Harley Davidson offers free moto training to all US military!

[Lunch Box]

You had me at "Don't touch the front brake."

Well-played.

 

[Enchanter]

If HD has improved their program to where they do meet CMSP standards and don't push the HD life/riding style, I'd be delighted. At this point, however, I'm Jerry McGuire.

The HD (Riders Edge) program has been using a modified MSF BRC curriculum for many years now. The modifications (additions) are related to marketing the brand. The portions related to motorcycle operation and street strategies, are exactly the same. In California, the HD curriculum was drastically modified to remove the advertising and marketing information in order to meet CHP requirements for DL389 eligibility. If the specific dealer wasn't concerned with issuing a DL389, they didn't have to adjust the HD curriculum. The class was conducted on Buell Blasts, but I suspect the program mentioned here doesn't use them.

I would expect that the program being discussed here would also use a (modified) MSF curriculum given that HD is a supporter of the MSF.

 

[Cincinnatus]

I'd suggest a test, then. Send a couple of proficient non-HD riders to a few of the classes and see how closely the program matches the requirements.

 

[Enchanter]

in CA, the classes were / are strictly monitored.

The point is that the portion related to HOW to ride, is fine.

 

[Cincinnatus]

in CA, the classes were / are strictly monitored.

The point is that the portion related to HOW to ride, is fine.

So I'd infer that the HD lifestyle is heavily promoted, regardless. Sad.

 

[louemc]

Guys, please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it possible that Lou's last word in his first sentence ".....Right" may have been sarcasm, and the rest of it just an observation on the need for n00b riders to get more training?

Much as I can laugh at Lou's need for commas, I can still see that he's trying to make a point, and not necessarily slamming HD.

I can slam HD all day, do you see me doing it? Wanna talk about sand-cast oil pans and 1/2" thick gaskets needed to keep HD's from leaking all over the floor(s)? Wanna talk about the hand controls that HD stole from tractors & installed? How about the lack of a fifth gear on HDs until the 1990s? See? Easy targets.

Let's focus on getting the right info to the right folks instead of smacking Lou around when he doesn't deserve it.

Thank You

And I might point out I have ridden a few HD's and had two of them.
1990 FXR Sport-Convertible (easy/quickie removable windshield and soft bags) The civilian version of what the CHP used with the dual front disks and the longer travel forks, plus I had custom made shocks that were 1/2 inch longer travel.

Front brakes were the worst in the industry....
Main Problem was the Harley brake pads.
Squeeze the brake lever, and go to hard zone, and nothing much is happening.
Squeeze harder, still not enough. Squeeze harder on wet pavement and tire skids.
Toss the Harley brake pads, and install EBC H-4 pads that you can buy at Harley dealerships, and Viola... You get early bite with progressive feel.

So I say Harley doesn't know how the front brake is Supposed to work
How a Harley Road Race track bike works has nothing to do with this, and they aren't sold in the dealerships either.

Certain BARF members that can't keep these things straight and separate, contribute to the problem we see played out on the street,
when riders confuse the street with the paved, closed course, track.

 

[Enchanter]

So I'd infer that the HD lifestyle is heavily promoted, regardless. Sad.

It's pretty obvious that since the classes are held on HD dealership property, that it's marketing the brand, but as near as I can tell that isn't the issue here. It's the 'lifestyle'.

Can you please take a moment to describe the 'lifestyle' are you referring to, how it is promoted, and why that is "sad"?

I have the CA and 49 State curriculum in my possession and the way I see it is that all they are doing is helping people enjoy motorcycling by getting together with friends (that ride), making new friends (that ride), and enjoying motorcycling (on an HD product). I'm not sure how that infers a sad lifestyle.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I have the CA and 49 State curriculum in my possession and the way I see it is that all they are doing is helping people enjoy motorcycling by getting together with friends (that ride), making new friends (that ride), and enjoying motorcycling (on an HD product).

Now this brings me back to my original thought/hope/expectation.