How do you practice the offset weave?

[CajunBass]

Yeah, but the Va DMV test is ridiculously easy. The best way to hone your skills is start in a parking lot where you can guage things by parking spots. Setup something you can do and once you master it make it harder. Don't go too far in one go but before you know it slow speed manuevers will be no issue at all.

... but set them further apart for high speed manuevers

Funny you should say that. The instructor at the BRC I took told me "Nobody can pass the DMV test." I didn't stick around for the BRC test, but I didn't think DMV one was too hard either.

[ofblong]

Yeah, but the Va DMV test is ridiculously easy. The best way to hone your skills is start in a parking lot where you can guage things by parking spots. Setup something you can do and once you master it make it harder. Don't go too far in one go but before you know it slow speed manuevers will be no issue at all.

... but set them further apart for high speed manuevers

Funny you should say that. The instructor at the BRC I took told me "Nobody can pass the DMV test." I didn't stick around for the BRC test, but I didn't think DMV one was too hard either.

Nobody can pass the DMV test because they bring their huge arse harleys in without knowing truyly how to handle the bike and expect to be able to pass. Friend of mine brought his friends 250 scooter to his DMV test and passed with flying colors .

[CajunBass]

Nobody can pass the DMV test because they bring their huge arse harleys in without knowing truyly how to handle the bike and expect to be able to pass. Friend of mine brought his friends 250 scooter to his DMV test and passed with flying colors .

You're probably right on that. I'd hate to have to take that test on my BMW LT.

But when I took it on my 400 Majesty scooter, the lady who was giving me the test said "That's one of the hardest type of bikes to pass this test on." She didn't say why, and I didn't have any real trouble. The only thing I could think of was not having a clutch to slip to help control speed while doing some of the maneuvers. I didn't have any trouble since I had learned to ride the rear brake a little to do the same thing. (CVT transmission.) I practiced that thing a dozen times in the DMV lot before going in to take my test. I could hit it EVERY time. No problem. The mistakes I made during the test were just a matter of being nervous about taking a test, but I did pass.

I agree a small bike would be a LOT easier.

I did watch a Police bike rodeo in a Wal-Mart parking lot once. It was impressive to see what those guys could do with those big Harley's. I probably couldn't have done some of that stuff on a bicycle.

[swirlie]

I have nosy cops around all the time.

I'm a Deputy Sheriff, and I can tell you that if I ran across someone practicing with cones it would be a great day. "Someone actually showing interest in increasing their skill level? You're kidding me! Frickin' awesome!!!"

Us cops are used to seeing people who get their licenses out of cracker jack boxes... or motorcycle riders that ride waaaaaaaaaaay past their skill level and end up as a red smear on the roadway and we have to call out the traffic homicide investigators.

[Lion_Lady]

Yeah, but the Va DMV test is ridiculously easy. The best way to hone your skills is start in a parking lot where you can guage things by parking spots. Setup something you can do and once you master it make it harder. Don't go too far in one go but before you know it slow speed manuevers will be no issue at all.

... but set them further apart for high speed manuevers

That was NOT my experience. The MVA test course was on an INCLINE and the slow speed, clutch control bit was DOWNHILL!!!

Funny you should say that. The instructor at the BRC I took told me "Nobody can pass the DMV test." I didn't stick around for the BRC test, but I didn't think DMV one was too hard either.

The MVA test was AbSuRd!!! Mostly at walking speed and with little relation to 'real' skills. PLUS my 'examiner' had a NASTY attitude, because the high schooler right before me dared to question his assessment of her skills. I felt like I'd failed before I even started moving.

Was easier to go take the BRC II.

P

[storysunfolding]

Ours was an offset cone weave and a u turn. A 90 left corner while moving (think corner from MSF when you are doing their exercises) and stopping your tire in a 2foot by 2 foot box). A stopping exercise and I can't remember the other part. Anyway, you could fail the MSF and get this one with no points off.

[qwerty]

I went for a little ride this morning and swung past the lot where I took the BRC. There were a few women out there practicing weaves on their own bikes (there is an all-female club from DFW, very active in helping other women get started). I went to the second course on the other end of the lot and began riding all the different exercises, just getting familiar with the bike. After a few minutes, the women came down to watch. We chatted for awhile. It seems one of the women has been riding for years and was coaching the others. One of the newbies was having a difficult time keeping her eyes up during the weaves and corners, so just being a smarta$$, I told her to hold her arms in the riding position and throw those hips out to simulate counterweighting, and walk the weave, focusing on keeping her head up and her focus on a tree at the end of the lot. She did that a few times, got back on her Sporty Lowrider, and it actually worked! Noone was more surprised than I was. She bought me breakfast.

[CajunBass]

That was NOT my experience. The MVA test course was on an INCLINE and the slow speed, clutch control bit was DOWNHILL!!!

I know what you mean about that. The place where I took my Va. DMV test was on an incline too. Downhill through the cone weave (with no runoff area, just a brick wall. Talk about intimidating. ) and uphill for the U turn. Talk about throwing off everything I'd practiced over and over and over.

[snwflk303]

Find a road with dash lines and use those. You'll learn quickly, can practice almost anytime you want and never have to stop and reset anything. Warning...don't practice like this with traffic on coming or behind you. I also practice dodging spots in the road, man hole covers and anything else I see. One more for the road...Find a highway with four curved ramps (two down and two up) from an overpass, Just keep going around and around, it will do wonders for your confidence.

As for the DMV test...Many states allow the instructor of the MSF course to pass you. Then you take your certification card to the DMV and Smile.