MA Motorcycle Test

[bergj1986]

I'm taking the test tomorrow and want to get an idea of what I would be expected to do. This would be my first motorcycle road test. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Josh

[Wishbone]

You need to know how to clutch up in 3rd gear

[OreoGaborio]

Practice your parking lot skills. Tight U-turns, figure 8's, weaving, swerving etc.

It might be some of that, or it might just be "Let me watch you ride around in a circle... ok, good enough, congrats"

[Hamburgler]

When i did it it was a couple circles in each direction, then a figure 8 or two without putting your foot down. Practice for a bit in a parking lot beforehand and you'll be fine.

[Ken C]

... then sign up for an MSF course. So you can learn to ride well.

Mass MC training

[brendanp]

circles/figure 8's.. practice feathering the clutch while making the smallest circle possible without touching your foot down. Also, know your hand signals.

[Jim]

make sure your visor is down on your helmet. had a friend fail at the end of his road test because his visor was up, and he had no eye protection

[nt650hawk]

TOMORROW?

Practice applying proper riding attire. Rain Gear.

[OreoGaborio]

TOMORROW?

Practice applying proper riding attire. Rain Gear.

Today, now....



So? How'd it go?!?!

[bergj1986]

So I passed the test with flying colors, thanks for the tips everyone!

They asked me the hand signals, I remembered the left and right hand, did those properly, then I couldn't figure out what else they wanted so I did the slow/stop signal and apparently was correct.

They gave me about a 75 foot span to do (1) LH circle, (1) RH circle, (1) LH Figure 8 and (1) RH Figure 8. Apparently I did my circles in a very small area, about 6 foot diameter circles. Did one each way then the tester waved me down saying I don't need to do the rest of the test and he's never seen such amazing riding out of anyone who's taken the test. Apparently I'm kick ass on a bike! Haha, who'd have thought!

Anyway, I had to surrender my license so now I can't get a drink to celebrate cuz no place I know of will accept the temp! DAMN! I should have planned better and stocked up on beer and such. Anybody wanna donate anything?

Anyways, the test went well and was much easier than I thought.

[bergj1986]

Oh, and it didn't rain, but the clouds looked very threatening while I was waiting to take the test. Glad to have this done with!

[OreoGaborio]

congrats

Since you're so good I'll see you in a few weeks for the first track day of the season?

[Wishbone]

How did you do on your clutch-ups?

Did they make you do any power-ups?

[bergj1986]

I would like to do some track days, it seems like allot of fun, I just don't have a disposable bike at the moment.

I didn't have to do any clutch-ups, I did the entire test at about 2k rpm, no speed needed. I did ask the examiner at the end of the test if he wanted to see any wheelies

[OreoGaborio]

I would like to do some track days, it seems like a lot of fun, I just don't have a disposable bike at the moment

Don't have a disposable bike... but you risk riding it on the street?

Think about it... No sand, no pedestrians, no potholes, no roadkill, no blind drivers talking on cell phones... On the track it's just you & the best twisty road imaginable w/o all the hazards of the open road. The only thing that can cause you to crash is you.

[bergj1986]

You do make a good point. The bikes I currently own are for investment purposes, so I'd like to keep them as pretty as possible to maximize profits.

I do like your thinking though. Would I have to purchase a leather racing suit in order to go on a track? I have a helmet and leather jacket, but something tells me that's not enough.

Time to research some tracks....

[OreoGaborio]

You do make a good point. The bikes I currently own are for investment purposes, so I'd like to keep them as pretty as possible to maximize profits.

I do like your thinking though. Would I have to purchase a leather racing suit in order to go on a track? I have a helmet and leather jacket, but something tells me that's not enough.

Time to research some tracks....

Yeah I understand, but remember.. it's not racing... It's literally a spirited street ride but under controlled conditions with plenty of rules for your safety. Ride as fast or as slow as you want (and we have plenty of riders that choose the latter). Just about the only thing that can make you crash besides bike malfunction is your own self control. If you can ride within your limits there's very little chance of anything going drastically wrong.... of course we still have 5-10 crashes on any given track day, but most are very minor... Rider & Bike usually get picked up & go on their merry way w/ minor repairs.

If you click the Tony's Track Days banner in my sig it has a full description of just about everything you need to know before coming up to one of our events, including a whole page on "Rider Prep" that goes over all the required gear. Full leathers are recommended but not required. Chances are you'll probably only need to add a pair of textile pants & a back protector to what you've already got, but take a look at the website & see what you'll need.

As for experience, we have first time customers coming up with as much as 50 years to as little as just a few months of riding under their belt. All you really need in terms of skill/experience is the ability to operate a motorcycle w/o hesitation or consciously thinking "how do I turn left?" or "where's the front brake again?". Basically, normal control should be second nature. Everyone's different, but me personally, I had about 5k miles and a few group rides under my belt with more experienced riders that were able to teach me a few things before I did my first track day.

As for tracks... pretty much the only game in town right now is NHMS up in Loudon NH, but Thunderbolt Raceway in NJ is just about to open up around July/August. We'll be heading there in October. I can't wait to check it out

Any questions, just fire away.

Congrats again on the M class