• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

DMV moto test is a scam

Crashton

Crashton

CW
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Location
San Carlos
Moto(s)
Ducati Monster s2r 800
Guys... this state is absolutely ridiculous. I practiced the stupid test. I can do it just fine. Iv been riding this monster for about 8000 miles now. I just moved (legally just moved, started the process of becoming a resident a month ago) to CA and have to take the "skills" test here. I go to take the test the guy tells me I have to do it at "walking speed". I tell him there is absolutely no way my bike is going to make that turning radius at "walking" speed. Sure enough I enter the turn with my handlebars full locked and I don't make the turn. How the F*$%$ can they get away with this Sh*t. A test that has absolutely no bearing on a riders actual ability to negotiate turns. Sure... the test tests balance and clutch control... but... how often are you going to be feathering the clutch around a turn? WTF... So now the only way to a moto license in CA is either buy a smaller bike... or take the course.. which costs money. This is obserd I wanted to punch the guy in the face for the smug look he was giving me.


I mean.. If I was a superior rider I could do a hella counter lean and like completely shift my weight... But I'm not that talented...
 
Last edited:
Really? Although I agree with you that it isn't really based on real world experience, I disagree that it can't be done. Plenty of people have passed that test, myself included. I did it once and that was it.

You can rent smaller bikes for the test, but if you can't do it on yuor bike, I suggest you learn some skills. 8,000 miles is not that many dude. It's great, but 8,000 miles of what?

I suggest you practice soem low speed u-turns.
 
Crashton said:
Guys... this state is absolutely ridiculous. I practiced the stupid test. I can do it just fine. Iv been riding this monster for about 8000 miles now. I just moved (legally just moved, started the process of becoming a resident a month ago) to CA and have to take the "skills" test here. I go to take the test the guy tells me I have to do it at "walking speed". I tell him there is absolutely no way my bike is going to make that turning radius at "walking" speed. Sure enough I enter the turn with my handlebars full locked and I don't make the turn. How the F*$%$ can they get away with this Sh*t. A test that has absolutely no bearing on a riders actual ability to negotiate turns. Sure... the test tests balance and clutch control... but... how often are you going to be feathering the clutch around a turn? WTF... So now the only way to a moto license in CA is either buy a smaller bike... or take the course.. which costs money. This is obserd I wanted to punch the guy in the face for the smug look he was giving me.


I mean.. If I was a superior rider I could do a hella counter lean and like completely shift my weight... But I'm not that talented...
Click to expand...

Slow speed manuverability is the heart of "practical" riding.

Not impossible, especially if you are doing it on a Monster. I can do it at walking pace in my Superhawk and it has a longer wheelbase, and a shitty turning radius. Practice the Keyhole in second gear and drag your rear brake if you need to. When you get good at it, do it in 1st and feather the clutch.



http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332922&highlight=key
 
Last edited:
It's bullshit, but if you can't do a low speed u turn while feathering the clutch, then maybe, just maybe, that's also an indicator of your skills in other areas.

Maybe not.

Also, counterlean, drag some rear brake, you'll make the lollipop.

Or borrow someone's supermoto.
 
mcarb said:
Really? Although I agree with you that it isn't really based on real world experience, I disagree that it can't be done. Plenty of people have passed that test, myself included. I did it once and that was it.

You can rent smaller bikes for the test, but if you can't do it on yuor bike, I suggest you learn some skills. 8,000 miles is not that many dude. It's great, but 8,000 miles of what?

I suggest you practice soem low speed u-turns.
Click to expand...

Dude... I just said I can do it.

But theres no way possible way to balance the bike at a lows speed like that while maintaining the clutch in just the perfect position to prevent it from shacking because of the low rpm. We are talking ducati transmission... Not to mention the fact the handlebars will hit the tank. There isn't the turning ability in the handlebars.. only way to turn is I lean the bike. To lean the bike harder I have to go faster. At the speed I practiced it... it was the lowest speed the bike could do it and thats with as much counter lean as I could give it. Definitely not a "walking pace"
 
If a cop can do it on a police harley, you can do it on a monster.
 
I had the problem with my fingers/wrists getting pinched on my bike too. So I just straight armed the bars, lifted my wrists so they were vertical over the bar, and slipped the clutch with my fingers. You can bust low speed u turns, it just requires some comfort and confidence that the bike isn't going to just fall over (it won't, as long as you keep power going to the rear wheel).
 
Z3n said:
I had the problem with my fingers/wrists getting pinched on my bike too. So I just straight armed the bars, lifted my wrists so they were vertical over the bar, and slipped the clutch with my fingers. You can bust low speed u turns, it just requires some comfort and confidence that the bike isn't going to just fall over (it won't, as long as you keep power going to the rear wheel).
Click to expand...

I was thinking of this... I was looking at the bike I guess it is possible to move everything to have a better turning radius. But I didn't have the tools to do it.
 
OK, first page and one person has actually mentioned what I have heard: exactly Duc-monster have a problem doing this test (due to steering lock? just guessing)

Well, it's either that, or many people have done it in a Monster--meaning this poster does not really ride as good at low speeds as he is thinking he does.

mikev said:
If a cop can do it on a police harley, you can do it on a monster.
Click to expand...

never true
 
MrIncredible said:
A Monster really sort of sucks for that particular test-I'd see if someone local was willing to loan you a scooter.
Click to expand...



What gets me is this bike is amazingly maneuverable at speed. I can lay it over and be quick through the corners.. its just not good at steering. It has more rake then most sport bikes.
 
i have a drz you can borrow, if you take the test somewhere close to me.
 
imurdaddy415 said:
Can't you turn up the rpm nob on the duc to prevent it from "stuttering" at low revs like jap bikes?
Click to expand...

If I use the choke and turn the handlebars toward the locking position if the choke cable is engaged it will increase tension on the cable and accelerate.
 
Crashton said:
Dude... I just said I can do it.

But theres no way possible way to balance the bike at a lows speed like that while maintaining the clutch in just the perfect position to prevent it from shacking because of the low rpm. We are talking ducati transmission... Not to mention the fact the handlebars will hit the tank. There isn't the turning ability in the handlebars.. only way to turn is I lean the bike. To lean the bike harder I have to go faster. At the speed I practiced it... it was the lowest speed the bike could do it and thats with as much counter lean as I could give it. Definitely not a "walking pace"
Click to expand...


I stand by what I said. If you can't pass the test, you can't pass the test. Everything else is just an excuse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top