| Author | Message | ||
     Chainsaw |
My 59 year old mother is looking to take a Rider's Education course in the Gilbert/Phoenix area. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations for any of the groups teaching down there? msf-usa.org lists the groups teaching in the area. She went to an 'Orientation Course" at Chandler HD,but was a bit miffed that they "kept trying to push everyone to buy a Softtail". I am somewhat leery of her taking the Rider's Edge class offered by HD, because I'm not sure a dealership has her best interests in mind. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. She used to ride 30 years ago and had her own bike. She's a believer in Full Face Helmets, armored jackets and riding sober. She does seem to have her heart set on buying a used Sportster, 'cause she wants something under $6K that she can get in a 25 inch seat height. I told her to buy a used Honda Rebel, drop it a few times, then go get something nice! Be glad to hear your input!  | ||
| Froggy |
Wow, that makes me glad my mom dosen't ride. I just cringe at the thought of her showing up at her showing up at Buell events and saying "Hi all! I am Froggy's mom! Here are some cup cakes i baked!". I have never heard anything bad about riders edge. They use the Blast for it. I took the MSF course near me and learned alot. I can't imagine riders edge being much different. | ||
| Johntman |
I'll go you one further... my mom teachers MSF and Riders Edge. She rides an 08 street glide, and occasionally a 99 X-1. From what I was told the Riders Edge class is almost the same as the MSF, but here it is a 4 day class instead of a 3 day class. She said the rider's edge class was a bit slower paced, but it is Harley geared, i think they take a tour of the local harley dealership. i think either class would be fine as long as she takes one. I know here (Georgia) you have to be state certified to teach rider's edge, which means you have to be a MSF instructor to teach riders edge, so either class should have good instructors. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
anything MSF approved will has to have the same basic info. Riders Edge has the same stuff as any msf course, just some extra harley propaganda and more money and an extra day. | ||
| Kyrocket |
Check your local colleges. I took an entire semester motorcycle class for credit, yeah I thought it was Heaven too. Unless she's looking for easy credits the MSF three day class would be plenty. | ||
| Mark61 |
Move to Pa. where the MSP is free because all motorcyclist pay a $5 fee when renewing their license every 5 years to pay for it! I love hearing about people learning to ride later in life. Makes me sad how much riding time they missed before! mark61 | ||
| Badlionsfan |
ohio charges $25 for the state run courses. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I teach both Riders Edge and MSF. If she has the time and the $$ I would take the Riders Edge class. Its a lot slower pace than the state course and each student gets more attention. State course. Thursday 6 to 10, you do the whole study book, pass out take home test. Saturday 8 to about 1:30 Range Sunday 8 to about 1:30 Range/test Riders Edge. Thursday. 6 to 9 Classroom & Dealership (Believe it or not, a lot of students have never set foot in a motorcycle shop) Friday. 6 to 9 We feed ya, Class room, You get introduced to the Buell Blast. We show you on a the bike all the "What does what" buttons and levers and such... Saturday 8 to about 2 Range then Classroom. Sunday. 8 to about 2 Range and riding test and hand in written test. Monday. Classroom, "Graduation" "Fun awards" Food, Lots-O-Smiles THEN they have Riders Edge Reunion Rides = Beginner group rides for students that want to. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I haven't gotten any reunion invites... Me thinks I ride ALOT more than most of my class mates. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
They do one to Young's Dairy sometime in the near future..... I think you are past that..... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The Rider's Edge here uses the MSF curriculum. I'm assuming it's the same everywhere. If you'd like a little more time and Rider's Edge does it in 4 days instead of 3, I think it'd be better. Good on your mom for wanting to get back into riding! It'd be fun to get to ride with my parents. My dad wants to ride, but my mom won't let him. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
i've taken both MSF (in 1998 in virginia) and Rider's Edge (in 2004 in minnesota). the Rider's Edge course is actually better, smaller class size, (slightly) bigger and better-maintained bikes, more course time. depending on the dealership, there might be a H-D sales pitch. however, don't feel obligated by it! D | ||
| Buellgirlie |
oh , one more thing. depending on your state, sometimes the state subsidizes the MSF ones - so it may be significantly cheaper. Illinois was a $20 deposit, which got refunded when you showed up. (so it was free!) Rider's Edge is a for-profit arm of an H-D dealership so that will run you a few hundred. both should get you a riding test waiver at the DMV. D | ||
| Phat_j |
my mom is the one that taught me to ride some 30+ years ago | ||
| Rainman |
I teach both MSF and RE in Virginia. The Riders Edge is slower-paced, more relaxed and will probably be a easier on her if she's the nervous type. The instructors don't peddle the bikes, so she won't have to worry about pressure from her rider coach to buy anything. If she's interested in a Sportster or a Harley or the Harley mystique and lifestyle, it's the way to go. If she just wants to ride and get her license, doesn't care about the Harley hype and is in good physical shape, MSF is probably better. Both teach the same riding skills although the Harley classroom is a bit more interesting and more in the learner-centered mode than Va's MSF because it has more time. | ||
| 86129squids |
She does seem to have her heart set on buying a used Sportster, 'cause she wants something under $6K that she can get in a 25 inch seat height. I told her to buy a used Honda Rebel, drop it a few times, then go get something nice!  Good for your mom! Mine once mentioned that she was going to learn to ride a scooter around at the RV campgrounds: I was terrified until she finally gave up the idea. Check out the Yamaha Virago 250's, or maybe an older 535. These are a little hard to find, but worth it if you find them. Even better (and rarer), an older 85-86 Rebel 450. On the H-D side of things, the XL883L or XL1200N would be good candidates for a low seat height. (Much better power delivery than the smaller bikes for sure.) The Nightster is quite diggable. And for the oddest- the shop where I work here in "Mur-vil" TN may see a Ridley come thru on trade pretty soon, but they're not cheap. White with pink flames no less. | ||
| Jaimec |
YAY MOM! Mine is absolutely terrified of motorcycles. She actually agreed to go for a ride when I first got my first bike and that was all she needed to convince her that she was happier on four wheels. I actually took it pretty slow but I do give her credit for at least TRYING. My Dad (God rest his soul) LOVED being on the back of my bike, but never really considered getting one for himself. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
sportsters are NOT the only H-D bikes with low seat. you'd be surprised. check out the dyna street bob, softail deluxe, and road king custom too. (prob others, but i don't feel like going through the H-D spec sheets) you'd prob be even more surprised at the deals that are out in the market for both new and used H-D bikes - they aren't holding their value like they used too. and discounting off new? it happens now. at the very least, you should get some free service, free P&A or free motorclothes as a defacto discount if they wont come down off MSRP D | ||
| Jaimec |
The problem for the short-of-leg with those ultra-low seat Harleys is that you can easily reach the ground, but you can't always reach the controls! | ||
| Chainsaw |
Can't say my mom is into Harley for the mystique or lifestyle...it's more like MPG and resale value. She's also fond of my Sportster, so she has a familiarity with them. She's all of 5 foot tall and maybe 125 pounds, I think an 883 would work fine. I did tell her I thought the Dynas were a good deal too. She can always buy another one later. The Nightster is a nice bike, but not in her price range, and she doesn't like the mid-controls. They also seem to be selling VERY well. Don't think she could find a used one in her price range. Thanks all for the info! | ||
| Rainman |
If she's looking for reliable, good gas mileage, easy to ride and a lot of fun, tell her to consider a Blast. I'm getting 63 mpg in the city on a regular basis and have 6,000 worry-free miles on an old Rider's Edge bike. They're lighter than a Sporty, easier to handle and pick up and you can a good used one for $2,500 | ||
| Etennuly |
+1 for the Blast. My wife(and she's a Grandmother) took her safety course a few years ago and really enjoys hers. I'm setting it up for hard bags so she can ride it to work and carry her stuff. |
