Basic Rider Course or Rider's Edge

[stew61]

Hi one and all. I'm new to the GStwins site as well as motorcycles. I am wondering if anyone has any opinions about the Basic Rider Course versus the Rider's Edge course. BRC is two days/RE is two evenings classroom and two days outside, but $120.00 more.

BTW, I came to this site through my research to find a good beginner MC. I sat on a GS500F at the dealership and I love the fit. Now I have to find a good used one.

Thanks.

[aaronstj]

I'd go for the BRC.  I'm not really familiar with the Rider's Edge course, but the  MSF course (the BRC) is well respected and well known.  Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your motorcycle license on the strengh of the BRC alone without having to do and additional test, and you may be able to get a discout on your insurance.  Plus, it's just a great course (as anyone here will tell you).

[scratch]

Welcome!

I did MSF before they had BRC's and ERC's, best thing evar!  I've heard of Rider's Edge and I think it's more oriented towards semi-experienced riders.

[makenzie71]

Rider's Edge is something I'd like to do...but because it looks fun.  It won't get you any real benefits if you already have a license.

ninja edit~ actually I'm not sure they help you get your license, either.

[roguegeek]

Not familiar with Rider's Edge. I did the Basic Rider's Course and loved every last bit of it. Most people here did too. I say play it safe and go BRC.

[manofthefield]

I took Rider's Edge at the Harley stealership because I didn't want to wait through another summer to hopefully get into a BRC before returning to school.  Same basic stuff... Riders Edge is based off of the BRC material, but they spend a little more time on it.  Got to use relatively new Buell Blasts and they take you on tours of the dealership hoping you will come back and drop 20 grand on a harley.  In the end you get the same MSF BRC card to take to the DMV to get your license. 

It was a good program, probably a little more streamlined than the BRC, but like I said, they cover the same basic material.  The only reason it was worth the extra money to me was so I could get the course a lot sooner.  If that's not the issue, I would just go with the BRC at the local community college.







Oh, and I got a picture of me sitting on a Harley of my choice(V-rod) and a t-shirt... I call it my $300 t-shirt

[xtalman]

I've been told the MSF is basically Rider's Edge without the Harley-Davidson marketing.  If you're interested in a Harley (or Harley accessories) they will give you a discount after you take their course.  As stated previously, they use Blast's as the training bike.

[manofthefield]

If you're interested in a Harley (or Harley accessories) they will give you a discount after you take their course. 

Oh yeah, that too.  IIRC it was a 10 or 20% discount on accesories, apparal, etc, but no discount on bikes.  Discount was good for about a month and I never had any reason to use it

[stew61]

Thanks for all the input. I believe I'll grab the next available MSF class and use the $120 difference towards gear.

Looking forward to having a picture over there to the left.