MSF BRC2 formerly known as ERC

[thfraser]

Last Sunday, I put the bike through the paces at the Experienced Rider Course put on by teh MSF via a local community college. I used to take this course every other or third year to keep me in tune with the bike and to refresh my riding skills. I haven't taken it in over 5 years, so it my refresher was overdue.

The S10 absolutely rocks in the ERC. It gave me a great chance to test the ABS - awesome. Once I was willing to really hit the brakes hard, I was very, very impressed with how quickly the S10 can come to a stop. It handles great, did the sepertine with ease and I can't believe how small of a figure 8 I could cut in the blue box.

I even managed to scrape my feet on a few corners. I learned a lot, gave me a chance to really get personal with my S10 when it came to bracking, clutch control, low speed steering and swerving.

Bonus - They said I should consider taking the instructor class so I could teach a few MSF course.

Bonus part 2 - It was the last course of the year, per the instructor. There were three signed up, only two of us took the course, so we had extra practice too!

 

[Siseneg]

Where was that? Might like to give it a go in the apring if it's not too far away.

 

[thfraser]

There are several places that offer it. It took it at the Loudon NOVA campus. Pretty close to the Rt7 and Rt28 intersection, about a mile east. The community college is subsidized, so the course is a less expensive than other places. I took it for $90. Plus, you get a course completion card that you can provide to your insurance company, that will usually give you 10 to 15% off of your insurance (Bonus part 3!).

You can go to the MSF website and look for who's offering the courses. The spring courses fill up pretty fast. So you might want to start looking for schedules in late November or in December.

Some private groups offer the course too, like Apex. They are pricier, at about $200 or slightly more.

 

[Siseneg]

Roger that. It's close by actually. I'll do my homework this weekend and get scheduled. Can't possibly hurt

 

[thfraser]

Absolutely can't hurt! If nothing else, it provides a controlled environment where you can become more intimate with your bike.

Now I need to find an off-road course to start working on those skills.

 

[sail2xxs]

RawHyde courses have gotten some good reviews... there happens to be one in January... not local.

MSF dirtbike school is also worth checking in to, but I have had a fair bit of trouble finding one locally.

I've talked with the folks at 2020 Race Academy in Apex, NC in the past; at the time, they were interested in working with a group of folks new to adv bikes. http://www.2020raceacademy.com/index.html

Chris