Got My Motorcycle License!

[legion]

Well, I finally did it.

I took the MSA motorcycle class. I ended up failing because my left foot slipped of the peg during the turning test and hit the shifter--down shifting into 1st and snapping the bike upright. Though I was no where near the lines, I thought I should have passed on the grounds that I managed to regain control of the bike without dumping it. The instructor did not see it that way.

A friend of mine is out of town so I borrowed her 250cc Rebel--with her permission, she left me the keys. Wednesday night I took it to the local grade school parking lot to get a feel for it. I found I couldn't wear my riding boots--they were too tall for where she had the pegs placed and I had a lot of trouble up shifting.

Thursday night I took the bike out and spent about an hour trying to practice the riding test the best I could using makeshift markers. I wore tennis shoes which made working the shifter MUCH easier.

Today I loaded the bike in my pickup truck and headed to the DMV. The back of the DMV motorcycle book very clearly lays out the "road test". I spent two hours practicing on the actual test grid (thankfully no one was using it). I was really worried about the slalom test as the cones were 7 feet apart with a 5 foot offset. I have trouble turning the Rebel as I sit so low on it. When I felt reasonably confident, I went inside and started the paperwork.

Turns out I was the second in line for taking the motorcycle test. Ahead of me was a cocky, confident 18 year old with a CB 400. I overheard the lady sitting next to him ask him if he took the MSA motorcycle class. "Total waste of money." was his response. It's free, BTW.

Finally it is time to take the test. I have a helmet, jacket, and gloves. The 18-year-old has sunglasses, a sleeveless t-shirt, and sandals. As it took me a minute to suit up, he arrived at the grid first. The inspector asks which of us would like to go first. I simply reply: "He was here first." (I wanted to watch the test and get a feeling for the instructor.)

Now there are four tests. The first test is to start slowly, make a left turn in a marked corner, make another left, and come to a gentle stop with your front wheel in a 4' x 5' box. The second test is to weave between the impossibly close cones, make a wide u-turn, then make a tight u-turn in a marked box. The fourth test is to accelerate to 15 mph, and then when the front tire passes a line stop quickly. The target distance is 13 feet. The final test is to swerve around a marked "obstacle" but inside of a larger box.

The 18-year-old did the first test fine. During the second test, it became obvious this was his first try at doing the test and he wasn't familiar with the procedure. He went straight through the middle of the slalom cones, but managed to make the tight u-turn (he had 24 feet for his 400 cc bike--I'd have 20 feet for my 250 cc bike). The third test he completely botched. He did not accelerate hard and somehow, he took 25 feet to stop from a low speed. The inspector did not let him take the 4th test.

I did the first test perfectly. The second test I missed the last two cones (they were impossibly close with a ridiculous offset) and just managed to make the u-turn. I aced the stopping test at 13 feet exactly from 15 mph. The swerving test I also aced.

I went inside to get my license and asked my wife (who just had to turn in her MSA course completion card to get her motorcycle license) to put my jacket and helmet in the truck while I waited. In the time it took her to do that, they took my picture and printed my license. When she got back, I told her that I failed my test-again.

Now the next part is why I am convinced that I live in the right place. When loading the motorcycle back into the truck (there's no way I feel comfortable riding on a busy road yet), a complete stranger pulled off the road into the DMV parking lot just to help me load it. When I got back to my friend's house, another complete stranger driving down her street stopped to help me unload it. I love central Illinois!

[nostatic]

congrats!

don't crash

[varmint]

wear a helmet.

a real full face helmet.

[legion]

Originally Posted by varmint

wear a helmet.

a real full face helmet.

Bought one on Tuesday. A HTC model. I didn't want to spring for a Shoei until I understood my likes/dislikes. I also have gloves, a jacket, and boots. I haven't been able to find pants locally.

[nostatic]

www.newenough.com

[cab83_750]

Originally Posted by legion

....
Now the next part is why I am convinced that I live in the right place. When loading the motorcycle back into the truck (there's no way I feel comfortable riding on a busy road yet), a complete stranger pulled off the road into the DMV parking lot just to help me load it. When I got back to my friend's house, another complete stranger driving down her street stopped to help me unload it. I love central Illinois!.....

Congratulations! And good move on taking the MSA class.

If you think the 911-flash is good, wait till you see the 'rider-wave.' Oh, crotch-rocket riders and cruiser-riders have not managed to co-exist peacefully at 100% --- but we are getting there.

As for being helped, I think it is a norm for us rider to help each other. Too bad you can't be in California as I am so close (very close) to Mulholland and the Rock Store; I am sure you have your own 'carving' canyongs in your area.

[legion]

Originally Posted by cab83_750

Congratulations! And good move on taking the MSA class.

If you think the 911-flash is good, wait till you see the 'rider-wave.' Oh, crotch-rocket riders and cruiser-riders have not managed to co-exist peacefully at 100% --- but we are getting there.

As for being helped, I think it is a norm for us rider to help each other. Too bad you can't be in California as I am so close (very close) to Mulholland and the Rock Store; I am sure you have your own 'carving' canyongs in your area.

I used to live at 1020 Canyon View Drive in La Verne, CA.

And I pretty much get ignored by most 911 drivers.

[varmint]

anything DOT/SNELL certified is going to be good enough. i have an arai, the extra 300% in cost is mostly about comfort and light weight. important when you're riding every day.

have you decided yet if you're going to be a cruiser person or a sport bike person?

[legion]

I've decided that my first bike will be a 20 year old Honda sport cruiser, and I will make my decision from there...

[Chocaholic]

Best bang for the buck these days is the Scorpion EXO-700. Snell/DOT, good ventilation, removable and washable innards, etc. All for under $200. EXO-400 is around $150, also Snell/DOT with a polycarbonate shell. Very comfortable...Shoei clone in terms of features and fit. I have two and we just got one for the little woman. Worth a look.

Enjoy the ride.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by legion

I've decided that my first bike will be a 20 year old Honda sport cruiser, and I will make my decision from there...

Good approach. It will take you some seat-time to determine your comfort/enjoyment preferences. I found, after many years, that I like the power of a sport-bike but could not settle into the ergos. Airhead HD's are too big and heavy with no power or handling (the opposite extreme), but are very comfortable (for me). This bike has been the best compromise I've come across. Sportbike like acceleration, much better handling than a big HD, but the riding position, comfort and aesthetics that work for me.

Undoubtedly you'll own several bikes over the years until you find the right balance that fits you. A very personal thing. Don't let others tell you what to ride...find out for yourself.




Congratulations on earning your endorsement. Ride safely, be aware of your surroundings, but relax at the same time. If you use it for enjoyment (and not just cheap transportation), it'll add relaxation and pleasure to your life that is impossible to achieve in any car/boat/etc. Again...enjoy the ride.

[Buckterrier]

Congrats Legion.. One word of advice.... EVERY car you see will hit you. If you have that mind set you will have many miles of motorcycling enjoyment.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Best bang for the buck these days is the Scorpion EXO-700. Snell/DOT, good ventilation, removable and washable innards, etc. All for under $200. EXO-400 is around $150, also Snell/DOT with a polycarbonate shell. Very comfortable...Shoei clone in terms of features and fit. I have two and we just got one for the little woman. Worth a look.

Enjoy the ride.

Mike, I bought a Scorpion EXO-700 about a month or 2 ago. Before that I was using a friend's agv, which in retrospect, must have been one of their better models. It was a little small and had the ugliest design you've ever seen on a helmet, so I needed to get a new one. I loved the look of the EXO, but it was the almost total unanimity in reviews that the EXO was a great helmet, especially for the price, that pushed me over.

Have ridden with it for maybe 1000 miles and can tell you that I would not recommend this helmet. It's nice and light, but significantly noisier than the agv. The worst thing about it is when I'm doing highway speed and turn my head, wind goes right through the shield/helmet seam. The agv, nothing. I've looked at it and nothing seems broken or misaligned.

I'm looking at used Arai's right now. lot of people with $ bought nice stuff and never used it.

[Chocaholic]

Lots of risk in buying a used helmet. Simply not worth the potential lack of protection at the moment you need it most. A helmet can look perfect but be compromised by a drop that doesn't damage the shell. I've never owned an AGV or Arai, so can't comment. But I have owned Shoeis and find the EXO very similar in every regard.

Also, I should clarify...I always wear earplugs when I ride....and recommend it. The wind noise in the Scorpion is no better or worse than it was in my Shoei. But, with ear plugs, the ride is quiet and comfortable regardless. Wind noise in any helmet can cost you your hearing over time. I live in Georgia, so I don't mind the airflow of the Scorpion (consider it a feature). Again...a personal thing. With a mesh chin attachment, the air entering the helmet is minimized in cooler weather.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Lots of risk in buying a used helmet. Simply not worth the potential lack of protection at the moment you need it most. A helmet can look perfect but be compromised by a drop that doesn't damage the shell. I've never owned an AGV or Arai, so can't comment. But I have owned Shoeis and find the EXO very similar in every regard.

Also, I should clarify...I always wear earplugs when I ride....and recommend it. The wind noise in the Scorpion is no better or worse than it was in my Shoei. But, with ear plugs, the ride is quiet and comfortable regardless. Wind noise in any helmet can cost you your hearing over time. I live in Georgia, so I don't mind the airflow of the Scorpion (consider it a feature). Again...a personal thing. With a mesh chin attachment, the air entering the helmet is minimized in cooler weather.

Good advice on the first part. I haven't used earplugs, maybe I'll give them a try. But like I said, the agv feels like a substantially better helmet, the Scorpion feels quite cheap by comparison, down to the chinzy D-rings. I think I'll spring for the chin attachment...or just get a can of Krylon for the AGV.

[Chocaholic]

Try the blue "Hear-o's" foam plugs (any drugstore should have them). I usually cut them down with a scisors to about 2/3 their original size so they fit in the ear without contacting the inside of the helmet. Once you get used to riding with plugs, you'll never go back.

[cab83_750]

Actually, you MUST MUST MUST MUST wear those foam ear-plugs all the time. Without those, you will eventually start losing your hearing.

I can't stress enough the word 'MUST'

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Try the blue "Hear-o's" foam plugs (any drugstore should have them). I usually cut them down with a scisors to about 2/3 their original size so they fit in the ear without contacting the inside of the helmet. Once you get used to riding with plugs, you'll never go back.

Originally Posted by cab83_750

Actually, you MUST MUST MUST MUST wear those foam ear-plugs all the time. Without those, you will eventually start losing your hearing.

I can't stress enough the word 'MUST'

good deal, thanks for the sound advice and tip.

Edit: just tried both helmets on. the agv goes deeper down at the chin. I like that style of fit. if the Scorpion didn't let in air when turning my head, I think I'd be OK with it.

this is the helmet I wish I could afford, but at 199 British pounds (plus shipping over here), not going to happen.

[porsche4life]

I have always used an HJC and I love my helmet. I havent been on a bike in about a year and I am trying to get my fathers Honda NX-250 running as it will carry my little butt at ungodly speeds.

Legion- just be aware that the cars arent watching for you and it sounds like you are a fairly competent rider already. Know what your bike will do and that will save your butt. Dont buy a bike that is too big off the bat. Make sure you gradually step-up. I still ride a 250 but I only weigh 120 so its not a big deal. I have known lots of guys that got too big a bike and it put a serious hurt on them before they got used to it.

[cab83_750]

I have the Shoe XXL heh heh heh.

FYI, from what I understand, the ARAI fits better on Asian heads. Unfortunately, you cannot use the web to order them ---- company policy states that you must try them personally.

Disclaimer: This is not meant to be a racial comment.