Just a note. I passed my riding test in pouring rain, and on an urban, hilly course. The slow riding was on about a 15% upgrade, the u-turn on a hillside, and the obstacle course (cones) on about a 20% down grade. Not the way I practiced, but I am licensed and free to ride alone - or with my buddy (who stood in the rain waiting) god bless him. So I join the ranks.

Bob

Nice! In all honestly, that sounds a hell of a lot tougher than passing the MSF course to me.

It was ridiculous. The only part I lost points on, though, was the uphill slow ride. I needed to give it some gas to get it going up the grade, but couldn't keep it low enough to get through slowly enough. Also, each of the turns were enclosed with concrete borders. You didn't have much choice about going over a line in the u-turn, or sharp right. If you hit a line, you hit a six inch high piece of concrete. Ahh, Baltimore.

I am talking the intermediate MSF, but the courses around here have all been filled for a couple of months in advance. I still think the course will be greatly helpful.

I took my road test in NY, on city streets.  3 circles left, 3 circles right and 3 figure eights... on busy side streets in the rain in 50 degree weather.  I was a little cold.  Congrats and such... welcome and all.

It si funny what qualifies you to ride in the eyes of the law. Which part of New York? I grew up in Western New York.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I'm WAAAAAAAy the hell up here... like Candada close.  I'm one of the people that get pissed off when you refer to rochester and "Northern new York"    Dunno if you're that familiar with the state this far up but I'm Ogdensburg right now.  My house is 25 minutes away in one direction... Canada is 3 minutes in the other!

Used to go up to the Lake placid area, and my brother lived in the Burlington area...lots of fun in the winter. I grew up in the snow belt, south of Buffalo and off of Lake Erie. I also get upset when people refer to Western New York as upstate. It isn't. Its the NYC state of mind. I think you are up by Plattsburgh...correct. Great scenery.

Bob

Used to go up to the Lake placid area, and my brother lived in the Burlington area...lots of fun in the winter. I grew up in the snow belt, south of Buffalo and off of Lake Erie. I also get upset when people refer to Western New York as upstate. It isn't. Its the NYC state of mind. I think you are up by Plattsburgh...correct. Great scenery.

Bob

Congrats!

about 2 1/2- 3 hours west of Platts, but similar scenery.  Cows and trees and Amish.  I tell ya, a pile of semi-fresh horse shat will really mess you up around a decent bender!

Quote from: bobmelvin on October 06, 2006, 10:01:37 AM
Just a note. I passed my riding test in pouring rain, and on an urban, hilly course. The slow riding was on about a 15% upgrade, the u-turn on a hillside, and the obstacle course (cones) on about a 20% down grade. Not the way I practiced, but I am licensed and free to ride alone - or with my buddy (who stood in the rain waiting) god bless him. So I join the ranks.

Bob

Wow, they wouldn't even let me take my test when the pavement was damp!

CONGRATS MAN 

Conbgradualtions!

Quote from: bobmelvin on October 06, 2006, 10:19:25 AM
The only part I lost points on, though, was the uphill slow ride.  I needed to give it some gas to get it going up the grade, but couldn't keep it low enough to get through slowly enough.

Feathering the clutch, or using the friction zone would help in that situation.

i bought my bike in july and i still havn't taken my road test haha. oops.

I spent a lot of the uphill playing clutch v. throttle. It was pretty tough, especially because of my inexperience. In the e nd, though, If it had been real worl, I would have put my feet down in the turn, balanced, and proceeded. I certainly felt it was a test of my skills and my nerve. Plus, I think it will keep me honest. Thanks for the advice.

B

The brownie who proctored me said "someone already felt you can drive a car, therefor I'm not going to test your driving abilities... just your bike handleing abilities."  The only points I lost were because I failed to signal when pulling out to do my circles and fig. 8's  So now I get to ride legaly for the coldest part of the season while I was riding on just a permit alone for the best.  Eh...

Congrats, bmelvin! 

May EVERY ride from now on will be better than that one! 

I enjoyed others' comments about the observed disconnects between what satisfies the law and what constitutes having the skills for riding the mean streets.  From what I've heard, European driving and motorcycling tests make US tests look about as relevant as playing checkers. 

Keep your own standards way above those of the DMV - have fun!