Failed riding test

[R3sp4wN]

My MSF instructor told the class that if you failed you would have to take the class over again, payment and all...

[Lisa22]

Yeah, the guy who failed due to the honking said it was almost impossible to hear the honks. He said he was nervous as well.

After lurking I'm glad that I joined the forum, because you all are so helpful. Everyone's right, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't pass the test, and I can retake it again and again. Hopefully they'll get sick of seeing my face and pass me. Just kidding - I want to be safe.

I got the bike to ride around town, not on the highway (to work and the gym, etc). And for the joy of riding of course. I work 3 miles from my house, and my car is old and pretty bad on gas. Even so, I don't need public transportation.

Oh yeah, I am a teacher, and most of my co-workers all think I'm crazy for getting a motorcycle. I'm sure I'll be getting glares next year when I ride it to school. But when I told the kids about my little Rebel (I work with 1st and 2nd graders) their eyes got all wide and excited. It helps when the coolness factor goes up when working with kids. Hehe.

Thanks again,
Lisa

[Thumper]

YIt helps when the coolness factor goes up when working with kids. Hehe.

Your next step is a tattoo. I suggest something Disney, because nothing says you're a bada$$ biker like a Disney character permanently etched into your flesh. This has worked well for me, upping my coolness + bada$$ness factor. Plus, little kids want to come up and touch my Thumper, which isn't nearly as creepy as it sounds...

[ofblong]

Kids are always amazed and excited when they see a motorcycle. Parents, on the other hand, are very different.

[Erg0n]

probably asked before, but do they offer a closed circuit test, like in a parking lot, instead of a road test?

[Lisa22]

Hey Thumper, your tattoo is great, but I already have one. My daughter drew a sunflower and I had that put on my back. I can't show my students, because of where it is, but I'm pretty my 250 Rebel will look big and bad to a 6 year old.

ofblong - one of my kids (students) loves motorcycles, but he loves race cars even more. I used to sneak little toy cars in his backpack every once in a while. He never knew it was me.

ErOn, I'm pretty sure the road test is all that they offer here. Thanks for asking - it would be nice to have a choice.

Lisa

[Gadjet]

Lisa, I was nervous as well when I went to take my test, but I kept one piece of advice that my dad gave me before I went out foremost in my mind

"don't think about it. just ride"

When I got out on the road for the test, I spent more time enjoying the ride than focusing on being 'technically perfect'.

I passed my road test first time around.



ps. I also think that the testing method that they have there is really bizarre - here, the tester hooks you up with a two way radio in your helmet and gives you directions on what to do through that. much easier to hear over the road noise.

[majik]

Don't feel too bad, I failed my DMV skill test the first time also. Did the first two sections without any problems. But, on the reflex/reaction portion??? Still don't understand what happened but both times I ended up well into the penality area. The first time I thought it might be me. the second time I paid attention and realized the light was not activating untill I was already at the 30' mark of the zone. My front tire was stopped on the 35' mark. Now there is some human interaction on the testers part as to when the timer is activated on this portion of the test. My test person just did'nt seem to be thrilled with giving the test that day. I have cheked with others who have taken the test and had problems and their first words were did you have so and so give your test he's a real @#$#. No problem I'll just go do it again. (hopefully with a different person)

[ebm1224]

i just failed my msf test. really sucks. ive never driven a stick shift car before so the concept of gears and shifting really messed me up. it was a 2 day class and at the end of the first day i was pretty down on the whole thing and almost didn't go back for the second day. but i paid $250 dollars for this and i knew i'd feel worse if i didn't try at least. today was better - felt like i was getting the manuevers down better (even tho i was still having problems with some of the basic functioning items, i think that's something that will come with time). i dropped the bike a total of like 3 times while moving and another 2-3 standing still (body out of position with the bike and it just went down) which made me feel like a jackass since only one other person did this - and she only did it once. but the last few hours of the class were going pretty well. then came the assessment and during my first turn in the figure 8 i went down which is an immediate fail. i was so embarrassed. everyone in my class was so nice and they clapped for me but i just left before everyone else got to finish.

i guess i went in thinking that, in 2 days, i'd be decent enough to be on the street but it's not so. it's a bit frustrating because so many people surely take on more than they can handle at first and get into trouble. me - if i had gotten the license - i would have stayed in parking lots for a few weeks at least and maybe tried some privatte lessons.

sorry to be such a downer but i really needed to vent. i guess one of the worst parts is that i dont want to admit to everyone who thought i was crazy and incapable that they were right. i still want to ride - but how do i know if it's just not meant for me? why did i start at the same skill level as others and finish so much worse? i guess i'm just doubting myself and my ability to learn a new skill.

thanks for listening

(hopefully i'll be back out there pretty soon)

[blues2cruise]

i just failed my msf test. really sucks. ive never driven a stick shift car before so the concept of gears and shifting really messed me up. it was a 2 day class and at the end of the first day i was pretty down on the whole thing and almost didn't go back for the second day. but i paid $250 dollars for this and i knew i'd feel worse if i didn't try at least. today was better - felt like i was getting the manuevers down better (even tho i was still having problems with some of the basic functioning items, i think that's something that will come with time). i dropped the bike a total of like 3 times while moving and another 2-3 standing still (body out of position with the bike and it just went down) which made me feel like a jackass since only one other person did this - and she only did it once. but the last few hours of the class were going pretty well. then came the assessment and during my first turn in the figure 8 i went down which is an immediate fail. i was so embarrassed. everyone in my class was so nice and they clapped for me but i just left before everyone else got to finish.

i guess i went in thinking that, in 2 days, i'd be decent enough to be on the street but it's not so. it's a bit frustrating because so many people surely take on more than they can handle at first and get into trouble. me - if i had gotten the license - i would have stayed in parking lots for a few weeks at least and maybe tried some privatte lessons.

sorry to be such a downer but i really needed to vent. i guess one of the worst parts is that i dont want to admit to everyone who thought i was crazy and incapable that they were right. i still want to ride - but how do i know if it's just not meant for me? why did i start at the same skill level as others and finish so much worse? i guess i'm just doubting myself and my ability to learn a new skill.

thanks for listening

(hopefully i'll be back out there pretty soon)

First of all....2 days is not very much. Everyone has a different learning style and some catch on quickly and others need a bit more time.

You may have been more nervous than some of the others. Do you know for certain that the others had ZERO experience? When I took my lessons, most of the other people in the class had some sort of experience already.
Although I passed the skills test in the parking lot, I ended up taking a few private lessons before trying out the road test.

Private lessons are great in that you get undivided instruction and done at your pace....not at the pace of a class where they just want to get through as many people as possible. The schools here are prepared to give a student extra time and let them take the test again. Ask your school for a bit of extra time to practice and see if they will let you take the test again.