dechrist wrote:
how much would you say it helped you in terms of long time ridin'?
Well, I didn't take the course, it wasn't offered way back for my first bike, but even for experienced riders there are a lot of important techniques that are taught, particularly handling the bike at lower speeds that are unbelievably useful in everyday life in parking the bike and getting in and out of tight areas.  Having ridden before, I had to "unlearn" bad habits that carried danger and that was extremely valuable.  Riding a bike can be hazardous enough with other drivers doing the wrong thing, the course keeps you from adding your own bad habits.  And, in many states it makes securing the endorsement to the license easier as well as making you eligible for insurance discounts.  Glad to hear you're doing it, but it is any thing but a "Mickey Mouse" course, people washed out in my class.