A little nervous

[reborn]

Well it looks like I will finally be going for my road test. It's on 03-31-09 at 1:00p.m. I have a little over 2500 " practice miles " between my 2 scoots. I've had personal lessons from other motorcycle and scoot riders. I just didn't have the $$ for the course. I will be ok according to everyone I talk to. My driver took his at the same location and he says it's a 5-10 min. piece of cake. I will still treat it as a treasured time for me. I can't wait to be fully legal.

Phil

[90GTVert]

Good luck. Pay close attention to the instructor, avoid the simple mistakes like leaving your helpmet open with no eye protection, and it will probably be easier than you think.

[reborn]

Thanks. I just have to practice the little circles. Good at the left ones just not as good at the rights as of yet. Someone told me ( rumor? ) that the scoot's have to make a tighter turn for the instructor versus the motorcycle.
Phil

[90GTVert]

Not 100% sure about NY. In MD you do the same course on a scoot that you would on any other bike. If it's a scooter classified as a motrocycle (above 50cc) there is no reason they should change the course. It may be differnt if you were in a state that had Moped licenses.

[pac1982]

Over here in the UK if you do your motorbike test on an automatic scooter you are limited to automatics.

We have loads of different tests i'll list them below

CBT - For anyone who wants to ride a 50-125cc bike (although if you have grandad rights on your driving licence you can ride a 50cc and carry a passenger with no test)

There are three types of full motorcycle licences to aim for:

1. Category P - Moped

2. Category A1 - Light Motorcycle Licence - to receive this you must take and pass your test on a motorcycle with
* an engine size over 75cc but not more than 125cc
* a power output of not more than 11kW (14.6 bhp)
* a maximum speed of not more than 100 kph (62.5 mph)

You will now have full licence entitlement on any motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW (14.6 bhp). This licence is intended for riders of C90s and similar who don't intend to ride anything bigger. It will not become an unrestricted category A licence after two years. If you take a test on a C90 or similar then you will have to take another test to ride anything bigger than a 125cc, 11kW bike with a maximum speed of over 100kph (62.5mph).

3. Category A - Standard Motorcycle Licence - (aka A2) - this is what you'll obtain if you pass your test on a motorcycle over 120cc but not over 125cc and is capable of more than 100 kph (62.5mph). With this licence you are entitled to ride a motorcycle up to 25kW (33 bhp) and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kw/kg.

There is no restriction on engine size (cc) so you can now ride a bike bigger than a 125cc. There are plenty of bikes around in the 125cc to 400cc range that produce no more than 25kW (33bhp) - ask your local dealer. You can ride a bike with a power output over 25kW but you'll need a restrictor kit on it to restrict the power output to 25kW. Any good motorcycle mechanic will fit a restrictor for you and give you the necessary documentation. Your insurance will cost more though because insurance companies tend to disregard restrictors.


So does this mean that you're going to have to buy a 14.6bhp, 125cc bike to learn and practice and take your test on then sell it and buy a 33bhp, bigger than 125cc bike after passing the test to take full advantage of what you're allowed to ride? Well, some do and some don't. What most people do (the under 21 year olds usually) is one of the following two options:

1. Do the CBT, buy a 14.6bhp, 125cc bike and get a bit of practice on the road with L plates, then go back to the training centre to do some pre-test training which is not compulsory but most advisable. Then they take and pass (hopefully) the tests and sell or trade in their 125cc, 14.6 bhp bike and get a 400cc (or any size they want), 33bhp bike or over 33bhp and have a restrictor kit put on it for about £150. After 2 years they can ride a bike over 33bhp.

2. They skip the practising on the roads with L plates bit. They just do CBT, pre-test training and test within a couple of weeks all on the training centre's bike. Then, if they pass the test first time, they buy a 400cc (or any size) bike up to 33bhp or over 33bhp and have a restrictor kit put on it. Most under 21s choose a 400cc rather than a 600cc or more as the insurance is much lower.

After two years you may ride any size and power of motorcycle without taking another test.

If you're 21 or over or, if you reach 21 within the 2 year period there are quicker ways of obtaining entitlement to ride a more powerful bike: The Direct Access Scheme (DAS) and the Accelerated Access Scheme (AAS).

If you pass your practical test on an automatic motorcycle, your licence will be restricted to automatic bikes only.

[spacecowboy]

Wow. They make you jump through hoops in the UK

[2btiger]

Well reborn it's great that your getting your license, have +1 bone now another when you pass ;D . We have had enough problems with unlicensed unskilled riders in the city.

Passing the test and getting your license is simple enough but I must recommend taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at *TRAMA* they are the best of the best, I have plans to take the advance course this year.

As far the road test is concerned, I guess you already know the test high points are 3 circles left, 3 circles right, and 3 figure 8's. The other subtle point are left turns onto a 2-way street ( one lane each direction) and a left onto a 2-way 4 lane street. Those are simple enough but here's the kicker as far as I know the DMV instructor follow you in a car, communicating via. a walkie on your helmet or a loud speaker. Now the negative points are: Not canceling your turn signals, Not maintaining your speed, & Not scanning with your mirrors or turning your head. Sometimes the DMV car will drop back after you turn and if you get to far ahead just pull over and wait for them.

So basically you should ride like you should drive, pay attention keep your speed, obey the road rules and don't stress it.

Good Luck.

Tiger.

[reborn]

The negatives are actually positive for me. I have OCD and if anyone checks their mirrors it's me!! I have abot 2480 miles of " practice " you might say. I am not a nut on a scoot that runs lights or drives between vehicles. I go 7 miles to work and 7 miles back. I do the speed limit and take great care to be considerate of others. I just want to get my license so I am totally legal.
Thanks.
Phil

[reborn]

Well it looks like I'm not gonna go for my road test that day. The guy who said he can go with me got an ear full from his wife and he backed out. All I want is to get this over with.
I'm almost out of options except to pay for the course. Which I don't want to do. Money doesn't grow on trees and the whole reason I got the scoot was to save money.
Time to pray. I should've done that in the first place.

Phil

[2btiger]

Seriously man the money you pay for a few lessons from a good instructor is priceless, you never know how much you don't know till you know it. BELIEVE THAT. The money is for your safety, if your putting a price on safety then good luck. If you want to be cheap the worst you should do is call a school like Ferrari driving school they will let you do one 1/2hr class and take the test. They have an in with DMV so your 99% guarantied to pass (unless your a total artard)

Good luck man

Tiger.

[reborn]

I don't want to pass because someone has an "in" with DMV. My dad always told me whatever you do try to be the best at it. So far his advice has gotten me very far. I have a CDL drivers license. I can drive alot of vehicles very well. Even if I pushed a broom for a living ( I drive a forklift now 17 yrs ) I would be the best.
I think I am ready for this. I found a friend at my church who is willing to take me tomorrow. We'll use my wife's '05 Kia as the chase car. It's the best vehicle in the fleet for the instructor I think.
Let you know how it goes afterwards.
God Bless.

Phil

[2btiger]

Good luck reborn.

[reborn]

Thanks.

Phil

[reborn]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Yay!!!!
I is legal now!!
I passed!!! It wasn't that hard just the control part I left my signal on when I turned into the parking lot to do my circles and figure 8's. What a dummy I was!!! I noticed it with the guy b4 me and still did it! Also almost put my right foot down on the right circles. Went a little too tight I think.

I'm happy.
Do I get a bone now huh?? huh???

Phil ( LEGALLY SCOOTABLE! ) Montana

[reborn]

Ahem? Where's my bone??

Phil

[reborn]

Oh well forget about it.
I got my license that's all that counts.

Phil

[junkymagi]

boned, lol
Gratz to you, I'm just too scared to get one... weighing 450+ makes the idea of even just falling over curl my toes... and I used to, as a teenager, climb my dad's radio tower to make connections/repairs for him, that was over 80 feet.

[reborn]

I'd go for it! How long have you been riding? I just got scared because I had a cop behind me about a month ago and I said enough is enough. It wasn't bad at all.

Thanks for the bonz!

Phil

[2btiger]

Congrats reborn sure you can have a bone. The season is just starting so be careful out there the cagers are extra cagier this time of year. I was just about to take a long ride for a test an tune this weekend but, as usual I missed our April registration renewal, so I have to go to DMV and plunk down the $16 bucks next Thursday before I can ride .

The NYPD, and surrounding law enforcement should be starting their 2-wheeler crack down soon so I'm glad your legal. If I get my act together and finish my test, tune and break-in period in the next few weeks I may look you up for a short ride.

Congratulations again an ride safe and sober.

Tiger.

[reborn]

I'd scoot with you!! Let me know and I'll come out to you ( as long as it's ok with the boss--wife-- ). 20 yrs. this Memorial Day.
Phil

[imagesinthewind]

Bone from me for the pass!
Congrats!

[buddymom]

bone from me. so what did the test entail???
i have to take mine in ny sometime soon and one bro said i couldn't use a scooter had to use a mc?

t

[groovy]

Just laid a bone on ya........glad to hear you're legal!