[stp1971]

I am practicing finessing my skills on my Intruder 1500 and while practicing I am trying to get the tight turns don't pat. From what I have been told the DMV test has "tight turns" on the test (at least in Georgia). What is considered a tight turn and how fast do I need to be going do do it? Anyone with any pointers on what I need to be practicing to pass the Georgia DMV riding exam would be "GREATLY" appreciated. Plus I also want ot be able to safely handle my bike as well. :roll:

 

[St0nkingByte]

The general rule of thumb for practicing is to be able to make your turn inside two parking spaces. Two spaces wide is pretty close to how large the U-turn box is on most tests.

The exact dimensions don't really matter, just keep your head up and look where you want to go even if it means looking over your shoulder as far as you can turn your head. Whatever you do don't look at the line, if you look at the line you are going to go across it. The bike goes where you look so look where you want it to go. That's going to take some practice and a bit of faith that it will really work, but trust me it will

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Well, there were a couple things that I would consider as "tight turns" that I had on my riding test. The first was 90 degree turns. You don't have to be going very fast, usually you're in first gear during those turns, but you just can't go outside the cone.

The second is the "figure-8". That was the hardest thing for me. It's ridden just as it sounds. You basically do a figure-8 within a tight rectangular space about the size of a parking space. You should do a search on the Georgia Motorcycle test online. They usually will have diagrams, etc that will show you the specific turns, etc.

Here's the link to the general info in georgia...
http://www.dmvs.ga.gov/training/gmsp/faq.asp

Here's a link that shows the 90 degree turns
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/DLTraining/mom/SkillTest1.asp

Scroll down to the bottom of this site for an explanation on the figure 8
http://bcrider.com/practice.html

 

[stp1971]

I checked out those links,, I appreciate it. I was able to turn it within the confines of a subdivision two way street,, I thought that was good,, but I guess it's not good enough,,,,more practice. Anymore advice anyone has I am like a little sponge,,, I'll soak it up and try to apply it.

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Do you have to use your bike, or will they provide smaller bikes for you to take the test with?

 

[stp1971]

The riding class I signed up for will provide a 250cc for me to ride. That should be alot easier,, but I still would like to be able to turn my bike also. I guess by providing the smaller bikes that must be the loophole that everyone uses to pass. Is it possible to pass those tests on the big cruisers like I have or am I asking too much. Not that I am going to use my bike, but like I said would like to be able to do all the possible maneuvers that are possible.

 

[St0nkingByte]

There's a DVD out there where an experienced motorcycle cop takes one of their big bikes with all the crap hanging off of it and does slow tight turns like you can't believe. Technically the test can be done on any bike but the smaller bikes have low seat height and low weight which for a new rider inspires confidence. Those bikes are also relatively cheap and not crazy powerful making them ideal for training. I took my MSF and test on a dual-sport, they put me on it because I'm tall, if it was up to me I would have used the little Suzuki 250 they had there, it looked like a mini-Marauder so I just gravitated to it.

If you're going to take the MSF then the instructors are going to drill you on all the parts of the test just before you actually take it. You couldn't ask for a better situation they really set you up for success. Still you are on the right track by practicing before you go. The more of the basic mechanics of riding you can get down before the class the more you can focus of refining your new skills and paying attention to the safety stuff they'll teach you.

 

[Louis]

When I did my MSF, we had a biker cop come and see us on his police BMW1200. He showed us what they do in the parking full of cars in the morning to warm up. :shock:

The first day of their training on the bike they just walk around the course pushing their bikes around.

 

[v0lusia]

There's a DVD out there where an experienced motorcycle cop takes one of their big bikes with all the crap hanging off of it and does slow tight turns like you can't believe.

Ride Like a Pro is the name of it kind of lame in the "non-riding" parts but otherwise good. Well worth the $35 http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

Sample clip here http://www.ridelikeapro.com/Video/RLAPIII_WebClip512.asf

And take the MSF class. FYI here in MASS they issue you your license if you pass the course, no extra trip to the MV department.

 

[Hunter]

Great info...SG1, good links.

 

[stp1971]

Hey I appreciate the link. I'll check it out tomorrow at work(where the better,faster computer is). I really do appreciate the info. you guys(and gals) are giving me. This forum rocks!!!!

 

[stp1971]

Hey I ordered that "Ride like a Pro III",,, if it works then money well spent,, if not then I have one more item to dust off. Once I get it and check it out I'll post a thread on what I thought about it. Thanks again both of you for that recommendation!!!!!

 

[Pinhy]

I would have used the little Suzuki 250 they had there, it looked like a mini-Marauder so I just gravitated to it.

HA..same thing with me. i knew i was getting the M50 so when i saw that ONE suz 250 they had i had to have it! it was awesome.


i am lookin gforward to seeing the police drill teams do their things at the Leesburg bike weekend in april. them and other teams are doing shows all weekend. should be cool and eductaional to watch.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Just keep practicing till you hit the steering stops, that's when you know you can't get any tighter. Of course the trick is clutch control.

 

[viper94bite]

HA..same thing with me. i knew i was getting the M50 so when i saw that ONE suz 250 they had i had to have it! it was awesome.


i am lookin gforward to seeing the police drill teams do their things at the Leesburg bike weekend in april. them and other teams are doing shows all weekend. should be cool and eductaional to watch.

When I took the class that was the bike I owned. GZ250. So I opted for one of the eliminator 125's they had. that was a mistake. I had bruises on the sides of my knees from the emblems that kawi. put on the tank.

 

[Pinhy]

Of course the trick is clutch control.

...and rear brake use.

 

[stp1971]

I will have to see exactly what they have. It looked like little mopeds,, not sure exactly what they were though. Should be interesting though. The instructor I have is quite the,, well instructor. You should go to the website and check it out. The web site is ---- http://www.sunshineslearntoride.com/index.html --- You'll have to check out the instructors... I just hope I actually learn something. One of the instructors picture is of her sitting on a crotch rocket.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Don't want to jump to conclusions but their website does not give off the professionalism I would be looking for in a riding school.

I want to see instructors in full gear teaching by example, plenty of other places I can see cleavage and babes draped over bikes.

 

[stp1971]

Believe it or not there are several Suzuki dealerships that recommended them to me. I am hoping that the website is just show boating,,, I will see I guess when I get there. I'll let you know Monday if I learn something or not. But still,,, gotta love cleavage though.
Maybe they are just using sex as a ploy to try to get the men in there to learn the right techniques of how to efficiently and safely operate a two wheeled vehicle on Georgia streets and highways,, all as a public service to the betterment of us all.
..........or then again,,,,,, sex sells,,, it sold me,,, that and the fact that the MSF course is about a three month wait right now.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Actually the last time I had this reaction to a website I was way off.

I was checking out riding (Horse) scholls after having been recommended a certain one by a friend.

Well I check out their site and low and behold the home page has this pic of a young attractive lady showing a lot of cleavage with a suggestive look on her face.I sort of glanced sideways at my wife who just shrugged.

Well we had already promised the friend that we would meet him there and check the place out. The people there were very nice and seemed to be great with kids. Still the pic bothered me but I didn't mention it. Well after spending the afternoon there with these very nice people they sort of explained the situation. Their 22 yr old daughter died in a car accident and that was the only pic they had of her.