MC Driver's test: lessons learned

[MickED]

Otay, opening me self up for all the backlash, but here goes:
Have put on nearly 400 miles on me c-50 that I got 3 weeks ago, with my temp MC permit (no nights, no freeways, no passengers). Have practiced all the slow speed stuff I thought necessary to do the driver's test here in WA state.
Got there early, met and practiced with a number of riders. The slow speed slalom consisted of 5 cones. The first was 15 ft from start, the rest 12 ft apart with numbers 2, 4 offset by 2 feet. This was difficult for any of us with longer, bigger cruisers. BUT after numerous practice runs, I and the few others did quite well.
All those in the <500cc range made it through the 7 drills without problems and passed. The guy in the Harley Dyna with all the mods (bored, custom pipes, chrome & goodies) failed early and did not finish. A number of riders there brought smaller bikes to do the course from the ones they normally ride. In WA state there is no size difference in licensing.
I was last to go, no one around. Drill #1: go at slow speed about 45 ft, make sharp left turn (90 degree) then continue the turn and stop with front wheel in the box. "No problema" says I, only to drop me bike! BOY was I p*ssed to say the least. Test over!
Now that I look back at it I made 2 mistakes: #1; I feared putting my foot down if needed (so I didn't) as there would be a deduction right off the bat and #2; I gently squeezed the front brake ever so slightly in the midst of the turn and sure enough, the bike went down - test over!
Happily no damage done to me bike, just me ego.
After the inspector left, I nailed each station without a problem. Since then, I have practiced my "friction zone" stuff more, use of the back brake, worked on balance at low speed, and set up me own offset courses numerous times.
We all learn from mistakes. This opened me eyes for me to work on basics more. Happy it was in a controlled arena and not in some parking lot with an inattentive driver pulling out in front o'me! HAH
Love me bike, love the learning, admitting me mistakes and learning from those. It's all good fer sure. Take the test again in two more days.
Now I have nearly 600 miles (yeah, check up soon) in all weather: rain, cold, hot, windy, etc., and nearly all conditions (congested city, lonely winding backroads, gentle cruising country roads, state highways, etc.) and loving every minute of it!
See ya,
Mick

[SVZuki]

the clutch is your friend, learn to use it well.

[dragbar]

Been many years, but I remember getting 2 points off for putting a foot down on the slow speed weave. Figured 2 points was better than dropping it..hehe.

Did get a warning and a repeat during the hard stop because we had to get up to about 30mph and had to shift into 2nd with a full clutch pull then stop in the cones. Well I speed shifted, got reprimanded and had to repeat that exercise but passed.

I hate test though, no matter how much experience I get nervous with someone grading me.

[BigD]

Why not take the MSF, Basic Riders Course. http://www.msf-usa.org/
Most states will waive the riding portion of the license testing if you bring in your certificate of completion. It's a win/win situation all around.

[Catherine]

Originally Posted by BigD

Why not take the MSF, Basic Riders Course. http://www.msf-usa.org/
Most states will waive the riding portion of the license testing if you bring in your certificate of completion. It's a win/win situation all around.

Thanks for the honest appraisal of the test...

unfortunately in reno there are no more classes until spring- so i think i shall keep MY learners permit till then and take the class- i would get to nervous with someone grading me too- lol

Catherine

[inspiron]

The point of the learner's permit is to learn. You should get enough experience that you can perform the necessary maneuvers with confidence. You shouldn't care if anyone is watching you - since there is almost ALWAYS someone watching. If not the inspector at the DMV, then it's some kid (or guy) in front of the store where you just pulled in.

Don't worry about who's watching - just know how to do the maneuvers correctly. On slow-speed stuff, the front brake is TABU! Don't touch it - it's an express ticket to the pavement. As was said above, use the clutch and gas to control your speed, and if you must, use the rear brake to stablize your line. As you gain experience and confidence, you should be using the brake less and the clutch more. And don't freak out the first time you hear metal scraping on the ground! The trick is to look where you want to be in about 2 seconds - the bike will follow your eyes. Keep your head up and your eyes moving - don't fixate.

[Clint]

Kudos for trying the test and taking it seriously, Mick. I'd venture a guess that the guy on the blingin' Hardley won't be back and will ride illegally for years. Just a guess.

You'll nail it next time.

[Catherine]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Kudos for trying the test and taking it seriously, Mick. I'd venture a guess that the guy on the blingin' Hardley won't be back and will ride illegally for years. Just a guess.

You'll nail it next time.

The harley owner will prob borrow a friends street legal 250cc and get it the second time

[MagnumForce]

Whether you ride a blinged-out Harley, a high performance sportbike, or a fully dressed tourer with all the bells and whistles, your chances of passing will be severely diminished. These tests are designed with smaller displacement bikes in mind. The smart thing to do in this case is to buy, borrow, or rent a 250cc bike (or a 125cc Kawi Eliminator). Familiarize yourself with it, ride it, then test with it. These bikes are easier to control and will not bog down at lower speeds. Otherwise, I second BigD's suggestion to take the MSF BRC, especially if a time slot is available in the near future. Good luck Mick, and hope to see you on the highways and boulevards soon!

[MickED]

I initially was thinking of using a smaller bike for the test after my less than ideal first go around. My confidence was low and I was so bummed. It kind of soothed me to find out that over 80% of first time testers using cruisers/other big bikes fail as well.

I have changed my tune now. With lots of slow speed practice, setting up an even more difficult offset weave, doing figure 8's, circles, etc. I went back to the test site and nailed each of 7 drills without error three times in a row.
The head and eyes, looking up and ahead, use of the clutch and rear brake made all the difference in the world. I told me wife that if I am going to ride this bike correctly, then this is what I was going to use for the test.

Can't blame others for going smaller for the test, but not for me.
I'll post results after I retake it this Friday.
Thanks for all the support, appreciated!
Mick

Originally Posted by EZridr1

Whether you ride a blinged-out Harley, a high performance sportbike, or a fully dressed tourer with all the bells and whistles, your chances of passing will be severely diminished. These tests are designed with smaller displacement bikes in mind. The smart thing to do in this case is to buy, borrow, or rent a 250cc bike (or a 125cc Kawi Eliminator). Familiarize yourself with it, ride it, then test with it. These bikes are easier to control and will not bog down at lower speeds. Otherwise, I second BigD's suggestion to take the MSF BRC, especially if a time slot is available in the near future. Good luck Mick, and hope to see you on the highways and boulevards soon!

[md2lgyk]

In WA state there is no size difference in licensing.

Really? I wonder when that changed. When I lived in WA there were three "classes" of license based on engine size. You got the endorsement for whatever size of bike you used to take the test. Even though I already had a motorcycle endorsement when I moved there, WA at the time wouldn't accept any other state's endorsement.

[MickED]

Originally Posted by md2lgyk

Really? I wonder when that changed. When I lived in WA there were three "classes" of license based on engine size. You got the endorsement for whatever size of bike you used to take the test. Even though I already had a motorcycle endorsement when I moved there, WA at the time wouldn't accept any other state's endorsement.

Not sure when that changed. I'm thinking it could have been a cost cutting measure as compliance issues, multiple testings, enforcement, etc.
Safety-wise, I think it would be better with multiple endorsements since a 125 is not a 500 is not a 750 or greater. Weight, handling, power, etc is so much different.
If I remember, there was one for over 500 and one for under. If you qualified with >500 then you could ride whatever, if <500 then you were not legal with bigger bikes.
Oh well, it's on to the test Friday with me c-50, bags, windshield, and all! HAH
Mick

[Catherine]

We also have a 87 savage with nothing added to it, (no we dont have MBD) which i was thinking of using to take the test with, however i think i will take the class in the spring anyway, will be good for me and get me my full license to boot

[St0nkingByte]

Its a shame the test is giving you so much heartburn. The MSF would smooth things over for you pretty well and provide you with the skills you need on the road at the same time.

Good low speed control is the key to riding well. People who think the test has nothing to do with riding on the freeway are just being ignorant. Here are some general tips for the test that are sort of already in the thread but I'll list them so its more clear:

• Keep your head up
• Look where you want the bike to go and it will go there
• Look where you want to go even if it means swiveling your head around like Linda Blair in the Exorcist!
• Did I say look where you want the bike to go?
• Never look down, if look at the ground that is where you will end up
• In a low speed turn shift your weight in the saddle to the outside of the turn to counterbalance and allow you to lean the bike more without falling over
• Use the clutch and the rear brake to control your speed at low speeds
• Never touch the front brake during a low speed turn, it will literally suck you to the ground like you'd activated a giant magnet

There are a bunch of other skills the MSF teaches that arn't required to pass the test. I'd suggest getting the books Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling and reading them repeatedly if you absolutely can't take the MSF. You may also want to take the Advanced Rider Course after you have some experience under your belt. I've heard they're pretty good at helping you overcome bad habits you pickup when you're self-taught.

[Clint]

That's some good thinking, Mick. Learning your bike will make you a safer rider.

[Nexus242]

use the rear brake more at slow speeds along with quick and nimble fingers on the clutch and throttle.

[Mavman]

When I took the test a guy showed up on a brand new enduro, as we practiced before the test he obviously was using too much front brake AND kept bringing the rear tire way off the ground I was da$$ surprised he didn't bring it over on himself....well, he settled down and when the actual test took place he passed, so yeah turn a blind eye and mind off to everyone else and focus.

[Scourge]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

That's some good thinking, Mick. Learning your bike will make you a safer rider.

True d'at.

[MickED]

Originally Posted by Nexus242

use the rear brake more at slow speeds along with quick and nimble fingers on the clutch and throttle.

Yup, fer sure.
Problem I just today encountered while practicing offset cones: being a bit long in the leg (6'1"), when I go almost to lock to right with foot on rear brake, the right bar hits me knee. I am working on putting that knee out so I can go full lock to right without touching me knee. Have to counter balance a bit more that way however. Not a problem to left since leg is lower and more centered on floorboard....
Take it tomorry,
See ya,
Mick

[MickED]

A smaller group than last week with 8. All but one or two in >750cc cruisers. All passed that I am aware of.
How did I do? 94% with one six point deduction for puttin' me foot down after I did the slow offset weave! Cool! The tester even asked me what the heck happened as I did so well. I told him with a "test anxiety".
Things I learned: more head and eye looks, use clutch/throttle, easy pressure on rear brake, get a good lean for nice tight turns, never, never, never touch that front brake in slow turns!
Looking forward to more practice, now that the test is over, it is all for fun, experience, technique improvements!
Cool indeed!
Yours,
Mick