I passed!

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
08/03/2016 at 16:11 • Filed to: Two wheels good

I officially have my M-class license. Now that I slow speed maneuvered a 150cc scooter around some cones, I can go blasting around on a turbo Hyabusa completely legally. But since I don’t want to die, I’ll stick to puttering around town on my scooter, while wearing a helmet.

I wish I would’ve known that nobody cared whether or not I had ridden the scooter there. That would’ve saved me the trouble of trailering it over there. Oh well, it’s done!

It took for freaking ever, but the examiner was super nice.

DISCUSSION (26)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 16:13

Busa’s to much of a beginner’s bike. You’ll outgrow it. You should get a Tomahawk.

shop-teacher > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
08/03/2016 at 16:16

Good idea!

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 16:23

Sweet! Now go buy a liter bike or the most outlandish Harley you can, that’s how it’s done, right?

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 16:23

You’re lucky, my state just started graduating their motorcycle endorsements by the displacement of your test bike. 150cc scooter would mean bikes over 500cc.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 16:33

My 150cc scooter got me through college (with only two accidents!). 80 MPG and zero maintenance (actually, maintenance 100% deferred) fit my budget perfectly.

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
08/03/2016 at 16:36

Totally!

But no :)

I actually still want an even smaller 50 cc scooter for buzzing around Road America. This one is too big to get in my truck by myself.

shop-teacher > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
08/03/2016 at 16:37

Honestly, that makes more sense than this system.... But I’m happy to take advantage of it.

fennelbreath > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 17:02

Mind if I ask what state you’re in? I need to go do that one of these days. :/

I took the Motorcycle Safety Course a few years ago and failed the final test by a tenth of a second. I’ve read that the state’s motorcycle test is easier.

Supposedly I need an M-Class for my scooter now.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 17:21

Can you make one of those hitch carriers for your scooter? That’s probably a lot easier than trying to get it in the truck bed all the time.

shop-teacher > fennelbreath
08/03/2016 at 17:25

I’m in Illinois. I’ve heard our state MSF is a great way to get the license. I took a much shorter (5 hours long) scooter class through a private company, and just took the skills and written test at the DMV.

We need a class M for anything 150cc on up. There’s also a class L (which nobody gets) for scooters between 50-149cc, and under 50cc just requires a valid driver’s license.

shop-teacher > Flyboy is FAA certified insane
08/03/2016 at 17:27

I don’t know how to weld, so I can’t make one. It would be a lot easier to get one of those than either putting it in the bed, or hauling it on my trailer though.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 17:30

I know they sell them commercially, and I don’t think they’re that expensive. I think harbor freight might sell them.

shop-teacher > Flyboy is FAA certified insane
08/03/2016 at 17:32

I’ll have to check those out. Thanks!

fennelbreath > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 17:39

I’m in Illinois, too. I had my 150cc scooter a few years before the license requirements were changed, and I’ve been sort of flying under the radar ever since.

The MSF was really thorough and the timed portions of the test were tough... I just barely failed, which... considering that weekend was the first time I’d ever been on a bike? I was okay with it.

How was the state one? I’ve been wary of taking it on the scooter but I’m not experienced with our Grom.

shop-teacher > fennelbreath
08/03/2016 at 17:50

I didn’t take the state MSF course, I just heard it was good. If you’re near Lombard, the people at the DMV office are mostly very nice. My examiner in particular was really great.

fennelbreath > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 17:51

I know, I was confirming that the MSF was good. :)

I’m in Chicago; I guess I’ll just have to buck up and take my chances.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 18:02

I wish getting a motorbike license was as easy there as here :/

DynamicWeight > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 19:12

Counter-point: Limiting bikes by displacement is nanny-state garbage. Let the individual be responsible for their own skills and motorcycle purchasing.

DynamicWeight > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
08/03/2016 at 19:12

America: Doing it right.

shop-teacher > fennelbreath
08/03/2016 at 19:35

If you’ve been riding for a while, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble. The test was only the 4th time I had ridden since taking that class last month. I did not get a perfect score, but I passed.

shop-teacher > DynamicWeight
08/03/2016 at 19:40

Fair point. I can see both sides of this one.

shop-teacher > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
08/03/2016 at 19:42

What’s the process like there? (and where is there? My apologies if you already told me)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 20:00

It’s not THAT bad here, but a little more complex I think. Here is Mahone Bay in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Infos:

https://www.novascotia.ca/sns/paal/RMV/p…

fryguy > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 22:30

Kinja'd!!!

After no Speed Weeks at Bonneville for two years, there will be record attempts this fall. The world land speed record for a motor cycle is 376.363 mph. Now that you have taken the first step....

Congratulations!

shop-teacher > fryguy
08/03/2016 at 22:39

I have far too big of a will to live for that.

Thanks :)

fennelbreath > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 22:48

I’ve been riding for several years but have a little trouble with slow maneuvers. Thanks!