dsn_klr650 rant!

[Joseph Jones]

The best advice I can give is go to Clinton Tn. to take the test. I was there two months ago and watched a guy on a Honda dirt bike(it had head a light and brake light) take his test. The examiner checked his bike, (he used hand signals for the turn signals)but he knew them. The light worked, so the examiner told him to ride around one building, come back along side a row of parked cars, around another group of parked cars, then back to where they were then.( there was two buildings and two small parking lots inside this large fenced in area). The guy stalled the motor when he took off, went around the wrong building, forgot about going around the parked cars, and came back to where the eximiner was in the wrong direction. Not once did he give any kind of signal, for slowing down, or turning. The examiner then told him he wanted him to use signals, but because we were in a parking lot it wasn't required.(this is the part that my brother and I fell apart).The examiner said " WELL ATLEST YOU DIDN'T FALL OFF SO I AM GOING TO PASS YOU" That is a TRUE story that happened in Clinton Tenessee about 2 months ago when my brother tried to get his license. We didn't have the registration to my dr200, so he couldn't do the ride. He went back the next day with the reg. and the examiner(a diffrent one than the dirt bike guy had)asked him to ride around a group of parked cars. And that was it. So if you have doubts about passing, just go to Clinton Tn. Joe A18 4700 Se Ky --- Randy Phillips wrote:

> > Here is info on the riding test. From the Idaho > Star site, but > is MSF standards - I believe. So, should be the > same for all states. > > http://www.sde.state.id.us/stars/guide/Default.htm > > Randy > A17 - Idaho > > -----Original Message----- > From: scipio52 [mailto:scipio52@...] > Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 12:00 PM > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Motorcycle Skills Test for > License > > I'm a relatively new rider, have passed the written > test for being licensed > and am taking my riding test next Tuesday in MD to > finish up the process. > I'll be taking it on my 1990 KLR. Anybody have any > advice? > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at > www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ > courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by > sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at > www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris > Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > >

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[klr6501995]

I had to take 2 skills test in the ARMY. One in El Paso and the other Fulda Germany. I was the only one in the class of about 15 people who could take the driving demonstration and skills test w/o putting the feet down in manuvers( They had cruisers and sport bikes). Cones, hill stops etc. For cones and circle and fig. 8's I used second gear w/ light throttle and feathering the clutch. This was on a klr250 both times. Stock gearing. If I had to do it today on the 650 I'd use the same technique. Breaking ;I'd grap a fistfull of brake and keep her straight and down shift till stopped w/ foot modulating back break. Go show them guys you know how to ride and when on the roads ride like all them cages want to kill you. Command your safe zones w/ speed or brake. A weird practice of cagers is to accl and then ride just in front or behind you in 2 ; 4 laner roads. or even beside. not cool. They block your moving space in event of a emergency. My old boss was killed by some robbers and a van blocked his view. van hit breaks in time. My bike is black and siut is black. Blaze orange pr green would be best. But who ever saw a A-10 cage buster(TANK BUSTER) in blaze orange. I use a check, check, double check system when pulling out of intersections. Every car can make a potential deadly left turn into you. Nod to cagers who use thier signals for obviously your sake. But never assume he will carry out the indicated signal. Or that he sees you. I waggle the bike to shake the headlight ; to get thier attention and FOR GOODNESS SAKES MAN, always ride w/ your bright headlamp on during days. (makes for a good irritant to the asshole who rudely pulls in front of you and you come behind them) Understand thier brains ARE NOT conditiond to see you. in Germany I always was seen and respected because every friver there rode a motorcycle at one point. I do not take the bike out of gear until at two cars are behind me at a redlight. While riding in rush hour traffic I keep three fingers on the cluth and the same middle three or four on the brake. Also a large or small wide angle mirror mounted to the stock mirror will keep you alive. ride on and live

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "scipio52" wrote: > I'm a relatively new rider, have passed the written test for being > licensed and am taking my riding test next Tuesday in MD to finish > up the process. I'll be taking it on my 1990 KLR. Anybody have any > advice?

[Chris]

On Fri, Jul 30, 2004 at 07:04:58PM -0000, Paul Dent wrote:

> When I took the test, I only had my Monster, and there was no way I > could do the figure-8 due to steering lock issues.

Gotta lean the bike to get it to turn . Counterweight, put yourself over the outside edge of the bike, stand on the pegs a bit. A bike turns far far tighter leaned than it will full lock and vertical. To the new rider, take the MSF BRC (Basic Rider Course) before you even bother getting on the road. You'll thank me later. Check out this site. http://www.beginnerbikes.com/ the article archives and also the forums. Get both of David Hough's books, "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling" excellent stuff. If you insist on not taking the MSF course, get the video from ridelikeapro.com at the least. -- ___ ______ _____ __ ________ ___ / _ |< < / == / ___/__ / /_ /_ __/ / __ ____ _ ___ /__ \ / __ |/ // / ****/ (_ / _ \/ __/ / / / _ \/ // / ' \/ _ \ /__/ /_/ |_/_//_/ == \___/\___/\__/ /_/ /_//_/\_,_/_/_/_/ .__/ (_) 8600 miles*Russel Lines*Supertrapp Race* /_/ http://www.kingsqueak.org/klr650/

[Steve Hersant]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "scipio52" wrote:

> I'm a relatively new rider, have passed the written test for being > licensed and am taking my riding test next Tuesday in MD to finish > up the process. I'll be taking it on my 1990 KLR. Anybody have

any

> advice?

I've seen several posts with good advice. Here's something different ! If you feel, deep inside yourself, that you have the skills required to ride without killing yourself, or someone else, you've passed the test already. The examiner will want to see that you can handle your bike reasonably well and they know you are nervous. Way back in 1967, I took my test. The examiner told me to ride a route, stood there lighting a cigarette, and watched me ride off into the distance with binoculars ! I came back intact and he gave me my licence ! My wife took an MSF course and passed easily on a small bike that she had previously ridden and with instructors that knew her personally. You won't have that luxury. So...to make it easy...don't drink coffee or tea that morning. Don't get a caffeine high and get all jumpy. I suffer from IBS and always have to moderate my diet if I'm going into a stressful situation. Try very hard to relax and just be courteous and friendly to the examiner. You have what I would consider a very hard bike to do the test on. I'm 6'2" and find it difficult to turn on a narrow road and it doesn't go well slowly with the 15 tooth sprocket. You may consider a 14 tooth front sprocket, which makes the KLR a much easier bike to launch from a stop and ride slowly. Keep in mind the examiner is not a jerk and (I hope) is making sure you are safe. A mistake won't kill you, but getting flustered will show you as too jumpy. It's the mindset you need. All the other advice is good, but if you don't feel you are ready...you ain't ! I hate tests and would be bloody nervous if, after 37 years, I had to be tested ! My Dad, at 82, had to be retested for his drivers licence and ate hinself up with worry for a month prior. He's on the road and heading 3,000 miles to be here in September. If you could see every time I've made a fool of myself on this tall bike since December, you'd realize you aren't alone ! Good luck !! Steve

[Mike Torst]

Practice in an empty parking lot, early in the morning. If you can, ride a a bunch in the dirt - you will learn how to ride better in the dirt than on asphalt. Also, bring along someone in his/her own vehicle, preferably w / a truck and loading ramp, in the event that you ride beyond you comfort level and drop yourself. In summary, LOT's of 'what if evasive-maneuver " stuff, and confidence building stop, start, slalom, and 'how slow can you go' stuff. You'll be just fine. Mike Torst Las Vegas -----Original Message----- From: scipio52 [mailto:scipio52@...] Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 11:00 AM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Motorcycle Skills Test for License I'm a relatively new rider, have passed the written test for being licensed and am taking my riding test next Tuesday in MD to finish up the process. I'll be taking it on my 1990 KLR. Anybody have any advice?

[Mike Torst]

Agreed - Standing up allows for a incredible 'trials-like' conduct. Mike Torst Las Vegas -----Original Message----- From: Jim Priest [mailto:klr650@...] Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 12:18 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Re: Motorcycle Skills Test for License Paul Dent wrote:

> a H*nda 250-4 and it was a piece of cake. I agree that the KLR is > awfully top heavy for that kind of slow speed maneuvering, although a

I had a blast at the last ERC trying to see just how tight I could turn the KLR. Wonder if there is any penalty for standing up during the test - cause once you start shifting your weight around it'll turn pretty damn tight. Jim

[Paul]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "scipio52" wrote:

> I'm a relatively new rider, have passed the written test for being > licensed and am taking my riding test next Tuesday in MD to finish > up the process. I'll be taking it on my 1990 KLR. Anybody have

any

> advice?

Go to your DMV and find out exactly what the riding test consists of. The first question I was asked when I took my test was "have you been practicing here or at any other DMV?" I thought to myself, DUH! why haven't I? Here in CA, the area where they do the motorcycle tests at the DMV is clearly marked "Drive Test" and there are lines on the parking lot, straight and circular. You have to weave around cones through the straught section then transition to riding around the circular part. All the while staying between the lines and feet never touchnig the ground. You need to practice that or whatever the MD test consists of. Don't be afraid to ask. Paul A16

[Eric Lee Green]

Jim Priest wrote:

>Paul Dent wrote: > > >>a H*nda 250-4 and it was a piece of cake. I agree that the KLR is >>awfully top heavy for that kind of slow speed maneuvering, although a >> >> > >I had a blast at the last ERC trying to see just how tight I could turn >the KLR. Wonder if there is any penalty for standing up during the test >- cause once you start shifting your weight around it'll turn pretty >damn tight. > >

Indeed. Stand up on the pegs and weigh the peg and bar the way you want the bike to go and wiggle that baby under you, and you can literally do a figure 8 in a standard-sized parking space. Amazing! If you can't pass the standard motorcycle skills test on a KLR, with its short wheelbase and wide bars and ease of shifting your weight around, you need to take the MSF Safety Course before you get anywhere near a street. The KLR may be tall, but it's as nimble (or more nimble in many cases) as any small displacement street bike, and in the hands of anybody competent to be riding on the street will have no problems with the skills test course. -E

[Eric Lee Green]

mccallchris wrote:

>Do a lot of nose wheelies while exclaiming loudly, "whoa, that one >got away from me!" > >

If you can do this on a KLR 650 with the stock brakes, I hereby nominate you for the "Iron Fist Awards" granted to those whose forearms make Popeye's look tiny . -E

[Chris Woodall]

I hear you, nothing but mush from my front brake. Time for a larger rotor, braided brake line, and G.G. brake pads! Eric Lee Green wrote:mccallchris wrote:

>Do a lot of nose wheelies while exclaiming loudly, "whoa, that one >got away from me!" > >

If you can do this on a KLR 650 with the stock brakes, I hereby nominate you for the "Iron Fist Awards" granted to those whose forearms make Popeye's look tiny . -E --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]