The Basic RiderCourse is aimed at beginning or re-entry riders of all ages but experienced riders may opt to take this course if they have never taken a MSF course. You'll learn how to operate a motorcycle safely, with a lot of emphasis on the special skills and mental attitude necessary for dealing with traffic and motorcycle control.
Instructors start you off with straight-line riding, turning, shifting and stopping. You'll gradually progress to cornering, swerving, slow speed maneuvers and emergency braking.
In the classroom you'll learn about the different types of motorcycles, their controls, and how they operate. A very important segment of the course will show you how to create your own strategy for riding in traffic, and dealing with critical situations. The instructors will advise you on what to wear for protection and comfort. You'll find out how alcohol and other drugs affect your ability to ride safely.
The course concludes with a knowledge test and a skill evaluation. The completion card will assist you with obtaining a motorcycle endorsement on your license by waiving the riding portion of the MO state test.
This is a 2-day, 15 hour course.
Experienced RiderCourse (ERC)
Even if you've been riding for some time, there's always something left to learn.
You’ll discuss with your peers how to balance the mental and physical aspects of safe riding, manage risks, increase visibility and optimize your lane positioning. The Course covers protective gear, rider responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding.
Using your own motorcycle, you'll put into practice the techniques of managing traction, slow speed maneuvers, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.
This is a 1 day 5 to 6 hour course.
Other incentives
As an added benefit, most insurance companies offer reduced rates for the satisfactory completion of either the BRC or ERC.
HOG will reimburse up to $50.00 per year in the form of a HOG coupon for the successful completion of either course. Successful students will also receive a pin and patch featuring the "Safe Rider Skills" logo. As a further incentive, HOG chapters with at least 12 members completing a course in a single calendar year will receive a special "Safe Rider Skills plaque".
Some people feel that they already know how to ride but I promise there will be something learned each and every time a course is taken. Authorities on the subject suggest enrolling in one course per year.
Questions have risen as to whether to take the Basic Course or the Experienced Course. I suggest if you have never taken the Basic Course, even if you’ve been riding for some time, to enroll in it first. There are things taught in this course that the average self taught rider is not aware of plus when taking the Experience Course several of these techniques are assumed already known.