driving test humiliation and ???

[harleybeg]

well i've been riding dirt bikes for years and been riding my harley w/ a permit for five months and yesterday i went for the
bike driving test. i didn't even know what they were going to have me do (didn't practice). anyway i put my foot down and
failed the test. humiliating!!! guess i was too cocky.

i live in california and i took the test w/ stock pipes but i want to
put on my vance/hines shortshots. should i wait till i pass the test w/ the stock pipes on? does dmv test riders w/ pipes that
are probably illegal?

2nd question: does anyone know the dimensions of the course
that the california dmv has riders test?

3rd question: do both tires need to not touch the lines/dots or
is it only the front tire they care about?

thanks for the advice out there!!!

[Fatboy95]

Welcome from New York, and sorry to hear you failed your test.

[Shoe]

The following link may help you. The second link is a movie. It should answer your questions. Note step 2 . I took the test in California about 10 years ago, so I don't remember much about it. It is very similar to the MSF Basic Rider Course. I recently took the MSF ERC as a refresher (again) and was very happy that I did. I was amazed at some of the bad habits I have picked up over those years. By the way, its only the front tire. The longer the bike, the harder it would be to keep the rear tire in. It would be unfair if you had a larger bike.

Hope this helps: http://www.ducatigirl.com/california/dmv_moto_test.pdf

Here is the movie: http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...s-test-239344/

Its in 8 parts. You can look at the next part by clicking on the part number below the movie. Its a little cheesy, but should answer your questions.

Dave

[Nazzdak]

Originally Posted by harleybeg

well i've been riding dirt bikes for years and been riding my harley w/ a permit for five months and yesterday i went for the
bike driving test. i didn't even know what they were going to have me do (didn't practice). anyway i put my foot down and
failed the test. humiliating!!! guess i was too cocky.

i live in california and i took the test w/ stock pipes but i want to
put on my vance/hines shortshots. should i wait till i pass the test w/ the stock pipes on? does dmv test riders w/ pipes that
are probably illegal?

2nd question: does anyone know the dimensions of the course
that the california dmv has riders test?

3rd question: do both tires need to not touch the lines/dots or
is it only the front tire they care about?

thanks for the advice out there!!!

Hello-

1. If I were you, I would forget about modifying the bike until I had a motorcycle license. One less thing to worry about.

2-3. Try not to think in terms of "passing a test." Instead, concentrate on becoming a good overall (street) rider, and the rest will take care of itself.

My riding group has made a series of exercise videos on www.youtube.com/conedown. Our instructor would be more than happy to send you a training manual, free of charge. His e-mail address is in the upper left hand corner of the youtube site.

Unfortunately, there is no "quick fix" to your problem. If you really want your endoresment, then you had better start practicing, and quite often. At least 2-3 days a week. I would say that if you can do the 2x4 exercise stone cold, get your figure eight pattern down to 20x40 feet and can come to a complete stop at 40mph in less than 72 feet, all without putting your feet down or dropping your bike, then you can pretty much do anything the DMV is going to through at you. If you need more insurance, I am certain you can find the dimensions of the California DMV course by doing a simple Google search.

good luck!
David

[Shoe]

Originally Posted by Nazzdak

I am certain you can find the dimensions of the California DMV course by doing a simple Google search.

good luck!
David

Or by clicking on the link in my post above.......

[hdwoman48]

Or make it easier on yourself and take the MSF course. When you pass their test, you can take the certificate and go to DMV to get your motorcycle endorsement. And you get a discount on your insurance for taking it. You also learn a lot of good information, even if you've been riding for a while.

[Nazzdak]

Harleybeg-

Here is a link to the slow ride portion of the California DMV test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI6uX...eature=related

The circle does not look THAT big. I'd say no more than 24 feet in diameter.

Here are some tips that should help you....

1. Practice, practice, practice!

You should be able to find a measuring tape and 45/9 inch orange soccer cones at your local Walmart for less than 50 bucks. Thus it will not be difficult or expensive to duplicate the California DMV test pattern. Make sure your circle is at LEAST 24 feet in diameter, and that your two approach and exit lanes are at LEAST 5 feet wide, and 20 feet long, apiece.

When you practice the slow cone weave, make sure your practice cones are at least 12 apart and that you focus on the LAST cone as you enter the exercise.

2. HEAD and EYES!

Remember to always look FAR AHEAD of the motorcycle. If you are entering the circle at, say, 5 o'oclock, and traveling counter-clockwise, then your head AND eyes should always be at least 15-20 minutes ahead of the motorcycle. Thus, your head and eyes should already be focusing on the 1-2 o'clock position as you're entering the circle. By the time your front wheel hits noon, your head AND eyes should be well ahead to 7-8 o'clock and so on.

3. Feather the rear brake 100% of the time.

The next time you ride your bike, do me a favor. See if you can "walk your bike." I would like to see you ride from point a, to point b, at idle speed, with your right foot on the rear brake 100% of the time without applying ANY pressure. This will give you the control that you'll need at the entrance and exit points. Your right hand should be completely wrapped around the handle bar grip as you should be ignoring the front brake completely.

4. Have you clutch adjusted immediately by your local dealer.

In the slow ride portion of the california DMV test, you're going to want MAXIMUM control of your motorcycle. This means that your clutch is most likely not set up properly. A standard HD clutch has three operating positions. Open-Semi closed- Closed. A Police bike has at least 4

1. Fully open
2. 1/3 closed
3. 2/3 closed
4. Fully Closed

Thus, tell your service dept. mechanic that you want your clutch set up to Police bike specs ASAP.

good luck!
David

[fatboydon24]

license?damn.I knew There was something I forgot to get.Have to work on that.

[Nickrc3]

Just completed the MSF course last weekend. Best $270.00 I've spent!

NICK

[Saul Good]

I took a course. Best money I've spent where my bike's concerned. Looking further ahead saved my hide, and bike, twice. That, "head up, look where you want the bike to go (not at the hazard) etc. stuff is a lot less painful to learn than experience.

Met cool folks on the course too. Good luck.

(Put my foot down too.)

[RickWG]

Originally Posted by hdwoman48

Or make it easier on yourself and take the MSF course. When you pass their test, you can take the certificate and go to DMV to get your motorcycle endorsement. And you get a discount on your insurance for taking it. You also learn a lot of good information, even if you've been riding for a while.

What I did. Worked great but I think now you have to take the riding test in CA anyway. I believe not long after I got my lic they changed it.

[sanfam93]

Originally Posted by harleybeg

well i've been riding dirt bikes for years and been riding my harley w/ a permit for five months and yesterday i went for the
bike driving test. i didn't even know what they were going to have me do (didn't practice). anyway i put my foot down and
failed the test. humiliating!!! guess i was too cocky.

i live in california and i took the test w/ stock pipes but i want to
put on my vance/hines shortshots. should i wait till i pass the test w/ the stock pipes on? does dmv test riders w/ pipes that
are probably illegal?

2nd question: does anyone know the dimensions of the course
that the california dmv has riders test?

3rd question: do both tires need to not touch the lines/dots or
is it only the front tire they care about?

thanks for the advice out there!!!

Look for DVD ride like a pro or take MSF class it's worth ever cent.

[jpilone]

I can't beleive only one person mentioned the course. TAKE THE MSF COURSE!!!!

[Sarge7]

The MSF course is the only way to go. I took a refresher course 2 years ago and was surprized at how many riding habits I had picked up that were short cuts to a hospital bed.
Also being a professional OTR driver for 40+ years; I applied a little thing that has also helped.
It's called what if! - Baisically you think of everything that might go bad and plan a reaction to it. For example: What do you do if someone pulls out in front of you - There are many variables here but if you have gone over them in your mind beforehand you will have a faster reaction time to avoid the accident. Think it out while your mowing the lawn not when your on the bike.

[03GLIDE_]

I agree with taking a MSF course. I have been a truck driver since 1981 and also go over the what ifs in my head while driving and riding. I have a clean record with zero wrecks. Taking the course will teach you things that you will never learn otherwise. You will learn how to make slow speed turns and how NOT to put your feet down.