that YOU want. If it is out of your price range, be patient and save for it. I would NOT settle. it truly is worth the wait. I have always believed that the bike picks you, not the other way around.

As for which riding course to take, please keep in mind that ANY professional instruction is better than none at all. I've taken both MSF courses. ( BRC and ERC) Well worth the money. Harley's course sounds too pricey to me.

Once you get through the MSF or rider's edge, and have your own sled, look us up! My instructor would be more than happy to send you a self taught training manual for free.

www.youtube.com/conedown

good luck!
David

krcrfs · 04-21-2009, 11:45 PM

I agree. The State Beginners course here in Idaho is 2 days of solid riding on the range on 250cc class bikes (provided). It's only $75.00 which I thought was a real bargin. Ironically, we just finished the 1 day advanced class which wasn't worth anything. The second day of the beginners course on your bike. That was it.

Stick with the beginners class. By the time you finish it you'll either love or hate the street!

geoff1200 · 04-23-2009, 09:48 AM

Riders Edge is a MSF class with a sales pitch thrown in...Which U get to pay for... LoL

90GrayGhost · 04-23-2009, 04:53 PM

I enjoyed the MSF course, the instructors were really good, and very patient (thank God LOL ) it was $250 and it was the first course of the season, the only thing I didn't like was they split the course into 2 weekends instead of 1 (the classroom was on a Friday, and the riding portion was the next week) don't know if that's now SOP for the MSF courses, but that's the way it was here
As for the bike, I bought a Fat Boy prior to the course, and that's the first and ONLY motorcycle I've ever ridden, it works great for me, a friend whos been riding for 30 years told me to get a bike that I wouldn't outgrow in a year, so I went for the bigger bike instead of a Sportster, or similar sized bike

Duffman · 04-23-2009, 07:43 PM

In MI the Community College MSF course is $25 and you earn your endorsement upon passing.

lutalivre · 04-23-2009, 10:42 PM

Thanks for all of the info guys. The fact of learning getting trained for my license on a 500cc rather than a much smaller bike like a 250cc sounds pretty appealing since I'd like to get an HD for my first bike.

Although I must admit I wouldnt be surprised if the extra cost of the class is because they throw their sales pitch in as well and thats the only difference.

90GrayGhost,
Your first bike ever was a fatboy, huh? dang! thats cool... Were you intimidated at all by the weight of it when you first got on it and when you rode it for the first time?

THEBEAR · 04-23-2009, 10:45 PM

The Riders edge course seems a bit over priced to me. I took the MSF course through the state and I liked that they had a variety of bikes to choose from. Im 6'2" and they had a taller bike I was able to use.

knew2vtwin · 04-23-2009, 11:22 PM

Took the MSF course last October. Like you, I rode dirt bike many moons ago. We trained on smaller bikes in the course. Was looking to buy a smaller bike to start (sportster). I asked the instructor and he said get the bike you want. So, after saving for 6 months, had Road King Classic on order. Well, at last minute changed mind to Street Glide. I was intimidated at first cause by far the biggest, heaviest bike I ridden. So rode parking lot few times to get used to it. That was 2 weeks ago. Now, after 500 miles, bike does not seem so large. Get the bike you want like everyone is saying, and just take you time getting used to it. After 100 miles or so, not intimidating at all. Love this bike..

90GrayGhost · 04-24-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutalivre

90GrayGhost,
Your first bike ever was a fatboy, huh? dang! thats cool... Were you intimidated at all by the weight of it when you first got on it and when you rode it for the first time?

Actually no I wasn't, I'd sat on a whole bunch of bikes before I decided on that one, and it, strange to say it maybe, but that one felt the "rightest" of all the ones I tried, and since I've ridden it 1000 miles since I got my M, I don't even notice the weight anymore