Get your license!

[tlwisner]

After reading numerous posts on other forums by people who own medium or large bikes and complain about how they have yet again failed their riding test for a motorcycle license - I understand where all of these crash reports are coming from.

The riding test in most US States is really very easy for somebody with basic riding skills. That's by design, if you don't pass the riding test, you really need to either improve your skills or forget motorcycling.

In all of the states, and Canada too from what I read here, training is widely available. The MSF BRC course doesn't make you a super rider, but it gets you started in the right direction and makes just about anybody a better rider.

The big complaint I hear from DMV failed riders is about how impossible the figure 8s are - and there's no way they're gonna lay there big new shiny bike down trying to figure 8. I saw it first hand several years ago when I got my M license - a guy on a Vulcan 500 who was so afraid to lean his bike that he had zero chance of getting a license. Judging from his riding, he'd have not much chance of taking a corner either.

My girlfriend took the MSF-BRC course a couple years ago, and I took it with her. She had horrible riding skills, quite scary. During the course, she dumped her bike twice. On Sunday, with the support of the great instructors, she pulled it together and passed the riding test. She has her M license.

So, if you're renewing your permit because the riding test is too hard - do yourself a really big favor and get some training. Not only will you get your license, you'll get some skills that might save your a$$.

And maybe a big expensive shiny bike is not the best thing to start with. The H-D shop here is always full of newbie mistakes.

[TechJD]

Thats why I plan on taking my test on my sons KZ440
it's over 100 lbs lighter than my bike
not that I cant make the moves with mine but figure less likely to make a mistake with a lighter bike, incase I get a little nerious

as a note: I havent taken the MSF class but 2 of my kids have
and I got to sit in on the class, just from watching them on the course I have noticed changes in my riding and an improvment in handeling ability. If you know someone taking the class you can go with them to the riding part of the course part for "Moral Support"
and watch, granted it's not as good as taking the course, even some expericaned riders that were there for "Moral Support" for someone taking the course said they werent sure they could do some of it. And about half of those I ask had to idea what counter steering was.

So if you cant take the class atleast go watch what they do on the range part and try it yourself in a parking lot.

also they have an online test at http://msf-usa.org/CourseReview/Ques...rCourse%20Info
try it you might be supprised, there are 3 test take then in any order but take all 3, then it will give you a final score, they say if you can pass this review you can pass the writen part

[SilverInliner]

I liked those tests. I got 46 out of 48 correct.

[inspiron]

I totally agree with Tim (which isn't always the case!)

I offer newbies maneuver training in my area. To ride a bike here, you MUST have a license and insurance. And to get your license, you must pass a written (theory) test, take a first-aid refresher course, a basic training course offered by an accredited driving instructor, and pass a maneuver and road test. Part of the maneuver test is circles and figure-8s.

With some basic instruction (less than 10 minutes) and some practice, anyone can master slow-speed maneuvers like figure-8s and circles. They aren't hard, and this isn't just some stupid thing you do to pass the test but never use on the street. I ride slow-speed circles all the time - doing a U-turn on a dead-end street, riding in a parking lot, etc.

There's a saying that I hear often over here: Anyone can ride fast, but only a good biker can ride slow. Go watch your local squid- and poser-club meeting sometime. Watch how much trouble they have just parking their bikes, or navigating slowly through the crowds.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

GREAT THREAD!

I took the MSF and got my license Nov of '05. Got my C50 about a month later. Those slow-speed manuevers are VERY helpful. A rider is not going to do a figure-8 or slow-circles out in heavy traffice, but the skills I've developed, and continue to develop, at slow speeds really build confidence and good habits for my commute to/from work during rush hour. Just because you're hardly moving doesn't mean you can't get in trouble.

If you can't pass the DMV riding test, it's probably for the better that you weren't given your license. I still had a lot to learn before getting comfortable on the bike even after I passed the test and got my M-license (heck, I've only begun to learn and will consider myself a noob for a long time). I've now had my license for several months and can tell you from the noob perspective: if you can not pass the DMV riding test, DON'T get mad. Keep practicing and don't ride the public streets because you DO NOT belong there.

[italian biker]

In Ohio, the passing msf course qualifies you to get your M license without need to take the test at a state testing location. For 25 bucks in Ohio, it's more then worth it for the knowledge gained. Those little nighthawks can really turn sharp. And speaking of figure 8's, what I saw in the class was people tried to make them really small and not utilize the whole box they were allowed. Those were the ones that had to put a foot down. I used the whole box and passed with a perfect score.

[Mute]

Originally Posted by italian biker

In Ohio, the passing msf course qualifies you to get your M license without need to take the test at a state testing location. For 25 bucks in Ohio, it's more then worth it for the knowledge gained. Those little nighthawks can really turn sharp. And speaking of figure 8's, what I saw in the class was people tried to make them really small and not utilize the whole box they were allowed. Those were the ones that had to put a foot down. I used the whole box and passed with a perfect score.

IL is the same, as are most states I believe. Take the course and pass it and you dont have a written or rideing test at the DMV. And here at least, the only way you can fail the MSF course is if you dont want your liscense or if you drop the bike.

I took my test at the DMV before I took the MSF course on a 94 CBR 600. If you are gonna do the same and have a problem with weaving thru the cones, speed up a little, it really helps!

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Mute

IL is the same, as are most states I believe. Take the course and pass it and you dont have a written or rideing test at the DMV. And here at least, the only way you can fail the MSF course is if you dont want your liscense or if you drop the bike.

Here (KY) you have to pass a riding test (and the incredibly simple written test) to get your license waiver. Most people in my class passed, a few did not. I passed, but I already had my license from passing the DMV test. It does save me 10% on insurance for 3 years. It's time to do the ERC now...

[Rockhead]

IMO The test they conduct here for your M license is a joke. And if you can’t pass this basic riding test you don’t belong on the streets. If you’re having problems passing the test, go into vacant parking lot and practice a half hour a day, for a few days. By the end of the week you should have no problems passing. Heck, when I brought my bike out of winter storage and took that first ride after four months off, man I felt green. Within the first couple of miles I found myself back in a parking lot refreshing the basics.

[robertc729]

Got my license and took the MSF course.

[Newbie Rider]

"Ride Like a Pro IV" video; best investment I've made. It will show you how easy it is to control a bike at slow speeds. If you are one of those that think that a figure 8 is impossible on a big cruiser, get the video, practice, practice, and you'll laugh at the license test.

[BOSS750]

I have the Ride like a pro (Learn to Ride The Easy Way) Its helped me alot also

[Philly Rider]

Can't resist to put in a good word for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and how they work the MFS-BR course. The MSF-BR course is free of charge to anyone with a vaild car drivers license. The MSF course instructors (usually a local bike shop) supplies you with the bike (generally a Honda Rebel 250) and a helmet, so no worries about laying down your shinny new bike. After successful completion of the course the MSF instructor stamps your motorcycle permit and the Commonwealth then turns that into a vaild motorcyle license.

Pennsylvania does a lot of things backwords but they do the MSF course right!

[ThumperWabbt]

Originally Posted by Newbie Rider

"Ride Like a Pro IV" video; best investment I've made.

Good to know; I've got my license but ordered the DVD 2 days ago and am just awaiting its arrival (well, of it and my bike...)

[BOSS750]

Originally Posted by Philly Rider

Can't resist to put in a good word for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and how they work the MFS-BR course. The MSF-BR course is free of charge to anyone with a vaild car drivers license. The MSF course instructors (usually a local bike shop) supplies you with the bike (generally a Honda Rebel 250) and a helmet, so no worries about laying down your shinny new bike. After successful completion of the course the MSF instructor stamps your motorcycle permit and the Commonwealth then turns that into a vaild motorcyle license.

Pennsylvania does a lot of things backwords but they do the MSF course right!

Military so I'll take it for free but first I'm getting my license since it's course seems alot easier plus I'm in no rush to get it I'm in practice mode at least until June.

[BlueMax]

Great-Thread. I took the MSF-BRC on Monday and Tuesday, passed the state's written test (using the knowledge I gained from the MSF-BRC) on Wednesday morning, picked up my new baby and rode it home Wednesday evening. I would not have been able to accomplish this without the MSF-BRC. The MSF-BRC gave me the confidences and knowledge to do it.

Good luck and safe riding,
Blue Max

[tlwisner]

To all you guys and girls (BlueMax, et al) who took the MSF class, or other organized training - Congratulations and You Rock! In Kentucky, only 10% of motorcyclists have participated in any training program. It's a small price to pay and a small investment in time compared to the dividends.

[SNAFU]

Taking the Safety Course is Mandatory here. Also you have to have had (or wait) for 9 months after your learners license before you can decide to take your full license. You can not ride at night or have any passengers during this time or if you only have a learners license. We have a Helmet law too.

This Graduated licensing also is in effect for cagers as well. We also have a Seat Belt Law.

[BillyBumbler]

Here is CA you fail the test for one mistake. If your front wheel touches the line in the figure 8 but you did everything else right, you fail. Of course it depends on how lenient your dmv guy or gal happens to be. You can make quite a few errors in the final riding exam for MSF, including completely flubbing the U-turn section, and a few other screw ups to boot, and still pass with flying colors. The first way is free and the second way will cost you a couple C notes minimum. The descrepency in standards is interesting. I wish someone could explain that to me.

[BOSS750]

Anyone ever took the drivers course at the DMV in Virginia? I have the manual but it says nothing about doing the figure 8 to get your license. But since I'm in the military I also have to take the safety course on base and I'm sure they have you do the figure 8. My question is about how wide/long is the box you have to stay within?