Topic: I passed!

[Rushoid]

It was ugly but I passed my riding test Saturday. WOOHOO!!!

What's really sad is on my way home I stalled the engine at a traffic light, then rode the next 4 miles with the left turn signal on.   

[BobbyR]

You were basking in the glow of sucess. You didn't stall you we testing for clutch slip.

[ChrisR]

Well done Rushoid. I rode around with my turn signals left on for about two weeks before I calmed down enough to remember to turn them off.

[dusterdude]

excellent!!!

[Rushoid]

You were basking in the glow of sucess. You didn't stall you we testing for clutch slip.

Um, yeah. That's what I meant.

I hadn't left the signal on in a long time, but I guess I got flustered because I was turning left at the light when I sta.... tested the clutch.  

[ProTeal55]

I actually failed my riding test, but I pleaded with the woman to let me pass becasue I worked at a bike shop at the time, and said if I didnt pass i would get fired 

She let me pass 

[Rushoid]

I actually failed my riding test, but I pleaded with the woman to let me pass becasue I worked at a bike shop at the time, and said if I didnt pass i would get fired 

She let me pass 

Why am I reminded of the movie "Kingpin" when Woddy Harrelson's character couldn't pay his rent? 

[siter81]

[

Why am I reminded of the movie "Kingpin" when Woody Harrelson's character couldn't pay his rent? 

I hope that wasn't the case with the female examiner? I mean the payoff part.

Funny movie




Siter81     

[Gordon]

What's the road test like in Indiana?  I lucked out being in Texas when I got my endorsement.  All I had to do was ride around the block with my best friend driving my car behind me and the trooper riding shotgun.  Shoulder checks, turn signals, didn't fall over, you passed!!

[nickjtc]

Congrats. It's always good to hear another success story.

FWIW the road test here in BC involves: the examinee with a radio in his/her reflective vest pocket, with external speaker. Followed by a chase car with driver and examiner. The examiner communicates with the examinee via radio to tell him/her where to turn. The test is too long for the examinee to be expected to remember the route. Twice during the test the examinee is pulled over and got off the bike, and asked to point out potential hazards at that point (parked cars, blind driveways, pedestrians etc etc). Total riding time is about 45 minutes.

[ProTeal55]

The Illinois test is a #$%* !
They have this "course" painted behind most of the DMV's  , which you have to complete some maneuver's in order to get your M license.
The first are simple, like they make you ride a big 90 turn and you have to stay within two lines (cant stall the bike).
Another is to get going atleast 15mph and stop with the front wheel in a box (cant stall the bike).
Another is to ride under 5pmh and not put your foot down (cant stall the bike).
The #$%* is this cone obstacle course which is nearly impossible on anything other than a 600 sportbike (the part I failed on).
More people have dropped their bikes doing this then rather put their foot down.

But, I passed and I don't have to ever do that again (thank god)

[aptech77]

#$%*! I heard it sucked. I got my permit last week(finally), but have not practiced to take the road test yet. 

[ProTeal55]

APTECH77 --->
Do yourself the favour and do one of the few courses in the city.
I have heard that RideChicago is the best.
They provide the bike and the instruction, and you take a "version" of the IL riders course their, which I hear is MUCH
easier than the crap I went thru.

Worth looking into...

[aptech77]

THX!

[nickjtc]

I neglected to mention that before you can take your road test here in BC you have to pass what is called a 'Skills Test', which takes place on a parking lot.

You have to show the examiner that you can push your bike, and in the course of doing so you push it through a full-lock left hand turn to measure it's turning diameter. The test is set up based on that measurement, so that you are not penalised if you are riding a cruiser.

The test itself starts with a straight line ride with the examiner walking beside you, looking to make sure that you are using the friction zone of the clutch. You stop in a marked stop box and then do a left hand U-turn, staying inside a designated area, based on the turning circle of the bike + 1.5 metres. The U-turn is followed by a 5 cone slalom. You then repeat the above, preceded by a left hand 90 degree turn.

The 'faster' part of the test starts with a right hand 90 degree turn followed by straight line acceleration to 25/30kph, controlled braking into a full right hand U-turn, acceleration again, finishing with a controlled sudden stop (at the visual command of the examiner) using both brakes, stopping without squealing the tyres, and in first gear. Repeat. Done

Takes about 8 miuntes, including debrief.

[gar]

Congrats! 
BTW...File this in your grey matter now.... if you ever move, MAKE SURE YOU TRANSFER YOUR CYCLE ENDORSEMENT ON YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE.  It doesn't automatically transfer!

I remember my MSF class and exam back in the 80's.  I had my $200 '73 Kaw 750 triple back then...boy, I sure wish I still had that bike.

[ProTeal55]

BTW...File this in your grey matter now.... if you ever move, MAKE SURE YOU TRANSFER YOUR CYCLE ENDORSEMENT ON YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE. It doesn't automatically transfer!

Thats a big thing to remember.
When I recently got my license renewed, they forgot to transfer over my M license, and luckily I caught it before I left the DMV. I have had a few friends who had this happen to them, and they had to re-do the entire riders test 

[JohnnyB]

I took the MSF course about a week and a half ago and I'm using that to get my license (just waiting for it to come in the mail). 

Now I need to get the 650 running reliably so I can ride.

[nickjtc]

I took the MSF course about a week and a half ago and I'm using that to get my license (just waiting for it to come in the mail). 
Now I need to get the 650 running reliably so I can ride.

Good for you. I guess in your part of the world you can ride through the winter....?

[JohnnyB]

Good for you. I guess in your part of the world you can ride through the winter....?

Oh yeah,  I'm in SoCal.     Year round riding season Woo Hoo!

[nickjtc]

Oh yeah,  I'm in SoCal.     Year round riding season Woo Hoo!

We get to look at, and if we're lucky, work on, our bikes for those cold winter months.

[putnaja1]

It was ugly but I passed my riding test Saturday. WOOHOO!!!

What's really sad is on my way home I stalled the engine at a traffic light, then rode the next 4 miles with the left turn signal on.   

Congrats man!  I took my test when I was 18- I had the bike for weeks before, and I was cruising around in parking lots, etc.  I was so excited to take the test, I thought I did great (I had been riding dirt bikes for years before!), but the lady administering the test thought I looked a little shakey- she asked me to take an unscripted manuver after the test- to drive straight for 50 yards, then do a tight U-turn, then come back.  I made the U-turn, but wobbled a bit and almost had to put my foot down.  She failed me!  I came back the next week, took the test, and a different lady this time- she didn't even watch me!  Passed that time!

[Raul CB750K1]

I took the test with a Harley V-Rod on the back of the DMV building in Nashville... what a fine day. 

No big deal, I already had my spanish driving license. The american exam, both car and bike, was like a joke compared to spanish exams. Even though, spanish exams doesn't guarantee that the ones who pass are actually able to ride or drive safe. I guess the governments simply believe in the "survival of the fittest".


Raul

[Rushoid]

What's the road test like in Indiana?  I lucked out being in Texas when I got my endorsement.  All I had to do was ride around the block with my best friend driving my car behind me and the trooper riding shotgun.  Shoulder checks, turn signals, didn't fall over, you passed!!

Seriously? That's funny!

The test in Indiana is a lot like ProTeal said. Here's a link: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-training/motorcycle-test/
When I started the slalom I left at a bad angle and it screwed up my timing. I put my foot down and missed the last cone. I aced everything else (got a little sideways on the brake test  ) but thought I failed because of the slalom. I parked the bike, dejected, and went to pick up my paperwork. The guy stamped it as "valid" and I asked, "I passed?" "Yup" he grunted. Good enough for me, I got the hell out of there - it was 87, sunny, on a black parking lot, and I'd been standing out there for 2.5 hours. I was 12th in line of 25. I felt sorry for the last few.

I really wanted to take the MSF class but it just hasn't been in the cards this year. $75 vs $10. Plus, it's hard to get in one that isn't months down the road. I can't plan that far ahead. I still want to take it so maybe I can in the Spring.

[GraveRobber]

The Illinois test is a #$%* !
They have this "course" painted behind most of the DMV's  , which you have to complete some maneuver's in order to get your M license.
The first are simple, like they make you ride a big 90 turn and you have to stay within two lines (cant stall the bike).
Another is to get going atleast 15mph and stop with the front wheel in a box (cant stall the bike).
Another is to ride under 5pmh and not put your foot down (cant stall the bike).
The #$%* is this cone obstacle course which is nearly impossible on anything other than a 600 sportbike (the part I failed on).
More people have dropped their bikes doing this then rather put their foot down.
But, I passed and I don't have to ever do that again (thank god)

That is like the Ohio test I took 20 years ago.  I did it on my CB750 chopper. I was a last min. entry and a LOT of people stayed around to watch me go through the course on my big bike. Most of them had small bikes and a lot of them failed the test. What they didn't know was that I had gone to the examination station after they had closed for the day, months before and had measured the course, then went and painted a duplicate course on the back parking lot of my dad's church. I would spend my evenings riding the course till I knew exactly how to get through it. I passed with a score of 95 out of 100 and a lot of slack jaws watching!

[Jv550]

I can't even pass the damn written test! Who writes these things? One of the answers I got wrong was on a question of how to "cross tracks that run parallel to your course"  - "Move away, then turn and cross at an angle..." Move what away? Guess i'll be spending more time at the DMV...

[Bob Wessner]

I can't even pass the damn written test! Who writes these things? One of the answers I got wrong was on a question of how to "cross tracks that run parallel to your course"  - "Move away, then turn and cross at an angle..." Move what away? Guess i'll be spending more time at the DMV...

Ask them back, "Why would I want to cross tracks that are running parallel to my course?"

I always try to cross them as close to a right angle to the tracks myself. If at anything less than a right angle and it's wet out, watch out!