Passing the Basic RiderCourse
I took my Basic RiderCourse with ABATE last weekend and there was nothing I would have rather been doing on Father’s Day. I know my dad would be proud of me, because I passed the course and I learned quite a bit. My expectations were greatly exceeded, and I would recommend the course to anyone.
We had 11 students total in my class, and 2 instructors. The instructors were absolutely fantastic. They knew how to have a good time and be casual when appropriate, and how to be serious and teach when the time was right. It must have been a pretty solid group of us as the instructors definitely enjoyed themselves and we had no accidents or anything like that. We had everything from an older married couple (one was a teacher on a scooter), to a couple of people with no actual riding experience (myself included), to an under 21 chick with 8 years of riding experience (she was our MVP as she passed the written with 100% and got zero points on the skill test).
The first day we spent all morning in the classroom going through the book, answering study questions, and watching videos. After we got back from lunch it was time to finally get up on the bikes. I had spoken with a few people who had already taken the course so I knew there would be a lot of basics before we actually got to ride. I was pretty excited so it was frustrating at first, but I am glad we spent so much time going over things like finding neutral, operating the fuel valve, and utilizing the “friction zone” on the clutch. The first time we got to actually ride down the range was awesome. We focused mostly on the basics of just operating the bikes and then we called it a day. I ended up on a Honda Nighthawk, which was a fun bike to ride, but it felt too small for me and I had a hard time shifting through the gears and applying the rear brake because of it.
The second day of class we started on the bikes first thing. Personally, I would have rather taken the test first, but that is just because it takes me awhile to get going that early. I wasn’t performing as well as I would have liked and I lost a bit of confidence early on. The exercises we were doing were getting more and more difficult, but at the same time we were learning valuable skills and techniques like countersteering and counterweighting. Those two techniques in particular felt very unnatural, but after using them correctly my confidence came back and they felt really good to me.
After lunch on Sunday, we came back and got setup to start practicing the skill tests. We started practicing the first 3 skill tests and decided to take a break before the actual testing began. As we came back from the break, it started to rain. We ended up having to wait it out and I was surprised with how quickly the pavement dried up. We got everyone through the double-U turns and swerve tests and as we lined up for the quick stop test it started raining again. This time we had to sit out for a good 30 minutes, but the rain eventually decided to keep heading north. After we got the all clear, we finished up the quick stop and cornering tests. Out of all the skill tests, I would say the double-U turns was the most challenging for me, as it was pretty easy to find myself staring at the lines on the pavement or just plain psyching myself out hardcore. The counterweighting technique was priceless for this exercise. We were all very pleased to be able to get through the skill tests and not get rained out. We put the bikes away and headed inside as it was time for the written test.
Once we were all back inside the classroom, the test was explained and handed out to us. We ended up combining with another class that was running on the other half of the parking lot which brought our total up to 20. The written test wasn’t too bad at all, but then again I have always been a pretty decent test taker. It was multiple choice and not worded in a “provide the BEST answer” sort of way. I finished the test pretty quickly and made my way out into the hallway were I could chat with my peers. We were speculating whether or not everyone passed the skill tests and whether or not they would have just sent someone home if they had failed the skill tests when we noticed that it seemed like everyone was done with the tests and we all headed back into the classroom.
We split back up into our original class sizes and it was revealed that everyone in our class had successfully completed the course. I ended up with 100% on the written test and 5 points on the skills test (where the closer you are to zero the better and I believe you fail at 20 points). I screwed up my quick stop and got more distance than I should have and I also got points for not going fast enough on the cornering test. 
After spending two hours at the DMV here in Loveland and $23 I was awarded a license with a hole in it and a piece of paper that has an “M” on it. It will take a few weeks for new shiny new license to get here, but beware. . . I am now authorized to ride on the streets!
Now I have a question for you experienced folks. Should I just go ahead and proceed with getting the hang of riding on a much bigger bike (like a certain 68 Electra Glide), or should I look into getting something more used and smaller to get a feel for the streets? Please let me know your opinions and anything else you guys would like to in the comments.
Congratulations! 5 points is a great score. While learning to maneuver your bike in tight spaces comes in handy, focus on the quick stopping, swerving and cornering. Those are what will save your life.
For the longest time, I felt that you should just get to riding what you plan on riding. I started on a chopped Sportster and managed to live through it. Lots of people start on big twins.
HOWEVER… I’ve recently taught a few BRC2s (the intermediate course) with students riding large cruisers and touring bikes. Almost all of them had a very hard time managing their bikes. After one student dropped his bike the second time, he mentioned that this was happening on a regular basis outside the classroom – or parking lot, I should say. He was not the first one I’ve seen who has clearly struggled with managing his large bike, and I felt that they must be very anxious out on the road.
Out there on public roads is not the same as a blocked off parking lot. You’ll need to learn all the fine points of managing your riding in traffic and assessing all the situations that crop up. You might be fine doing all that on the FLH, but it might be a lot to throw at you all at once.
I wouldn’t suggest investing a lot of money in something else, but if you can borrow a 650 or 750 or find a great deal on one for a temporary stepping stone, I think it would be really helpful. I can’t help but think you’ll be a little nervous riding your dad’s bike before you get some experience. Perhaps you can even get started in regular traffic on a smaller bike while taking the big bike out on early Sunday morning rides when the traffic is light.
Again, congratulations! I’m glad to hear you had a good experience with ABATE.
Comment by Abby — June 20, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
Woot!! Woot!! Congratulations!! Is it not just the best feeling to take that course and realize.. yes!!! I can do this!! I hope this is the beginning of many, many miles of smiles on the back of a bike. I know your dad is smilin’.
Way to go!! =D
Comment by red — June 20, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
YAY! CONGRATULATIONS! now you gotta practice, LOTS! so fine tune your quick stops, practice those uturns, oh and heavy traffic and eventually high speeds too.
now having said go practice everything, from here my opinion may differ from others, but here’s my 0.02
buy or use a CHEAP DISPOSABLE BIKE initially.
i agree with abby, a 600-750 is great. now i know many people that have started out and ridden only one/big bike and thats all well and good, but those same people will tell you about their mishaps and broken bones because they made mistakes that come with trial and error. like me on my first, a fast tall FJ1200, yikes i hurt myself, lol!…thankfully im still here and still riding!
dont make it hard on yourself. start out with something cheap that you can screw up or fix without a lot of potential heartache or rattled nerves.
whatever you decide, just always remember; ride your own ride. meaning, dont let anyone elses opinions or riding style(s) affect yours. go your speed in every sense in your own way and you’ll be fine. congrats again!
Comment by mq01 — June 20, 2011 @ 9:06 pm
congratulations on passing the BRC, you’ve now the basic tools and your education has begun into the art of safe motorcycling.
It’s been over five years and 102K miles since my BRC, and it’s been a blast….lots of fun ahead of you, lots of scary moments as well. Practice, practice, practice what you were taught and ride aware that you’re invisible.
As to starting off with your Dad’s Electra Glide, I echo the others in saying perhaps a 750 if at all possible to work up your experience and confidence on the streets before trying the larger Harley.
But, having access to multiple motorcycles may not be possible. In which case, I’d recommend less traveled roads at first, practice slow speed maneuvers in parking lots (a lot), and get confident about good stopping techniques.
The only way to gain confidence on the streets is to of course ride them. I highly encourage you to check out David Hough’s Proficient Motorcycling, lots of good stuff in there.
Ride Safe. Ride Aware.
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Comment by charlie6 — June 20, 2011 @ 9:23 pm
A big congratulations on getting the M endorsement. Yes, I’m sure your dad would be proud. I would be if you were my son.
As for the bike question, I’d recommend starting on something much smaller than your dad’s old machine. You still need to develop your instinctive reactions — muscle memory and all that — and situational awareness. That will be more difficult if you’re worrying about just being able to handle the bike.
You’re going to run into a wide variety of riding situations and usually unexpectedly, and a big, heavy bike will be a detriment to learning to handle those situations. So find yourself a cheap bike, 500cc – 650cc, that already has some scratches on it, and get plenty of seat time. You’ll know when you’re ready to graduate to the Harley and then you’ll only need to transition to it, not learn on it. Buy a cheap bike at the right price and you can sell if for near what you paid for it making it little more than a rental.
Comment by Doug — June 20, 2011 @ 11:04 pm
Pretty cool huh. Congrats on getting it done and this is awesome!! Now the real training begins. I got two tips for yah. 1) Respect your bike. It will only respect you if you respect it. 2) This is the danger time for you. Hate to be a drag but this is just the beginning. Take it slow and don’t be afraid of the bike. Every new rider that I have seen, that has majorly screwed up, has admitted to this combination; Fear of their bike and not wanting to look like a new rider. We want you to be safe. Accept the risks or don’t ride. Build that confidence so that when the shit hits the fan, you will be able to cope with it calmly. It’s the only way. Now I know you didn’t ask, but I said it anyway.
I’m really stoked for you. It’s an adventure and anyone who rides, whatever they ride, has balls in my book. You got balls! Now I have been living the memories of my first ride because of this post. Thanks…it’s an awesome feeling…even now.
Comment by FLHX_Dave — June 20, 2011 @ 11:07 pm
Oh yeah…RedLeg is dead on about the whole assuming your invisible. No doubt.
Comment by FLHX_Dave — June 20, 2011 @ 11:08 pm
Great! You did good. Now don’t forget what you learned and never take anything for granted. Take your time and go easy. And always wear a helmet. Enjoy the ride.
Comment by Webster World — June 21, 2011 @ 5:32 am
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you. Congrats! Pat yourself on the back a couple of times for me.
From my personal experience, you are now at the most dangerous portion of learning to ride a motorcycle. I suggest finding something 500-750cc’s that wouldn’t hurt your feelings if it got dropped, because you are going to encounter a couple opportunities to drop one over the next year or two. I think it would hurt your feelings pretty bad to drop the FLH. The instructor in my Rdider’s Edge class said there were three kinds of riders: one’s who have dropped a bike, one’s that are going to drop a bike, and liars. Most of us are all in the first class, and it is just part of learning. So, I suggest getting you a good set of chaps and gloves and a cheap bike that you can enjoy learning on, but don’t mind if the turn lights get broken off.
Just my ten cents. You can take it or leave it. I just hope you have a great time riding and learning over the next year.
-Peace
Comment by Allen — June 22, 2011 @ 2:58 pm
The best thing you can do is to get a bike you can control, as mentioned above. You will have more fun not having to worry about it. Things happen when you least expect and as a beginner you need some seat time to gain confidence. and don’t get too confident as things happen to experienced riders too, they just don’t admit it
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Comment by bobskoot — June 30, 2011 @ 3:09 pm