California motorcycle driving test question (behind the wheel)

Hi,

I'm taking my M1 motorcycle driving test next week. I've read about the
cone weave, riding in a circle and the braking test.

I've been riding my bike here in San Diego, CA for 2 months now. I have
taken the written test and have my permit. I'm comfortable riding my
bike in traffic and on the freeway(though I am not supposed to).

I hear the driving test is a low speed one and really strict. Can
anyone please post specific details of the test, details like the
circle radius, etc? Also any suggestions for the test would be great.
What kind of skills should I practice in a parking lot to be able to
take a test?

Last question : I ride a Ninja 250cc. Is that small enough for the
test?

Thank you,
Madhu

 

Suggest you drive by your DMV office and look for a section of the
lot that has the "lollipop" painted on it. I've not measured it, but the
circle looks to a long car length in diameter -- longer than a parking
space, but small than two spaces. With a path about a foot wide that you
must stay within... If that isn't difficult enough, from what others
have said, you have to enter and exit at nearly 90deg turns (the stick
of the lollipop) again staying within lines.

Recommendation!: Don't take the DMV test -- put your name down for
your local MSF equivalent BRC course (here in Sunnyvale, that's nearly a
three month waiting list) and pay the $200... Their test will cover more
situations, not be as strict [my understanding is that the lollipop is
an all or nothing test; first fault and you're out], and passage exempts
you from the DMV skill test.

Doing figure 8 turns in the area of four parking spaces

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Swerving in an area the size of two shopping carts...
--
Wulfraed Dennis Lee Bieber KD6MOG

HTTP://wlfraed.home.netcom.com/
(Bestiaria Support Staff: )
HTTP://www.bestiaria.com/

 

IAWTP....

I am currently in the MSF course in San Diego (Palomar) and there are a
couple of people that are there because they are experienced riders, and
failed the CA Circle.......
It's worth the $235

 

Just hop over to the DMV and take a look at the keyhole.
Spend a Sunday afternoon practicing until you have it nailed.
Down one side, around the circle twice, and back out the
other side. Never stop, never put your foot down, never let
your front wheel go outside of the lines.

I took it on an EX500, and I navigated it later on a Nighthawk
700 that I'd never ridden before.

-Patti

 

When taking the DMV test, choice of bike is as important as skill. I
took it on a 91 VFR750F many years ago, and IIRC, the little Ninja has
plenty of steering lock so you shouldn't have a problem. Bad bikes to
take the test on are pretty much any Ducati, or something with a really
long wheelbase like some of the really big cruisers.

Head down to the local DMV on a Sat (if they're closed) or Sunday and
practice on their course. You'll also need to demonstrate shifting up
and down through the gears over a short distance. My advice it to wait
until at least month 6 of your permit to take it. It will give you
plenty of time to practice. It is a really easy test and it disturbs
me to think that anyone would fail it for any reason other than it
being a physical impossibility for their bike to turn in the given
space.

Mike
91 ST1100 | 83 XLR200R
San Diego, CA

 

Not in my experience. When I did the lollipop with my first 750, I
didn't quite get the circle the first time, and I was allowed to try
again. YMMV.


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.............................................................................................................
I failed mine because I was unable to understand the directive regarding the
correct end position after a simulated evasion manouver.

Listen carefully, politly request repeat of directives if you are not sure
what is required.
..............................................................................................

................................................................................................
It would help if you went to a test and observed.

Sure, no problem there.

Gregg

 

I went on my 1150GS (not a small bike), without knowing about the dreaded
'lollipop'. Failed the loop the 1st time, was allowed to go again - passed.
Not such a biggie. A small bike will do it with ease (Assuming basic rider
skills).

Enjoy!

 

Thanks a lot to each one of you who took the time to share your
experiences. Many people I spoke to previously had hyped it up pretty
big and come to think of it, the idea of riding at 2-5 miles an hr
between lines in a circle doesnt sound very easy.

So yeah, I'll practice it in a nearby DMV. The MSF clearly is the easy
way out but the charge is $200+ since I'm 25 (21+) and that is
unaffordable for me.

Thanks again!

Peace <

 

I'm signing up for a similar course in Wisconsin that can earn you a waiver
for the DMV.

I'm looking forward to it. For some reason my body seems to resist leaning
over on a bike. I have the sense memory of doing it decades ago on pedal
bikes, but it isn't coming back all the way to practical use.

 

If you can't afford to take the MSF class, then you can't afford
to ride.

$200 is pocket change compared to the price of the protective
gear you'll need, not to mention a bike.

-Patti

 

http://www.ca-msp.org/RiderCourse_Locations/ridercourses_locations.htm

 

http://www.ca-msp.org/RiderCourse_Locations/ridercourses_locations.htm
--
Wulfraed Dennis Lee Bieber KD6MOG

HTTP://wlfraed.home.netcom.com/
(Bestiaria Support Staff: )
HTTP://www.bestiaria.com/

 

If you can't afford to take the MSF class, then you can't afford

Nice of you to offer the gratuitous financial advice.

First of all, I'm a full time graduate student. So I need to separate
my "necessities" from "luxury".

I bought my 2003 Ninja and my riding gear a few months back. I've
ridden the bike all over SD since then; I should say I have been able
to "afford to ride" (which is basically the cost of gas). I've been
riding bikes for 6 years now (not in the US), so I know a thing or two
about bikes.

Spending $235 on the MSF is unaffordable, since I'm a student and its a
$235 I can save by taking the DMV test.

 

I took the test on a 50cc Honda scooter (by the way, no matter what
anyone tells you, in CA that is considered a "motorcycle" and requires
an M1 endorsement).

Compared to a motorcycle, the scooter is easier in some ways (shorter
wheelbase), but more difficult in others (small wheels = less stable;
auto clutch engages when it wants to).

I Failed miserably the first time; moaned about how impossible the test
was. The examiner chuckled and suggested that I use the DMV lot on
weekends to practice (actually, I went over several times on my lunch
hour, and no one objected). I re-took it 6 weeks later (earliest
available appointment) and passed with no problems. I was amazed at how
much easier the test had gotten in the six weeks.

-- Tom Jupille

 

Go to the www.dmv.ca.gov and look up motorcycle licenses and read until
you find the link to the CHP motorcycle safety program, and that link
will list schools.

 

Check to see if this link helps you

http://www.ca-msp.org/RiderCourse_Locations/ridercourses_locations.htm

 

Yes, that's a fine size for the test. Go on over to the DMV on Normal
street in san diego after hours and take a few turns around the circle.
You may not let your tires wander outside the double line. They'll fail
you for that. Hint: use the back brake! The rest of the test is
comparatively easy. A little cone action, if I recall, and riding up and
back going through all gears. No biggie. Really, the hardest part of the
test is the one thing you'll never have to do...ride around within a
circle. But, a 250 is a fine sized bike for it, and remember, RELY ON
YOUR BACK BRAKE ONLY, another useless skill that hopefully you will
never adopt in real life. It will help you keep control and stay in the
circle at the low speeds you'll be utilizing.

BTW, you can avoid that stupid and useless test if you take and complete
the more adequate and useful Motorcycle Safety Course. They will teach
you things you will actually use in real life. Talk to your "friendly"
DMV representative for more details.



--
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC



"Comparing Scientology to a motorcycle gang is a gross, unpardonable
insult to bikers everywhere. Even at our worst, we are never as bad as
Scientology."
-ex-member, Thunderclouds motorcycle "club"

 

Nah. Hein Geritchy jacket, swap meet, $100
heavy leather jeans, swap meet $50
1979 BMW motorcycle $1300 (purchased 1989, still running strong)
Good helmet, okay, $250, ain't gonna skimp
good gloves, Xmas whine
saddlebags, traded a junkie for $20
knee high Frye boots, swap meet, $20

All the bling without the sting!



--
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC



"Comparing Scientology to a motorcycle gang is a gross, unpardonable
insult to bikers everywhere. Even at our worst, we are never as bad as
Scientology."
-ex-member, Thunderclouds motorcycle "club"

 

It's cool, dude. We don't all have to have top-of-the-line gear and
$20,000 motorcycles. What matters is, getting over 50 mpg, right?


--
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC



"Comparing Scientology to a motorcycle gang is a gross, unpardonable
insult to bikers everywhere. Even at our worst, we are never as bad as
Scientology."
-ex-member, Thunderclouds motorcycle "club"