Motorcycle Drivers Test
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 95
From:
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
ORIGINAL: Jake88
Regardless of what the test is; you should use the bike that you have the most experience with. Switching bikes would be like qualifying with a Nascar and racing with a NasTruck! Why would you prepare with one bike and then totally change to another bike for a test?
Regardless of what the test is; you should use the bike that you have the most experience with. Switching bikes would be like qualifying with a Nascar and racing with a NasTruck! Why would you prepare with one bike and then totally change to another bike for a test?
Here in NJ the test is also small turns, etc. EVEN EXPERIENCED RIDERS GO GET AT KAW 125 OR SIMILAR TO TAKE THE TEST ON. If it's like the NJ test, you won't pass on the Wide Glide as a new rider. Jersey test is worse than Illiniois - we have a stop in a turn and a sharp turn virtually in the space of a sidewalk.
Note the people who have done similar tests are telling you you can't do it, cause we know. The ones sayin' "just do it on what you're most comfy with" don't have the hands on 'sperience with a test like this (and they think Nascar cars and trucks are really, really different too!)
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 1
From: Seattle area
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
Yep -- I did the test on my Superglide; later, I practiced enough to be competent doing the practice courses on my Roadking. The new Electra Glide Classic is another story-- I'll need lots miles before I'll feel comfortable at low speeds. Then, I'll wrap the bars and try the course, but not anytime soon!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee, Fl
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
Look, it really doesn't matter to me who can or can not pass the MC riding test. All I was saying was that first of all, not all statetest are the same and second they are not easy to pass on a large bike.
I really doubt the Motor Officer from WA will be taking the test for Aroberts or anyone else so good for him if he can pass it two up. I was just making a statement that not all riding test are the same from state to state. And that Aroberts needs to find out about his state test and not just assume that he can pass it on alarge bike. Small scooters and mopeds are OK to take the test on.
Who really cares what type of bike you took the test on, the state only cares that you past, not what type bike you past iton.
I really doubt the Motor Officer from WA will be taking the test for Aroberts or anyone else so good for him if he can pass it two up. I was just making a statement that not all riding test are the same from state to state. And that Aroberts needs to find out about his state test and not just assume that he can pass it on alarge bike. Small scooters and mopeds are OK to take the test on.
Who really cares what type of bike you took the test on, the state only cares that you past, not what type bike you past iton.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 95
From:
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
ORIGINAL: Gunkholes
Yep -- I did the test on my Superglide; later, I practiced enough to be competent doing the practice courses on my Roadking. The new Electra Glide Classic is another story-- I'll need lots miles before I'll feel comfortable at low speeds. Then, I'll wrap the bars and try the course, but not anytime soon!
Yep -- I did the test on my Superglide; later, I practiced enough to be competent doing the practice courses on my Roadking. The new Electra Glide Classic is another story-- I'll need lots miles before I'll feel comfortable at low speeds. Then, I'll wrap the bars and try the course, but not anytime soon!
And I agree with Alias word for word. If you don't know the test...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
When I bought my Road Glide I had been off bikes for a couple years and my MC endorsement was expired in Washington, so I had to take the riding test. It consists of the offset cone weave, the right angle corner, quick stop, stop in a 3'X5' box, brake and swere, and a couple of tight U-turns. I think most MC tests are pretty standard. Anyway, I bought the "Ride Like a Pro" video and set up a practice course. In all honesty, with thirty years of riding experience, it was hard as hell. At first, I did not think that I was going to be able to pass this @#$% test! It was humbling.
I probably put in a good twenty-five or so hours of practice and finally had to ride two hours south to Pullman from Spokane to test because you CANNOT get in to test in Spokane within a reasonable time frame. I took the test on my Road Glide and scored 100/100. The lady testing told me that she had never seen anyone handle such a big bike so well. I give 100% of the credit to the great video I watched and the hours of practice I put in. I carry a stack of little cones with me and I try to find an hour or so a week to keep my skills sharp.
This whole experience added immeasurably to my riding skills and enjoyment. I thought I was a good rider- all those years of experience had to mean something, right? All it meant was that I was making the same stupid mistakes over and over. I don't know about Florida (that test seems unfair) but I think renting a tiny moped to take the test is ridiculous- you need to be able to handle the bike you will be riding. The test is a good way to see how well you can perform under pressure. I guarantee that you will not be very successful without practice. Goodluck!
I probably put in a good twenty-five or so hours of practice and finally had to ride two hours south to Pullman from Spokane to test because you CANNOT get in to test in Spokane within a reasonable time frame. I took the test on my Road Glide and scored 100/100. The lady testing told me that she had never seen anyone handle such a big bike so well. I give 100% of the credit to the great video I watched and the hours of practice I put in. I carry a stack of little cones with me and I try to find an hour or so a week to keep my skills sharp.
This whole experience added immeasurably to my riding skills and enjoyment. I thought I was a good rider- all those years of experience had to mean something, right? All it meant was that I was making the same stupid mistakes over and over. I don't know about Florida (that test seems unfair) but I think renting a tiny moped to take the test is ridiculous- you need to be able to handle the bike you will be riding. The test is a good way to see how well you can perform under pressure. I guarantee that you will not be very successful without practice. Goodluck!
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: southern Va
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
ORIGINAL: Aroberts
I looked it up,
It says you will be tested on
-Sharp Turn
-Cone Weave
-Stalling
-Normal Stop
-U-Turn
-Obstacle Swerve
-Quick Stop
That doesn't help much. I'll call a friend who I think took it in Idaho but I know he moved here from Arkansas so he might not have had to take the driving test here.
I looked it up,
It says you will be tested on
-Sharp Turn
-Cone Weave
-Stalling
-Normal Stop
-U-Turn
-Obstacle Swerve
-Quick Stop
That doesn't help much. I'll call a friend who I think took it in Idaho but I know he moved here from Arkansas so he might not have had to take the driving test here.
wayne
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 1
From: Seattle area
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
You're right...I can't speak knowledegably about the Florida test because I haven't ridden it (nor will I likely ever ride in FL), although I will say that, if it really is as described, it doesn't match reality (unless, of course, it's for defense against the blue-hairs in parking lots). Aside from the veiled sarcasm, that's precisely why I DO practice from time to time (but not for weeks). My skill set at any speed can always use improvement -- I'm not so full of myself to think that passing a riders' test and doing several thousand miles a year makes me any kind of expert. That's one reason the Motor Officers train & recertify every year. I'm a firm believer in periodic retraining; the MSF Advanced Rider Course is a great example. So is an occasional 10 minute romp in an empty parking lot. Lower speed skills translate directly into improved skills & judgement at any speed. As a pilot, I'm required to maintain proficiency and periodically recertify -- I see riding as no different.
ORIGINAL: nine11c2
I'm really impressed with your skills. But first, we all don't have weeks to practice and two some of this stuff doesn't translate to real life. You never go over 20 mph for example typically...
And I agree with Alias word for word. If you don't know the test...
I'm really impressed with your skills. But first, we all don't have weeks to practice and two some of this stuff doesn't translate to real life. You never go over 20 mph for example typically...
And I agree with Alias word for word. If you don't know the test...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside, CA
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
Here in California you can only ride daylight hours, no passenger and no freeways on a permit.- Get caught doing otherwise and it is a hefty fine,traffic school , possible impound of your bike and of course a big increase in insurance costs. And if you have an accident doing any of theabove while riding on a permit, your insurance may not have to pay your claim. In order to get your M1 you have to either take the MSF class in which - if you dont dump the bike too many times- MSF give you a license( that still doesn't mean you know how to ride though) or ride your bike a lot and practice slow speed control and then go take the dmv skills test which consists of riding in a straightline between 2 lines- then going both directions in an 11 foot circle., weaving through cones and displaying that you can shift through 1st,2nd and 3rd gears across the parking lot. Amazingly this is very difficult for many riders even those with years of experience. My hubby passed it on his 47 Indian Chief and I did it on my Sporty 1200. Oh yes, if you want the M1 license the test bike you use must be at least 250 cc's. Anything else will only get you a scooter license. I train people to be able to pass the DMV test and have had 33 people take and pass it their first try this year. A 2007 change in DMV rules states that anyone under 21 can only get their M1 license by attending the MSF or any other CHP certified course.
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Posts: n/a
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
ORIGINAL: Aroberts
I can't ride at night, have a passenger or ride on the interstate. I do carry passengers and I will be riding on the interstate in a short couple hours. I haven't ridden at night yet. I just want to be 100% legal and not have to think about a riding test again.
I can't ride at night, have a passenger or ride on the interstate. I do carry passengers and I will be riding on the interstate in a short couple hours. I haven't ridden at night yet. I just want to be 100% legal and not have to think about a riding test again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
RE: Motorcycle Drivers Test
years ago i took a pretty fair drivers test in germany. you had to go through the gears on a straight street. then you had to turn around and come back and stop next to the grader. then go through some realistically placed cones.
i cant figure out why they now have these miniscule test courses that most adult motorcycles will not pass. i mean why not have testing tricycles that you pedal through the course? it really seems that the whole thing is set up to force you to take a safety course and get the endorsement.
i have a road king and i lay it down every time i practice going through the course...which really pegs out the
"this sucks" factor.
i cant figure out why they now have these miniscule test courses that most adult motorcycles will not pass. i mean why not have testing tricycles that you pedal through the course? it really seems that the whole thing is set up to force you to take a safety course and get the endorsement.
i have a road king and i lay it down every time i practice going through the course...which really pegs out the
"this sucks" factor.