Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I have only recently applied for my permit(for a car not a motorcycle). But after really falling in love with a bike a while back i cant get it out of my mind. I am only 15(16 in August). So what do i have to go about doing to get my M1 Class license. Is it possible to get it at my age? I have read on the DMV page that if i have my drivers license i will not have to take the Motorcycle driving test at the DMV. But is there a waiting period between when you get your motorcycle permit and your license?(like with the drivers permit then the drivers license you have to wait 6 months here in california) I am thinking about picking up a 500cc bike after reading lots of what you guys have said and really love the sportbikes. Looking at the Kawasaki's and the Suzuki's because i seem to like those the best at this point. So i know this is a big and jumbled up paragraph with quite a few questions but any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Laws are different in different places, someone might live near you and know the rules. Where abouts (generally speaking) are you based?

living in California, whoops thought i put that i guess i missed something pretty big.

You aren't mistaken, you quite clearly stated where you were living.

...


If I have one recomendation, it's to take some lessons with full bike and equipment hire. It costs, but its worth it. You'll probably even try out a couple of different sizes of bikes.

Good luck.

where in cali you at?

you need to have a valid drivers license before getting your motorcycle license.

heres info from the msf california website

"The Basic RiderCourse is aimed at beginning riders of all ages 15 1/2 or older. To take this course, you must present a valid driver’s license, learner’s permit, or a certificate showing completion of classroom portion of driver’s education. If under 18, a waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian.

A minimum of five hours classroom instruction prepares the student for at least ten hours of practical riding in a controlled, off-street environment. Motorcycles and helmets for use in the course are included in your course fee. Fees range from $150 for students under 21 to $235 for others depending on the training site"

After you take your msf course and pass the written/riding exam, or during your msf, get your instruction motorcycle permit

In california,
you need to hold your permit for 6 MONTHS BEFORE YOU GET YOUR LICENSE

here

" To apply for your motorcycle driver license, you must:

* Be at least 16 years old
* Have had your permit for 6 months
* Have completed driver education and driver training or have your California driver license.
* Complete a motorcycle rider training course given by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). All persons under 21 are required to complete the course.
* Submit the CHP completion certificate (You will not be required to take the motorcycle driving test at DMV.)
For information about the CHP training course, please call 1-877-743-3411 or visit www.ca-msp.org.
"
good luck[/b]

Thanks guys. I'm not clear on what you meant when you said take a lesson with full hire?(whatever it said) If you meant the MSF course i was already planning on taking that. Dohun your information was very helpful but i saw a flaw when you said i need a california driver's license, that is untrue after reading the rest of your post. I will need a permit or drivers license to take the MSF then from there i can get my permit(m1) then go take the MSF, now would i need to buy a bike? or wait 6 months get my license and then get the bike? Because i can drive the bike with my permit, or wait till my license so i dont see the sense in waiting but will take your advice. I also know i should take the MSF before getting a bike just to see if i am capable and if it is really for me.

Ha if this goes the way i plan i could be riding a bike by summer

Has anybody here gotten a bike while enrolled in high school? and did you drive it to school or will it not be safe with all us damn teens running around?

Lil John3464 wrote:
Ha if this goes the way i plan i could be riding a bike by summer

Has anybody here gotten a bike while enrolled in high school? and did you drive it to school or will it not be safe with all us damn teens running around?

oh whatever thats what i meant. I got a bike the beginning of my junior year of high school.. I am a junior now. I started riding to school one month after I got my bike until it got too cold. It was kind of annoying lugging my gear to my locker but you get used to it. You also get funny looks but thats just cuz they arent used to it. And no its not annoying with all the teens around.

I dont ride anymore because I moved and my new school is just basically across the street from my house





and also, get your DRIVERS license before getting your motorcycle license. Youll probably hear this from the old dudes here but if youve never driven on a road before and you throw yourself on the road with a motorcycle you could be roadkill pretty soon. you know.. get used to what drivers do and stuff.. you know.. I got my drivers license January of my sophomore year and got my bike August of that same year...

youll need some practice on the road before getting on a motorcycle.

im 17 btw, where in cali do you live?

and also, get your DRIVERS license before getting your motorcycle license. Youll probably hear this from the old dudes here but if youve never driven on a road before and you throw yourself on the road with a motorcycle you could be roadkill pretty soon.

I actually had my motorcycle license almost a year before I was eligible to have my car drivers license. GA has a rule about having your car permit for a year and a day. My family is military so when we moved down here, I could immediately get my motorcycle permit + license with no waiting period. Then I waited til I had a car drivers license and got a truck.

You aren't going to go splat just because you have one choice over another, but the motorcycle route is not as "forgiving" per say, if you do make a mistake. Common sense and maturity also go a long way in getting from place to place. So, I don't condone anyone who gets motorcycle license first before getting a car one. Although it doesn't seem to be an option in CA.

Skel3tor1 wrote:

and also, get your DRIVERS license before getting your motorcycle license. Youll probably hear this from the old dudes here but if youve never driven on a road before and you throw yourself on the road with a motorcycle you could be roadkill pretty soon.

I actually had my motorcycle license almost a year before I was eligible to have my car drivers license. GA has a rule about having your car permit for a year and a day. My family is military so when we moved down here, I could immediately get my motorcycle permit + license with no waiting period. Then I waited til I had a car drivers license and got a truck.

You aren't going to go splat just because you have one choice over another, but the motorcycle route is not as "forgiving" per say, if you do make a mistake. Common sense and maturity also go a long way in getting from place to place. So, I don't condone anyone who gets motorcycle license first before getting a car one. Although it doesn't seem to be an option in CA.

whatever, what i really meant to say was not really "get your drivers license" before your bike but get yourself familiar with drivers/roads and stuff like that in a car before you do on a motorcycle.

trust me on that one

oh ok thanks once again dohun. cool to know that theres another high school kid out there riding. I live down by Magic Mountain here in Cali. And for further reference anybody here who watches the show 24 on Fox my city is the one that got hit with a nuclear weapon. Dohun do you live in cali and you said it got to cold to ride? i see it being possible but i have never seen it to cold to ride in the day here. Oh and i cant even have my license until august so maybe i should plan for this whole motorcycle thing second semester of junior year...

oh yeah almost forgot did you have to lock your bike up or did you just park it in the school lot? plus i dont have lockers at my school so i would either leave the helmet and gear(do i need full out motorcycle pants or will a pair of those ultra thick jeans do just fine like the ones offered by ICON, then theres just gloves and a jacket) in one class and pick it up later or have to carry it around all day. That would get some weird looks but hey theres no bad attention right?