Did Arnold Schwarzenegger pass the idiotic CA DMV motorcyclelicense test?

Only if one makes the completely unwarranted assumption that the
"California lollipop" is only passable on a "toy" or "tiny" bike (to use
your terms). That's pretty clearly not the case. The examples of
experienced riders (often motorcycle police) turning H-Ds around
in tighter circles show that yes, it can be done. And no, that doesn't
mean they're expecting the average...ummm...Joe Schmoe to be
able to duplicate the performance of an experienced cycle cop. But
then, a 20' nominal circle is actually PLENTY of room for just about
any bike, in the hands of a rider with the sort of competence that
should be expected if we're licensing them to go out on the public
roads.

Bob M.

 

And I'd add to that that, despite the OP's characterization of the typical
MSF-course bike as a "toy," it is often MORE difficult to pass on one
of those bikes than on your own usual ride. El-cheapo 250s aren't
exactly known for smooth throttle response, easy-to-modulate
brakes, etc..

Bob M.

 

First off, the point of this thread is whether Arnold took the test.
Not whether Twibil or Joe Schmoe took the test.

However, to clarify what Twibil mistakenly said, I didn't say it was
impossible to pass the test.

Read my posts. I took the test myself. Years ago. At that time, I could
pass it if I graded myself more than half the time. If I had someone else
grade me, my pass/fail numbers lowered. I explained it all already so I
won't restate that for just you Twibil. Please keep up.

Fact is:
- You can't grade yourself (mainly because you can't even see the lines
so how would you know if you strayed outside of them).
- If you can pass 50% or 75% of the time, that's still not good enough
because you only get one shot (per day, for three days).
- Anyone can pass the test once; it's passing it every time that's
challenging.

Remember, this is supposed to be a BEGINNER LICENSEE who is taking this
ridiculous test.

Of course, most people on big bikes simply take the test on someone elses'
toy bike or they pay the $200 get-out-of-jail fee to the MSF to cruise
through the class test, again on a toy bike as the system is designed to
make you do that.

But the point is that ARNOLD is different. It's HIS TEST! His name is on
every single DMV manual. The point is that even HE can't pass his own
test (as far as we can determine) ... and that's what we're trying to
find out if it's a fact.

 

Does it?

If you pay $200, you virtually get a free license as the MSF test allows
lots and lots and lots of errors (people in my class missed the u-turn
box by six feet and knocked down cornering cones and everyone passed!).

If you take the "free" DMV test, you're basically at 21 feet 9 inches
turning radius. You have to do this circle four times, twice in both
directions.

Now, I'm sure you can turn your bike in your turning radius a few times,
but, since ZERO errors are allowed in the DMV test, you actually have to
do it ALL the time (not just half the time or three quarters of the
time).

Either that, or be very lucky on the day of your DMV test.

You call THAT reasonable?

That's the whole point. If Arnold can't even pass his own test on his own
bike, how can it be even remotely considered reasonable?

 

Let me tell you Bob, everyone at that course but me showed up on a cager.
I rode in with my K1200LT and those bikes sure are teeny tiny toys in
comparison.

I asked, but they would not let me take the class on my own bike, but,
those toy bikes were a LOT easier to handle than my K1200LT is.

I don't know what YOU ride ... what do you ride?

And what is the turning radius as compared to one of those toy bikes?

Still, we all know by now that Arnold almost certainly couldn't possibly
have passed his own test on his own bike.

So, we can beat this to death but the fact remains unless someone proves
otherwise.

The governor, whose name and picture and signature is on every DMV rider
pamphlet, couldn't even pass his own test on his own bike.

That tells you more than anything else about what's reasonable.
(Note: You're welcome to prove me otherwise.)

 

Good point.

Then why didn't Arnold, the governor of the state, pass his own DMV test
(the one with his signature on it), on his own bike?

The answer is that he couldn't pass the test on his own bike.

That's the whole point.
(You're welcome to prove me wrong.)

 

It's actually MORE than $200 per person in California (they have a
sliding scale, based on age) but I was just rounding off the numbers as
the actual amount to the penny is not important.

And, that report I cited was written in 1998, So, we can DOUBLE the money
funneled to the MSF (about 50 million dollars) of wasted money.

But, all we need to know is ONE thing.

ARNOLD himself, paid the ~$200 bribe!

Doesn't that tell you something? He's an experienced rider. He has a big
bore bike. And even HE was forced to pay the bribe to the MSF (not that
the money matters to him) just to obtain his motorcycle license.

Ironic isn't it.

(BTW, you're welcome to prove me wrong.)

 

Hi Mark,
What bothers you so very much about this question?
- Did Arnold pay the MSF for his license or did he take the DMV test that
has his name on it to get his license?

What part of that question bothers you so much that you resort to name
calling.

At least Twibil and Kleinschmidt point out WHERE they disagree with
poster's opinions (which is the whole point of the USENET).

Just calling someone an ignoramus, without any citation whatsoever,
simply says that you are, um ... well, er ... < deleted >.

 

Then you're saying Arnold Schwarzenegger "was" an incompetent rider the
day before he paid the MSF for his motorcycle license?

 

Exactly!

Arnold Schwarzenegger, by your logic, was an "incompetent rider" on his
Harley, and he was forced to take the MSF class in order to become a
competent rider.

Now he's a competent rider. All for $200 and half a weekend. What a deal.

 

Dear Mr. Twibil,
This time you're wrong. Where are you getting your data?

Go to your local DMV.
Look around.
There is a sign (there's one at mine in Santa Clara) that says "No
Practicing Allowed" or something to that effect.

There was a thread a while back about this. In the end, while it's
illegal to practice for the test, you can certainly do it because cops
don't cruise the DMV parking lot picking you off.

 

Yeah. Right. Who did the scoring? Let me guess. You!

And, can you even SEE the lines on that big bike. The answer is no.

So, how do you know you passed? You don't.

And, anyone can pass once. Did you pass every single time?

Arnold decided he couldn't pass every single time.

That's why he didn't even take the test that has his name on it.

He paid the MSF for his license.

 

Hi Tim,

It's $250 here for us old fogies:
http://www.2wheelsafety.com/two_wheel_faqs.html

And it's $250 here too:
http://www.mvlaae.net/motorcyclefaq.html

And it's $250 here also:
http://www.ca-msp.org/FAQ.aspx

In fact, I doubt you'll find ANYWHERE in California where the test is
less than $250 for someone over 21 years of age.

Notice the average in most states is around $100!
(http://tinyurl.com/3753j63)
http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?pagename=RiderCoach%
20Info&content=4CCA4A2B-A0CC-53D5-64DC52AFD6412C7F

What does THAT tell you.

For one thing, California can (and does) more than double the price due
to the "captive audience".

The DMV system funnels the reluctant riders into the MSF. The MSF raises
their prices. Forcing a huge percentage of the 200,000 riders to pay $250
for a license, over the past 20 years, they've reaped many tens of
million dollars out of the deal.

Some deal!

Basically, these riders (including our Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger)
are part of the "system" that funnels tons money to the MSF.

And, the MSF, for their part, more than DOUBLED the average price for an
MSF class. As their part of the deal.

The price in California, due to this fact alone, is MUCH HIGHER than in
the rest of the country (supply and demand always work especially when
you ensure they can't easily pass the "free" test).

It's a deal made in heaven for the MSF and they're making money in droves
(with 200,000 riders over the past 20 years!).

And for that privilege, they more than double the price!

 

A search today of MSF classes in California show that for most adult
riders it's $250 (that's the limit by law and that's what the MSF
charges, by golly).

For some younger riders, California limits it to $150 but that's only for
the youngest of riders.

The national average (I already cited the reference previously) tellingly
shows the price to be $100.

What does that tell you?

In part, since California riders have only the DMV "free" test as an
option, they are forced into the MSF class, which more than doubles the
price as a consequence.

Nice deal.

Is it just me that sees through all this?

And, since Arnold took the same bribe, isn't it ironic that he can't pass
his own test?

 

Maroon?

 

Joe, you're an idiot. You don't get to tell anyone else what they can
or cannot say in any thread.

You're not just an idiot, you're pathological.

Um, idiot, I took the test and passed it on the first try. I could see
the lines just fine, so *please* stop lying.

 

Can you verify that the MSF is being paid MORE than $200 per student
in California? No, you can't.

You've been beating this dead horse for six years.

How sad.

 

What makes you think that the MSF sets the proce or gets the money?
The MSF merely provides the curriculum. The state runs the rider
training program.

You have been beating this dead horse for six years.

I don't know why you are so opposed to the state providing rider
training to motorcyclists who wish to avail themselves of it, but your
attempts to undercut it with various rants and complaints and trojan
horses is disingenuous to say the least.

That:

1. Other states subsidize the tuition in their state-run rider
training programs
2. That land and facilities are cheaper in other states
3. That salaries for coaches and support staff are higher in
California
4. That gas costs more in California

What does it tell you?

It has been pointed out already that there is no "MSF class" in
Caliofornia, simply a California Highway Patrol administered state
rider training program class that simply utilizes the nationally
standardized MSF curriculum that is, not coincidentally, also utilized
by the OTHER 49 state rider training programs in the country.

It is just you who mistakenly believes that it is a plot to enrich the
MSF, and it is just you who has been railing about it on usenet for at
least six years.

You don't know that. You are merely assuming that.

 

You have not shown anything that indicates that the MSF is getting any
of that tuition money.

You are ona six-year vendetta against the MSF, for reasons known only
to you.

 

You have nothing to indicate that Arnold did not take and pass the
California DMV's own riding test, nor do you have anything that even
hints that the money from California's rider training program tuition
(other than licensing the use of their curriculum, which *I* pointed
out) goes to the MSF.

So answer these questions, Joe, or Paul Franz, as you have also
posted:

1. What do you have against voluntary, optional, professional,
nationally standardized motorcycle rider training programs?

2. Why have you been railing on usenet against the MSF for over six
years?