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DMV motorcycle riding skills test...test....test.....test

MissMoxy

MissMoxy

'svbeesgal'
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Location
nearer the water
Moto(s)
Stuff of stories: F800st, Vstrom650, sv650s, Dr350, SuperTenere
Name
Nibor
So, Today being my day off I tootled around town running errands on my moto. Next thing I know, "hey, I'm passing a DMV testing station"....so I decide to swing in and try the motorcycle skills testing 'circle'. -After 11k miles in one year on my bike I was hoping to accomplish something ( being able to complete a CIRCLE , eh ?)-....I entered the circle feathering the clutch and throttle....feathering the clutch and the throttle...did I say feathering the clutch and the throttle ?.....and just couldn't keep my cycle tight and in the circle. So, I would swing around and try again.....then decided to approach from other direction.. Wow...after 5 or so tries I walked my bike with the steering cranked ALL THE WAY.. ...I was baffled and decided to get a Starbucks....... I'm glad I took the MSF course and omitted this portion !!!

Who has successfully mastered this and what was your secret ? Yes, ok. so it probably, most likely, definately has been asked before. Regurgitate please.
 

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SVBEESGAL said:
So, Today being my day off I tootled around town running errands on my moto. Next thing I know, "hey, I'm passing a DMV testing station"....so I decide to swing in and try the motorcycle skills testing 'circle'. -After 11k miles in one year on my bike I was hoping to accomplish something ( being able to complete a CIRCLE , eh ?)-....I entered the circle feathering the clutch and throttle....feathering the clutch and the throttle...did I say feathering the clutch and the throttle ?.....and just couldn't keep my cycle tight and in the circle. So, I would swing around and try again.....then decided to approach from other direction.. Wow...after 5 or so tries and walking my bike with the steering cranked ALL THE WAY.. ...I was baffled and decided to get a Starbucks....... I'm glad I took the MSF course and omitted this portion !!!

Who has successfully mastered this and what was your secret ? Yes, ok. so it probably, most likely, definately has been asked before. Regurgitate please.
Click to expand...

Pleasanton DMV :thumbup

I did the same one. Dragged the rear brake and counter-weighted the bike. Worked for me.
 
The bike must lean in order to complete the turn. If you are walking the bike, it is not leaning.
 
I did it on a bmw gs and drug the cylinder head guard when the bike hesitated slightly,did not put down my foot,and did not fall,passed the test.The circle is impossible on most all modern sportbikes,not enough steering lock.I know my GSXR won't do it,as it has less steering lock than stock...Robbie
 
rapidrobbie said:
I did it on a bmw gs and drug the cylinder head guard when the bike hesitated slightly,did not put down my foot,and did not fall,passed the test.The circle is impossible on most all modern sportbikes,not enough steering lock.I know my GSXR won't do it,as it has less steering lock than stock...Robbie
Click to expand...

Word! It's a bitch if not impossible on a sportbike.
 
look through the turn, modulate your rear brakes and counter weight the bike.

The dmv circle is a good way to brush up your turning skill. Occasionally when i feel unsmooth with my low speed stuff, i head to the DMV on the weekend.
 
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I took my test on a modified VT500 that had limited steering lock, after I demonstrated that I couldn't push my bike around the circle no matter how far it was leaned over the inspector gave me a pass..
 
I took the test on a Honda VTR250. Smaller the bike, the easier it is. I just feathered the clutch. No gas, no rear brake.

I don't think I've ever done it perfectly on my F4i.
 
SVBEESGAL said:
i was walking to see how much turn my handlebars needed.
Click to expand...

It is the shape/profile of the tire that gets the bike turning. If you are not on the side of the tire then you are not turning. Having said that, some bikes do turn well by simply steering the bike with the bars (turn Right go Right). This is why super sports suck for taking the test.

And I did the circle over 20 years ago on an RZ350. It wasn't easy but since I was only 15 I didn't know to be nervous are think it could be hard, so I passed.
 
SVBEESGAL said:
i was walking to see how much turn my handlebars needed.
Click to expand...
Ah, yes, but if you were not leaning the bike, then it was not turning as much as it could, and so you were not getting an accurate idea of how much to turn the bars. The secret to those tight turns is in the eyes, and the rear brake. Clutch modulation is not even necessary most of the time.
 
SteveMcqueen said:
One of the few times the rear brake comes in handy...
Click to expand...

just about the only time you need the rear brake is to do lame maneuvers like this that aren't very useful in real world situations.

How many times do you find yourselves having to go around in a little circle over and over?
 
I rode the course for fun one day on my 1000RR. It was so easy, it was boring. I tried a few more times going faster and faster until I decided I was too at risk of crashing. And that was when I was even less skilled at riding then I am now, about 4 years ago!

I don't know how you can say a modern sport bike is impossible.

I actually took the test on a Buell Blast. That was only slightly harder then walking :laughing

209manny said:
How many times do you find yourselves having to go around in a little circle over and over?
Click to expand...
It is amazing how many people can not make a right hand turn from a light and not run wide. Or barely make a U-turn, or turn around at a gas station to go to the other side of the pump without walking it, or maneuver around a parking lot.

Kind of lame yes, but sadly, people can't do it.
 
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Lots of practice, Honda CBR, lots of weight on my outside peg. No problem!:thumbup


Yeah right. I was a mess, but I passed it!
 
209manny said:
just about the only time you need the rear brake is to do lame maneuvers like this that aren't very useful in real world situations.

How many times do you find yourselves having to go around in a little circle over and over?
Click to expand...
What? Are you kidding me? How do you make a u-turn? How do you trail brake into a turn you've approached too fast?

The rear brake is your friend. Use it.
 
209manny said:
just about the only time you need the rear brake is to do lame maneuvers like this that aren't very useful in real world situations.
Click to expand...

:orly

Me thinks you should spectate at a police bike competition. :twofinger

arizonabikeweekeuroms4iv8.jpg
 
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