General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

DMV Test

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:11 PM
  #1  
Bugspit's Avatar
Bugspit
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Union City
Default DMV Test

I am curious on how many people have passed the DMV driving test on a big bike. I have a 2010 SG and have been riding since I was 7 and have passed the test on much smaller bikes. I need to go get my license again and I drove out to DMV over the weekend to practice the test. I was suprised at how small that damn circle was and how close the cones will be. I might have to take a class to get my certificate because I know I cant pass it on my own bike. Anyone else have this problem?
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:15 PM
  #2  
IronAss's Avatar
IronAss
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Default

I took it the 1st day WA. State started requiring a license to ride a bike. Don't remember what year that was but I took it on my 64 Duo-Glide. I remember it being kind of tough. One of the things I had to do was a figure 8 type of deal but had to do it in 2nd gear and couldn't pull in the clutch. Had a hell of a time with that one but I did pass and have had the endorsement every since. Good luck with it.
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:23 PM
  #3  
stro1965's Avatar
stro1965
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Default

I did it many years ago here in Nebraska on my Fatboy. Didn't have a problem but I did sneak out there and practice it ahead of time (they had it painted on the pavement).
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:24 PM
  #4  
Mike T's Avatar
Mike T
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
Default

Where I live the driving test consists of a HP following you around to see if you know how to handle the bike which was a little intimidating. That part was easy compared to the written test that was very tricky.
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:26 PM
  #5  
Bugspit's Avatar
Bugspit
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Union City
Default

I think the problem is that the skill portion of the test was created many years ago and hasnt changed. Bike have gotten bigger through the years. I originally passed it on a small Honda 500cc and it was no problem. But as time goes on the bikes get bigger LOL but the circle remains the same.
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:28 PM
  #6  
drew4jan's Avatar
drew4jan
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 845
Likes: 45
From: Tucson, AZ
Default

I agree!! Took it last year on my Ultra and found it extremly difficult to put a 900 pound bike through a course designed for a Honda 500. Went and took the half day MSF course and passed with flying colors. After the DMV test I asked the evaluator how he expected a bike as large as mine to pass. He said that he had seen one or two make it through! Ha!
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:28 PM
  #7  
editbrain's Avatar
editbrain
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
Default

Scored a 100% on my written. The test stopped me 3 questions short on the computer. Driving test was a trip around the parking lot.
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:30 PM
  #8  
p51bombay's Avatar
p51bombay
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:35 PM
  #9  
dortiz's Avatar
dortiz
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Leesburg VA
Default

Take the MSF course. Its a great refresher, provides a smaller bike and does the test at the end.
 
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 03:36 PM
  #10  
QehQeh's Avatar
QehQeh
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

I passed my test back in '72 on my Sportster. Back then, the instructor just told you to ride around the parking lot. If you didn't fall down by the time he finished filling out the paperwork, you past!
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:05 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE