Ducati Monster Forum

Local Clubs => NYMMC => Topic started by: Razzo Bolognese on July 13, 2009, 03:03:13 PM

Title: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on July 13, 2009, 03:03:13 PM
Because there are absolutely no MSF courses available I've been forced to take the NY Motorcycle test.  What a mess!  I've gotten the logistics covered but I don't know what maneuvers I'll be expected to complete.

Is there a list of maneuvers I should be practicing?
Is there a course I should be practicing on?

Thanks,

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: GLantern on July 13, 2009, 03:53:55 PM
A couple of circles, followed by figure eights and then they follow you around the block.  That should be about it!  Good luck [thumbsup]
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: He Man on July 13, 2009, 08:00:12 PM
My friend said it was very difficult, he also took it when winter came and it was 20 degrees outside.  good luck! let us know how it goes
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: GLantern on July 14, 2009, 09:33:26 AM
Quote from: He Man on July 13, 2009, 08:00:12 PM
My friend said it was very difficult, he also took it when winter came and it was 20 degrees outside.  good luck! let us know how it goes

If there is ice on the ground and your tires are bricks from the cold i would say anything is difficult  [laugh]
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: He Man on July 14, 2009, 11:11:57 AM
 [laugh] amen.

in that regard, he still passed as a noob rider. so im sure its easier in the summer!
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on July 14, 2009, 04:59:08 PM
...guess I'll be working on circles and eights...

Is it possible they might just check for chicken strips?

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: He Man on July 14, 2009, 06:21:26 PM
why would they check for chicken strips? If you need some help doing slow speed manuevers i can help you out. the monsters not good with it unless you use the right technique. if its anything like the MSF test, its basically

swerving to avoid an object
the figure 8 in a tight box
Look lean press roll for all turns
emergency breaking

and learning how to run over an object tangentally.

for the figure 8, its REALLY hard to stay inside the box with a monster, if thats what you are using. if not, then it shouldnt be that hard. just shift your weight opposite to the lean of the bike and turn your wheel in the direction of the turn.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Pakhan on July 15, 2009, 04:58:17 AM
Its been a while but what GL said sounds about right.  If I remember right the figure 8s and circles are allowed to be huge.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: GLantern on July 15, 2009, 06:50:16 AM
Quote from: Pakhan on July 15, 2009, 04:58:17 AM
Its been a while but what GL said sounds about right.  If I remember right the figure 8s and circles are allowed to be huge.

Pakhan is correct with the large 8s and circles.  I was told you had to do them within a standard 2 lane road(1 lane in either direction).  My mom's friend took it on her scooter and laughed at how easy it was they made her do the circles in the parking lot.  I know arcdeducati just took his road test recently maybe he can chime in.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: He Man on July 15, 2009, 09:43:49 AM
wow thats some shit. has anyone seen the video for the cali road test they make you ride a circle that has 2 lines, you have to stay in those two lines as u make the circle. its only about 1 foot wide. as a noob i dont think i could of done that.

for the MSF in florida, if its anything like the MSF anyone else has taken, the make you do a figure 8 in a relatively small box. something i dont think my monster cold do.

wats the rules on getting your knee  down during a test?  :D
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: GLantern on July 15, 2009, 09:46:10 AM
Quote from: He Man on July 15, 2009, 09:43:49 AM

wats the rules on getting your knee  down during a test?  :D

I don't know personally but i was thinking of taking the MSF, i never took it, and dropping knee during the session just for shits and giggles.  My insurance doesn't give me a discount for a moto safety course though so it isn't worth the money.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: EvilSteve on July 15, 2009, 12:30:21 PM
It's like Howie said 8s & circles then around the block. Kind of dumb. I got marked down for not treating a wide single lane one way street like a two lane road.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on July 15, 2009, 02:31:34 PM
Quote from: He Man on July 15, 2009, 09:43:49 AM
wow thats some shit. has anyone seen the video for the cali road test they make you ride a circle that has 2 lines, you have to stay in those two lines as u make the circle. its only about 1 foot wide. as a noob i dont think i could of done that...

It has a name.  "The Circle of Death".  The circle is considerably tighter than the turning radius of a Monster.  You could not push a Duc around the thing.  This is what I most feared when starting this thread.  This is also why, after approximately 4 nonconsecutive years of riding, I have never had a motorcycle endorsement on my license.

The MSF course is booked solid and unavailable to take until sometime in the fall.  As it is, I booked my riding test for August 4th, the ONLY appointment available within 50 miles of NYC from mid June until mid September.  Howie did try to convince me to book early...

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: ArcDeDucati on July 15, 2009, 08:04:43 PM
I just had to take the ny road test as my FL license wouldn't transfer.  It is ridiculously easy.  The only hard part is figuring out how to get there.  3 circles left 3 circles right 3 figure 8's (doesn't matter how tight) then a short road test not even a mile.  I took it in Freeport.  If you can ride a scooter you will pass.  You have nothing to worry about if you can ride.  IMO it is scary how easy it is to pass as the lady on the scooter that went before me passed even when getting stuck on the throttle wile practicing before the instructor showed up.  The instructor didnt even ride a motorcycle, that itself should sum it up for you.

The only way you will fail is if you forget all of your paperwork. Permit, ins, reg and inspection. So don't forget it.  Good luck!
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: rockaduc on July 17, 2009, 03:16:01 PM
You usually have to book those MSF courses very far in advance.  Your alternative is to show up at a course and hope that someone that preregistered doesn't.  You then can take their spot, after you pay of course.   There were a few guys that did that when I took the course and the "stand-bys" got in.  It has been a few years though...I dunno if they still let you do that.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: He Man on July 17, 2009, 03:27:00 PM
why didnt ur florida license transfer? mine did. they wouldnt take my MSF card though.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on July 31, 2009, 08:16:36 AM
Is the test rain or shine?  This retarded weather will BUM ME OUT if it denies me my license.

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: GLantern on July 31, 2009, 09:08:20 AM
Quote from: Razzo Bolognese on July 31, 2009, 08:16:36 AM
Is the test rain or shine?  This retarded weather will BUM ME OUT if it denies me my license.

-Dan

I think it is rain or shine, they are in a car for the test anyway
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Pakhan on July 31, 2009, 09:52:21 AM
Quote from: GLantern on July 31, 2009, 09:08:20 AM
I think it is rain or shine, they are in a car for the test anyway

I believe +1 unless it's severe weather conditions.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Chchadder on August 05, 2009, 03:14:03 PM
Have you tried Trama's Auto School? They're usually pretty good about fitting people in.
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on August 08, 2009, 06:42:45 AM
I passed! Yay me!  The test, BTW, was a nightmare.  They make you do circles & 8's within one side of the street.  If you cross the yellow line, you fail.  This was exactly what I feared!  Fortunately the dude in front of me was renting a scooter from a guy who does this on Craigslist.  He rolls out with his car and his cheapo Chinese scooter and charges $100 for the first person.  He charged each of us $50.  This is the first scooter I've ridden since I was 17 (bad accident.  I swore I'd never ride a two-wheeled vehicle EVER again.  You can see how well that stuck).  No practicing allowed!  The first time I rode the scooter was to take the test.  I rode ON the yellow line - twice!  And I shouldn't have been allowed to take the test on it.  You gotta use the bike you bring, but this guy is cool with these DMV types and he convinced her to let me use his scooter.  Had I known I wouldn't have gone to VT to get my buddy to help me with the test  [roll]

So PM me if you wanna go riding!

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Howie on August 08, 2009, 07:40:02 AM
Good goin Dan [thumbsup]  One side of the street meaning a one lane plus parking lane?
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on August 08, 2009, 12:44:44 PM
That is correct sir.  I can be done on a Ducati...barely.

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: GLantern on August 08, 2009, 02:58:14 PM
Wow congrats i can't believe they expect you to do circles and 8s in 1 lane thats insane.  There is no way even on full lock my bike can do that......
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Razzo Bolognese on August 08, 2009, 09:42:14 PM
It's one side of a road.  Like I said, it definitely can be done.  With a lot of practice and a number of foot-downs.

-Dan
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: He Man on August 09, 2009, 03:59:57 AM
Quote from: GLantern on August 08, 2009, 02:58:14 PM
Wow congrats i can't believe they expect you to do circles and 8s in 1 lane thats insane.  There is no one even on full lock my bike can do that......

I'm going to either fail, or start dragging an elbow on a duc.


congrats!!!
Title: Re: What can I expect from my road test?
Post by: Pakhan on August 10, 2009, 04:28:23 AM
 [clap]