New 1979 HONDA CX500. Kid from bike shop took me to school parking lot for 1/2 hour with Honda 125. Went back next day and used my bike for 1/2 hour. Went back 3rd day and kid drove me to Sec of State where I took road test. Got endorsement and the kid had the nerve to let me drive him back to the shop. I convinced we all think we are invincible when under 20
Borrowed a 250cc Honda. I had a 85' V-max at the time.
2021 RTL Marsala Dark Edition 4.13.2021
Lamonster Riser
Spyder Extras Docking station
Zumo XT (my own Plug & Play cable)
WrapMySpyder Carbon fiber partial kit.
Baja Ron ultra performance sway bar and end links
2015 RTS SM6 Intense Red
born on date 3/2015 (mine on 9/12/15)
Sold on 4.13.2021 33k of fun.
In 1973, I attained my MC license on a new holdover 1972 Yamaha RD350. I paid $725 for it, enjoyed it, and sold it in 1974 for $750. I still have it's license plate.
I grew up in Kansas. There you didn't need anything but a normal drivers license to drive a motorcycle. (I don't know if that is still true today.) So I just bought a small Honda and rode. Later while living in Ohio I had to get a motorcycle license so I took the test on my Honda 450. As I recall both written and driving tests were both very easy (in 1975).
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GR Horst - Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
I think it was an '74 Honda 450 4cylnder motorcycle. Bought new. Took down to the testing area an did the test on it. Passed an got my card to take up to the office an get my license endorsed. Boy that was long time ago
When I got my driver's license in 1973, motorcycle licenses did not exist in Quebec. When Quebec introduced Motorcycle licenses, everyone who already had a driver's license was grand-fathered.
But it would not have mattered if I needed to pass a motorcycle test in 1973 since I had already been driving multiple types of motorcycle since about age 8.
My first powered bike at age 8 was a mini bike. Here is the other ones I had until I was 16 and finally got my driver's license.
My 1st test took place in Oshkosh, WI in 1983 on a 1982 Honda 650 Nighthawk, left over stock at 50% of the new model, should have opted for the Kawi GPZ550 for the same price.
The course was laid out with lights and sensors, I didn't do well and had to pass the last section or fail, quick stop in a turn, no pressure. The light flashed mid way through the turn, I grabbed a handful brake (dual disk) and dropped the bike like a bag of dirt. It took out my left turn indicator, damaged the grip, the left peg and leaked fuel onto the course... Thankfully there were "only" a dozen people there to test and witnessed my FAIL. A couple weeks later I passed with a perfect score.
I should have spent more time practicing prior to testing as a new street rider.
Years later I failed again thinking I could get through the course in WA state riding a 1982 Yamaha Venture Royal, went back with a KTM dual sport and aced it.
Most recently tested for 3 wheel cert on a Riker, perfect score. Not sure how many states require a 3 wheel cert in addition to 2 wheel, WA does and it's done through a 3rd party. Written test and driving test.
1979 on a barely-running CB250. In Georgia, all I had to do was pass the written test and do a figure 8. Easy-peasy.
When I got married I foolishly let my license lapse. I tested again (Indiana) in 1984 on a 1974 Gold Wing, again in rough shape. It was the full riding test, and it was tough. I dabbed a foot in the cones, but everything else was perfect. I think the tester took pity on me, 'cause I passed.
2022 RT S2S
It's easier to get forgiveness than permission
Can you believe it's been 50 years? I had the same bike only a year later. The only thing that they changed was the color.
LORD GRANT ME THE SENILITY TO FORGET THE PEOPLE I NEVER LIKED,
THE GOOD FORTUNE TO RUN INTO THE ONES I DO LIKE,
AND THE EYE SIGHT TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
2016 Spyder RTS
In 1984 on my new 1984 Kawasaki 550 LTD which my husband got me for my birthday. Back in those days, I took the written test and the examiner would stand on the corner of the block and had me back out of my parking spot and drive halfway around the block to the alley where I'd circle back to him and then park in one of the parking spots in front of him. It was nothing like the tests these days.
We now have His and Hers Spyders!
Current Spyder: White 2015 F3-S SE6
His Spyder: White 2015 F3 SE6
Wow .now theres a memory for sure for me, a 1980 Honda Shadow 500cc. I went a lot of places on that rig while I was waiting for my HD to arrive.. At least I THINK it was a 1980 .may have been an 84. In fact, I still have a key to it in one of my tool chest drawers. Thanks for provoking the memory!!
SP
Mid 2000's I took the MSF course in FL. The course provided about half Suzuki GZ250's, half Rebel 250's. I learned to ride on one of the Suzukis.
ETA: During the three day course (1st day- bookwork, 2nd day- practice riding, 3rd day- test), only one person dropped their bike (instant fail). A short time later, I was at a local motorcycle dealer looking at gear, and I ran into that guy who dropped the practice 250 bike. He was going to rent a Harley and ride out to Daytona Biketoberfest.
Last edited by KineticUrchin; 09-03-2023 at 07:52 AM.
Reason: Added a story
Took MC license test on my newly purchased 1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago 750 when I was 20 years old. The lady that gave me the skills test had to be in her 70's and was approx 5 feet tall. Probably never been on a motorcycle in her life. I know I failed that test due to hitting 2 cones in the weave course and riding outside the course on the emergency brake and immediate 90 degree left turn. When I was finished expecting to be told to come back, she handed me my endorsement. I was shocked.
2019 Spyder RTL Dark Blue
Baja Ron Sway Bar
Utopia back rest
Freedom trailer
First time, back in England, a Honda CB250RS single. Mostly riding round the block a few times then answering 3 silly questions.
When I came to take my car test a few years later (I lived inLondon and didn't need a car) that was a much more extensive (and expensive) affair. 4 months of expensive lessons and quite an extensive road test.
Back then in England you could take an advanced motorcycling test which involved half a day of lecture then riding a road course very closely chased by a police motorcycle, followed by a debrief. It was weird riding to "make good progress" rather than strictly observing speed limits with a police motorcycle about 50 feet behind you. That was a tough one.
Nowadays I'm led to believe in England a bike license requires many capacity and horsepower tiers and quite a few years of riding to get a full unlimited license.
Moving to the states I had to retake my car test. That involved riding around for a bit, chatting about how it was like driving in England. After 15 minutes he got bored so he just passed me as I didn't hit anything.
For my bike license (I didn't even know I needed one in UT for 10 years) it was a 1999 Triumph Thunderbird Sport. The reality was the steering lock of the Triumph made it impossible to make all the turns on the course. As I was obviously a seasoned rider and turned up all kitted out on a clean bike, the examiner took pity on me and told me which turns I could fail to negotiate and still pass. He was a nice guy and very helpful.
Although I didn't need a 3 wheel trike license in UT I took the BRP course anyway and they just added the redundant endorsement to my license. That was a fun and educational course at the local community college. Recommend that one for $99 as I had to unlearn nearly 50 years of two wheeling.
Can Am Syder RT Limited (2021)
Triumph Bonneville T120 (2018)
1997 VZ 800 Suzuki Marauder, bought in 1999. Took safety course in 2000 and got my license.
Got my first Spyder - a left over 2015 ST L in 2016 and now have a 2020 F3 T.
Pam
2020 F3 T
I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.
Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.
Dr. Seuss
2020 F3 T - Liquid Titanium
Previously owned
- 2015 ST L
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder VZ 800
I was 14 (literally, within a few weeks!!) when I took my motorcycle license test. I had a ~ 1962 - 1964 (???) Honda 50 C110 Super Cub. Just like this one:
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