Experienced Rider Course

[PAFirefighter11]

Is coming up for me on Sunday. Of course the weather forecast has rain: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 70. Chance of rain 50 percent.

And they run it rain or shine. This is going to be fun. I've been in the rain maybe 5 or so times in 3 years. So I have to do figure 8's in the rain among other things, eh?

[Blaise]

It's not a bad refresher but I honestly didn't get anything out of it. Nothing wrong with making some new riding friends though :D

[terrorcel]

Originally Posted by HibachiZ28

Is coming up for me on Sunday. Of course the weather forecast has rain: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 70. Chance of rain 50 percent.

And they run it rain or shine. This is going to be fun. I've been in the rain maybe 5 or so times in 3 years. So I have to do figure 8's in the rain among other things, eh?

Yep, as someone who has my final 3 days of training coming up this weekend (to become a BRC instructor) they definitely run it rain or shine. Personally I've been in the rain so many times I've lost count long long ago (50+ times easily) its not that bad, at the speeds you'll be going, you don't even need to take the rain into account. Don't worry about the figure 8s either, if you've done the figure 8s in the BRC comfortably then this won't be a problem either. The box is larger for the ERC and I did it on my GSXR600 first try, just use your clutch and it'll come to you, remember to keep your head and eyes up and you'll get it. As an instructor they try to force us to do the figure 8 (on their little bikes) with no brakes and no clutch at all, and if you've ever ridden a ****ty 250cc at 2mph with no clutch you'll no they're twitchy ****ers. What location is your ERC at?

[PAFirefighter11]

Thanks guys. I've had permit's for the 3 years I've been riding. I want to finally get my license. Sick of renewing the permit every year, not to mention the lack of riding at night and such.

My v-twin is a twitchy mo-fo and I definitely have to use my clutch at low speeds or I bounce around like a newb! I may go practice the figure 8's tomorrow in the wet before the course. Anything else on the ERC that I should practice before the class? I appreciate any helpful insight!

Oh and the class is in Phoenixville.

[terrorcel]

Originally Posted by HibachiZ28

Thanks guys. I've had permit's for the 3 years I've been riding. I want to finally get my license. Sick of renewing the permit every year, not to mention the lack of riding at night and such.

My v-twin is a twitchy mo-fo and I definitely have to use my clutch at low speeds or I bounce around like a newb! I may go practice the figure 8's tomorrow in the wet before the course. Anything else on the ERC that I should practice before the class? I appreciate any helpful insight!

I got ya, you're doing it to get your license. I got my license 2 years ago but I just did it through the BRC. Instead of necessarily focusing on your figure 8s try to practice of holding back bad habbits that they'll watch for. In the BRC they'll let you slide on some minor things making sure that the people get the general idea of the thing thats being taught, but for the ERC they'll probably be a little bit more nit picky (all depends on instructors).

As someone whos been riding for some years these shouldn't be too much of an issue but sometimes we get used to bad habits which really are hard to brake.

i.e.
All fingers on your levers (some of us tend to 2 finger it)
Stop and put your left foot down first
Going through weaves and turns with your head and eyes up looking through your exit, never looking down.
Feet on pegs "properly" (Personally I corner using proper technique of having the balls of my feet on my pegs, not regular riding position) so cornering normally was awkward.
Getting on the bike with ALL of your gear already on (I usually put gloves on while I'm on the bike).
Etc. etc.

[PAFirefighter11]

Perfect. That helps quite a bit. I wasn't too sure what we were being graded on. It helps to know ahead of time. I edited my previous post: Taking the ERC in Phoenixville.

I'm going to ride today and pay note to how I ride related to some of those above listings. Thanks again.

[driftingrx5.7]

i am only taking it to get an insurance discount..lol

[Elliott18t]

Originally Posted by terrorcel

I got ya, you're doing it to get your license. I got my license 2 years ago but I just did it through the BRC. Instead of necessarily focusing on your figure 8s try to practice of holding back bad habbits that they'll watch for. In the BRC they'll let you slide on some minor things making sure that the people get the general idea of the thing thats being taught, but for the ERC they'll probably be a little bit more nit picky (all depends on instructors).

As someone whos been riding for some years these shouldn't be too much of an issue but sometimes we get used to bad habits which really are hard to brake.

i.e.
All fingers on your levers (some of us tend to 2 finger it)
Stop and put your left foot down first
Going through weaves and turns with your head and eyes up looking through your exit, never looking down.
Feet on pegs "properly" (Personally I corner using proper technique of having the balls of my feet on my pegs, not regular riding position) so cornering normally was awkward.
Getting on the bike with ALL of your gear already on (I usually put gloves on while I'm on the bike).
Etc. etc.

one day I'll have a bike and you can teach me... then we go ride

[terrorcel]

Originally Posted by driftingrx5.7

i am only taking it to get an insurance discount..lol

I sure hope you checked with your insurance company first... because most give you a whopping $0.00.

[terrorcel]

Originally Posted by Elliott18t

one day I'll have a bike and you can teach me... then we go ride

Well get to it then, what you waiting for?

[Elliott18t]

Originally Posted by terrorcel

Well get to it then, what you waiting for?

this thing called money, so it doesnt goto school/supplies, bills, etc.

usually helps when buying a car/bike etc. :P

[PAFirefighter11]

My insurance is only $11/month.. I don't know how much more discounted it can get.

[PAFirefighter11]

Since it's supposed to rain on Sunday I said screw it and rode the bike in this morning. Fun. It wasn't too bad. But the road was wet and it wasn't raining really at all.

[PAFirefighter11]

Wish me luck.. I gotta get to bed soon since I have to be up at 7 friggin AM lol...

[PAFirefighter11]

So not only did I pass the Experienced Rider Course and get my license, I was the only one who aced the test. Pretty sweet. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone here. It was a lot of fun and I learned a **** ton more than I thought I would've.

[terrorcel]

Originally Posted by HibachiZ28

So not only did I pass the Experienced Rider Course and get my license, I was the only one who aced the test. Pretty sweet. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone here. It was a lot of fun and I learned a **** ton more than I thought I would've.

I'm glad you enjoyed it and learned something while you were at it. Congrats on acing it too.