I passed my motorcycle permit test!!

[Ms_Kady]

YAY!!! I'm so excited!

I had to take half of the regular DMV exam PLUS the motorcycle test, so it was a total of 40 questions. I studied every night before bed for a week straight and I passed on my first try! I'm sooo happy!!!

[Skootz Kabootz]

Nice job! Congrats! For the riding part are you going to do the DMV test or take the MSF course?

[Ms_Kady]

Nice job! Congrats! For the riding part are you going to do the DMV test or take the MSF course?

Thanks! I think I'm going to do the MSF course. The only thing I worry about is using one of their motorcycles because right now I've only been riding my scooter.

Have you done it?

[Skootz Kabootz]

Nice job! Congrats! For the riding part are you going to do the DMV test or take the MSF course?

Thanks! I think I'm going to do the MSF course. The only thing I worry about is using one of their motorcycles because right now I've only been riding my scooter.

Have you done it?

I took the MSF course and it is what I recommend to anyone. Don't be nervous about the motorcycles at all. They are all small and my class had everything from sport bikes to cruisers. I had never ridden a MC for even one second before I took the course (only my scooter for a few weeks) so MSF was the perfect opportunity to learn. Everyone in the class was as new to MC's as I was, the teachers were great, they started with the simplest things possible (slowly engaging the clutch and just walking the bike along for a few yards then stopping), and gradually introduced riding and shifting. Everyone had something that was challenging for them (for me it was the tight figure 8's... yeesh!), so everyone learns together.

Passing the MSF is still one of the best feelings I've had because I'd always wanted to know how to ride a MC ever since I was a kid, and finally I did it! You will have a blast!

[ajhoff]

I took the Illinois written test about a month ago....I studied during the afternoon at work then rushed over to the DMV and took the test....it was only 15 questions and I could miss 3. The test took 3 minutes and I missed one.........did i get a watered down test? Granted I still have to take the riding test, which will wait for warmer days

[Ms_Kady]

Nice job! Congrats! For the riding part are you going to do the DMV test or take the MSF course?

Thanks! I think I'm going to do the MSF course. The only thing I worry about is using one of their motorcycles because right now I've only been riding my scooter.

Have you done it?

I took the MSF course and it is what I recommend to anyone. Don't be nervous about the motorcycles at all. They are all small and my class had everything from sport bikes to cruisers. I had never ridden a MC for even one second before I took the course (only my scooter for a few weeks) so MSF was the perfect opportunity to learn. Everyone in the class was as new to MC's as I was, the teachers were great, they started with the simplest things possible (slowly engaging the clutch and just walking the bike along for a few yards then stopping), and gradually introduced riding and shifting. Everyone had something that was challenging for them (for me it was the tight figure 8's... yeesh!), so everyone learns together.

Passing the MSF is still one of the best feelings I've had because I'd always wanted to know how to ride a MC ever since I was a kid, and finally I did it! You will have a blast!

Thanks for the info! I would like to eventually move up to a sport bike. My goal is to ride a Ducati Monster, but we'll see about that.

I can't wait to start riding my scooty more and more! I plan to ride to work every day so that I don't have to take my car.

[Ms_Kady]

I took the Illinois written test about a month ago....I studied during the afternoon at work then rushed over to the DMV and took the test....it was only 15 questions and I could miss 3. The test took 3 minutes and I missed one.........did i get a watered down test? Granted I still have to take the riding test, which will wait for warmer days

15 questions?? Dang... The tests here in CA can be tough if you don't study for them. A lot of the questions you can use common sense to answer, but they make the multiple choice answers tricky.

I actually was not prepared to take the regular driver's test. I was surprised when the lady at the counter said that I had to take it in addition to the motorcycle test. I think it me about 15 minutes to complete both tests then another 15 minutes to grade it and process it. It actually went pretty fast!

There was another guy there who took the test at the same time I did and he didn't pass. They told him he had to wait a few minutes before he could come back and take it again. So glad that wasn't me!!

[bluebuddygirl]

I took the Illinois written test about a month ago....I studied during the afternoon at work then rushed over to the DMV and took the test....it was only 15 questions and I could miss 3. The test took 3 minutes and I missed one.........did i get a watered down test? Granted I still have to take the riding test, which will wait for warmer days

15 questions?? Dang... The tests here in CA can be tough if you don't study for them. A lot of the questions you can use common sense to answer, but they make the multiple choice answers tricky.

I actually was not prepared to take the regular driver's test. I was surprised when the lady at the counter said that I had to take it in addition to the motorcycle test. I think it me about 15 minutes to complete both tests then another 15 minutes to grade it and process it. It actually went pretty fast!

There was another guy there who took the test at the same time I did and he didn't pass. They told him he had to wait a few minutes before he could come back and take it again. So glad that wasn't me!!

I was just thinking that CA had it easy. 40 questions is way low compared to what I did for Ohio. I can't remember how many, it was 8 years ago, but it was way more than 40, and that was just for the motorcycle. Fun part is that it was on a computer, so it felt like playing a trivia game.

[Ms_Kady]

I was just thinking that CA had it easy. 40 questions is way low compared to what I did for Ohio. I can't remember how many, it was 8 years ago, but it was way more than 40, and that was just for the motorcycle. Fun part is that it was on a computer, so it felt like playing a trivia game.

My husband is from Ohio and he took his motorcycle permit test there. He said it was 50 questions, so not too far off from CA. He's been riding since he was 17, but when he moved to CA he had to take the test all over again to renew his license. He missed 4 questions on the test which is the max you can miss, so he barely passed! LOL

[bluebuddygirl]

I was just thinking that CA had it easy. 40 questions is way low compared to what I did for Ohio. I can't remember how many, it was 8 years ago, but it was way more than 40, and that was just for the motorcycle. Fun part is that it was on a computer, so it felt like playing a trivia game.

My husband is from Ohio and he took his motorcycle permit test there. He said it was 50 questions, so not too far off from CA. He's been riding since he was 17, but when he moved to CA he had to take the test all over again to renew his license. He missed 4 questions on the test which is the max you can miss, so he barely passed! LOL

It was like 8 years ago, but I swear it was something like 80 questions. It was way more than what they ask for the regular driving test, but it does include some of those questions. They were not all specific to motorcycle riding.

[myras_girls]

The MSF in my area also had scooters available for the course. My husband and I decided to take the course on motorcycles because we figured it was a great opportunity to learn to ride a motorcycle.

Taking the MSF on a motorcycle vs. a scooter was tough. I had to learn how to shift & brake at the same time I was learning the maneuvers. To be honest the MSF really lowered my confidence in my riding ability, even though I passed the test at the end.

I don't regret taking the course on a motorcycle and my confidence came back pretty quickly. Still, you can check if your local MSF course has a scooter. I don't think they advertise it so you probably have to ask.

[fobbish]

lol. It took me a couple tries to pass my permit test.

The second time I took it the lady just felt bad for me and passed me. She just turned the other way on a question where I had the right answer and scratched it for the wrong one.

[Skootz Kabootz]

.. To be honest the MSF really lowered my confidence in my riding ability...

Did the MSF class lower your confidence? Or did it serve to help make you aware of some limits in your riding abilities? I think there is a difference.

When it comes to the skills required for riding a scooter vs riding a motorcycle, they will present each of us a different challenge. But coming out of the MSF class with a more realistic knowledge of our individual riding strengths and weaknesses is always a good thing.

I'd suggest that when it comes to scooter or motorcycle riding, too much confidence can be a danger. A solid awareness and respect for the skills one presently does and does not own is a lifesaver and only serves to help keep us from getting into unnecessary trouble while riding.

No one should come out of the MSF class feeling they've mastered all necessary riding skills. One simply knows better what those necessary skills are, why they are necessary skills, and has taken first steps towards learning a required minimum amount of them. The reality is it takes years to develop riding expertise and with it increased confidence. Confidence comes with experience. Even then, if certain skills and good riding habits are not practiced regularly and diligently, they will never be learned.

If, in the process of teaching, the MSF course undoes any false confidence, and replaces it with true understanding, I think it has been well worth the price of admission.

[bluebuddygirl]

Taking the MSF on a motorcycle vs. a scooter was tough. I had to learn how to shift & brake at the same time I was learning the maneuvers. To be honest the MSF really lowered my confidence in my riding ability, even though I passed the test at the end.

I don't regret taking the course on a motorcycle and my confidence came back pretty quickly. Still, you can check if your local MSF course has a scooter. I don't think they advertise it so you probably have to ask.

Except that what you are earning is a Motorcycle Endorsement, and there are many scooters that shift, although the shifting is different.

Especially since Ms. Kady is planning on getting a motorcycle she should take the class on a motorcycle.

I agree with Skootz that it knocks you on your ass a bit and makes you aware of your inadequacies, which is VERY important. You NEED to know what you don't know, or of what you are unaware. That is their job.

[Oli]

Hello,

I just finished my msf. I bought a Buddy 150 about a month ago and couldn't get into a class until now. They didn't have scooter's but the place that I bought it from (Atomic Brown) picked it up from my apartment and brought it to the class. They also will pick ( or picked it up) and will bring it back to me. Now I just have to get the license.