So-  I've been riding for about a year and a half.  The first year was on a honda C70 passport (laugh it up- but fantastic bikes!!) and a few of my friends bigger bikes.  But since it's so small I only got my endorsement and never took a class.  I've had my GS for almost 6 months now and have managed to put over 2000 miles on it during these winter months (braving rain, snow and ice).

So my question is- do I take the beginner riding class or shoot straight through to the advanced?  I don't want to waste  150 on things that I can do or know-  but I don't want to miss out on the fundamentals that maybe I don't know.  I would assume that they would cover some of the basics in the advanced course...

Anyways- I'd appreciate the imput.

Later

The beginner class might get you the 3 year discount on your insurance.  Then again, the defensive driving courses offered also gives you the discount on your bike insurance (and vice versa)  Otherwise, with that many miles, taking the advanced course, on your own bike might be good.  The instructors will try and correct any bad habits you might have, yet not take things too slow.

In canada, they put you in the advanced course if you've ever been on a motorcycle, even as a passanger.

I'd say take the advanced one. I have taken both. When I took the beginner I had stopped riding for 10 years, still it was kinda of a waste of time. I whished I had gone to the advanced one straight. I didn't need to learn how to start the bike and where the controls were.

i think its the same exact thing except you do it on your own bike rather than one of theirs...they might skip over the very basic stuff tho (like where the controls are) or they might not...

Yeah, I've taken both in WA state, and they are very similar.  There is a lot more ride time in the beginner class, but most of the extra time is spent learning how to work the clutch and what not.  The advanced class also gets more advanced in the riding, especially in the counter-steering portion.  

You'd be surprised how many people in the advanced class actually had trouble with the 180degree counter-steering drill and the decreasing radius turn drill.

Take the advanced for sure.

I took the Experienced Rider Course in Portland last Sunday (in the rain).  I took the BRC a couple years ago.  If you've got your endorsement and bike and a bit of experience, take the ERC.  More swerving/braking/turning drills than the BRC and it's only a day long course.  Half the time was classroom, BTW.

I'm thinking real hard about taking their Advanced Rider Training course this summer, too.  It takes place on a go-kart track and you get a lot of practice on linking turns.  (Not a racing course, however.)  

Here is the "classroom".

Quote(Not a racing course, however.)

says who? i say claim ignorance

Hi Guys,
diff the advanced one , I had my two weekends ago & found out heeps of great stuff out that i did not know before it turely helps  

all the best matt:)
P.S I could start a new subject but it does go here I Think.
Here in Australia before we are even allow to ride a bike  we must do a Learner Coures and when you pass that You got to do a Computer test too, than you must be on your L's for at lest 3-6 month and from here we have to do a Provisional coures for our P's which we stay on for a year and then we go onto our Blacks . I was just wondering what it's like around the world    

Take the advanced.

That is a sweet lookin' course! (I'll betya the instructors go and play on that during the week on their little 50's)

The painted areas (white) look like the best entry/exits for those corners.

If everyone does nothing else, read David Houghton's book, Essential Riding.  It's the rider's bible.  I refer back to constantly.

Coming out of the limited riding of this past winter, I refreshed my knowledge on a few points (countersteering, weight transfer, center of gravity), then proceeded to an empty shopping center parking lot for an hour of figure eights and panic stops.  My figure eights started at 25 feet diamater and progressed down to 15 feet once I got back in the groove of standing on the foot pegs, looking ahead rather than down, etc.

Love that GS.  It's a real forgiving, well handling bike.

How about Kieth Codes "Twist of the wrist II",  I read it and there is alot of good info in there.    ~ $20