I'm Taking My M2 Exit Test This Month

[Gord]

In Ontario we have graduated licencing. In order to be fully licenced you must have your M1 (Learner's Permit) for at least 60 days before you can complete your M1 exit test and graduate to an M2 Licence. You must hold your M2 licence for 22 months (or 18 months if you have taken an approved course) before you can take your M2 exit test and graduate to a full M licence.

I earned my M1 licence in March 2004. I passed my M1 exit test and received my M2 licence in June 2004. I am now taking my M2 exit test starting on April 23-24 with my actual test on May 1.

I am amazed at the progress I have made in my few short years of riding. The restrictions during my M1 period (no passengers, restricted riding to daylight hours, no alcohol, no roads with speed limits above 80 kmh) gave me a chance to focus on my motorcycle basics. And not being allowed to tear ass right from the get go put pressure on me to concentrate on skills so that I could elevate myself to the next level of riding. With my M2, all restrictions were removed except for alcohol. Zero tolerance remained in place. The other restriction, which was not advertised by our government, is that with a restricted licence you will have a hard time renting a motorcycle. Hence last summer in Germany I did not attempt to rent a bike. So I am incented to pass my M2 so that I can rent bikes when I travel.

The M2 exit test consists of a 4 hour in class session (April 23), a 4 hour preparation exercise (in a parking lot on April 24), and then a road test (on May 1). Total time for the course is 12 hours. I am confident that I can pass this test. If I wasn't travelling to China shortly after my road test, I would be tempted into some Advanced Rider training and track days. That's not my cockiness speaking. Graduated licencing has taught me that continual learning is a key to staying alive in our sport / avocation.

[BobFV1]

Graduated licencing has taught me that continual learning is a key to staying alive in our sport / avocation.

Gord - I couldn't agree more. Sounds like Canada has a great system for promoting rider safety through graduated licencing. Best of luck with your course/exam!

BTW, if Canada has reciprocity with Arizona, come down here for two days and I can give you your Arizona license with a full endorsement, after going throught the MSF curriculum.

[geechie]

That's great news, Gord. It's obvious that your system has contributed to making you a better, safer rider.

There was a 25 year old kid killed on my home road this past weekend. He was a black kid, member of the Coast Guard, and was not wearing a helmet. Newspaper accounts had it that no other vehicles were involved. I was on that section of the road going home yesterday (in my B2300 pick-up — arrgghh) and couldn't help but notice several streches of long black streaks that I would guess were left by a MC perhaps doing burn-outs. Couldn't help but wonder.

We clearly need some kind of graduated licensing in this country, but I'm afraid the state's-rights advocates will never let it happen. Hell, my state doesn't even require helmets to be worn by adult riders. Go figger.

George

[Promethean]

Helmets? That's asking too much where I live in the Milwaukee city area. Most folks here have bought into the Harley lifestyle and the only protection they wear is their sunglasses. One in 15 will wear a helmet. It's rare to see someone with full gear.

I just hope to God that these folks have taken the BRC.

[DarthRider]

Congrats Gord-O!
I wish we had your licensing system in the U.S.
Down here we're more focused on obeying traffic laws than learning how to ride or drive well...and safely.

Dave

[Tripton]

Here in Iowa you don't need a helmet...or any safety gear at all. Can ride in your skivvies if you are stupid enough. All your bike needs is a headlight, tailight, and one mirror. No turn signals or anything else required.

Also, can get a motorcycle learners permit the day you turn 14, with just a written test. Same as the auto learners permit, only with the bike permit, you only have to be within sight range of a licensed rider. When you go to get your license, you either can take a 3 day course...that is a couple hours a day, or just take a bike to the DMV to an appointment that you have made, and ride a short course in the parking lot for them. If your number of birth correlates with a number that is picked for the month, (not sure how they do this exactly) you have to do a ride test even if you have taken the course.

I took the safety course, many of my friends did not. I am glad that i did, but to be honest, it was pretty hokey...but I guess many things that maybe I consider common sense are not as obvious to others...

I love the freedom of our laws, not having to wear helmets and the like...I HATE seatbelt laws. I dont care how unsafe it it, that should be a personal choice...and i fail to see how that effects the safety of other drivers...but that is a different topic...

BUT, our licensing system here....is....lackluster, that is for sure.

[Gord]

Well I have completed Day 2 of my M2 Exit Course and Test.

The class started last night. First night was a 4 hour class room session. This session took care of a number of things: checking that you are qualified for an M2 test (you have to have had your M2 for 18-22 months depending upon defined criteria), going over your bike to ensure it is safe (unlike in M1 where the school usually supplies the bike, in M2 you use your own), reviewing the logistics of the course, and then going through the scoring / demerit system for the actual exit test.

I was actually awe struck by the scoring criteria for the test and it had me questioning whether I was truly ready or not. The actual score sheet is A4 size paper (larger than foolscap here in North America) of fine print, most of the page taken up with the criteria. There are multiple categories that are tested under different riding conditions (e.g. commercial environment, residential environment, highway, etc.) and it looks very comprehensive. A far cry from the scoring sheet used for the M1 exit test, and worlds away from the car test I took some 32 years ago. Needless to say, as I rode home from the class last night, I was over analyzing what I was doing as I rode and starting to second guess what I was doing. I didn't sleep well playing over in my head all of the things I might do wrong!

So Day 2 (today) dawned crisp and cool as I headed out at 07:00 for the first riding test of the 3 day course. This first day riding test was a repeat of our M1 exit test, and is put on the front end of the course to ensure that you do indeed have the basic abilities expected from you. This first test tests a number of skills:


Sharp Turn - testing your ability to make a sharp turn and follow a narrow path while maintaining balance and not touching a down a foot
Accelerating In A Turn - testing your ability to accelerate up a narrow, arcing path within a presecribed time limit
Slowing In A Turn - testing your ability to decelerate in a norrow, arcing path and stopping with your front wheel in a defined box
Normal Stop - ensuring you can stop the motorcycle without skidding and assuming the defined stop position (i.e. left foot down, right foot on break, no dancing of feet, correct gear selected, etc.)
Turning Speed Selection - testing that you can select the right gear and speed for executing a turn
Quick Stop - Straight - testing your ability to emergency stop without locking up the bike
Obstacle Turn - testing your ability to execute and evasive maneuvre and regain your path upon compleiton of that maneuvre
Quick Stop - Curve - testing your ability to stop safely while in a turn


First time I did my M1, I failed after Test 3 (i.e. I had accumulated 12 demerits out of a possible 35). The second time I did my M1 (and passed) I only accumulated 6 demerits out of a possible 80. Still, I was nervous this time out. The sharp turn right off the bat freaks out lots of riders and if you screw that up, it can really throw off the rest of the test (if they let you finish it all!).

So today's results? I had the best results of my group of four with 5 demerits. I hit a line in the Sharp Turn (Test #1) but everything else went well. Needless to say, I was pleased with "being best" and improving on my last test results. So I was in a great frame of mind for the first street ride.

For the street ride, one instructor can take out a maximum of 5 riders (there were 4 in my group with one no show). They set us all up with radio receivers, divide us up into formation (we did change once during the ride), and then the instructor (with driver) follow us in a truck and gives us directions ("execute a lane change left, take the next exit and head south, Number 4 close up on Number 3", etc.). They take us through the different riding conditions we will encounter on the test (although not necessarily the same test route) and have us execute each of the criteria that we will be tested on. I had a blast with this. But again it helped that things went well.

At one point our lead rider ran into trouble on the highway. I was riding Number 2. He could not hear his radio as he was wearing a shorty helmet and riding a Harley with very loud pipes. He was about to take the wrong highway and I realized what he was about to do. I executed a lane change (we were on a three lane highway), accelerated up beside him, gave him a hand signal, slipped in in front of him, and we shifted into our appropriate tire tracks. In essence we shuffled the formation at speed. Doesn't sound like much really, but with 4 guys riding together for the first time under test conditions, at speed, it was slightly stressful. Especially since I was not sure what the instructor was thinking about me taking initiative without instruction here. But upon completion of this move, the instructor said "I've just been watching motorcycle ballet." Very satisfying. With me now in the lead I got to set the pace and manage the group within the limits prescribed by the instructor. Two of the fellows in the group were dawdlers so adjusting the pace to keep the pack together was work. A couple of times we got separated and I executed a couple of "park and fly" manuevres to let them catch up (which is actually good practice since there will be multiple tests of our "road side stops" and "traffic merge" skills during the test. Afterwards the lead instructor told me that I was a good group rider and that I knew how to manage and set a pace. Another confidence booster.

My final exit test is Monday morning at 08:15. This will be done with 1 instructor per rider - no longer a group. The test lasts 27 minutes. After today, I am confident that I can pass this test (heck I wouldn't have signed up for the course if I didn't think I could do it!). There are no tricks in any of the testing. The key is to use your head, your eyes, and adapt to the conditions around you. In other words, be a motorcyclist. I'm looking forward to it now and not dreading it like I was after last night's session. And given the extensive criteria I need to satisfy, upgrading from M2 to an M will be a significant accomplishment in my books (yeah, I have ego deficiency problems!)

[geechie]

Gord,

Wonderful progress report. Thanks so much.

I suspect I won't be alone in saying... I'm very proud of you.

Learning to ride a motorcycle, and then riding it well is serious business. It's taken far too lightly in this neck of the woods.

Keep up the good work.

George

[Gord]

George - thanks for you kind words of encouragement. It means a lot to know that our group is open to riders of all skill levels and that we are not some pretentious group of m/c snobs. Carpetbaggers, scalliwags, etc. etc. we are!

So this morning I was raring to go. Up out of bed, suited up, and then sat and waited. My test was scheduled for 8:15 and at 6:15 I had nothing to do. When the clock struck 07:00 I was off. A quick stop to fuel up and then off to Georgian College where I would start my test from. Was sitting on the front step of the instructors office talking to one of his female co-workers by 07:30. By 07:45 the lead instructor had me wired for sound, dinked up (in one of those flourescent construction worker vests), and ready to roll. I started my test a whole 1/2 hour ahead of schedule and was back at the college by 08:30 am with a hearty "congratulations Gord, well done." Smiles all around.

It was not a perfect ride, but then again I did not expect it would be. More than 25 demerits and you fail. Under 25 you pass. There are 388 opportunities for demerit (not including the 5 reasons for disqualification) so in essence you need to score 94% or better to pass. I accumulated 12 demerits which is a 97% score. I was pretty happy about that.

The 12 demerits broke down as follows:

My left foot moved on one occasion when stopped
On one occasion my front wheel was touching the white line that marked the stop line of the intersection
On one occasion I failed to do a left shoulder check when making a left turn
On two occasions I failed to do a right shoulder check when executing a right turn
Apparently on two occasions when travelling in the business zone I failed to look at two potential hazards
On two occasions I failed to show head movement when checking through intersections I was riding through
I did one roadside stop and failed to notice the bus stop sign on the telephone pole I stopped near. One demerit there.
On the highway portion of the ride, I was not keeping up with the speed of the traffic beside me
On my last exit from the highway on the way back to the college, I did not keep my brake light on for the full time I was slowing to a stop


My biggest flaw was not clearly demonstrating head movement when checking blind spots. In general I was warned not to be too reliant on the mirrors alone. Noted and lesson learned.

Having received all my paperwork, I headed to the nearest licencing office to get my licence classification switched from GM2 to GM. The temporary licence is safely tucked in my wallet and I am eagerly awaiting my shiney new plastic licence in about 6 weeks time.

The downside was, I left from the licence office and took my bike to the dealership for its 20K inspection, a new set of Metzeler Z6's, and to have the oil filler cap replaced with a nice chrome, locking cap. All in prep for my ride to St. John's, Newfoundland on June 17. My bike will sit at the dealers for the next 6-7 weeks while I am away in China.

But a great start to the week with the successful attainment of a motorcycling milestone in my life!

[geechie]

Woo, Hoo, Dood!

And in addition, frequent head checks help keep the neck limber.

The other thing they do is signal your intent. Communication needs to work in duplex.

George

[Promethean]

Congratulations Gord!


And in addition, frequent head checks help keep the neck limber.

The other thing they do is signal your intent. Communication needs to work in duplex.

I hear you George.....frequent head checks....to check out an attractive woman...yes.. you're a genius. :037:

[Reza]

Congrats , Gord :eusa_clap:
Passing the test sure puts the mind at ease, doesn't it.
Hey, that was some ride yesterday. Really short but sweet.
Have a safe trip to china. Talk to you when you get back.

P.S. let me know how much the chrome oil filler cap cost, I'm thinking of switching mine too.

[Promethean]

I think its around 38 US.



P.S. let me know how much the chrome oil filer cap cost, I'm thinking of switching mine too.

[Gord]

Reza - of course when I went in and asked the boys at Open Road BMW to take care of the bike, I didn't bother to ask the price. Just do it. I only have so long to live and only so much money. Might as well enjoy them both at the same time! *grin*

And that was a good, albeit short ride on Sunday. Had it not been for me madly trying to get everything done around the house before heading to China, I would have made it a day trip. Next time my new found friend.

As for the head checks, my twin brother tells me that the solution is to ride a Triumph Daytona 955i. The mirrors are only good for admiring your elbows, so head checks are a given!

[LesKoh]

Congrats Gord! Your M2 Exit test sounds very similar to the motorcycle licensing test here in Hong Kong and equally nerve-wrecking. Getting a license here takes a minimum of almost 6 months during which time you have to first take a Mandatory Course - (basic skills within a confined area, road regulations etc.), and after passing that, the Road Course, where you chalk up hours on hours of riding a set route on the public roads, first accompanied by and instructor and after that on your own. Building up on the basic skills, stop/starts on inclines, figure 8's on inclines are now also on list of skills to be tested. On the day of testing, all the basics are examined before you even get out of the driving center and many have met their doom here - stalling on the incline, putting your right leg down at a stop, miss a head check when moving off, falter on the figure 8's, you'll be parking the bike never to see the outside of the driving centre! Assuming you make it through all this, then you set off on a pre-determined route with the tester following. On the road test, again head checks are a big thing plus all the other observation of road signs, regulations, indicating turns, eye-balling potential hazards, proper gear shifts, maintaining control, etc. are all marked and graded on. If you're fortunate enough to pass the road course, you'll be issued a provisional license valid for one year which allows you to ride any bike from a scooter up to a full-dresser LT or the latest R1 if you'd like, BUT you have to display a 'P' plate back and front, not carry a pillion, not exceed 70km/h, not ride in the fast lane of expressways. Screw up on any of these points and they slap a 6 month extension on your provisional license. Do it again, and you're back at driving school for another Road Course and examination! Stay clean, and you get to convert your provisional to a full license after the provisional year. All in all, a pretty intense process. Still, I sometimes wonder about these new riders being able to step out from the Transport Dept with their new provisional license and walk into any dealer to buy their latest super-duper liter class crotch rocket, slap on the 'P' plates and gamble on being able to survive the remaining 364 days on that license....