Ride CT & Ride New England Serving New England, NYC and The Hudson Valley!
By Steve Smith of RIDE-CT.com
The Connecticut Rider Education Program recently released 2011 training statistics. The number of riders trained was more than 6000, but the number of students taking courses 
for experienced riders was down significantly. I find this odd that riders are not seeking out ways to improve their riding. This is surely not the case in other recreational activities. Golfers visit with the pro to improve their game. Health club members seek out the trainer to improve their workout. Why is it that motorcycle riders do not want to take an experienced level rider education class?
The past several years I have had the opportunity to talk to all types of riders while working in the CONREP booth at the Motorcycle Expo as well as at dealer open house events. One of the common things that I’ve heard a lot from some riders when I’ve tried to chat about the experienced and advanced rider courses is, “I already know how to ride.”
When I told this anecdote to a safety officer from a national club, he said, “Quite frankly, anyone who can look a subject matter expert in the eye and tell them they already know how to do it is putting ego before intelligence and, in this case, is probably going to pay a price eventually.” I have to agree.
When I went through the MSF Instructor training I’d been riding dirt and street for over 30 years, but I’d never took any formal motorcycle training. I thought I knew how to ride. I was, however, genuinely shocked at the poor riding habits that I’d developed and the skills that I’d never mastered. I was amazed at how learning and applying simple techniques improved my riding and provided skills that have helped or saved my bacon in difficult situations.
Someone once told me “To realize how little you really know is the beginning of wisdom.” A smart person tries to keep an open mind. I know how to play chess. Does that mean I couldn’t learn something from a grand master? I know how to use a camera. Does that mean I couldn’t learn something from a pro photographer?
There are several options for experienced rider training. The MSF offers two courses for experienced riders:
The Experienced Rider Course (ERC) is a great one-day course for someone who has never taken any rider training before. It covers some great life-saving skills such as maximum braking, swerving and proper cornering.
The Advanced Rider Course (ARC) picks up where the ERC left off and also demonstrates some mild performance techniques and teaches about risk offset. Both of these are taken on your own motorcycle in a closed parking lot.
Also conducted in a closed lot is the Total Control course developed and sometimes taught by Pro-racer Lee Parks. His courses go into details about suspension setup and performance riding. Other pro racers like Keith Code, Reg Pridmore, Kevin Swantz, and Freddie Spencer and others have developed excellent on-track courses.
What is your take on rider education? Do you already know how to ride? I’ve given this some thought. From now when someone says “I already know how to ride,” I may have to reply, “Do you know how to ride with skill?”
From my own experience, it’s obvious that many riders, possibly even most, really don’t have a lot of training, knowledge, practice or skill. The same guys will also likely to be the ones claiming to be excellent riders. They are likely unable to answer what countersteering is, and think laying it down is a viable strategy.
I’ve only been able to read from various sources about tips, strategies, and even the physics of motorcycling. I’ve been continuosly riding for about 43 years, and I am still learning, and eager to learn. I’m not interested in track day schools, but I was considering the ERC about 6 years ago when I bought my current bike. I checked into it, looked at the MSF site, talked to some that took it, and frankly, I was dissappointed to learn what it was.
That it was a parking lot excersize only, and from what I understood, basically the same as the BRC with one additional skill test. Then I learned that even though it’s called “experienced rider course”, covering the brake lever wasn’t allowed. I always cover. At the time, I was also told the class included locking the rear brake on purpose. I understand this isn’t the case any longer. But that too seemed very odd. In 43 years, I haven’t locked it, and my plan is to never lock it up. I was also told, shifting up for one event was required at 20 mph. That would have me at idle speed, in 2nd, although not that big a deal, but could get a little jerky.
Further reading on the MSF site gave me more concerns. It seemed to me that there was issues regarding front braking power (70%), heavier loads taking longer to stop, and too general a suggestion about braking in a curve. I disagree with the message of all three.
I didn’t think the ERC was for me, although I’m sure it would be a benefit for those that never did learn the things taught in the BRC. I have no clue as to how you’ll get those needing the class to take it.
I’ll keep learning though.