I’m reading up for the DMV test to get my m/c permit, and reading the section defining a motorcycle: “A farm tractor is not a motorcycle”(6).
Italics theirs.
Well thank G-d I am studying this booklet before taking my exam! Were this question posed:
T F A farm tractor is a motorcycle?
I would have undoubtedly failed, I mean, now that I know, now that they’ve told me in no uncertain, italicized terms that a farm tractor is not a motorcycle, the difference is clear…it’s all so clear now… and now I’m ready to read the section on “ape hangers” and “sissy bars.”
Humm, Masey-Ferguson=Harley-Davidson, maybe? Actually, not a bad comparison!
Now, remember, you are in CA! You are bound to come across more funnys before the end of that book!
The handbook for Nevada looks like it was first written somewhere around the Johnson Administration (LB, not Andrew) and hasn’t been changed since. Also, it has a few inaccuracys as I recall regarding where to be in the lane in traffic and such, but its been awhile and I have tried to forget it.
I “missed” that on my test (way back when), the only question I answered “incorrectly”. The correct answer (at the time) to where the motorcycle should be ridden in the lane was “in the middle of the lane”. I answered to one side of the lane because the middle is where cars dump all of their oil. I felt then, and still feel now, that riding on one side of a land is safer than riding in the middle.
(FWIW, I knew I was giving them the “wrong” answer, but I knew all of my other answers were correct and I was hoping they’d think about it.)
i think the handbook in question said on one page to ride to the right -hand side, but then on later pages pointed out that that was in the blind spot (or sumptin like that)
i got a 100% on the test, even though i blew one part of the riding portion. i was supposed to accelarate thru an arc, shifting to 2nd then stopping with the front wheel in a box. I was borrowing a buddies bike, and i hit a false nuetral on the way to 2nd, but i was able to “fake it” and manipulated the throtle to make it sound as if i hit the gear, kept rolling and made a perfect stop in the box. the tester didn’t catch it!
pg. 22: “Surfaces that provide poor traction include: slippery surfaces…”
Gracious me oh my. A bit later I am warned to avoid slippery surfaces, reminding me of the whole “don’t use a hairdryer while showering” thing.
In the same section, though, it mentions what you two have touched on, meaning, riding in the wheel tracks of other cars, specifically suggesting the left track. In the MSF course and throughout this booklet, lane positions are suggested for the various situations, and the most popular suggestion is for the left track, because it generally offers better visibility (for you and other drivers) and traction as you guys mentioned. Forgive me for telling you guys what you guys already know, but it helps all this crap become part of the instinct…
Thanks for the heads-up on the lane position question…and any more tips on the practical tests would be appreciated; I am an advice sponge.
Y’know, despite this silly things “no duh” bits, it is a lot more informative than my MSF booklet. But maybe that’s because the MSF people knew I’d have to read this little thing anyway before I took my permit test.
I will probably get a Kawasaki 250R, because it’s an inexpensive starter bike and not intimidating size wise, and for me I think it will be all I’ll need to grow with for a while.
And, in a MPSIMS aside: I love the way motorcycle stuff smells: my new helmet, the leathers, my boots, the bike itself–yes, even that “quirky” little Honda CB125 MSF trainer, I love you, you little piece of freaky shifting oddly wired crap!
I’ve pretty much decided that while I can afford the helicopter, I can’t afford the insurance. I’m still thinking about a Cessna, but I’m also thinking of finishing my commercial certificate for helicopters. sigh I wish I could win the lottery so I could do both.
I missed out on the XS650. The cheap one I found was sold. I’m still keeping an eye out, but I’ve been distracted by the urge to fly.
I had an intersting question on the Maryland written exam. It caused me to fail it the first time around. The question:
What is the most important thing to check before riding:
A. Tires
B. Chain
C. Headlight
I thought it would be tires. I mean those are whats between you and the ground right? Wrong, they said headlight. I don’t know where that came from. I can kinda understand, but that would be the last thing I would check.
Well, that seems a really car-centric answer to a motorcycle question, I mean unless it’s at night, that headlight’s just for the benefit of other drivers to help them see you. (okay, okay, I suppose it’s to your benefit you don’t get squished, but I think people are pretty bike blind no matter what)
I would have said tires too.
How many questions can you get wrong on the test and still pass? (Heh, I never thought I’d ever ask that question again.)
You know, I’ve been thinking about this, and I think it’s so the cars have a better chance of seeing you first, and avoiding you as you’re careening out of control towards their car on your rubber-scented rims…
This is the bike I want, I’d settle for a Kawi 250, but I just can’t get the RZ350 out of my heart and mind, although I couldn’t really tell you why.
