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I took a 20 question multiple choice test yesterday to get my permit. Less than half the questions were about motorcycles and now I can ride a 1000cc sportsbike as long as an "instructor" is within a quarter mile of me. How crazy is that?

No crazier than New Jersey. Maybe 60% of the motorcycle learner's permit test here is motorcycle content. The rest is from the general motor vehicle manual

The function of the government isn't to protect you from motorcycles you may choose to operate, y'know. It's function is to raise revenue to fund the perpetuation of ..... its revenue-raising function!!

So, ya gonna take the MSF course now ya got yer permit?

The MSF written test is considerably more relevant. The NYS permit test for me was 17 alcohol questions, 2 sign questions, and 1 motorcycle question.

Some people never get car permits. Makes sense for them to be tested on road knowledge. How many accidents come from people failing to yield the right of way?

That said, how many questions on your car permit/license test asked about how the car operates? The written tests aren't about testing your functional knowledge anyway- that's left for the skills test*.









*Albeit horribly in most states.

UberC wrote:I took a 20 question multiple choice test yesterday to get my permit. Less than half the questions were about motorcycles and now I can ride a 1000cc sportsbike as long as an "instructor" is within a quarter mile of me. How crazy is that?

You can get a car permit after taking a multiple choice test and then climb into a Ford Excursion or Lotus Elise and hit the streets, as long as there is a licensed driver somewhere in the vehicle.

yeah I'm taking the MSF class late sept. and don't plan on riding before then. I'm just a little shocked by how lax the licensing system is.

UberC wrote:yeah I'm taking the MSF class late sept. and don't plan on riding before then. I'm just a little shocked by how lax the licensing system is.

How else would you have them do it? Give a harder/longer multiple-choice test?

jonnythan wrote:

UberC wrote:yeah I'm taking the MSF class late sept. and don't plan on riding before then. I'm just a little shocked by how lax the licensing system is.

How else would you have them do it? Give a harder/longer multiple-choice test?

I dunno I guess maybe restrict the size of the bike and where you can ride it at first. I know some don't think that's the role of the government though.

UberC wrote:I dunno I guess maybe restrict where you can ride it at first. I know some don't think that's the role of the government though.

Alot of states have a graduated license system for new drivers. Can only have x many passengers for x months. Can't drive between x time and x time. etc

Wouldn't hurt to get that for m/c's too

UberC wrote:

jonnythan wrote:

UberC wrote:yeah I'm taking the MSF class late sept. and don't plan on riding before then. I'm just a little shocked by how lax the licensing system is.

How else would you have them do it? Give a harder/longer multiple-choice test?

I dunno I guess maybe restrict the size of the bike and where you can ride it at first. I know some don't think that's the role of the government though.

A 750cc supersport is extremely dangerous in the hands of a newbie, but a 750cc cruiser is a beginner's bike.

Legislating based on displacement is silly because displacement by itself is not overly important. A super twitchy throttle, extremely powerful brakes, a high center of gravity, and a very low rake angle can turn even a 500cc bike into an expert-only race bike.

Every other state is the same as NY in this regard.