Canadians...things to know for getting your M licence

[airbrush]

Need to go for the my full M licence this year. Anyone have a run down on things to know and go over for it?

[DoD#i]

So you've been riding on a permit, or does your area have some sort of graduated license?

If you can take an MSF course, regardless of whether it "gets you out of" the road test portion, take it.

As for the typical USA state road test and written test - get book from your DMV/RMV/whatever they call it in your state. Read the stupid thing a few times, leave it for a week, come back and read it. There's usually enough stupid details that differ by state that nobody in another state can provide any great insight - but it's not that hard, either. IIRC the trick question when I took one was something like "which of the following items is not required on a motorcycle in this state (the answer was fenders, but it helped to have read the booklet enough to be able to mentally check off the other items as required). They also usually have multiple questions more on the standard rules of the road stuff than just motorcycle oriented. If you forgot those, refresh.

If you have to take a parking lot maneuvers sort of road test, go practice those. If you can manage them at the proper spacings of cones and lines, reset your practice course a little bit tighter, and then the actual one will be easier.

Make sure that your bike and the car for the examiner to follow you around in are inspected (if that applies in your state) and up to date on everything. Loud Exhaust? Muzzle it. Can't hurt if you are clean, neat, and properly attired for riding.

[airbrush]

I'm in Canada, its graduated licencing.

Any fellow Canadians with some rundown on what they look for?
-one thread i found mentioned they make you do a roadside stop, signal, pull over, put the bike in neutral, signal and continue.

-also saw one thread that mentioned they like to see you leave it gear when stopped, which I never do, thats a long time holding the clutch in at a stop light for nothing.

-always keep your brake light on when stopped

etc...

anybody with any others?

[efushi]

Well personally I think you really should keep the bike in gear when stopped, never know when you need to move because the guy pulling up behind you doesnt stop in time, or something. And yea brake light on when stopped of course, if you're just in neutral sitting there, the car behind you will definitely not know you're stopped and brake very very hard when he sees you arent moving

[tripleb]

we were taught at the MSF course to keep the bike in first when stopped until the car behind you has come to a complete stop in case you need to escape if they don't stop.

[airbrush]

I always keep my brake on all the time when I'm stopped and give a couple of flashes with brake before I start braking.
For the test I guess i'll leave it in gear, I leave it in gear until the person behind me is stopped then I  put it in neutral....does anyone know if you get dinged for that?

[bbq]

I always keep my brake on all the time when I'm stopped and give a couple of flashes with brake before I start braking.
For the test I guess i'll leave it in gear, I leave it in gear until the person behind me is stopped then I  put it in neutral....does anyone know if you get dinged for that?

You didn't say where you are in Canada so these may not apply. I am from Ontario and according to the marking sheet, shifting to neutral is a 'no', flashing your brake light is also a 'no'. Shifting when going thru an intersection is a common mistake. Not moving back to the right lane after a left turn is another.

Maintain the correct lane position at all time, turn your head and look at every single driveway/intersection. Check you mirrors every few seconds.

Basically just study your driver handbooks carefully, and do exactly what it said and you will be fine.

[fred]

I always keep my brake on all the time when I'm stopped and give a couple of flashes with brake before I start braking.
For the test I guess i'll leave it in gear, I leave it in gear until the person behind me is stopped then I  put it in neutral....does anyone know if you get dinged for that?

Putting your bike in neutral when you're not parking it is a bad idea. Not only does it prevent you from moving quickly if you need to in some kind of emergency, if you roll the bike even a teeny bit, you can get the transmission into a place where you need to rock the bike to get it back in gear. Getting stuck in neutral for a couple of extra seconds at a light is not only embarrassing, it could be really dangerous. It really is in your best interest to treat neutral as a a think for parking only and leave the bike in gear the entire time you're riding. I know your clutch hand is sore, mine was for the first month of riding, but at this point I've strengthened the muscle enough to be able to ride in stop and go traffic all day long without discomfort...

[LOUiE]

I did this in my road test

- park on sloped hill
- pull away (with signal) from said hill.
- stop at a stop sign (feet on the ground)
- go through uncontrolled intersection (make sure you slow and turn your head both ways to check for traffic)
- traffic lights, left turns, etc.

they're looking for a few things too...
- stops and starts are controlled and not shaky
- signals are used (and not left on)
- shoulder checks
- lane position (not graded, but they'll say something to you and could fail you)

basically they just took me for a 20min joyride.  Was super easy and not too stressful

But hey, this is Alberta... maybe ON is a little crazier?  And I'm passed the GDL stuff, i had my learners for a month to practice and then did the road test.

[airbrush]

Alright, good to know. I have an integrated brake light flasher, flashes the brake light a few times when applied...guess i'll take it off for the test.

[morganti]

On the GTA Motorcycle forums there is a link to the actual M test that the ministry uses to evaluate you throughout the test, someone managed to get the actual examination paper and has removed the instructors info and their personal info.  I have no idea how they got it to be honest, but here is the link to the forum thread:

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=1127

Cheers

[WREX]

Airbrush - long time no see (actually it's been forever since I've posted last as I haven't been around much).  You might remember that I'm also in London.  I used to see you the odd time around town.

Anyway, I did the course years ago for both my M2 (@ Fanshawe) and my M (in Kitchener).  Louie has already listed the stuff that comes to mind for me.  To add to that,  I can remember they constantly mentioned the shoulder checks.  

Every time you encounter a driveway, intersection, school, church or public access point, to shoulder check left and right.   If in doubt, shoulder check - no less frequent then every 8-10 seconds even if you don't happen onto an intersection or the other stuff (its meant to scan your surroundings)!

Also the sequence that was drilled to us for an lane change or turn for example was to:  shoulder check, signal, shoulder check again, do the move (lane change, etc), cancel signal, then should check again and proceed.

I know this all sounds anal and maybe not even practical to some, but I'm just answering in the context of taking the test, as I remembered it.  Up to you really.  Good luck - I'm sure you'll be fine.