Getting a Motorcycle Endorsement

[WaterDog]

Anyone go through the Team Oregon Class recently? Were there people there with zero expereince? How hard was it to pass? I know they provide all the gear.

What were your impressions?

[Fishfeet]

Hey Rich! Aint dunnit since the 60`s. All I had to do was drive around the block while the inspector went into the local coffee shop for a wakeup. Real tough! :grin: What kinda road machine you getting? Be carefull out there man! Ff

[Bait O' Eggs]

I dont know about your class, but when I got my endorsement back in 81, I had done mostly high speed riding on the hwy getting ready for the test (55 mph stuff) and the test was mostly doing 5 mph circle around cones. Had to get out of the parking lot, go 1 block down the road and do a legal U turn. I dont think I got over 10 mph the whole test.

Much easier on a small bike than a big one.

I have been looking at those bikes for sale on the classfied forum. First I miss bike riding, and with the price of fuel they are looking pretty appealing.

I have a 35 mph max speed limit all the way to work. If I wasnt so lazy I would ride my bicycle the 5 miles to work, but would rather buy a motor bike and ride it. :grin:

[WaterDog]

The rules are a little different these days and unless you have someone to ride with the class is how you get the endorsement. Pass the class, get the endorsement. No DMV test.

I'm thinking about it for commuting to work. Not just to save on fuel but on my truck as well.

I have never riden one so it's all new to me. Just looking for info on the class so I know what to expect.

[Hogmaster]

Rich,

Just remember no matter what - the principles of tonnage and position.

On a bike you never have either.

I stopped riding motorized bikes after too many incidents of drivers not seeing me.

If you have never ridden, you won't understand. You may think you do, but about the second or third time that person you are absolutely convinced is looking right at you and yet still makes a left turn as you are oncoming to them, then you'll understand. Let alone the blind spot problems.

I keep thinking I want a motorcycle again, but then remembering that no matter how safe you are, factors out of your control makes it an inherently risky situation, I reconsider.

Many many many people have ridden a lifetime without getting seriously hurt or killed. But sorta like finding bottom in a sled, sooner or later you are going to have a close call. Or worse.

All the gas savings are not worth the funeral offset.

On the other hand, both Roy and I have survived! (so far)

:grin:

[Dipnet]

Same thing in the early '70s!! Started it up, rode out of DMV lot, up the street to what was Dominico's Pizza and back. Never have let it go just in case we get really nuts in our old age :grin:!!

Dipnet :grin:

[WaterDog]

Gary, :smile:

I understand your point. I have a short commute to work. 2 miles . I have ridden my bicycle to work a couple of summers and it’s sort of intimating and I imagine a motorcycle is not much different other than I couls actually keep up with traffic. We all know a guy can wreck on a bicycle and get hurt. I like going home for lunch as it breaks up my day and I can actually get a few thing done around the house. I have no interest is going for long rides at this time. I’ll admit though, cruising along with the wind in your face is appealing.

Story time:

Back in college, a high school friend and I were in the same speech 101 class together. He rode a bike. One of his speeches was on motorcycle safety. He told the story about how his Mom did not approve of him riding a bike but he convinced her he was safe and he explained how he did this and the precautions he took. Six months later he was killed in front of the collage by someone who pulled out into the street in front of him. :depressed: Up until now, I have had zero interest in riding.

We all do things that is dangerous. There are dangers in boating but we do it anyway. I remember this one time with Roy…….. Well there have a few times with Roy but digress, I don’t want to hijack my own thread. :grin:

Anyway so I get the feeling that only geezers ride bikes around here?

[Bait O' Eggs]

Gary, I heard it isnt the car that didnt see you that will get you, its the sign post you dont see

I have been thinking the same thing as Waterdog, my commute is 5 miles thru residental streets with a max 35 mph limit. I have done it with the bicycle, but dont feel save on a bicycle as I dont move to fast on that self powered device.

I like to go home at lunch time also, and a bicycle would probably prevent that with a one hour lunch.

$100 for liablity insuance for a small bike, $100 for a decent brain bucket and I could get my mileage up around 50 mpg and not have to put 20 miles a day on the truck.

I could do the same thing with a small commuter car, but I got nowhere to park it.

I only had motorcycle for about 3 years of college, never had a close call. Really enjoyed those wet rides from Corvallis to Tillamook. Sure was nice in the summer though.

[Hogmaster]

I suspect those signs hurt a lot less at 25 than at 35! :shocked:

But you guys are right in that short hops are the place you can really take advantage of a motorcycle.

The only thing is, Rich, are you prepared for a bad case of "Helmet hair"? :blush: Oh, that's right, yours is short enough not to be compromised.

But Roy - You are really willing to give up that Adonis-like form you sport by riding your bicycle to work once every 3 months? :grin:

Just be careful!!!!

Guns don't kill motorcycles. People do.

[1pump]

I stopped riding motorized bikes after too many incidents of drivers not seeing me.

That is what worries me. I used to ride a '78 Z1R in the early 80's. I had plenty of close calls back then, but I was in my early 20's and convinced I was immortal, so I didn't think too much about it. I'd like to get another bike, but traffic is much heavier now, and today's drivers seem to think that inattention, distraction, and optical rectumitus are perfectly acceptable while guiding 2 tons of steel down the road. "Officer, it's not my fault, I didn't see the motorsickle!!" Probably 'cuz your cell phone or yelling at your kids was more important, you dumb ----. Meanwhile, Mr Motorcyclist is now Mr Extra Large Street Pizza and is being shoveled into a body bag.

I used to ride with one finger of my throttle hand on the front brake and my left thumb on the horn button at all times. Saved my fat arse more than once.

[Hogmaster]

Yep yep,

And one more thing. Though I do still ride a bicycle, and that is in itself risky, the difference is that by staying on roads with bike lanes you may be adjacent to traffic, but for the most part not in traffic.

That motorcycle weave is bug-splatter waiting to happen. But even if you aren't going nuts about it, just being in the travel lanes brings more risk, especially combined with higher speeds.

Then again, there aren't any signs in the middle of the road. :shocked: :shocked:

[FourFun]

I haven't done the class but have been thinking about doing it. A friend did it about a year ago and they provide everything, I think all your required to have is over the ankle boots. They provide bike helmet and such. If I remember correctly he had never rode a bike before that either.

I know i tried to register for it last summer several times but it was always booked up, so if your thinking about it better get a spot reserved. I finally just got my permit last summer and was ridding with a friend which was great, but he sold his bike, now i am up the creek.

[StinkyH]

I took the motorcycle safety course in Vancouver a few years back - worth time and money invested. They provided everything cept the helmet. Taught me to ride safer...

Although I just could not relax enough to enjoy it with the morons out there in their own little world not looking for anyone else. A few close calls that woulda caused me some serious injury - neither of which I was at fault. Frustrating.

Had fun though for the few years I rode my '90 750 Katana.

StinkyH

[STGRule]

My test back in the '70's was out of the parking lot and down about a block and back. The instructor was talking to my Dad the whole time and when I pulled back in he said since it didn't appear that I had fallen down I passed.

I quit riding years ago because of the no-see-um rules of distracted drivers, but I still think about getting one again for the summer commute to work. It's only 10 miles each day but I would still be driving with Mr. and Mrs. Suvie and I'm feeling pretty mortal these days.

Although all us old farts could get together and have a poker rally. Wouldn't it scare all those kids to see those grey haired, bad-arse bikers wheeling around? We could all get the ifish/saltydog boat flags and put them on our bikes.

[Fishfeet]

Who you callin` geezer? I haven`t taken the test in many years, but did watch a couple people taking the test about 20 years ago. Like BOE mentioned above, you might wanna do practice the slolom thing at idle between pilons cuz I member those people having to do that also. No putting you feet down either. I haven`t had a bike since 80 or there bouts but have also been thinking about getting another. Lot more crazy drivers out there though! Ff

[Fishfeet]

I`m with ya STGR!! Buncha old grey hairs ridin` bikes with training wheels and IFISH stickers.

[sparkleboy]

Did it two years ago, about this time.
Although it was time consuming, it was very fun, and very easy. I passed no problem with almost no prior experience riding motorcycles.
Highly recommended.
Also lowers your insurance rate when you purchase a bike!

Hey everyone here is my new bike







Unfortunately it's 1:18th scale :depressed:

[fishsticks]

As an instructor for Team Oregon, I can't resist putting in a plug for the Team Oregon classes. They are a great way to get the skills needed to ride on the street. The price is modest especially since TO provides everything except over the ankle shoes, safety glasses and a long sleeve shirt. The class runs one Thursday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday. The class is designed for someone with no experience, but anyone can learn something from them. So, no matter if you have some experience or not-go for it. It's a great class, and well worth the money. Give it a try, I'll bet you'll like it!

[WaterDog]

Fishsticks,

Thanks for the info. Maybe the wife and I will get to be one of your students. Salem is where we'd likely go.

Fishfeet, still seems most of the bike riders are old hippies or something.

[Fishfeet]

Nice Stew! Built by Orange County Choppers? That`s what I`m talkin` about! Ff

[Fishfeet]

Rich! You got it bro. All of us still livin` in the past. But it`s a good life and I really enjoy it. Grow old? Maybe. Grow up? Never! :grin: Think I`ll start lookin` for a new ride today! What kinda sled are you lookin` to purchase? Ff

[Troutinator]

and don't forget to take the ERC course once you have a year or so under your belt. After riding for 10 years I knew it all. Or so I thought. Now I take the ERC every other year. It's great!!

[WaterDog]

fishfeet, I have no clue on what kind of bike. Figure I need to learn how to ride one first then start looking. Nothing big and/or expensive although I think the wife and I have different ideas on what it should be.

[Fishfeet]

Well man! There`s always one of those little scooter thingys you see and hear running around town here! :grin: I saw some knot head riding one of those across the bridge on hwy 99 going toward Lafayette a while back! He couldn`t even keep up with the traffic and it was rush hour, no where to dodge! Then there are those little tiny cafe racers and miniture choppers! If`n you dont want something huge, get one with enough horsepower to get you out of bad situations at least. Just my 2 cents. Ff

[FourFun]

I just looked into this and the class is booked up untill mid may, better call soon if you want to ride this summer. I really tried to take this class all last summer and couldn't get in, real pain.