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shane-o wrote:I dont believe what Im reading


If ya all think doing a U turn within a circle thats about 20 foot across with ya feet up is difficult and beyond the teachings to a new learner rider and too advanced a skill to know for a new rider, then Im glad Im ridng over here

Although I don't live in CA, I have been there and practiced on the test pattern at an LA DMV office (helping out some noob friends). It's not a simple 20 ft. circle. IIRC it's a 16 ft. diameter circle. The inside and outside lines of the circle are about 8 inches apart. You must not touch either line or put a foot down. Doing either one is an immediate disqualification and the test is over.

I found it pretty difficult to do consistently on a larger bike. The small space between the inner and outer boundary lines is what makes it tough. One problem is that it's very difficult to see the lines directly in front of a larger bike. It also requires a good bit of clutch slipping to manage power throughout the manuever.

Like I said, it's not impossible, but it is fairly difficult to do on a larger bike. I was able to do it consistently, without error, on a Rebel 250 and a Ninja 250. It was quite a bit more difficult on my Nighthawk 750.

I think a simple analogy would be that you would NOT want to drive a car if you didn't know how to turn the steering wheel more than one turn to either side.

Sure, you won't "need" the full lock most of the time, but you *need* to be ABLE to do it. The skills you learn when you learn sharp low-speed skills *will* be utilised in other areas or riding.

Having a bike or car that is harder to do the required skills is no excuse - that means you need to practice more to get the same results. Otherwise it's more dangerous.

The figure 8, countersteering, and emergency braking are the 3 most useful things I got out of the MSF cousre.

I make u-turns regularly so my figure 8 practice gets put to use a lot.

and of course I use countersteering all the time.

Have yet to need to put my emergency braking skill to the test but I still practice it regularly.

The549 wrote:I think a simple analogy would be that you would NOT want to drive a car if you didn't know how to turn the steering wheel more than one turn to either side.

Sure, you won't "need" the full lock most of the time, but you *need* to be ABLE to do it. The skills you learn when you learn sharp low-speed skills *will* be utilised in other areas or riding.

Having a bike or car that is harder to do the required skills is no excuse - that means you need to practice more to get the same results. Otherwise it's more dangerous.

I think most everyone agrees how important low speed stuff is, I simply question that particular test. I still havent heard one person explain why the DMV test is so much harder than the MSF course. I just question DMV policy, it does not seem consistent. If MSF skills are good enough for a motorcycle endorsement, why the assenine course?

swatter555 wrote:I think most everyone agrees how important low speed stuff is, I simply question that particular test. I still havent heard one person explain why the DMV test is so much harder than the MSF course. I just question DMV policy, it does not seem consistent. If MSF skills are good enough for a motorcycle endorsement, why the assenine course?

I think the CA test is made that way to force as many people as possible into the training course. I would venture to guess that 80-90% of the training course graduates would not be able to complete the practical test successfully.

I wonder when Arnold will be enrolling in the course. I guarantee you he wouldn't be able to get one of his hogs around the circle. I'd be willing to bet that the DMV will make up a "special" test for him. Can't imagine him spending a couple of days in the course.

flynrider wrote: I wonder when Arnold will be enrolling in the course. I guarantee you he wouldn't be able to get one of his hogs around the circle. I'd be willing to bet that the DMV will make up a "special" test for him. Can't imagine him spending a couple of days in the course.

When you are Governor and rich you don't need to follow the same rules. He can easily pay a couple thousand to have someone be a personal certifier and even get a special course made up just for him since he's part of the government (that top part in CA). I'm sure he can't escape testing all together. In today's world someone would notice and make a big stink. I'm sure people are always watching for him to make a mistake so they can rip on him.

I'm no Arnold fan, and I'm don't feel sorry for those who put themselves in the public light, but it must be a hassle. I'd never want to be famous. I like my skeletons in the closet.

Politically, I don't really care about Arnold one way or the other. I just think he missed an excellent opportunity to set an example, by getting the training and becoming properly licensed. Instead, he appears to be taking a more "sweep it under the rug" approach. Sad.