Advice and info on License

[BrettG]

I am intending to get my license as soon as I am able to. When I practice my turns tight turns and figrue 8s, I am worried that I am not getting them tight enough. I hav adjusted my clutch position to make it feel better, but I am having a hard time keeping my head turned. Any advice on that?

and how tight are they on the license test? I will likely be testing in Pittsfield, so relevant information for this location may be super helpful.

[ZX-12R]

I will qualify this by saying it's been years since I've directly known anyone to take their motorcycle test in Pittsfield. I grew up in the area but I took my road test in Northampton due to schedule reasons so my information is both old and second hand.

My friends all told me they did their maneuvering demonstrations (circle and figure 8) in the back left corner of the parking lot where there is a decent amount of space so long as you aren't taking the test on a raked out chopper. I would recommend taking a ride there and practicing after hours.

[boosten lebaron]

My wife too the test a few years ago and they told her she could take as much space as needed to do the maneuvers and not to worry about them being small. Her figure 8 was the size of the parking lot lol. She passed.

[ZX-12R]

That was my experience when I took my test. I had way more room than was necessary. The registry cop said to take a lap around the parking lot, do a circle in whatever direction I was most comfortable, do a figure 8 starting in any direction, then go park and meet him inside where he would take care of the rest.

They do check your bike and occasionally your gear so make sure you're inspected and everything is in good working order. Make sure you have appropriate footwear, pants, helmet, and glasses if you aren't using a full face.

[BrettG]

THis is all very helpful!!!

thank you all so much!!

[G21forme]

THis is all very helpful!!!

thank you all so much!!

I guess you're going to get lucky as I took my test in Merrimack and they had painted lines and cones and you got points off for hitting a cone or putting a foot down. The slalom was TIGHT so I had to feather the clutch. As someone already mentioned you should check it out and see if they have lines and practice a bit and even show up early the day of to brush up.

[sdog30]

I heard the first question on the test is how do you spell "license"

[sdog30]

Also, there is a training wheels in Pittsfield. It's worth taking the course in the fact you get a discount on your insurance and automatically pass your license exam when you complete the course.

Worse case, stop by their parking lot and practice there. They should have a painted box on the ground. Seem to remember it's on the way towards Lebanon Valley on the left.

[RandyO]

I was originally licensed in VT, before they had any special endorsement for bikes, so when I moved to NH, I had to take the test. I took mine in Ossipee in the town hall parking lot. I was the only person there to take the test. I had a '73 CB125S, brought it there in my chevy LUV truck, used a 2x8 plank as a ramp, unloaded bike, put my helmet on, did the required upshift to 2nd, and downshift back to 1st, went thru the course of cones, don't remember a figure 8, and upon completion, right up my plank, and into the back of the truck, and coming to a stop a couple inches away from the cab, I think the examiner took note that I didn't bang into the back of the cab, the speed I rode up the plank

[BrettG]

I heard the first question on the test is how do you spell "license"

Noted. LoL

[Stoneman]

I guess you're going to get lucky as I took my test in Merrimack and they had painted lines and cones and you got points off for hitting a cone or putting a foot down. The slalom was TIGHT so I had to feather the clutch. As someone already mentioned you should check it out and see if they have lines and practice a bit and even show up early the day of to brush up.

I was originally licensed in VT, before they had any special endorsement for bikes, so when I moved to NH, I had to take the test. I took mine in Ossipee in the town hall parking lot. I was the only person there to take the test. I had a '73 CB125S, brought it there in my chevy LUV truck, used a 2x8 plank as a ramp, unloaded bike, put my helmet on, did the required upshift to 2nd, and downshift back to 1st, went thru the course of cones, don't remember a figure 8, and upon completion, right up my plank, and into the back of the truck, and coming to a stop a couple inches away from the cab, I think the examiner took note that I didn't bang into the back of the cab, the speed I rode up the plank

It's been over 30 years since I took my "road" test. What little I remember is in Milford NH where I took mine, they had quite the layout painted in the State Police parking lot. Shifts, stopping within the box, slalom, etc. I don't remember doing "figure 8's" though, but that doesn't mean I didn't.

The slalom I did was pretty tight and I was on a hefty GPZ750. Practice using your brake & clutch to almost work against each other for those & figure 8's if they make you do those. Some call it the "friction zone" when doing those maneuvers. Just enough trottle (yeah, I said trottle) to keep the revs up a bit, easy on the clutch, fingers on the brake, and use those all to work against the other - it's the best way *I* can describe it.

I did mine in the rain. Rode from Manchester NH to Milford NH in full squid mode on that old tank GPZ750. It was my second one, BTW. I rode the first one for a couple years without bothering to get the MC endorsement. State trooper walked out in the pouring rain, looked me up & down, then firmly questioned my current choices. He saw me practicing the slalom so he suggested we get that right out of the way. Everything was really pretty easy.

Don't get TOO worked up about it. If I recall, you're returning to riding. I'm guessing you've been through this before?

[RandyO]

oh ya, stopping in an imaginary box, next to a cone I remember that now

[scubasteveRR]

I think that the space for the figure 8 (at least in Ma.) is 2 parking spaces wide by 2 parking spaces long if I remember correctly.

[BrettG]

It's been over 30 years since I took my "road" test. What little I remember is in Milford NH where I took mine, they had quite the layout painted in the State Police parking lot. Shifts, stopping within the box, slalom, etc. I don't remember doing "figure 8's" though, but that doesn't mean I didn't.

The slalom I did was pretty tight and I was on a hefty GPZ750. Practice using your brake & clutch to almost work against each other for those & figure 8's if they make you do those. Some call it the "friction zone" when doing those maneuvers. Just enough trottle (yeah, I said trottle) to keep the revs up a bit, easy on the clutch, fingers on the brake, and use those all to work against the other - it's the best way *I* can describe it.

I did mine in the rain. Rode from Manchester NH to Milford NH in full squid mode on that old tank GPZ750. It was my second one, BTW. I rode the first one for a couple years without bothering to get the MC endorsement. State trooper walked out in the pouring rain, looked me up & down, then firmly questioned my current choices. He saw me practicing the slalom so he suggested we get that right out of the way. Everything was really pretty easy.

Don't get TOO worked up about it. If I recall, you're returning to riding. I'm guessing you've been through this before?

Yes a return rider. But I was only permitted before and it's been 15 years (just started back in early July).. I feel somewhat comfortable with the technique and the actual tasks, I just need more space than I have seen them use in various videos.. not by much but just a little more.

I am going to the location tomorrow to check it out and I will likely schedule the test. I mean if I fail it really is the First Act In Learning so I will know what I don't currently know.

[BrettG]

I think that the space for the figure 8 (at least in Ma.) is 2 parking spaces wide by 2 parking spaces long if I remember correctly.

Thank you for that. I was not certain.

[LuvDog]

It's been a long long time since I took my test and it was in Ohio and they had a course laid out in paint. I think the reasoning for the figure 8s and the u-turns are meant so that you can do them in a road if necessary, so as long as you can perform those moves within a 2 lane road, that should be close. I think that would be almost 2.5-3 (24ft) parking spaces wide.

[Stoneman]

Yes a return rider. But I was only permitted before and it's been 15 years (just started back in early July).. I feel somewhat comfortable with the technique and the actual tasks, I just need more space than I have seen them use in various videos.. not by much but just a little more.

I am going to the location tomorrow to check it out and I will likely schedule the test. I mean if I fail it really is the First Act In Learning so I will know what I don't currently know.

While you're there, practice those maneuvers. Then practice them some more, then more until you're confident you can pull it off. I'm sure you can get a rough feel for the layout and practice elsewhere too.

[BrettG]

Good point. I am really eager to got this done for a number of reasons and I also get super worked up and over think things at times.

[Stoneman]

Good point. I am really eager to got this done for a number of reasons and I also get super worked up and over think things at times.

I get it. I have to do things over & over & over again. Instruction doesn't work well for me. Show me, let me have at it. And if needed, keep at it until I KNOW I've got it. Go get a feel for the layout and find a place to practice until you know you've nailed it.

EDIT: And then make sure you keep your m/c endorsement for the rest of your life, even if you think you may step away again!

[xrocket21]

I guess you're going to get lucky as I took my test in Merrimack and they had painted lines and cones and you got points off for hitting a cone or putting a foot down. The slalom was TIGHT so I had to feather the clutch. As someone already mentioned you should check it out and see if they have lines and practice a bit and even show up early the day of to brush up.

This was my experience in Worcester. I had ridden many years at that point so I went to the test without worrying. I got 2 circles one way and when I went to do them the other way there was no way I could make it, put a foot down and failed. I want to say it was a 30'x30' painted box. I practiced off and on for a week in a parking lot before taking the test again. It was pretty much full lock to full lock at idle on my RC51 to do the figure 8's, quite difficult. If I did it on a dual sport or something it would have been far easier.

[Mustang]

EDIT: And then make sure you keep your m/c endorsement for the rest of your life, even if you think you may step away again!

Somehow an administrative error dropped my m/c endorsement during some renewal when I lived in CT. I noticed when I moved to MA and they refused to give the endorsement because it wasn't on the CT license I was trying to transfer Not a huge deal since I don't have a street bike anymore...but man, I don't want to take the test again someday!

[BrettG]

Yeah, keeping it on there is the plan. I let my CDL go years ago when my career path changed significantly. I dont mind that as I have no intention of going back to those days, but with this... Well here we are 15 years later..

[Stoneman]

Somehow an administrative error dropped my m/c endorsement during some renewal when I lived in CT. I noticed when I moved to MA and they refused to give the endorsement because it wasn't on the CT license I was trying to transfer Not a huge deal since I don't have a street bike anymore...but man, I don't want to take the test again someday!

Exactly!

[OreoGaborio]

Somehow an administrative error dropped my m/c endorsement during some renewal when I lived in CT. I noticed when I moved to MA and they refused to give the endorsement because it wasn't on the CT license I was trying to transfer Not a huge deal since I don't have a street bike anymore...but man, I don't want to take the test again someday!

lulz! you can't ride a motorcycle!

Actually, that sucks... means you can't even rent, huh...

[ZX-12R]

A documentary on the road test skills and general speeds required to pass.