Pre-BRC course?

[sonus]

One of the schools near me offers an "Intro to Motorcycling" course, intended as a 1-on-1 introduction before the real BRC. It's 2 hours long and covers some basics:

Locate and operate controls
Coordinate throttle and clutch
Straight line riding
Turning
Shifting
Braking

Has anyone taken such a course before? Does it seem worth it? I'm not sure if I'll like riding, and I intended to use the BRC to help me figure that out. This would be a gentler introduction, but at the expense of $150 (BRC would be $50 discounted if I decided to sign up after the intro). But it'd also probably put my mind at ease about learning everything from scratch in a group atmosphere. Hmm... thoughts?

[spd2918]

"Intro" was designed for people that are freaked out about taking the BRC.  Unless you have high anxiety, skip it and go straight to the BRC.

[chornbe]

Yeah, BRC *IS* the intro, IMO.  

[naustin]

if you can drive a straight stick (Car/Truck), you can go straight to the BRC.

If you've never driven a stick, or if you are so nervous about the BRC that you are losing sleep, then the intro might be in order.


The BRC is very, very basic.  When I took the course, I'd never ridden before and there were alot of 40 something couples taking the class together.  There was no rush at all.  I find it difficult to imaging needing any pre-BRC unless there are some other extenuating circumstances....

Good Luck

[chornbe]

I think it's one of those "oh... THIS is what I was worried about???" things... like roller coasters and dentist visits.

[sonus]

Alright, thanks. It sounds like I can safely skip straight to the BRC  

[Zerosum]

Yeah, BRC *IS* the intro, IMO.  

Yeah, seriously, do they put you on bicycles and push you around?    Seems like we have another "overthinker" like Marcster was a couple years back.  

[KodiakRS]

I went into the BRC having never been in control of a motorcycle*  I had not ridden a bicycle in 2-3 years, I had never driven a manual transmission car, and I had no idea WTF I was doing the first time I sat on a bike.  

I will admit that my first day of the BRC was pretty demoralizing.  EVERYONE in the class except me had ridden dirt bikes, some had even been riding on the street for a few years!  I was easily the worst student in the class on the first day.  The second day was a bit better, I started getting the hang of it and actually started enjoying myself.  At the end of the second day I was able to pass the riding test, not with flying colors, but with enough confidence to know that if I practiced a little bit more I would be fine.  


*I rode on the back of my Dad's motorcycle as a kid maybe a dozen times.  

[Bombauer]

Before taking the course, I had never even SAT on a stationary motorcycle, let alone a moving one, even as a passenger!

No problems really. I stalled a half dozen times, but everything turned out hunky dory!

[county]

I did a pre BRC for my s/o before she took the class...just the basics, brake, shift, clutch etc....had her ride the bike and get it into 2nd gear and turn and ride it back (Parking lot)...it gave her a leg up on the class IMO.    

[jfurf]

Seems like we have another "overthinker" like Marcster was a couple years back.  

 

[lionlady]

Before you knock it. Some folks, typically those who have never operated a manual transmission, are happy to have a chance to "taste" the BRC with less commitment, less inve$tment.

The last statistic I heard from the MSF is that nationwide the completion rate for the BRC is 80%. That is 8 of 10 students complete the course, and get their "MSF Card" (not related to "M" license). That means that for varying reasons, 2 of 10 do not complete the course. A percentage of that 20% might have been successful if they'd done the Pre-BRC.

I've taught folks who really SHOULD have taken the Pre-BRC course. Most often the "issue" has to do with shifting, or some mental block or reluctance about riding (ie putting their feet on the pegs). During the BRC they drag my attention from the capable students because they expect me to magically make them "get it."

To the OP, critically evaluate yourself: How quick are you to pick up new physical skills? How afraid are you of falling/dumping the motorcycle? How comfortable are you with shifting?

P

[falconati]

Alright, thanks. It sounds like I can safely skip straight to the BRC  

Yep, absolutely.