MSC (or MSF) vs. Rider's Edge

[Grey Thumper]

I can't imagine learning to ride on a 500cc bike. I'd rather start out on as small a motorcycle as possible (and so it was; 50ccs). Of course, you might not be as short and scrawny as I am or have my level of paranoia, so YMMV.

[dean owens]

I can't imagine learning to ride on a 500cc bike. I'd rather start out on as small a motorcycle as possible (and so it was; 50ccs). Of course, you might not be as short and scrawny as I am or have my level of paranoia, so YMMV.

it's a 500cc but the blast is pretty small. dry it's a 360 lbs, single with 34 hp. it's a pretty fun bike to learn on but i would never buy one. if one were given to me i'd run it all over town.

[RaoulDuke]

it's a 500cc but the blast is pretty small. dry it's a 360 lbs, single with 34 hp. it's a pretty fun bike to learn on but i would never buy one. if one were given to me i'd run it all over town.

Thanks for the input, Dean. Yeah, I'm a big guy - 6'2", 235-ish. In addition, I'm a feet first, bull-by-the-horns kind of guy and actually like the idea of learning on a 500. The way I look at it, if I can't handle that out of the gate, I probably don't need to ride. Nothing against those who don't feel comfortable learning on at 500, mind you, just MHO.

Thanks again...

--Ant.

[storysunfolding]

you can't compare bikes just by engine size. While the buell is torquey- the ninja 250 produces the same power. A 600cc inline four sport bike will spank the hell out of a 1200 sportster.

Apples to oranges my friend.

[dean owens]

you can't compare bikes just by engine size. While the buell is torquey- the ninja 250 produces the same power. A 600cc inline four sport bike will spank the hell out of a 1200 sportster.

Apples to oranges my friend.

exactly. sorry. that was sort of my point but i guess i didn't do a good job explaining it. it's a 500 but it's not like it's a v-twin 500. even so, a v-twin 600 shadow is not like having a 600 inline 4 cbr.

if you know you're going the harley route and you can get in sooner, go for the riders edge. it'll be fun.

btw, we had plenty of guys in there that had no desire for a harley. and one of our instructors had taken the riders edge course and started off on a cb360 and got comfortable on that. then bought his harley. but both of the instructors road their harley's to the course. you'll have fun.

[RaoulDuke]

you can't compare bikes just by engine size. While the buell is torquey- the ninja 250 produces the same power. A 600cc inline four sport bike will spank the hell out of a 1200 sportster.

Apples to oranges my friend.

So (and remember I'm a complete noob here), if I'm reading you correctly, you're backing up what Dean's saying. The Buell may be a 500, but is a relatively tame machine...good for learning, yes? Seems to me that the hp is low, but it has a nice heft to it. Torque, I'm imagining, is just something I'll have to feel my way through.

Thoughts?

--Ant.

[drrick]

My wife and I took the riders edge course at the Harley Dealership. It was HEAVY on sales pitch. I dont mind a little bit of slaemanship but I felt it was a bit over the top -- to the point that it really added at least and extra ngith to the course (mine was 5 days) I did fine learning on the Buell Blast but my wife had a heck of a time. We specifically asked multiple times how adjustable the bikes were. My wife is short and not terribly strong so we were concerned. Well they could adjust the seat height fine but the shift lever was no where near her foot and this could not be adjusted. So every time she wanted to shift she had to 'hunt' for the lever. This was difficult for her especially since whe had never driver a manual transmission vehicle. She does great on her bike now but it was very frustrating for her at the course.

[Zagnut]

I took the rider's edge course. It was about $50.00 to $75.00 more than the other course ...give or take...but it was closer to my home so I took it.

I thought it was great. The class was the MSF course... the same material. The dealership "American Eagle HD" is a nice place. ... It rated as one of the best in Ride Texas Magazine. They do give you a tour of the place and show you how their parts dept software works and show you their workshop and yes even the clothes dept. The instructor was a local MC cop and was very good.

But I was never pressured to buy a HD bike and after the class... I ended up buying a vstar....which I love BTW.

The class did cost more but they fed us pizza and snacks during the classroom part, they gave us a Tee shirt, and after the course, I got two different gift certificates in the mail for $20 each I think it was, no purchase necessary to cash in the certificates which I used to buy about $40 worth of safety gear....so I figure the additional cost wasn't for the course, it was for the extras, so it pretty much equaled out in cost

In my case, using the term indoctrination would be flat out wrong...

...unless you consider being friendly but not pushy, and giving good service as indoctrination. This dealership has gotten high marks in reader reviews as mentioned above and I have heard good things about them from HD riders I know.

The dealership I bought my Yammie from sucked. They damaged my rear fender when they delivered my bike. I told them to order the new fender (which comes prepainted I might add) and call me when it came in so I could ride it while they were waiting on the part and it would minimize my down time. They said, "Sure. No problem." They called me when the new fender and tail light lens came in and they still had my brand spanking new bike that I bought from them ...that they damaged ..in their shop for three and a half weeks. Ive never been back to them.

Honestly, If and when I purchase another bike... I will seriously consider a HD due to the fact that their dealership is close to me and because of the good impression I have gotten from them as well as the good reviews from other riders.

I dont care what brand of bike anyone rides. I love all bikes. ...but taking care of the customer after the sale means something to me and this particular HD dealerships seems to do a good job of that.

...and no I'm not getting a kickback from them...lol

.

[Zagnut]

Yeah, RaoulDuke, I thought the Buell Blast was a tame bike. Great for the training course. They even had "lowrider"(for lack of a better term) Buells for short riders. Im just over 6' tall so even on the normal size Buells, I felt fine but if anything I felt like it was a bit too small and underpowered... which is what made it a good training bike, IMO.

My Vstar 1100 is a better fit for me for a keeper bike but the Buell Blast was a fun little bike for training on

[Brackstone]

as someone who has taken a riders edge course i can tell you what i know. i only took it because i could get into it quicker. two week wait verses a 3 month wait. it was worth it to me.

the course is on a buell blast. it's a small little bike and fun to learn on. all the videos are done to show guys riding harleys. from everything i've read and heard it is the exact same course. there was a some tour/shopping time. to be honest, it's not that bad. they walked us around the store and actually did a good job educating us on different sorts of gear that's out there. the dealership i went to gave a discount. and a few of the people in there were going to get a harley anyway so they got some harley gear. they also gave a free weekend rental and a discount if you bought a bike in a certain number of days.

i think indoctrination is a little harsh. they did what any dealer would have done if they were able to use their facilities to teach the class. over all, i had a great experience. don't know that i'll ever buy a harley. don't know that i'll ever buy anything from that shop. but i learned a lot about riding from there.

if you have the time, save the money and take it at a community college. i would only suggest taking it at a harley dealership if it's a time issue or you know the deal gives discounts on things you're already going to buy (gear or bikes) or gives away free rentals to help make up for the costs.

hope that helps.

I don't think anyone will doubt this story, I just believe the possibility for the sort of "Cmon you want to be a Harely Guy Right?!" exists. Especially if they do the shopping before people graduate