[skull2007]

i'm going to be taking my driving test here one of these days. here in pa you have to do a "figure eight". guys with bigger bikes have been known to use a friends smaller bikes for the test (mine is a hertiage raked 7% and extended 4"). kinda used to think that was o.k to do that til i read a article in a bike magizine whereas the guy really blasted anyone who would ever be tested on anyones bike but there own. the more i think on it, the more i think he's right. really feelin like i'd be betraying my ole faithful buddy i'd would really value and like to hear the opion of this forum on this.

[kenfuzed]

Here in California we have that similar test, riding a super slow figure-8 thats confined within a larger circle. I consider myself a fairly proficient rider but my heavy cruiser with wide beach bars is no match for that test. Luckily here you only have to take that test once when getting your license, not for renewal. I've been told by many in my area that the DMV testers tell most on big bikes they have a 90% chance of failing. If at any time during the test you lift your foot off the peg or touch down the test is over.

Many of the local dealers in my area rent out little Buell Blasts just for taking the test.

Since I rode for many years without my MC endorcement (yeah yeah, I know, bad Ken!), I finally sucked it up and decided to get legal several years ago. There is a rider safety program here and if you take the program it waives having to perform that figure 8 test at the DMV. You complete the multi-day course which includes classroom and road training on supplied small motorcycles. Upon completion you receive a certificate to take to DMV. Then you simply take the written test, hand in your certificate, and your done. Not sure if its offered in your state but if it is I highly recommend this route.

As far as staying loyal to your ride, there's no shame in leaving her home if it means passing the test. I'm sure she'll understand

[mwelych]

I took the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Federation) course as well. We had to take a road test, which included the figure 8, and after passing I was given a certificate to hand to the Licensure Bureau which allowed my to side-step the road test. Great course. Learned a lot of material and unlearned a lot of unsafe practices as well. Definitely worth the money...

[skull2007]

here in pa they also trow in a certificate for 10% off the old insurance. have never talked to anyone who took the course and didn't like it,sounds like a good course. but did you use your own bike?

[mwelych]

The beginners course supplies the bike for you to use. The advanced course, (which I would like to do, but need to get my wife to take the beginners course first), allows you to use your own bike, but you have to have a minimum of 5000 miles after the beginners course.

[Slimjim]

I've had my MC license for 30 years but when I got back into riding a few years ago, I took the Riders Edge course at the local dealership. It's a three day course with classroom and riding the Buell. I don't know that I learned a lot of new stuff but it got the feel of riding back. It was worth the $350 it cost. With the satisfactory completion of the written and riding test at the end of the course, Georgia will issue the license with no further testing. I don't think I would have done as well on my Heritage as the much smaller Buell but my license was still good anyway. Those that fail (and we had a couple) the course is given to them again at no charge. Pretty good deal.

Skull, I would go with the smaller bike if it was me.

[voodoochild]

I was like Ken.....rode for a long time with no MC endorsement. yeah, yeah, yeah.....anyway, here in Jersey you take the MSF course, Friday eve, sat and sun, and then they give you a road test complete with figure eight. The only good thing is you are supplied a bike, if you want to call it that, a Honda 125cc street bike. It is a piece of cake to do the course and test, plus I learned a bit as well. I wouldn't take the test on my Dyna I know that, especially since I put that 240 rear tire on it. It handles like a bitch now. Anyway, good luck!

Ps. Hey Slim, I love that avatar!!

[cowboy]

I got mine back in the late 60's & can't remember the road test , but Skull if you can use a smaller bike go for it borrow TGR 's sporty

[skull2007]

i think your right. strecher the bke out made him look great, but he handles like crap at low speeds. not to speak of the dragging when i roll it over.

[Peyts]

Doing the bike course is some of the best money that I ever spent. The reality is the riding a bike is not rocket science... but riding it WELL is something altogether different. Knowing what to do in several difficult situations, and then practicing same, is the key! Also, handling the bike at low speeds is what its all about... the higher speeds (ie. highway speeds) is fairly easy. And as for the bike test.. no doubt about it: DO IT ON A SMALLER BIKE. What the hell do you have to prove by doing on a bigger bike?! Who gives a sh*t! The main thing is to get it done. Once you HAVE the licence, then you can take the bigger bike out and ride it in parking lots until you can do your figure 8s, circles, etc... practice what was learned from the course on the bigger bike, which will get your confidence up with the bike. Then, ride hard!

[ironhorse]

ol boy laughed when I showed up on my dresser for the test and wanted to let me know that I could use a smaller bike If I wanted but I took it anyway and passed but by the hair on my chinny chin chin. dressers, choppers, and rockets he told me rarely pass and they will come back on a sporty or 750. for a second go. still would like to take the saftey course someday I hear its up to 20 dollars now.

[skull2007]

really appreciate it guys. i'm going to borrow a smaller bike to take the test. otherwise i see myself making a fool of myself. this way i can get it over with and spend more time riding. i'm going to take the course later on too. i'm going to spend more time doing low speed stuff to. to me this is where you can tell the difference between the weekend boys, and the biker.

[maxpower_hd]

I passed mine on a 1982 GS 1100E when I first got my license. Anyone familiar will attest that this is a heavy, tall, top heavy bike. Not to mention I'm only 5'8" so my feet didn't even sit flat on the ground at a stop. That was my 1st street bike. The key is to be used to whatever you bring. Even the 125cc Honda may not be as easy as you think if you don't get used to it 1st.

The state cop running the test told me "if you made it here alive on that thing, you should be able to pass the test." He was right. I had at least 3000 miles of seat time on it before I attempted it though.

My bro has been renewing his permit for what seems like forever. He got pulled over a week or two ago and it was after dark so he got in a little trouble. Now he's going to the course this weekend. It was $160 with a discount coupon and you get your license upon succesful completion. He is doing it that way because he's afraid his Harley won't pass the registry's inspection. Directionals too small, loud pipes, yada yada. The class supplies the bike. I belive the ones they use are 250cc Yamahas.

[Texas Road Glide]

ya skull,
you can borrow my sporty.........everybody else does.......
i was one of the lucky ones, i had a police sergent,grab me by the collar, and took me under his wing.tought me how to ride the big ole tour glide right out of the gate.
i will do my best and try and explain, how he tought me to make very tight turns.
just before your ready to make the turn,bring your rpms up to about 1500,while feathering the clutch, ride your rear break while maintaining the 1500 rpms, sounds crazy i know, but it really does work. i was amazed of how tight i could turn that big ole bike withouth putting my feet down.and yess it took some practice before i got it down to a sceince........
and that was tought to me by a cop who rides a bike for a living.......


TRG

[skull2007]

TRG's got me thinking about going to a parking lot. in in pa your're aload to let your foot down once. i've put 15,000 mis on the bike (mostly highway) i think about what an orthopedic surg. (ironic ha) told me about recovering from injuries "don't ever say you can't do something til you try" he was either right or just trying to drum up some work. . . wonder which

[2fastnaz]

I had to take the MSC in the Navy. You couldn't get a tag to get on base otherwise. I had been racing and riding for 20 years when they made me take it. I walked in full of attitude just daring them to teach me something. Low and behold I learned alot.

I was on a &00 Virago and didn't think there was any way the instructor could do the things on his Wing I could on my little Yammer Hammer. I really got schooled.

If you didn't bring the bike you were going to ride and they found out, you were kicked out till you showed up with the scooter you rode all the time.

[chucktx]

Originally Posted by skull2007

TRG's got me thinking about going to a parking lot. in in pa your're aload to let your foot down once. i've put 15,000 mis on the bike (mostly highway) i think about what an orthopedic surg. (ironic ha) told me about recovering from injuries "don't ever say you can't do something til you try" he was either right or just trying to drum up some work. . . wonder which

playing in a parking lot is fun....and will let you learn alot about your skills, and the ability of the bike......

[Sleepy]

spend some quality time in the parking lot..you'll be glad you did

[maxpower_hd]

My brohter finally took the course this weekend and passed the road test. The only down side was that they didn't give him the license right there like we thought. They mail it to you along with the certification in 3-4 weeks. OUCH.

Also, since he's been riding for a while, albeit one a permit, he said he would rather have taken the advanced course.

[skull2007]

I'm getting ready. Been working in the parking lot. I'm sure i can pass that figure 8 thing. Thing i'm finding more and more, throttle is your friend. it just takes practice so one can have the balls to use it