[Grafixx01]

Ok, so today was the first riding portion of the MSF Beginner Course that I'm taking this weekend. I was ok, having never ridden a bike before one instructor said I did well.

They did this thing of "Stopping on command" where the guy would throw his arms out when he wanted you to stop. The 'nice instructor' was very helpful as he would give good instruction on anything if you were like messing up or such.

The other guy, well, I guess it's a "good cop - bad cop" thing. He like threw his hands up in the middle of me shifting from 1st to 2nd, which was approximately 10' past the start point, I couldn't get my foot around to the gear shift to put it back into first and it hit the floor.

The 'nice instructor' was really cool about it, said that if you drop it on test day, you'd fail but he said that I did well other than that.

SO..........

After my ranting and raving, I guess I have a question as to this:

When you do the actual driving "test" of the MSF Beginner course, what does it entail?

I've been told that the DMV road test and (from friends who have taken the MSF Beginner Course) that the test is just a "figure 8". The guy that was the instructor at the in-class portion of the MSF Course said all you would have to do for the driving test portion was like go straight, left turn, go straigh, right turn, go strait and stop.

Is this true? What has been your experiences?

Thanks and sorry for the rambling,

G

 

[bulldog]

i just took it about 4 months ago and the TEST is a written and then a skills(motorcycle)

the skills test is:

figure 8 (2 U turns in a row)


then a lil swerve


then maximum braking


then a obsticle course that is two right hand turns (no left)


it was really easy and the writtren test is way to easy too...................but if you fail that dosent meen you cant get a bike!!! just no no cut on insurance and you have to pass the DMV :thumbs:

 

[Grafixx01]

Ah, thanks. Someone else told me the same thing, except for the obstacle part. Oh well, we'll see. Hopefully I pass.

G

 

[bulldog]

everyone but like 3 or so passed and there were some stupid people there..... :dthumb:

 

[Gas Man]

Well even if you shifting... all you have to do is pull in the clutch while your stompin on the brakes... the shifting part isn't that big of a deal. But you'll figure that out as you ride more...

As far as the different stories on the driving coarse. It's all going to be different depending on the instructor or tester. I took the advanced MSF for my "driving test" for the state so I can't comment on the state driving tests. Other than to say that I've heard of people saying the tester made them drive down to that end of the street. Stop at the stop sign.. pull away get a up shift in stop at that Ford without putting your feet down and then come back here.. make a u turn and you're done!

Like I said..it all depends!

 

[Grafixx01]

Once again, thanks for all the feedback. Hopefull it is like the pictures at the back of the Colorado DMV manual that I have DLed.

Gas Man,

See the thing about the shifting was that he wanted you back into first when you stopped at his command. But I read the Colorado DMV guide and it doesn't have any of that "stop on command" stuff.

This is what it said:

You will be tested on the following exercises:
• Sharp Left Turn – stay inside the boundaries of the
course and do not put a foot down or touch any
lines.
• Normal Stop – do not skid.
• Offset Cone Weave – (cones are set 12 feet apart and
offset 1 foot either side of a center line) do not skip
or touch any cones or put a foot down.
• Right U-Turn – do not put a foot down until the exercise
is completed or touch the lines designated for
your size motorcycle.
• Quick Stop – from approximately 12 - 20 MPH, stop
the motorcycle safely but as quickly as you can. You
are not marked down if you skid. This exercise is
also used to test 3-wheel motorcycle operators.
• Obstacle Swerve – from approximately 12 - 20 MPH,
swerve the motorcycle safely to the right or left of
the obstacle line, staying inside the indicated boundaries.
Do not touch the obstacle line or the
boundaries. This exercise is also used to test 3-wheel
motorcycle operators.
Note: You must not stall the engine on any exercise.
Remember if at any time you feel an exercise is too
difficult, you may stop the testing. You, as the rider,
are aware of your abilities and your experience on the
motorcycle. The examiner is not. However, for safety’s
sake, the examiner may also stop the testing if it becomes
apparent that you need more practice on the
motorcycle.
15
Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Handbook



G

 

[Grafixx01]

Who's gonna say I'd be an idiot to go buy the bike and continue to learn if I don't pass the test? I'm not saying I won't and hopefully I don't fail, but in the event I do?

G

FEEL FREE TO RIP ME APART, IT'S COOL. I LIKE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISM!

 

[jeeps84]

I watched my wife take the final riding test and it was almost exactly as Bull described.

The stop on command is to simulate a panic stop.
EX. If you are pulling away from a stop sign and granny backs out in front of you from the next drive.

It does need to be a habit to be in first gear at every stop.
Panic stops, we all do the best we can.

 

[Grafixx01]

Jeeps,

I guess I'm just venting because I did not see the instructor do what he did to me to anyone else that was there. Kinda figured he didn't like me and this other girl that he was kinda hard on cause we didn't have any driving experience on a bike or in a car that has a manual transmission. Everyone else had experience riding something be it dirt, street or dual.

 

[jeeps84]

Or did it just seem that way?

He may have just been giving special attention to the ones he thought need it.

Or bad luck/timing on you run.

 

[Grafixx01]

Well, that is a thought. I mean I have an old habit, from when I rode quads back in the day, of covering the front brake with two fingers so he got mad at that but I think he was mad from the get go. He was biznatchin' about how he had to work this weekend when it is Mother's Day and he has a wife and things to do on his house. So I don't know. Kinda upsetting though.

Thanks Jeeps.

G

 

[jeeps84]

Just do the best you can.
That's all anybody can ask.

Just don't let clashing attitudes make you blind to what they are trying to teach you. :luck:

 

[Gas Man]

I think it was just bad luck/timing!

You'll do fine man... just concentrate and you'll get er!

 

[Grafixx01]

Well Gas Man, I thank you for your advice and vote of confidence. Well, I took the tests today (riding and written) but....

I PASSED MAN! YIPPIE SKIPPIE FOR ME!

I'm pickin' up my 2005 R6 on Wednsday so I'll let you know how that goes. Any tips for the first ride?

Thanks again,

G

PS -->> I really enjoy this forum so much, I gave the website to my classmates at the MSF Beginner Course. They said they're gonna check it out. Gave 'em my name as a "Referrer".

 

[Gas Man]

Graff... that's awesome! CONGRADS on both the class and the bike!!

Just take it easy...for you and the bike.

Make sure you have your gear in check and get some desent frame sliders, just don't buy carbon inlay and anything made of metal! Do a search on frame slider here and you'll find but loads of info!

 

[bulldog]

Who's gonna say I'd be an idiot to go buy the bike and continue to learn if I don't pass the test? I'm not saying I won't and hopefully I don't fail, but in the event I do?

G

FEEL FREE TO RIP ME APART, IT'S COOL. I LIKE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISM!

no i meent if you fail....so waht still get the bike

 

[bulldog]

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :dthumb: :dthumb: :dthumb: :dthumb: :dthumb:

 

[Grafixx01]

I was going to get it if I failed or passed the MSF Course. But I passed so it ain't nothing to worry about.

 

[bulldog]

what was your score

 

[jeeps84]

Congrats on passing the course. :dthumb:
Be safe on that R6 and remember not to much gas puling out from a turn.