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Message started by Russ130 on 04/15/11 at 19:05:37

Title: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Russ130 on 04/15/11 at 19:05:37

Going for my license soon and would like to know what the road test consists of.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by jef.savage on 04/16/11 at 19:50:51

I went to Quincy, MA in 2008. The guy told me to ride down to a parking lot across the street and wait for him. After 20 minutes I rode back up to see where he was. He said he couldn't use that lot because of a church service. Another guy came along along and the first guy explained the situation. This guy said he'd take care of me. We went around the corner to the NG armory lot. He spoke to someone briefly to get permission, He checked my lights and horn then told me to ride down to the middle of the lot and do a circle. When I was half done he waved me back and said, "Yer all set." That was it. I think that even at it's worst the MA test is easier than most states. The manual says some circles and figure 8's are required.

Let us know how it goes.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by ALfromN.H. on 04/16/11 at 19:58:18

Just find out what day they do testing and you can sit and watch how it's done. then go practice on your own.

AL

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by kimchris1 on 04/17/11 at 04:36:26

Check out the requirements for your State
on line. Also check the back of your State's
Driver's training booklet. Ours has the course
and what all is required for the endorsement.
You might also ask around the mc shops near
where you live say about their experiences..
Best of luck.. Did you take a MSF course?
They usually teach you everything your going
to need to know to pass your test. Well at least
mine did.. Keep us informed.. Good luck,, :) kim

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Oldfeller on 04/17/11 at 07:48:26

Here is a picture of the North Carolina riding test for those who live up around Boone NC. We go retake the test every summer, but I still haven't passed it yet
(I keep knocking over a single durn cone or mebbe killing a Harley or two).

http://www.dump.com/2011/02/24/unreal-control-on-honda-cbr600-video/

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by ALfromN.H. on 04/17/11 at 08:24:09

Okay, this video is from Wash. state but it's the same as N.H. test. I don't know about Mass. but I'd assume it must be about the same. This is a video of the weave (slalom) through the cones. followed but a sharp u-turn and stop. This part of the test is what gets failed the most. my brother had to take the test 3 times because of this part of the test. On a savage it was easy.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmzWS0HzIFs&NR=1[/media]

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by verslagen1 on 04/17/11 at 09:30:25

7350585A595050594E3C0 wrote:

Do scraping pegs count as putting your foot down? :o

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Oldfeller on 04/17/11 at 10:21:36

Sides of your feet, your muffler, your header pipe -- you can scrape whatever you feel like jest so's you don't bleed over anything ......

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by KristenAnn on 04/17/11 at 20:45:55

I took my test when i went to riding school last summer. You have to do figure eight no feet the ground. A uturn. Cornering, a Quick stop. head checking(making sure you lookwhere you are goinng) and i forget if ther is more or not.I failed it the first time i took it but aced it the second time.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by prechermike on 04/18/11 at 02:41:36

Russ,

I am in NC, so I know this is apples to oranges, but Oldfeller is teasing again. He is usually the one that sticks up for the newbies. :-?

Anyway, the NC test was no problem. Make a few turns, weave through some cones, ride reeaaalll slow, there really was nothing to it. In NC, if you pass the MSC that counts as your skills test, I think. You just have to show them the certificate.

Go watch is probably the best advice. When my daughter got her car license, she was really scared to go, didn't want to fail, have to tell her friends and all of that. One morning when she was out of school, I don't remember for what), I said get up and let's go. If you fail (which I knew she wouldn't) you don't have to tell anyone and can take it again in a couple of days. That is what I would advise, go take it, if you fail, you fail and can always take it again. At least you will know what to expect next time.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Oldfeller on 04/18/11 at 03:34:50

Failing a riding test isn't a biggie, I watched a guy on a full dresser fail it (big awkward bike wasn't what he should have bought to take the test, but he wanted to pass it riding his new bike). Helped him pick his Hurley up too, it took 3 of us.

The Boone spec test is put on in the NC mountains every year around the week before the Fourth of July up at Deal's Gap parking lot.

The real NC riding test is spec'd on the study book, you could set up the exact test in a parking lot with some pine cones and practice it in advance if you wanted to.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Russ130 on 04/18/11 at 21:21:22

Unfortunately MA doesn't post anything about there test anywhere. They say in the book figure 8's and circles in each direction but not how tight or where they hold the test. I know they do not hold the test in the parking lot at the Spfld branch where I am scheduled to take the test so hanging out there will net me nothing. I can't afford to pony up the money for the MSF course at this time. It costs 275 and I have a graduation and a wedding coming up shortly so my money is pretty much allocated for a while. I'm just looking for a heads up so there are no big surprises.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Russ130 on 04/28/11 at 13:07:18

Ok went today and passed. Two circles left then 2 right then 1 figure 8 in one direction then one in the other. Before the actual riding was a quick check of lights horn and hand signals. I was worried it was gonna get canceled due to the thunderstorms we arfe just now getting. Thank the lord for holding out for me, amen brother!

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by KristenAnn on 04/28/11 at 19:27:18

Congrats on passing the test. Enjoy the fresh air and freedom if it ever stops raining.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by ALfromN.H. on 04/28/11 at 19:39:35

Good job Russ. Looks like there might be a couple riding days coming up. Be careful out there.

AL

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by kimchris1 on 04/28/11 at 19:43:15

Congratulations on passing your test.
Ride safe and enjoy the wind in your
face. Keep the rubber side down.. Hugs, :) kim

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by jef.savage on 04/29/11 at 05:44:20

Congratulations! Did they use any cones or markings to limit the size of the circles and 8's? Was it just an empty parking lot? My daughter's about to go so she wants to know.

Title: Re: Calling all MA Riders
Post by Russ130 on 04/30/11 at 09:03:57

Thanks everyone for the good tidings. No cones where used and the cirlces had no limit in size that anybody couldn't handle. The figure 8's had the same area to do it in but it was still plenty of room. I was just told to do it in the corner of the parking lot. I'm still glad I practiced doing really slow and tight circles though because it really brought up my ability and confidence by doing it. I was not nervous though because even if I failed so what I could still ride just not 2 up. If you tell your daughter to look at it that way I'm sure her nerves will be much better for it. To be honest the hardest part was the safety check lol praying a bulb didn't burn out all of a sudden lol