I've signed up for the MSF ERC (Experienced Rider Course) this May. I've been riding for a few years and want to know from people that have taken the course, what to expect. Where I live its a 10 hour course. I'm in Illinois, if that makes any diff.

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Goldwing 1500se '98
VN500 LTD '07 Sold

The MSF has re-named some courses and introduced some new ones. Unfortunately, it seems that some training sites are still using the old/outdated names, which is going to be confusing for a while. Which course are you taking?

(pulled from the MSF-USA.org website):
MSF CURRICULUM LISTING 2011

LEARNING TO RIDE
Our Learning-to-Ride RiderCourses are a good starting point for most people who have already made the decision that motorcycling may enhance the quality of their life and want to get started the best possible way. This series provides the basic mental and physical skills for riding. In some states, these courses, either alone or in combination, provide a waiver of the written and/or riding licensing tests. Prerequisites: A person should be able to balance/ride a bicycle, and should possess either a driver’s license or motorcycle learner’s permit. Prerequisites may vary by jurisdiction.

Basic RiderCourse (BRC)
The best place for a new rider to start once they’ve made the decision to ride. Successful completion of this course and its knowledge and skill tests, which consists of approximately five hours of classroom and 10 hours of on-cycle instruction (conducted over two or three sessions), may serve as a license test waiver program in some states. Motorcycles and helmets are provided for your use during the course. Also, a course completion card may provide a rider an insurance discount. (In some states, this course may lead to only a motorcycle permit and require completion of the BRC2 to obtain full licensure.)

Basic RiderCourse 2 - License Waiver (BRC2-LW) [formerly ERC Suite]
For riders who already have basic skills. It is similar to the BRC except the speeds are higher and riders should be riding their own motorcycle. It is an excellent refresher course for practicing and renewing basic riding skills. There is an informal classroom component that discusses safety concepts based on past riding experiences and current knowledge. For a BRC2 minus the license waiver component (no classroom activities and no knowledge or skill test), there is a skills practice offering:

Basic RiderCourse 2 - Skills Practice (BRC2-SP) [formerly ERC Suite]
Similar to BRC2 - License Waiver RiderCourse, but consists of only the riding exercises. It is a perfect way to reinforce basic skills on one’s personal motorcycle. Passengers are permitted with a licensed operator on a personal motorcycle.

IMPROVING THE RIDE

Improving-the-Ride RiderCourses were designed to build on basic riding skills. These courses provide a variety of exercises and can be used to renew basic skills as well as expand the finer procedures and techniques of riding.

Street RiderCourse 2 (SRC2)
A program that enhances the basic skills and strategies that are provided in SRC1 and adds time and mileage to the on-cycle experiences in a local area. This program is for riders who wish to delve deeper into the perceptual strategies of street riding.

Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) [formerly ARC-ST]
A one-day course that complements a rider’s basic skills and helps with personal risk assessment. It includes a fast-paced classroom segment with several interactive activities to improve perception and hazard awareness. Range exercises enhance both basic skills and crash avoidance skills. Improving braking and cornering finesse is emphasized. The course is beneficial for riders on any type of street motorcycle.

Military SportBike RiderCourse (MSRC)
Nearly identical to the ARC, this course adds specific language for sport bikes, includes military references, and has a video introduction and summary by Nick Ienatsch who is the author of Sport Riding Techniques. Riders receive the MSF booklet: SportBike Survival Guide.

P

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ATGATT: Becuase walking away in disgust beats riding away in an ambulance.
Admitted BMW MC snob.

Ill runs them through one of the Universities here. The actual course is run at a Jr. College or high school or misc.

http://www.outreach.niu.edu/mcycle/erc.shtml

There are only three choices here in Il. BRC IRC and the ERC.

Quote:

Experienced Rider Course
The Experienced Rider Course (ERC) provides critiqued and coached practice for experienced cyclists riding their own motorcycles. The one-day course is half classroom and half riding instruction. This riding course is only for experienced riders riding their own motorcycles.

What the ERC Will Do For You

The one-day course combines classroom and riding instruction for experienced riders using their own motorcycles. In this 8-hour course, ERC participants will:

■Increase skills, knowledge, safety awareness and enjoyment
■Become familiar with motorcycle dynamics, survival strategies, motorcycle loading, emergency braking, countersteering, counterweighting and accessory selection
■Practice precise steering techniques and correct braking methods under controlled conditions with Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certified instructors
■Gain the knowledge necessary for further development of safe riding skills

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Goldwing 1500se '98
VN500 LTD '07 Sold

Our instructor referred to the ERC course when I took the BRC recently. Supposedly it is the exact same class, but you do it on your own bike. Not sure if that is accurate or not though.

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-JV
Xbox LIVE!: "Vlad is Rad"
PSN: "Vlad_is_Rad"
SCII: "Volodya" (code: 314)

The take it on your own bike I was aware of but it covers topic not covered in the BRC. i.e we all know about the friction zone etc.... so this is where other topics are covered and there is no final pass/fail test because we all have are license already. Each excercise is pass or fail but you can continue.

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Goldwing 1500se '98
VN500 LTD '07 Sold

I was assuming these differences merely resulted in a shorter class. But I guess I was incorrect? Or are you hypothesizing?

_________________
-JV
Xbox LIVE!: "Vlad is Rad"
PSN: "Vlad_is_Rad"
SCII: "Volodya" (code: 314)

Okay, reading the course description from your link, it looks like what you'll be doing is what the MSF now calls the BRC2-LW, only without the license waiver.

It is much the same as the BRC you probably took, with the elimination of several of the very basic exercises, and the addition of one. You'll spend more time riding, and speeds for some of the "familiar" exercises will be higher. There are short discussion sections, usually covered on the range in between key riding exercises.

P

_________________
ATGATT: Becuase walking away in disgust beats riding away in an ambulance.
Admitted BMW MC snob.