ABATE Motorcycle Class

[ramcharger]

.......No I won't tell you why I lost my class M after 30 years, lol! But anyway, going back to class.. "Intermediate + License Testing" on Saturday.

Actually, I'm really looking forward to it. Can they really teach me more than I've learned after 15 years of daily/dirt riding + 20 more of racing and rec riding? Plus, I get to ride their bikes..... :rambo:

I wonder if 1 MPH trial riding will get there attention on 250 ? :banghead:

Oh well, there is always more to learn....... :salut: Plus it gave me an excuse to get some really nice riding gloves.

Prereqs...

Full fingered riding gloves (I have some deerskins but can't find 'em)
Boots over the ankles
Long sleeve shirt
Helmet (DOT/CE approved)
Eye protection

Done deal!

 

[xlexl]

When I took my Intermediate it was done on my bike. Didn't teach me anything new per se, but REALLY makes you use skills that you don't normally use in day to day riding and is the best way to learn a new bike. Try and do the course once a year as a refresher or when I pick up a new bike. Was pretty fun too, extremely tiring though haha

You'll have a blast, even if its just laughing at the idiots in the class

 

[memike]

Wow!! The only driver's test I ever took in my life was for my M class
A farmer drove to Mendota Ill. just 12 miles away from my work place and parked in a grocery store across the street with a small trailor and I parked next to it, my first bike CL 175 Honda back in 1973. Did a couple figure 8's and slow drove to a stop sighn and they walked me in and handed me my new M license.
I kept them till about 1984 and never renewed them again (married and two baby boys will do this some times) Enjoy and get ready for a safety inspetion, But I bet you and your Kaw. will do great :thumrigh:

Wow, typing this out brought back some cool memories :glasses2:

 

[ramcharger]

Wow!! The only driver's test I ever took in my life was for my M class
A farmer drove to Mendota Ill. just 12 miles away from my work place and parked in a grocery store across the street with a small trailor and I parked next to it, my first bike CL 175 Honda back in 1973. Did a couple figure 8's and slow drove to a stop sighn and they walked me in and handed me my new M license.
I kept them till about 1984 and never renewed them again (married and two baby boys will do this some times) Enjoy and get ready for a safety inspetion, But I bet you and your Kaw. will do great :thumrigh:

Wow, typing this out brought back some cool memories :glasses2:

Glad I could bring back some good memories for you Mike. :hello1: I would pass the inspection with flying colors but the class provides their own bikes.

 

[ocdart]

Joe, with all of your experience this class should be a 'comic relief' day for you watching all of the newbies.
Curious if any of them are like one of my neighbors who went in to take his Class M riders test a couple of years ago. He was so nervous when he started to take his test he forgot to put his feet down when he had to bring the bike to a stop. Yep, gravity was still in effect and he ended up with one leg pinned under the bike.
Needless to say, he had to go back to take the test another day.

 

[ramcharger]

Joe, with all of your experience this class should be a 'comic relief' day for you watching all of the newbies.
Curious if any of them are like one of my neighbors who went in to take his Class M riders test a couple of years ago. He was so nervous when he started to take his test he forgot to put his feet down when he had to bring the bike to a stop. Yep, gravity was still in effect and he ended up with one leg pinned under the bike.
Needless to say, he had to go back to take the test another day.

LMAO! I suppose that comedic relief would be the worst that happens.

 

[ramcharger]

Went to the class and there were 5 guys there ranging in age from 31 to 63, all with no less than 10 years of riding under their belts.

This certainly was an intermediate class and the only higher classes are police and road racing. The training was harder than I thought. One exercise involved riding serpentine with one hand between unequaly spaced cones at a minimum speed of 15 mph with the closest cones spaced about 5' apart, another involved making two consecutive u-turns within a box spaced about the size of 1 1/2 parking spaces, then accelerating out of the box to 20mph toward the trainer who at any moment would give a signal to swerve left, right or make an emergency stop that had to be measured under 14'. Keep in mind that in regards to the swerve, you were not allowed to brake and had to make it between the cones and man, it was a HARD swerve.

The examples above were just a few of the tests and exercises we learned and executed. It was fun and well worth it but some of the stuff was imho, of limited use in the real world. Good stuff to know anyway.

 

[scuba0331]

Wow, I wouldn't want to be doing that stuff with my HD Ultra Classic! I am glad you learned something and or refined some skills. I've been thinking about taking a class like that.

 

[ramcharger]

Wow, I wouldn't want to be doing that stuff with my HD Ultra Classic! I am glad you learned something and or refined some skills. I've been thinking about taking a class like that.

I would say "do it". It's worth the dough. :thumrigh: They provided the bikes (250 honda nighthawks) but it still wasn't easy with the smaller bikes.

 

[WildCat]

no way would I want to try and do it on my Goldwing.

My wife took it and I think they used 125 bikes.

I would use mom's honda elite if I had to take the riding test, but grandfathered in when Indiana started making motorcycle riders have an endosement.

I know many people that have ridden many years and then taken the course and they all say they learned stuff.

 

[ramcharger]

no way would I want to try and do it on my Goldwing.

My wife took it and I think they used 125 bikes.

I would use mom's honda elite if I had to take the riding test, but grandfathered in when Indiana started making motorcycle riders have an endosement.

I know many people that have ridden many years and then taken the course and they all say they learned stuff.

I most likely would not have passed with my KZ1000, but there was a guy there who had special permission to use his own bike, a Buell. Even though he had "only" 10 years experience he has rode a bike every day weather permitting. He passed no problem. Great rider and he made me realize how much I need to get on the road as much as possible.

BTW, went to the DMV yesterday on my break and now have my class "M" endorsement back! :headbang: I got in and out of there in about 30 minutes, unheard of, lol.

 

[skypower]

Taking the class is the best way to break all the bad habits we aquire over time it makes you think and reevaluate your riding skills so you are more aware on the roads and that saves lives. I have been a motorcycle dealer for 30 years now and taught way to many people to count to ride and the best advise I can give is to do as you just did take a class it makes you think differently. Congrates on passing with flying colors and taking your riding serously.

 

[1970Duster]

I took this test twice once on their ninja 250 (more fun than I thought it would be to ride, so I ended up buying one. These are wicked fun in the city :twisted. I ended up taking it again about a year later but this time I use my own bike, a 1098S Ducati, when it came time for that parking stall turn the two instructors were laughing thinking I couldn't do it with that bike. I popped the bike on it's rear tire did the turn in a 2 foot radius set the front end down and continued to the quick left right move. I ended up having to stop one foot in front of him because he didn't tell me which way to go. I still ended up with a 100% on my test though. (I would never do this on a public street of anything, I only did it because they said I couldn't make that turn around).

 

[skypower]

I took this test twice once on their ninja 250 (more fun than I thought it would be to ride, so I ended up buying one. These are wicked fun in the city :twisted. I ended up taking it again about a year later but this time I use my own bike, a 1098S Ducati, when it came time for that parking stall turn the two instructors were laughing thinking I couldn't do it with that bike. I popped the bike on it's rear tire did the turn in a 2 foot radius set the front end down and continued to the quick left right move. I ended up having to stop one foot in front of him because he didn't tell me which way to go. I still ended up with a 100% on my test though. (I would never do this on a public street of anything, I only did it because they said I couldn't make that turn around).

Stunt Rider:angel9:

 

[1970Duster]

Stunt Rider:angel9:

Nope never have never will be. I learned to ride on the back tire out of pure laziness.

 

[ramcharger]

Taking the class is the best way to break all the bad habits we aquire over time it makes you think and reevaluate your riding skills so you are more aware on the roads and that saves lives. I have been a motorcycle dealer for 30 years now and taught way to many people to count to ride and the best advise I can give is to do as you just did take a class it makes you think differently. Congrates on passing with flying colors and taking your riding serously.

Thanks skypower, the more I think about about that class even as I drive the company truck, the more I realized I learned. Sadly, a rider was killed just a few blocks from house last Sunday night. They just showed the tape of the accident on the news and the evade manuever we were taught could have saved his life. He made another mistake too. My condolences to his family and friends. WARNING, graphic and not for kids. The only reason I'm posting the link is it may save someones life.

http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-video...tal-denver-hitandrun-20110628,0,1342635.story

Stunt Rider:angel9:

LOL!

Nope never have never will be. I learned to ride on the back tire out of pure laziness.

Uh huh.....

 

[CudaChick1968]

Posting this here only because it's bike related and mentions a dog. Right up your alley Ramcharger!!! :-D I liked it, hope you do too.

Twelve things that a motorcycle can teach ...​

1. The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror.
2. Four wheels might move the body...but two wheels move the soul.
3. I'd rather be riding my motorcycle and thinking about God than sitting in church and thinking about my motorcycle.
4. Life may begin at 30 ... but it doesn't get interesting until about 95 .... mph.
5. Midnight bugs taste just as bad as noontime bugs.
6. Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.
7. A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.
8. Young riders pick a destination and go ... old riders pick a direction and go ...
9. When you are riding lead, don't spit.
10. Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 75 mph can double your vocabulary.
11. I've never seen a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist's office.

And Finally:

12. Only Bikers know why dogs stick their heads out car windows.

 

[memike]

Posting this here only because it's bike related and mentions a dog. Right up your alley Ramcharger!!! :-D I liked it, hope you do too.

Twelve things that a motorcycle can teach ...​

1. The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror.
2. Four wheels might move the body...but two wheels move the soul.
3. I'd rather be riding my motorcycle and thinking about God than sitting in church and thinking about my motorcycle.
4. Life may begin at 30 ... but it doesn't get interesting until about 95 .... mph.
5. Midnight bugs taste just as bad as noontime bugs.
6. Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you can think straight.
7. A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.
8. Young riders pick a destination and go ... old riders pick a direction and go ...
9. When you are riding lead, don't spit.
10. Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 75 mph can double your vocabulary.
11. I've never seen a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist's office.

And Finally:

12. Only Bikers know why dogs stick their heads out car windows.

I am going to write that one down :love4: Thank you :happy7:
#8 :angel7:

 

[ramcharger]

Awesome Leanna and every point is true.