Has anyone failed their motorcycle license test?

[hihhs]

I failed CA's motorcycle test the first time.  That make the beast with two backsing circle is a pain in the you know what.  I had been riding for five years in other states before I moved to CA and the circle totally threw me for a loop.

I went home and practiced for a week straight riding slow circles before I went back for a second attempt (which I passed).  I will never let my MC license lapse again.

The below is not me but will give those of you not familiar to CA's ridiculous testing an idea of the circle.  Can't let your front tire wander outside of the concentric circles or you fail.  Put a foot down and you fail. 

Rob & Chris vs "CA DMV Motorcycle Skills Test"... Result:  "The Circle" 1, Rob & Chris 0

I am baffled as to the point of a "circle test". I've been riding a LONG time and don't remember ever needing to ride in a perfect circle. Am I missing something?

[pitbull03]

I am baffled as to the point of a "circle test". I've been riding a LONG time and don't remember ever needing to ride in a perfect circle. Am I missing something?

No you're absolutely correct.  You have to weave the cones, enter the circle & go around twice, then exit the circle and weave again.

Then you get to do it again except the other direction. 

It's not a practical real-world test.

[Porsche Monkey]

The test in Texas is entirely different. No circle test, no cones, no parking lot bs. Take the test on the computer, 20 questions iirc. Riding portion is with the tester riding shotgun with your buddy who supplies the chase truck.  One honk for left, two for right I think. We went through a neighborhood and never went above 30 MPH. The tester was looking for me to be aware of my surroundings and have control of the bike. The only thing she didn't like was that at stop signs I didn't stop before them and then roll forward to look both ways. I pulled up next to the sign and stopped then looked. Easy test.

[1KDS]

I failed it twice on my old R6 it was all parking lot stuff that hasn't helped me since.  The cones were marked with paint on the pavement so i went back and practiced... a lot. Third times a charm [moto]

[Qwack]

MSF course way to go...easier to take test with them too since they provide the bike  little 250's

The weekend I took the course it rained all weekend, it really sucked at the time, but I got some experience riding in the rain...not that I go riding in the rain, but I have been caught in a storm a few times, and the early experience helped  [moto]

[ROBsS4R]

I went with the CC Rider course and passed the first time but I am convinced I would have failed the DMV test the first time if I went that route.

[ArguZ]

All the ones that failed bought a Harley afterwards, right ? 

[Raux]

gotta tell you all those videos you are showing.. the guys need to get their butts off the bike... ON THE HIGH SIDE
 push the bike down so it leans and turns more but you are above it to keep it balanced.
the idea is the exact opposit of highspeed manuevers but very very useful in city riding.. ie potholes, wet manholes, people dogs, crap on the road etc.
we had guys on harleys in our msf that couldn't grasp it either. i was top of the class with the 696. the 600RR didn't fair as well but he got the counterlean manuever and did well. the instructor road a buelll blast... but as a joke i think... he normally rides a big bagger. he said the sport guys can't get the action of pushing the bike down without leaning INTO the corner.
oh and clutch feathering..

[trenner]

I didn't fail the test, but I did exceed the lean capabilities of my tires and lowside and wreck a class bike in the MSF course, years ago.

The instructor took it in stride, saying that that was the first time anyone had ever done exactly that.

A couple years later, someone else did the same thing.  Same instructor.  The second rider?  My kid brother.

[Bigbore4]

It was so long ago I can't recall.

 

ahhhh  nope.

They used to block of a couple streets around the court house for MC road test.  Don't remember if it was once a week or monthly.

[gregrnel]

I went the MSF route and scored a perfect test.
I think it's the only way to go.

[pitbull03]

I went the MSF route and scored a perfect test.
I think it's the only way to go.

MSF is a great route if there isn't a six month waiting list in your area.

[Scotzman]

MSF is a great route if there isn't a six month waiting list in your area.

Plus it's free in the military...cacheeng

[elyk]

in BC Canada where im from the testing goes like this.

written learners license. something like 30 questions. pass that and you can ride on the road but only with a person over 21 who has there full motor license called class 6, within their vision. example in a car or another motorbike riding with you. 0 alcohol, no passenger, no highway, only daylight riding.

you can then take a parking lot test whenever you want. a course through cones a such. now your allowed to ride by yourself everywhere including highway, but still with no passenger, night time riding or alcohol.

then 1 month from passing your learners you can take the road test. you have a 1 way radio in your ear, instructor with tell you what to do for approx 30minutes of riding. watching your every move, lane position, shoulder checking is very strict.

pass that and you have your full class 6. i never failed any of mine. but i can see how a lot of people would fail the road test.

[pitbull03]

Plus it's free in the military...cacheeng

Now it is.  Circa 2000 the military didn't care about MSF.