Motorcycle driving test

[macx]

Do all states give the same driving test for bike license?

I'd owned and ridden bikes since I was 17, but when we moved to MO
I got so busy working I didn't have time to go take the test, and then
shortly began working longer jobs all around the country and couldn't
take my old 750 with me, it sat in the exact same place in th garage
for over 15 years.

Finally got a longer term job closer to home (KC, only 400 miles) and
had a garage so hauled it over there with the idea of resurrecting it
(everything rubber, valve springs, seat recovered, etc etc) but then a
friend at work talked me out of it.

That's how I ended up as a spur-of-the-moment BMW owner.

ANYWAY - that was in 08 and am now finally getting around to
taking the license test - my permit ran out 18 months ago so
had to take the written again, luckily I passed first try. I've been
working mostly 6x11's to 7x12's, not much time left in a day
or a week.

Just got laid off (gosh, this is wonderful! so went & took the test.

What a JOKE! The cones are set up more for a scooter than a
big road bike esp with such a high 1st gear ratio. Not a chance.

On the weave part of the test, it seemed like the cones weren't
much farther apart than the bike is long.

And for the straight line slow speed test, idling in 1st put me
thru in only 1/2 the time they have as a minimum.

Went to the local bmw dealer - he said he'd let me take a used
750 low rider out on a Demo to go take the test with. The lady at the
license testing place said I could come and practice any time,
so will definitely do that to see if the 750 is small & low enuf and a
low enuf 1st gear so I can pass it.

Yeah, I know about the safety course, but it's kind of spendy -
At least it was at the KC Harley dealer - for someone that's laid off and
no immediate job prospects. And jobs in my line of work aren't exactly
falling out of the trees in my back yard.

You'd think it would make more sense to have some kind of cc break
and a setup for bikes that people normally drive. Wouldn't that seem
to make common sense? Course, yeah, what did common sense and
any government beauracy ever have in common? Pardon the stupid
question.

I'll be there aren't many big cruisers of any brand - or crotch rockets
for that matter - that are successfully used to pass that test!! At least
unless the rider is young and all that.

Yeah, I'm old and slow, but not THAT old!

[ColumbiaBMW]

I did the Missouri test here in Columbia, MO. It wasn't too bad, the cones were very tight but the R1150R should be able to handle them. The straight line slow speed test requires feathering the clutch and using the brake quite a bit regardless of what kind of bike you're riding, so if you just go straight through in 1st gear you're going to fly through it. Let the clutch out a little, pull it back in, let it out...etc and you should be able to make it. If you're not able to pass with a little more practice, I would recommend taking a safety course. If I can remember correctly here in Missouri passing a safety course is the same as doing the test, and you can get your license by showing the DMV that you passed. Good luck!

[Lion_Lady]

Here are a couple tips: Try using 2nd gear plus clutch and rear brake together to modulate speed for the slow speed maneuvers. Keep your eyes a couple cones ahead for the weave. Trying to do almost anything slowly in first gear on our 1150s is an exercise in frustration and futility.

Get a box of Cheez-Its to use as "cones" and head to your local open parking lot for slow speed practice. No need to pick them up once you're done, and they won't disturb the bike if you run over them.

(msf-usa.org)

P

[iowabeakster]

My wife got her license about 5 years ago here in Iowa. They did allow a slightly larger square to do a U-turn for the larger bikes!

I think the tests vary from one state to another. There wasn't any slow speed test here. There was no circle test either. I got my license in Illinois, as a teenager (don't remember all that well), I am pretty sure that there was a circle test. I've never needed to retake it.

We went out and practiced a few times before she took the test. I tried over and over (and over!) to ride my R through the cones. The last cone was a fracking beeaatch!!! I did do it sucessfully a couple of times. But, I know I could not do it on the first try, as required by the test. In order for me to do it, it required: standing up... counter balancing... lots of clutch slipping...and handlebars at full lock around the cone. Crazy...

On Amy's bike it was easy.

Amy had a KZ250 at the time... she passed the test flawlessly. The old guys on big bikes all failed. You should have seen the dude on a Goldwing (leather tassels hanging from the foot boards!). SCRAAAAAAAAPE and then he tipped over. That was the very first cone.

We loaned the KZ250 to other friends to take the test.

[macx]

Well, I wasn't totally "off the bean" when I had problems.

Not glad that anyone else had problems, just didn't want to feel
like the biggest klutz around!

I'm going to go practice some with mine, I guess I'm just stubborn
enuf to try it, but at least there won't be anyone around to laugh
or feel sorry for me.

If I can't master it, maybe I can find someone who'll rent a small
bike for an afternoon.

I remember back home in MN many many years ago when that
first started, everyone even with 750's was borrowing 125's etc.

I had a little Yamaha I think it was a 175 "scrambler" I think they
called it back in the 70's - high exhaust, knobby tires, and a low
gear ratio. I could ride that thing as slow as people walk with no
problem. Wish I had it now!!

Thx for the moral support!

[WorkinMan]

I had a little Yamaha I think it was a 175 "scrambler" I think they
called it back in the 70's - high exhaust, knobby tires, and a low
gear ratio. I could ride that thing as slow as people walk with no
problem. Wish I had it now!!

That would have been a 175 "Enduro".

[NoRRmad]

In New York State, we can avoid the M/C driving test by taking a class, (though you have to navigate the same obstacle course.) As I remember, mine cost something like $180. They supplied 175cc Kawasakis, and it was touch-and-go for me on that bike. A figure-eight within a rather small box was pretty hard. I've been thinking of taking the Advanced course, which apparently is the same course, but with speed minimums, and you take it on your own bike. I seriously doubt I could do it on the Roadster; absolutely full-lock turns, with only throttle and brake control to keep you upright ain't easy, and I think traffic savvy is more important than trials-type riding...

I think the consensus is clear -- borrow a smaller bike.

[EH2Zee]

In California, you can take the MSF course. If you make it though that (4 hrs class+ 1/2 day riding + 1/2 day riding) they take that as having passed the practical test. And it's done on little 250's!

While I had ridden years ago (but not for many years while kids were growing up, etc.), I found the course to be an excellent refresher so the $250 was worth it for both that and getting through the practical test.

My thoughts, anyways.

[angellr]

Here in Utah, we have a tier-based system for licensing as follows:

Class M1: 150cc and smaller bikes/scooters
Class M2: 150 - 250cc
Class M3: 250 - 649cc
Class M: Unlimited 650cc+

Your motorcycle license depends on the size of the bike you use to get your license. In order to get an unlimited license you must take the course on your own bike 650cc or higher. I purchased a Yamaha v-star 650cc and took/passed the test on this bike. Still high-sided when I locked up the front brakes while doing a fast stop at 40mph.

Really recommend doing at least 1K miles on your bike when you get learners ... and then take the class towards the end when your learners is ready to expire.

[Dr. Strangelove]

In Louisiana is is the same as you described.
Fortunately I was riding a Vespa then and passed. I sometimes think there is no way I could have passed the test on the roadster. Maybe even now...it was that tight.

[chibbert]

Get a box of Cheez-Its to use as "cones" and head to your local open parking lot for slow speed practice. No need to pick them up once you're done, and they won't disturb the bike if you run over them.

What a great idea!

[Dr. Strangelove]

Can you use Cap'n Crunch? Lucky Stars? Or in the Bay Area, Clif Bars?
Cheez'its are so bad for your cholesterol.

[macx]

Here in Utah, we have a tier-based system for licensing as follows:

Class M1: 150cc and smaller bikes/scooters
Class M2: 150 - 250cc
Class M3: 250 - 649cc
Class M: Unlimited 650cc+

Your motorcycle license depends on the size of the bike you use to get your license. In order to get an unlimited license you must take the course on your own bike 650cc or higher. I purchased a Yamaha v-star 650cc and took/passed the test on this bike. Still high-sided when I locked up the front brakes while doing a fast stop at 40mph.

Really recommend doing at least 1K miles on your bike when you get learners ... and then take the class towards the end when your learners is ready to expire.

That makes much more sense.

I've put on nearly 10k on my roadster since I bought it, plus I've probly put on over 50k on bikes since I was 17 or so, but I absolutely never have and don't now drive one under anywhere remotely near those conditions. And I would think the larger the bike the less likely one would be to ride thru any kind of obstacle course like that. I for one have never seen anything close to that on any road I've ever been on. I would think a driving test in real world conditions would make incredibly more sense. Like one post above where the tester follows you and observes your driving while giving instructions.

[Airman]

In Louisiana is is the same as you described.
Fortunately I was riding a Vespa then and passed. I sometimes think there is no way I could have passed the test on the roadster. Maybe even now...it was that tight.

I don't see the purpose of the multiple tier system. Here in WA they have two classes. Motorcycle and Sidecar/Three wheeler
I took the NSF basic course which uses designated instructors so that the course qualifys you for the endorsment. MSF will even supply the motorcycles and helmets to take the course. That was a real advantage for me because I had no motorcycle and no gear.

I also had a hard time with the figure 8s through the cones and I was using a 250 Honda. What's the procedure when you want to move up a step on the tier ? Do you just take your bigger motorcycle down to the DMV and run the course ? Sounds like fund raising rather than safety to me. WA pushes riders to take the MSF courses by making funding available and using the designated instructors. When I took mine they also said they made every possible effort to find space for teenage riders wanting to take the course. I see a lot of lady scooter riders oout these days which is great. WA MSF now says that if you want to take the course on a scooter, if you book ahead they will provide a scooter for you. I think this is a great way to bring people into motorcycling safely and legally. I used to know more than a few people who just never bothered with getting an endorsement.

[Dr. Strangelove]

The Vespa made it possible.
I had taken the MSF also, but here it doesn't qualify as an endorsement.

[macx]

I agree the course would be a good idea, but I'm currently laid off with no immediate
solid prospects, so have to conserve my reserves for a possible extended layoff.
The ability to continue paying the mortgage for the longest possible time is of course
the priority there.

When I was working, I worked nights 6 & 7 nights a week, mostly 11 and lots of
12 hour shifts. That plus what would have been at least an hour round trip driving
to where the course was conducted in the area I was working made it practically
impossible.

[angellr]

In Louisiana is is the same as you described.
Fortunately I was riding a Vespa then and passed. I sometimes think there is no way I could have passed the test on the roadster. Maybe even now...it was that tight.

I don't see the purpose of the multiple tier system. Here in WA they have two classes. Motorcycle and Sidecar/Three wheeler

I did not say that I endorse such a tiered system ... just reporting the facts. Glad I used a 650cc. The guys on their huge rigs had serious problems on the course ... one or two even high-sided as well.

After taking the advanced course, not sure I am any better rider than before. I learned a few things - especially about stopping fast, weaving cones, figure 8's and avoiding debris in the road ... but all of that stuff comes with seat time.

Many here in the state that ride bikes DO NOT have endorsements [including my 20 yr old son and his friend] and ride anyway. The system is too time and $$$ consuming. It cost me a total of about $4-500 in time/money to get this license going through the proper channels. It was NOT as easy as one would have thought.

[Ol' Jeffers]

Cones you say..........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in3_aJbp ... r_embedded

[NoRRmad]

Wow. That guy can ride.

(But the figure-eight was bigger than the the one you have to do in the test here...)

[angellr]

Cones you say..........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in3_aJbp ... r_embedded

Now **THAT** is some kind of maneuvering!! WOW!