Skills test
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 4
From: Hugoton, Kansas
RE: Skills test
Im located in Kansas, I dont know if ours is different that Ohio's test all that much, but I tried to take the skills test on my 1200. I failed miserably within 30 seconds, literally. The first test I had to take was driving between two yellow lines that were like 10 (?) inches apart, and we were only allowed to touch the ground with feet 3 or 4 times during the entire test, I didnt even get past this first part and the guys says ok youre done. will i see you in 2 weeks? haha
Ive heard the best bet is getting a small minibike or something light, like a dirt bike, etc...to get past things. I ended up signing up for the msf course instead, figured it was money well spent. Its a drag to get locked out, totally. But, like I said, I dont know if Ohio is different than Kansas all that much or not. Here, we have 1 year to get the endorsement after the purchase of the bike, but Im like you, wanted my endorsement as soon as possible.
Ive heard the best bet is getting a small minibike or something light, like a dirt bike, etc...to get past things. I ended up signing up for the msf course instead, figured it was money well spent. Its a drag to get locked out, totally. But, like I said, I dont know if Ohio is different than Kansas all that much or not. Here, we have 1 year to get the endorsement after the purchase of the bike, but Im like you, wanted my endorsement as soon as possible.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna, OH
RE: Skills test
I took mine on my 1200 Custom. They let me take a "practice" 
test 2 weeks before I took the test I passed. The 1200 is geared higher than some bikes, so the friction zone is your friend. I was envious of the little 250 honda for once in my life.
Some tips -
1 Thoroughly become acquainted with and practice a course like "Motor Lessons, A motorcycle operations self-study course" by Harris Neil - he will e-mail you a copy for free if you ask him via e-mail at MotorLessons@Ricochet.com I found it to be a great resource, since I was a new rider and did not have a convenient time to take the MSF.
2 I have attached a sketch of the slow speed manuvering course here.
It is pretty self-explanatory. The other parts will be panic stop (both wheels locked up) and lane swerve / stop (to demonstrate youare proficientat countersteering)
3 They want to see you exhibit control over your motorcycle. Foot dragging, foot droping are signs of uncontrolled operation and will cost you dearly, so even if you miss a cone or two in the slalom, do not drop your foot/feet, keep on going and complete the test.
As to the sporty, I saw a rider on an old chopped harley pass fine, another on a sporty who manuvered ok, but liked to put his feet down - failed and one on sport bike that wasafoot dragger (failed)
test 2 weeks before I took the test I passed. The 1200 is geared higher than some bikes, so the friction zone is your friend. I was envious of the little 250 honda for once in my life.Some tips -
1 Thoroughly become acquainted with and practice a course like "Motor Lessons, A motorcycle operations self-study course" by Harris Neil - he will e-mail you a copy for free if you ask him via e-mail at MotorLessons@Ricochet.com I found it to be a great resource, since I was a new rider and did not have a convenient time to take the MSF.
2 I have attached a sketch of the slow speed manuvering course here.
It is pretty self-explanatory. The other parts will be panic stop (both wheels locked up) and lane swerve / stop (to demonstrate youare proficientat countersteering)
3 They want to see you exhibit control over your motorcycle. Foot dragging, foot droping are signs of uncontrolled operation and will cost you dearly, so even if you miss a cone or two in the slalom, do not drop your foot/feet, keep on going and complete the test.
As to the sporty, I saw a rider on an old chopped harley pass fine, another on a sporty who manuvered ok, but liked to put his feet down - failed and one on sport bike that wasafoot dragger (failed)
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Dixon, il.
RE: Skills test
Call a local dealer and see if they have any small bikes to rent. I called a Honda dealer and rented a Shadow 250 for a couple of hours, think it cost me $15. But the test is a breeze on one of those.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
RE: Skills test
I live in Dallas/Fort Worth and work and park at the DFW Airport. Slow speed maneuvering is simply a daily thing for me! BUT....I don't make tight U-turns that often, and that's where I'm weakest. Psychological thing, mostly. If I have just a couple of white lines to go between with no consequences of going over a line, I can do a 20' U-turn with no problems at all. But put hard barriers up between the space and I'd much prefer finding an alternate route! IOW, a two lane county road with no shoulder, and ditches on both sides makes me look for a better place to turn around. I do need to practice that more.
Teek
Teek
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Skills test
In addition to the above, I suggest you get a copy of the "Ride Like A Pro" DVD. It gives you alot of good skills techniques and how to practice them. http://ridelikeapro.com/
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