Don't know if this has been discussed before but I was reading another thread about the figure 8 included in the Ohio riding test. First off, what good is the test if you ride a Harley and borrow a 250 Rebel to take the test on? I cannot recall one instance in my years of riding when I needed to do a figure 8 in a small space or do a cone weave. So what if you have to put a foot down now and again? The alternative is falling over. I took the advanced rider MSF class and enjoyed learning to do the slow turns , friction zone, etc. But when taking an actual licensing test why not have more realistic, day to day situations. Can you turn right and left from a stop sign? Can you do a panic stop? Can you avoid or successfully run over an obstacle? Wet down a portion of the paving to see if you can handle starting and stopping in a rainy situation. I can understand a motor officer needing more finely honed skills but for the average rider it seems the tests are not very well designed.

 

I understand what you are saying. On the other hand I know parents who own big SUV's and their kids take the DMV test in a small 2 door, although they will be driving the SUV.
I think it boils down the the LCD = lowest common denominator.

 

It's just to teach you a right hand and left hand u turn.

 

I don't think the tests are hard enough. Look at all the tards getting motorcycle licenses dying cause of stupid ****.

 

In California the road test is almost impossible with a "long bike."

Back in '75 I rented a Honda 350 to do it on . . .

 

In Ontario Canada I had to do 2 tests as part of the graduated incensing system there.

Step 1: You write a written test. Then you get an M1 license with these restrictions

• your blood alcohol level must be zero;
• you must ride only during daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset);
• you must not ride on highways with speed limits of more than 80 km/h except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144, 655;
• you cannot carry passengers.

Then you have to wait 60 days but not more then 90 days to do a basic road test where they watch you do a few basic things. <EDIT: link to info on 1st test http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=109264>
Then you get a M2 license with the only restriction being
your blood alcohol level must be zero.
You have the M2 for 22 months then you take an extended road test. You wear an earpiece and an examiner follows you around while he has you do quite a few things and scores you. <EDIT: Link to info on 2nd test http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=1127&highlight=m2+exit+road+test>

You can shorten some of the times by taking registered courses.

 

took my oregon test many moons ago on a honda trail 90 borrowed from the local dealer because i was riding a chopped 49 pan with apes .. the test at that time was ride around the block and if you came back you were good to go.
took my cal. test on a borrowed 450 honda as I was riding a chopped something at the time but aced the test.. now i have tried to do the test after hours on my harley and at my age and riding experience i can not get it around with out a foot down now and then. after I get some experience riding maybe i'll try it for real

 

NY Road test is 2 circles to the left, 2 circles to the right, 2 figure 8s and then onto the road. i did it on a Honda nighthawk 250, did it perfect.. I can do whatever i did on the 250 on my harley. maybe due to the fact when i wasnt riding the 250 at the MSF course, i was off riding my harley.

 

I took my test in California on a Harley. The only tricky part for me was the not putting your foot down when riding at the pace of the tester walking. I think the test are set up for control. If you can pass that test, then they feel you have enough control to ride the streets. But agree there isn't any real emphasis on real street riding. I went to the Island of Rorotonga and there you had to ride along side a cop just to get a moped license.

 

LOL. in 1989 I went to take my test in a VW rabbit. The emergency brake didn't work, so they wouldn't let me use the car. I had to take my parents 1984 suburban for the test (parallel parking was intimidating to a 16 y/o). But the rabbit was the car I was driving most.