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BeAtheistItsFun

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Skills test
« on: August 31, 2011, 10:18:00 AM »
Hey guys  i am preparing to go get my motorcycle endorsement for the first time and wondering what i should expect, from the written and fromthe skills test... i have been riding dirtbikes for the past 12 years so i am fairly competent in the skills department and was just curious

thanks

chaz
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2011, 10:44:14 AM »
Take the local MSF course near you, there were people that rode for years in my class, plus you get to practice the actual course test before you take it.

I found it to be good information that i put to use daily.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2011, 12:17:12 PM »
Quote from: Industrial-sized Dukiedook on August 31, 2011, 10:44:14 AM
Take the local MSF course near you, there were people that rode for years in my class, plus you get to practice the actual course test before you take it.

I found it to be good information that i put to use daily.
+100
and some states actually subsidize the course. 
I think i paid $125, and you get your endorsement at the end of the course.  its worth it.
a few dirt bike riders were in my class. 
because of their trail riding experience, they excelled in the tight radius,'counter-balancing' turns.  takes a while for a newby to get the hang of stuff like this, but course helps you nail it.

the written test.  use common sense and you'll pass.
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BeAtheistItsFun

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2011, 12:42:07 PM »
Quote from: flybox1 on August 31, 2011, 12:17:12 PM
Quote from: Industrial-sized Dukiedook on August 31, 2011, 10:44:14 AM
Take the local MSF course near you, there were people that rode for years in my class, plus you get to practice the actual course test before you take it.

I found it to be good information that i put to use daily.
+100
and some states actually subsidize the course. 
I think i paid $125, and you get your endorsement at the end of the course.  its worth it.
a few dirt bike riders were in my class. 
because of their trail riding experience, they excelled in the tight radius,'counter-balancing' turns.  takes a while for a newby to get the hang of stuff like this, but course helps you nail it.

the written test.  use common sense and you'll pass.





im looking more advice that wont take 6 months to follow if you catch my drift
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2011, 12:48:22 PM »
Nah, the couse is like two or so days over the weekend usually and they provide bikes to ride on.
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BeAtheistItsFun

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2011, 01:03:05 PM »
is that stuff gonna be on the basic skills test to get an endorsement? or would i be alright with what i know now, to get the license... i just want to get it done and over with and i dont have a lot of money (most of it is going o make the bike operational... i just need to know what the skills are that are on the test, i.e. cornering, swerving, accelerating, going over the parts of the bike and whatnot....
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2011, 01:10:05 PM »
Dirtbike skills are good to have, I had some before I had taken the MSF class, the class really did help a lot.
The class helps with a lot of things that could potentially happen on the street and highway and how to deal with them.

The basic skills test and written will never touch on the useful things you will learn at an MSF class.

If you studied your state motorcycle handbook you could pass the written and probably the skills test. It isn't that hard.

The MSF class taught me a lot of stuff I might potentially have to learn the hard way, and with my bikes I don't want to have to learn the hard way.
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BeAtheistItsFun

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2011, 01:14:43 PM »
I can understand that and i may one day take that class once my back is finished and i have a bit more cash to spend on other things... i just want the damn thing to run lol
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2011, 01:16:19 PM »
Here's some more info:

http://www.dmv.org/in-indiana/motorcycle-license.php#If_You_Have_a_License

And I bet you could get more specifics either on the Indiana DMV website or by calling, if needed.  If you already have a regular driver's license and have extensive experience on dirt bikes, then I doubt the "behind the wheel" test is going to be something you'll have trouble passing.  But considering that the class is only $75 and it exempts you from the road test, I don't see any good reason not to go that route.  It's only one weekend and you might actually learn a few things that could save your skin down the line. 
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2011, 01:21:38 PM »
Oh, yeah, passing the skills test and written at the MSF class gives you an M endorsement, forgot to make that clear.
 
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BeAtheistItsFun

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2011, 01:22:30 PM »
I already checked the courses out, and they are all full up and i do not know when they will free up again
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Offline Damfino

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2011, 02:00:09 PM »
Quote from: BeAtheistItsFun on August 31, 2011, 01:22:30 PM
I already checked the courses out, and they are all full up and i do not know when they will free up again

Stop making excuses! You can take a written test at the BMV which will give you a 'permit' to ride for one year. (Provided you wear safety gear and don't ride at night) Then next spring you can sign up early for one of the courses before they get filled up. Just do it, it's the best $75.00 I ever spent! ;)
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BeAtheistItsFun

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2011, 02:18:41 PM »
im not waiting a year!!!!
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Offline the technological J

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2011, 02:33:53 PM »
in PA we had a book i picked up at the DMV....Free... here we didnt have to pay the 10 bucks if we failed.... i would take test
it was technical things like both feet planted at a stop sign and proper hand signaling how close to ride with other riders.... i wouldnt worry to much get your permit and at least it will get you on the road... then decide in the spring if you wanna take the saftey course
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BeAtheistItsFun

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2011, 02:45:45 PM »
I appreciate all the help guys thank you, i think i will at least take the written and get my permit and then figure out what to do...
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Offline gane

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2011, 07:40:03 PM »
B, Just a tip. Get the manual offered at the DMV for whatever written test you'll be taking. read & absorbe it as best you can,,, then take the written  test from what you can recall. The DMV usually has  2 -3 different  writtten tests for M/C licensing, & the questions will ALL be from the manual, (whether these answers are correct or not is debatable) Play the game & get your' licence. The "grader" has no option, either the square in his/her overlay is "blacked" or not. it does no good to explain the differences of weight distribution while braking /or the visual advantages /possible oil in lane diffrences to a "bean counter", In the "riding" portion,  ride a "conservitvly" as possible to meet criteria. graders are observing not only your'ability, but your' apolmb. ending an "acceleration" test with a "stoppie" won't get you "brownie points". show up w/ good gear, boots, gloves helmet, ( not full-race leathers) Again, you just want to get legal, not a ticket... Luck G
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Offline pknopp

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2011, 05:19:55 AM »
 I took the written (no longer written, it's on a computer) test twice. Around here it's only good for 90 days. Anyway, it's just common sense. I never read the manual, nut I will admit that it would help, and passed it easily. Here there were 25 questions and you only have to get 18 or 19 right. I think I got to 21 and the test quit. She said that I had passed enough to qualify. I mentioned to her that it would be nice to allow it to finish out because I might have learned something.
 
 Anyway, unless you absolutely do not belong on the road you'll pass that part.
 
 The riding course around here is one day. They also provide the bikes and you get your full license at the end. O.K., I hate to admit this but.......I rode for years without the endorsement. LOL The riding test mostly was just slow speed turns in a pylon course. If you make it through, your bike passes inspection and you have all your safety equipment on, you pass as long as you DO NOT put a foot down.
 
 Put a foot down and you fail. It's best to take the test on a smaller bike.
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Offline 70CB750

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Re: Skills test
« Reply #17 on: September 03, 2011, 05:48:34 AM »
I talked to DMV few  times.  I have a valid International license + Czech driver's license for motorcycle, car, truck, tractor, but when we moved to USA, I got only car license to keep things simple, since I was sooo green from the boat, I mean Jumbo.

Anyway, DMV manager told me I can pass with just the written test and eyes, since I have a valid M and can prove it.  Of course, when I showed up, the girl at the counter would hear nothing of it and there was a different manager who said it does not work that way.  After stressing my point little bit, they carried  me out of the DMV building and locked me up for 10 days.
Just kidding, I gave up and took the knowledge test, passed 100% and applied for learner's permit which I have now and in 30 days I will try to pass the practical test.

Over in Czech and Europe I rode total  20 000 miles or so first on CZ250 and later on Honda CBX750 - Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France,  Benelux and such.  With my wife we made it from Paris to Prague in two  days, talk about sore butt, LOL.

I tried to explain to the DMV manager that I can legally rent and drive motorcycle across USA using just my International+Czech license combo but the mighty DMV will not recognize it as a prove of my skills; he failed to see my point :(

According to VA brochure, the skill test has 4 parts:

- Sharp left turn
- Cone weave and Right U turn
- Braking quickly
- Swerve


« Last Edit: September 03, 2011, 05:51:45 AM by 70CB750 »
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