Abate question

[Piper]

I am considering taking the Abate Experienced Riders course being held in a couple of weeks. Mainly to brush up on slow skills.

Big Bike goes fast and hugs curves  but can I take it though an 18' uturn at 5 mph? 
hmmmmm. Very limited pavement out here. Basically the only paved places out here is highway 24. Even the local airport strip is grass. No place to practise. The StormTroopers chased me out of the base parking lot where I was wheeling about last night before shift.

Anybody have any constructive comments about the Abate experienced riders program?

Discount codes?

I have no objection in making a fool of myself, I do that everytime I wear the kilt and play the pipes.
I just want to not look too amateurish when I go to Tucumcari in a couple of weeks.

[Momz]

First of all, It is not an ABATE experienced rider course. It is an MSF course (as in Motorcycle Safety Foundation). Most of the instructors are ABATE members dedicated to keeping riders safe through education and training.

Yes, the Valk is going to be a bitch to handle through the course. Several years back a friend who is also an experienced MSF instructor tryed to take my I/S through the course and he did not finish without "going outside the lines".

But wouldn't it be better to find out what you and your bike can do?

[john]

a  no pass  ...
no fail  course ...     
discount on your valkyrie  insurance ...     

[roboto65]

I have taken the advanced course in the RAIN  on my IS and no problems she can uturn on a neighborhood street just fine she will surprise you !!!

[Daniel Meyer]

The valk can meet all the requirements...she's actually quite nimble at it...once youget over the shyness of turning her to full lock...

Go for it! It's fun AND you always learn something.

[BF]

Use drag brake.   

[Farther]

I took the class with my 15 month (going on 22 now) riding experience and had no problem.  You'll be fine.  They start slow and work up.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I’ve taken the advanced riders edge (HD sponsored) course twice on the valk. Both times with a GY TT.

First time was in good weather, 2’nd time was in rain, which turned to sleet, then hail and finally to snow. Both classes were a good way to get the riding mind limbered up for the season. The 2’nd time around in the bad weather 50% of the bikes wound up on lying in the parking lot at least once. For my son on his naked Duc the real challenge was the 60 mile ride home in the snow after we were soaked through. I will say, I learned more in the 2’nd class. I thought it was a very good course although I probably won’t take it a third time.

The only thing they taught that I disagreed with was using all four fingers on the front brake instead of just two. I finally told them to flunk me if they had to but I felt two fingers was the better technique. They didn’t flunk me and the valk had the shortest stopping distance of any bike there at the first class. Not sure about the 2’nd, I was just glad to stay upright. A guy on a brand new Beemer rode home with both mirrors in his coat pockets. Yep, he bounced it off the pavement once on each side.

Buy the “ride like a pro” DVD if you can. I learned more about slow speed riding from watching it than I would have believed possible. The class just gave me a chance to practice it.

[solo1]

I've taken the ERC a number of times, the last time with the Valkyrie.  You'll have no trouble and will probably find that the Valk will stop in the shortest distance of any.

I also agree with Frye.  I cover the brake lever with two fingers, it's not taught that way.

Some instructors from ABATE just have to inject the "Harley" bullcrap into the course.  Pay that no never mind either.

The "Ride Like a Pro' is an excellent video for slow speed exercise.  It goes beyond the ERC instruction.

My .02

[MP]

The ex Police Instructor I had for the week long riding class also wanted us to use 4 fingers.  Taught that way to police.  Their reason though is for your health.

They ride thru a lot of tight spots, thru rows of cars, etc.  He said, it you use two fingers, that means the other two are still on the hand grip.  He said, sooner or later, you WILL hit that lever on a car, a tree, or something.  You risk damage or even amputation of those last two fingers when that happens.

For us on the street, it is not such a big deal, but could still happen.

MP

[roboto65]

He said, it you use two fingers, that means the other two are still on the hand grip.  He said, sooner or later, you WILL hit that lever on a car, a tree, or something.  You risk damage or even amputation of those last two fingers when that happens.

And what happens to the four on the lever LOL would they not be the first things to impact the area now food for thought !!!

[MP]

The end sticks out quite a bit farther than your fingers.  Also, you do not get the slicing action.

Look, I am just repeating what he said.  I use two.  Do what you want.

Is there a reason the classes say four?

MP

[roboto65]

Oh I am with you on the 2     I do not know why they teach 4 old habit maybe I do not know

[solo1]

I was told that it was for the reason that was mentioned.  I'd rather have a faster reaction time by covering the brake with two fingers.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I was told that it was for the reason that was mentioned.  I'd rather have a faster reaction time by covering the brake with two fingers.

I guess I should have asked them why they wanted me to use four fingers. I told them Honda had better brakes than HD's and two fingers was all you need. There was some muttering about that!

[Normandog]

I took the ERC on my Standard and had no problems. I plan to take the IS thru it someday. Good course.

[fudgie]

4 fingers or 2. Huh, never thought about it. I use all 4 fingers. I never had a class either. Not sure why I use all 4. When 4 wheeling it was easier to use all 4 while going up steep grades. (thumb throttle) I have small hands to I guess. Ive had a few accident avoidence occurances and my reactions were to grab front brake, step on rears, and pull in the clutch, all at the same time. For me using 2 fingers would be slow.