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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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le-paul

Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Location: dans la chambre
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Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:08 pm Post subject: korean motorbike test = joke? |
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after seeing the korean motorcycle test this weekend first hand, I can now understand why there are so many people riding around without licences, korean and foreigners alike.
It isnt so much a test of your riding skill (for example using your indicators at junctions, showing safe riding distances, stopping, cornering etc. etc.) or your road awareness, its a test to see if you can make two, tiny right angled turns on a bike youve never ridden before (and very probably a style of bike youve never ridden either).
Apparently, the police in all their wisdom first organised this test.
Im left wondering why the korean government have created a test thats almost impossible to pass, has such a low pass rate and doesnt test your riding ability? Are they actively encouraging people to NOT get their bike licence?
Anyway, I just wanted to say, sorry to anyone Ive ever criticised for not trying to get a licence/get legal.
Korean logic wins the day again... |
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Dodge7
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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6 threads? lol |
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lemak
Joined: 02 Jan 2011
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Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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You can say that again!
Although you made a mistake on your subject.
It's supposed to be "korean motorcycle test = ridiculous?" |
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le-paul

Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Location: dans la chambre
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Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION? !!
hehe
i tried posting SIX times and every time it failed. in the end i got sick of re- tying 'ridiculous' and just wrote 'joke' instead... |
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nora
Joined: 14 Apr 2012
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:01 am Post subject: |
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Actually, I've taken three motorcycle tests in my life - once in my home state, once for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and once in Korea. They're all the same.
The state test I took had a box in which you had to do a slow speed figure 8 turn. If your bike was over 600 cc you had a larger box, under 600 a smaller box. You had to speed towards the instructor, then hit the brakes at the line and stop before a second line. Any skidding or locking of the wheels would deduct points. There was a set of lines that you had to drive between, and an S curve which you had to negotiate while staying in the lines.
The Korean test, as I took it at the center by World Cup Stadium -
Start off with a sharp left turn and a sharp right turn. Do an S curve. Drive straight while staying between the lines. Turn right, weave through the cones, stop at the instructor.
The only difference between the US and Korean tests was that the US test you rode your own bike, and the US test was forgiving - if you made a mistake, you could try a second time.
If you cannot handle the Korean test, you shouldn't be driving a bike on the roads. The majority of people here (that I know and that I've heard of) that have failed the test have done so on the sharp turns. Yes, it's a difficult skill, but it's a necessary skill. I personally have not tipped over while doing slow speed turns, but it is still the most uncomfortable and difficult thing to do (for me, at least) on a bike.
Also, having done the motorcycle safety foundation course, I would say if you think that the license test is the end all/be all of motorcycle skill, you're sorely mistaken. The MSF test that I took was much more detailed, and naturally, it was the test I got the lowest score on. They are much pickier about what they judge on.
Anyway, sounds like you took the test and failed and came on here to whine about it. Practice up and try again. |
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salutbonjour
Joined: 22 Jan 2013
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:50 am Post subject: |
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nora wrote: |
If you cannot handle the Korean test, you shouldn't be driving a bike on the roads. The majority of people here (that I know and that I've heard of) that have failed the test have done so on the sharp turns. Yes, it's a difficult skill, but it's a necessary skill. I personally have not tipped over while doing slow speed turns, but it is still the most uncomfortable and difficult thing to do (for me, at least) on a bike. |
Being able to do a sharp turn and being able to do a sharp turn on a bike you've never ridden before are two different things. It takes a bit of driving to get used to peg, leg and hand positions, such that I would not recommend people ride into traffic the minute they get on a motorcycle they haven't ridden before.
I tried the test and failed due to curved handles that simply jabbed into my leg when I turned (long legs). At the hagwon, I drove the bike around for 2-3 turns then was able to simply pass the test over and over without failing. |
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le-paul

Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Location: dans la chambre
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:53 am Post subject: |
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thanks for that! I certainly didnt fail and then come on here to whine about it.
I dont care in the slightest that i failed, mostly because (and heres where i disagree with you completely) i dont see that being able to make two right angled turns on a 'cruiser style', motorcycle ive NEVER ridden before, WITHOUT putting my foot down on the turns is in anyway a refection of my riding skills. Ive been riding for years. I know all the principles of riding/breaking/cornering etc. and have practiced for 1000s of hours so that in the event of an accident, i would be able to control the bike.
I could make that turn easily on my own bike or if Id had a chance to get used to a cruiser style for 10 minutes.
To say what you just have, makes you seem like a complete, arrogant idiot who doesnt know too much about bikes or understand the larger picture.
If you did, youd know that a street bike, dirt bike cruiser style all have very different riding positions ( handle bar styles included) and centres of gravity and handle very differently on corners. You'd also know that if you wanted to take a corner very slowly, you'd usually use your foot to stabilise the bike. As a test condition, a practice period would help.
If I cannot handle the korean test? so you passed and that makes everyone else incapable?
and anyone who starts a sentence with 'actually...' sounds like a bit like a stuck up school girl
haha! and you ride a 125cc bike!
, |
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salutbonjour
Joined: 22 Jan 2013
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:47 am Post subject: |
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I was agreeing with you up until the last sentence. People can ride whatever they want... it's not like we're even allowed on any roads with 100km/h limits. Sure, some (myself included) do drive a fair amount over the limit, but big motor for the sake of big motor is stupid.
As is the exam. |
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le-paul

Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Location: dans la chambre
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:03 am Post subject: |
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salutbonjour wrote: |
I was agreeing with you up until the last sentence. People can ride whatever they want... it's not like we're even allowed on any roads with 100km/h limits. Sure, some (myself included) do drive a fair amount over the limit, but big motor for the sake of big motor is stupid.
As is the exam. |
i hope you didnt think any of that was directed at you? it was meant for nora. ill quote next time, apologies.
I just thought it was a bit hypocritical to comment on someone else's test when he rides a 125cc bike. I dont know a single person that has gone to the trouble of taking the full test on the 250 cc bike and then gone out and bought a 125cc. There wouldnt be any point when you can just use the car licence or do an easier practical test. I strongly suspect he did it on a125cc which is alot easier. i was laughing at that... |
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nora
Joined: 14 Apr 2012
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:00 am Post subject: |
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I dont care in the slightest that i failed |
So you DID fail.
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Im left wondering why the korean government have created a test thats almost impossible to pass, has such a low pass rate and doesnt test your riding ability? |
Apparently, so does the State of California. It tests the same things that the Korean test does.
http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl655/dl665mcycle.pdf
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Ive been riding for years. I know all the principles of riding/breaking/cornering etc. and have practiced for 1000s of hours so that in the event of an accident, i would be able to control the bike. |
That's fantastic. I hope you never have to use those skills.
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a street bike, dirt bike cruiser style all have very different riding positions ( handle bar styles included) and centres of gravity and handle very differently on corners. |
That's true. And the Hyosung 250 that they use in Korea weighs a grand total of 155 kg and has a center of gravity that is mere inches from the ground. There is not an easier handling 250 out there on which to take the test. It is lightweight and simple to handle. If they had people testing on an 883 or a Y6, there could be an argument to be made. But Mr. "1000's of hours," I find it hard to believe that you cannot handle one of the easiest bikes out there on two simple corners.
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you ride a 125cc bike! |
Huh? Where'd that come from? You want to whip 'em out and measure, fine, you win. You're huge.
I can't stand seeing people justify not riding without a license. Would you do it in your home country? Would you give a Korean a pass when he hits someone and says "yeah, the test was just stupid, so I don't have a license." You failed the test, big deal. Practice up, do it again. Don't come on here and whine about how tough it is and how you have so much experience and how it is justifiable that people break the law. |
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le-paul

Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Location: dans la chambre
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:27 am Post subject: |
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i have every intention of re-doing the test. what made you think im not? when exactly was i making an excuse for not having a license? I am in the process of acquiring it arent I? I am neither embarrassed nor ashamed that i failed. Should I be? Yes, I failed. So what?
the 125 cc was because you posted that you were selling one. I assumed you are still riding one. (PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:46 pm Post subject: Reply with quote Report Post
BUMP for a beautiful, sunny week ahead. A perfect time for a motorcycle!)
The hyosung, mirage that the test is done on is one of the most difficult bikes for taking corners on - its a cruiser. Cruisers are generally designed for 'cruising' that means 'going straight' in english.
generally, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??????? did you bump your head when you did your test? |
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nora
Joined: 14 Apr 2012
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 5:49 am Post subject: Re: korean motorbike test = joke? |
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Yes, take it again. Good luck.
I'm not saying you won't, nor am I saying that you drive without a license.
le-paul wrote: |
Anyway, I just wanted to say, sorry to anyone Ive ever criticised for not trying to get a licence/get legal. |
But you did say this. And this is what I take issue with. I am not criticizing you for failing. I AM criticizing you for complaining that the test is useless - it's not, it's required for the license. I AM criticizing you for your seeming acceptance of people who DON'T TRY to get the license and ride illegally.
I'm also not saying to be ashamed or embarrassed of failing. Everyone fails at some point at something. Nothing wrong with failure.
I DO have a 125 (do you want it? I don't), but I don't ride it. A guy was selling a 250 that I wanted, and because he was leaving, he gave me the 125 as well. I have owned 3 korean bikes - a Daelim VS125 (a very undervalued bike, btw!), the Mirage 125 (which I've ridden around the garage it's parked in) and a Comet 250 (the motor is the only decent thing about it), as well as a Honda CM400 (I hate dual carbs). So I do have experience on cruisers and sport bikes which probably did help when I took the test.
I will grant you that the mirage is NOT the bike I would choose for that test - the box is only wide enough that you have to hit it right on with zero tolerance for error. But I'd take that over a sport bike any day. The comet250 sits quite a bit higher and has much more of a "fall" than a "roll" when you take those tight turns at low speed.
I'm not trying to pick a fight other than to say that the test serves a purpose, and you should have zero sympathy for people who are, in your words, "not trying to get a license/get legal."
And seriously, want the mirage? INTERESTING TRADES ACCEPTED!! |
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jonpurdy
Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:14 am Post subject: |
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My main issue with the test is that you can't ride your own bike. Yeah, those tight turns are a pain but a capable rider should be able to handle them on a bike that they're comfortable with.
I suppose they want the playing field to be equal by forcing everyone to ride the same bike. |
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jonpurdy
Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:15 am Post subject: |
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My main issue with the test is that you can't ride your own bike. Yeah, those tight turns are a pain but a capable rider should be able to handle them on a bike that they're comfortable with.
I suppose they want the playing field to be equal by forcing everyone to ride the same bike. |
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andrewchon

Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't actually tried, but I don't think I can pass K-test with my current bike. I passeed it on Mirage 250 that was stuck on 1st gear though. |
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