It's not really "General Automotive Discussion", but perhaps it fits here anyway.

I've scheduled a WI Motorcycle Road Test and I'm wondering what kind of test it is. I've been riding the bike for a few months in traffic without any trouble, is that enough prep? Or do they have some low speed figure eights or crash avoidance stuff that I should be practicing?

Anyone take the Wisconsin Class M test?

 

I've got a class M here in Arkansas and it was just a basic test,they set up cones in the parking lot and watch you drive around them.pretty simple stuff.I don't think they will run dogs out in front of you or anything.

 

Try this:


http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/motorcycle/

I didn't look at the whole thing, but I noticed they say if you take a class you can dodge the test for the license.

Makes sense to me.

Take the MSF or other class if you are new or if you have been away for a while.

Fatality rates are up, and it ain't the 20 year olds on Ninja's this time. It's us old guys back in the saddle.

Good luck.

 

Thanks, I've been bangin' around on the WISDOT site for a while looking for specifics on the test to no avail.

I should probably do the class, but it's a pretty serious time investment and they're filled up until next summer. The bike whispers my name too much to wait.

Anyone take the test instead of the class?

Vin, the dog test would probably be a good idea. I encountered that this weekend and got away safely.

 

I just took the motorcycle safety course here in North Texas, it was worth every penny of the $180 I paid for it if even one of those things I learned saves a little bit of hide. It does eliminate the road test here, and only took up sat and sun 7:00 ~ 2:30

 

I've been riding, off and on, for over thirty years, both street and dirt. I've taken the North Carolina bike test and the Oregon test twice. I've also taken the riders course. You can get a lot out of the course. My oldest daughter had never ridden, except behind me. She took the course and passed in one weekend. Didn't have to take the State test and I think she gets an insurance break.

I know how the waiting list is for the course and I'd probably go ahead and take the test, but still sign up for the course - either beginner or intermediate as soon as I could.

All the tests have been pretty similar. What gets most people is how slow speed they are. The slaloms usually have the cones set about 5 feet apart and off center and you have to go around them the hard way. There's a 90 degree corner with the lines about 4 foot apart and it's tough to make without cutting.

Find an empty parking lot and practice riding at idle in first gear, as slow as you can go, turning the bars limit to limit. Stopping momentarily, without putting your feet down, and starting again - really slow. The motorcycle driving manual should have diagrams about the driving test. Just remember, everything seems closer together when you actually do it. When you go to take the test, try to get in line toward the end. You'll see everyone elses trouble spots and know the course before you're on it.

The last time I took the test I hadn't ridden a sreet bike in 4 years and I was on a new bike (to me), that had a fairing - I'd never rode a bike with one before and couldn't see my front tire well. I was the first one through and didn't even study the course before hand. I was sweating, but I passed - barely.

When I first took the test, 27 years ago, we went out in the parking lot and checked operation of the bike. Then the guy said to drive out to the street, make a left, go around the block and come back. When I got to the street I looked in my mirror and saw the guy going back inside with his coffee cup. I went to the end of the street, had a smoke and came back. Got 100%. Things have changed for the better since then...