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I am getting ready to take my driving test for a motorcycle. Looking to find the layout of the course. I got a paper from the DMV when I took my permit test but it is so bad of a copy it is hard to see. It has the layout but no mention of the distance between the cones. I have a large parking lot to practice in and I want to lay ou the course, but have no measurments. Any help would be great. Thanks
Interesting that Ohio makes it easy. KS ramps their test up a bit. I know of several people that failed theirs. They also ask questions on the written that are not in the handbook they provide to study. Almost like they want you to fail.
In any case, know how to lean it and know how to stop it using the front brake. A smaller machine is better for taking the test.
easiest way to find out is to call the lic. place and ask when they are giving the next test, then go up and watch , the written part like Dan said is where you can get tripped up.
when I took mine one of the questions they ask is which one is more dangerous, a car door opening or a pedestren walkiing out inbetween two cars, i said the car door because you can see the person easier, I got it wrong but they gave it to me afterwards because i said you would have no warning of the door opening. go figure..
My local place has the cone locations marked permanently in lot so they can set it up easily. Go and see if your place does and measure it some evening.
The smaller the bike the better with test. Some guys have shown up with full dressers and can't make it thru the cones. Long forks are also hard.
Many years back..............many, many........... my Uncle and cousins took their tests. After many years of dirtbike riding/competing they did the whole test on their pegs and kinda showed off. The tester kinda hassled them, said "Great, I know you can do it, just do it like you're suppose to now" LOL!
Last edited by Freightrain; Apr 13, 2006 at 10:45 AM.
I thought about going to the test site but the nearest one is about 40 min. away. Took the written and scored a 96 on it. I would have to agree that the books the state gives to study are horrible. I didn't think the test was taken from the books. I made the comment after I tested that if I had not been around bikes and cops all of my life I would have not done that good on it. I will be testing on a dual-sport so I think I will be okay.
A dual sport is an excellent bike to take the test on. Good job on the written! Most people don't pass the first time, let alone have a top score like that.
The motorcycle safety course that Ohio offers is the best $25 you will ever spend! I took the class earlier this year and I am much more comfortable on my bike: I had been riding for three years before taking the class.
Find where one of these classes are being offered and take it even if you are already set-up.
Hope its not too late to jump in on this thread. I know the local community college offers the safety course for $25. BEST part is, if you pass the course, you do NOT need to take the test, you will receive your endorsement.
I took mine on my V65 Magna (what an idiot I was for selling that thing!) 1100cc and did great. My buddy has a 600 Ninja and he went to the dealer and they loaned him an old 350 Honda to take the test on.
I've heard the cafe-style bikes don't have a small enough turning radius, but your dual-sport should be perfect.
The course I tested on went straight for about 30 feet, 90 deg left for about 75, tight left 180 deg turn, then straight for 60 feet, tight right 180 and then the 9+ second test, this area has a narrow section of cones where you must take a MINIMUM of 9 seconds to go through - in other words very slow (maybe it was 10 or 11 seconds, but you get the idea). 180 left turn then a straight-away were you must reach like 20 mph and change gears then stop within the two marked lines at the end.
Again, this was probably 1988...long time ago....
However, its like tee-ing off on the 1st green, everyone is watching so you get nervous...
Congratulations! I'm taking the written test tomorrow, the basic rider course starts Tuesday. Maybe I oughta get plates for the bike. Had it three weeks now and haven't bothered gettin' em! If all goes as planned, I'll have my license by next Monday!
ok, here we go...lol. i'm taking my test on a vetter dressed 1981 cb900 honda on wed. in lima. should be interesting hearing the description of the test. i dont know if the old girl will lean that far.... btw, anybody going to the jamboree?
That test is a joke. I took it last year on my Ninja 500. I got 100%. I asked the guy if it was ok to stop before the ruler on the skid test and he said I dont need to worry about it because he had only seen one person ever do it. I enjoyed showing him up. Its best to have a small bike, I had to stay on the clutch in 1st gear the whole time.