Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

We've had some miserably hot days, but it doesn't feel like we've had as many this year.

 

It's quite annoying that there is no way to get a permit without a practical test, since you can't get any practical experience without riding illegally lol. Hopefully it's easy. I mean, it sounds like it will be, but even with all my years on dirtbikes, a 400+ pound bike is very different to me. Will be interesting to see what I end up with in the class. My wife used some old Rebel 250 (for the kickstart class).

 

That's one of the great things about growing up when and where I did(small farming town). Started on dirt bikes at 5 and as long as we weren't causing problems, the local cops didn't bother us. We were also allowed to ride in the fields as long as there was nothing planted in them. Peanuts were harvested around Octish, so we had a good amount of time until watermelons came around.

 

you can thank brett tkacs and his stupid hat for that. He owns a chain of training centers on the west side and lobbied HARD for the new model for licensing in WA so he can sell more classes. It used to be a written test got you your permit and a riding test got you your license, or do both in a day at a class. I’m glad I got mine before the changes took place.

Edit: I got a TW200 for my class, they’re almost always small bikes and pretty easy. Test is straightforward but watch out for the little ticky tacky things.. speed maxs or mins, stop lines, where you can and can’t put a foot down etc.

 

I'm not totally against it, especially how little a lot of people know about riding. My wife had more experience than anyone in her Kickstart class. 3 had never ridden anything before. One had ridden a minibike once or twice. She had at least ridden a manual atv a bit, and a small manual dirtbike a couple times. My buddy took the permit class and one person in the class said they never could learn to ride a bicycle, so thought they should go ahead and try for a motorcycle permit...

 

TW200 would be perfect for me, lol.

not putting foot down is something I have to make a conscious effort not to do. I'm used to riding dirtbikes with a foot out and forward when I'm cornering, lol, I wanted to do that on my CB500X the first time I took it out around the neighborhood... don't need to do that, lol.

 

The two i remember being most difficult were the speed curve one, my brain just didn’t want to go that fast, and then turning full lock right from a stop with no foot dabs.

And I’m not against classes, strongly encourage classes actually, but I don’t think the current system is great

 

I made my son take the safety course here in Ohio before signing off on his motorcycle endorsement at 16. He had been on some sort of bike or quad since he was 6. Street and dirt are two different animals. After not really wanting to take it he even admitted it was good and learned a lot.

 

I would take the warning stickers off the swingarm and get an old school Uni-Track swingarm decal.

 

This one is my biggest worry, just not sure how tight that box is.




This could be interesting, too. I almost took out my instructor when doing this on an ATV "safety" course for SAR, lol. I wouldn't call it a real serious course, though. He was fine with me wheelieing through obstacles and doing donuts instead of tight turns, lmao.

 

Here in CA, those safety courses are an alternative to the DMV's riding test. If you take (and pass) the course, you just go to the DMV and take the written test. While it's a bit elementary for most experienced riders, it's great for those who are still considering whether or not to jump in with both feet. Good on you for making him take it. Some insurance companies will even give a discount if you've completed the course.

 

Here in WA the DOL has completely deferred testing to the proctors of these safety classes.

 

Similar in Ohio. The safety course has a written and practical where you have to pass both. Once you do that you take the certificate and you just get the endorsement on your license. I believe you are right there was a small insurance discount.

 

So the old saying “it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow” I prove that to myself every time I ride the Klx. I ride it on the back roads like it’s a supermoto and I have a blast never going over 75mph. I can rip every gear and I absolutely love the sound of the barkers pipe. Love that bike.

 

Washington used to do a permit, they must have changed it. I rode my Norton to my msf classes, legally, thankfully didn't have to do the test on it though

 

There is still a permit, but you have to pass the MSF written and practical to get it. Then you have to pass another MSF written and practical to get your endorsement. Can't sign up for the endorsement class until you've got your permit.

 

Oh interesting. I think it used to be like 3 month you could renew once or twice. The class is fun. When it's not raining at least

 

Permits are now good 6 months, and can renew once. Not sure if you have to retake the course or something after that or what.

 

The first move of that first test was my biggest problem. The box itself isn't bad, not even full lock to stay inside. I'd guess two and a half or three parking spaces? Somewhere you can find the actual dimensions for the tests.

 

Changed five or so years ago? I think it was six months, could renew once, and couldn't have passengers or ride at night.

And yeah, like I said before, nothing against classes, I had fun in mine. It was taught by this surley old Harley lady, she rocked.