ERC or BRC?

Foo_909 · 04-17-2009, 03:00 AM

I've finally decided I absolutely need to get my endorsement and I'm torn between the BRC and the ERC. I've been riding about 3 years now on my permit '00 Ninja 250/ '05 GSX-R600/ '08 R6 and been lucky enough to not have any accidents with any bike but I don't know if I should take the basic course as I have not had it yet and that step of training so to speak. I'm also interested in the experienced rider course but I'm also worried about dropping the hell out of my bike (it would be the first time *knocks on wood*).

Also the BRC = 16 Hours ($125)
ERC = 6 Hours ($60)

What would you do at my experience level?

kevin_stevens · 04-17-2009, 03:21 AM

It may be a simpler choice than that.

At least here in California, the ERC doesn't qualify you for your license; has to be the BRC. Better check your state info.

KeS

Foo_909 · 04-17-2009, 03:35 AM

I'm pretty sure here in good old Kentucky it does, I was going to ask when I called to schedule to make sure. The earliest ERC is May 30th here. Thanks for the heads up though.

kevin_stevens · 04-17-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foo_909

I'm pretty sure here in good old Kentucky it does, I was going to ask when I called to schedule to make sure. The earliest ERC is May 30th here. Thanks for the heads up though.

Looks like you're right.

You suck.

I'd take the ERC; there's no reason to drop a bike there if you know how to ride already, and it's more interesting by all accounts.

KeS

Jim Moore · 04-17-2009, 06:59 AM

ERC definitely.

jim schmidt · 04-17-2009, 11:26 AM

Let me offer a different opinion. Rider training has value on two levels:

One is the mechanics of riding. This is very valuable for people who don't know how to ride. Second is the psychology and knowledge and mental aspects that lead to survival in traffic. This is highly valuable for riders.

Unfortunately, myopic thinking by MSF puts things backwards. They provide the mental and analytical information to beginners (which is fine) but the experienced rider course focus' almost exclusively on riding, pretty much glossing over the survival stuff.

As part of becoming an instructor, I took the BRC after thirty years of riding, including 29 without a wreck. I still learned a few useful things -- in the classroom.

If it were me, I'd teach the class this way...

Part 1, riding and riding skills. Learner's permit.
Part 2. thirty days later, mental and survival skills. Full license.
Part 3. one year later. Optional ERC to evaluate and refine riding skills, but also reinforce mental and survival skills.

IMHO, take the BRC.

Foo_909 · 05-04-2009, 06:21 AM

Well I went on ahead and signed up for the ERC on the 30th of this month, I'll let you all know how it goes.

Looking forward to it for sure.

Foo_909 · 05-31-2009, 12:06 PM

Completed the course yesterday, I just gotta say I'm glad it wasn't any hotter out then what it was.

The high compression R6 was a steamy 220ish most of the day.

The course was very confidence inspiring, that being said I did have to throw my leg down a couple times. I didn't really learn much that I already didn't "know"... just had a reason to practice and use it more then I ever would on the street. Muscle memory is good.

There were all kinds of bikes there, me and then and a ZX-10 sport bike wise, a fully dressed out Goldwing, a screaming eagle Harley v-rod, a small sportser, various other cruisers and a very small bike an older fellow was on. One of the instructors had an older Triumph Tiger 955i which was pretty neat to see. Hell two trikes even showed up to watch.

The instructors were very laid back and helpful, every course was ridden by an instructor before we attempted it.

Had an issue with one of the slalom courses where the cones were placed really tightly together right off the bat and we were supposed to move slow. It kinda iffed more then anything because it just wasn't going to happen. I could get to about the 4th cone then I would either be moving too slow or out of line too bad to make the next one. This is where the foot came into play mostly. Apparently the guy on the ZX-10 was having the same problem. I walked up to the main instructor after the drill and asked him what I was doing wrong and he said, "Really you weren't doing anything wrong, your just not going to be able to make those on that particular bike, I've not seen anyone do it perfectly on a sportbike." I'm sure there are a few here that could do it though perfectly....But other then that I pretty much had fun the rest of the day. I really enjoyed the emergency braking exercise, the box was cool, everything else went pretty well.

Worth the money and time for sure.

As for suggestions...for the love of god if you can stand to wear a long sleeve shirt instead of a jacket... DO IT. My Aplinestars GP plus kept me sweating like a pig most of the day hauling around in first and idling. I was drinking water whenever I could but still...it didn't add the experience.