How many ride without a motorcycle endorsement?

[mjstef]

Just a curiosity. Kind of common out here to run without especially with the dirtbike crowd. since 1990 i have held a Class A Commercial Drivers License with doubles and hazmat endorsements and have over 1,000,000 accident free miles and the state thinks i need a motorcycle endorsement? Sounds kind of crazy. I have no problem with a written test as i have to have one for my commercial endorsements but a driving test?? Really? A motorcycle endorsement is required to legally operate a motorcycle or scooter on Montana's streets and highways. However, it is not required to legally operate an ATV. Why not an ATV being they are street legal here? Just thinking out loud...............

[kohburn]

i rode with a "learners permit" for years, finally made taking the driven test a priority then didn't have to because i did the MSF course and got a slip from that that the DMV used in place of the driven test.

[Azhule]

Originally Posted by kohburn

i rode with a "learners permit" for years, finally made taking the driven test a priority then didn't have to because i did the MSF course and got a slip from that that the DMV used in place of the driven test.

I also 'cheated the system' and did the MSF course to get the "M Endorsement" stupidly simple "test" on the provided DR200

[newrider93]

I've been driving on a permit for the last year. I plan on getting a license this year. Costs $3.50 every 6 months to renew a permit. A license last for 6 years for $20. The drivers test portion is stupidly simple. Just have to weave through a few cones and what not

[paulesmann]

Never really rode without an endorsement since the class was how I learned. I have done a shit load of riding without plates though haha

[BlackBike]

Yes I ran over 1000 on my black bike w/o endorsement. But backroads and little trafic. Just finished course as mandated in 2009 in tx. Cost $235. Ouch! You get endorsement when finish class (if I can make 100%, yes you know it's got to be pretty easy). Over to dept of public safety, pay $16 then take new photo and mail you new licence with class "CM". It's a real check writing fiesta here in tx.

[mjstef]

Course is 2 days and $175 here. I'm gonna keep being stubborn. Been on 2 wheels of some sort since i was 6 years old..............

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by mjstef

Course is 2 days and $175 here. I'm gonna keep being stubborn. Been on 2 wheels of some sort since i was 6 years old..............

MT is so wide open doesnt seem like they need to be so strict. On the other hand for less experienced like me guess it makes sense , I just minded the cost, not the class. Did use there equipment Suzuki gz250 from 2007. The are replacing the fleet and purchased 85 Honda groms and 65 Yamaha vstar 250. Instructor was not too happy about the groms have 2 trailer units that travel all over tx, pretty tough job.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by mjstef

A motorcycle endorsement is required to legally operate a motorcycle or scooter on Montana's streets and highways. However, it is not required to legally operate an ATV. Why not an ATV being they are street legal here? Just thinking out loud...............

They drew the line at 2 wheels. California, of all places, with its overly far-reaching policies in all areas of the states' citizens' lives (i.e. firearms), actually allows trikes to be ridden using a simple car driver license. I was all ready to run back there, buy a fleet of Ice Bear trikes, to rent out to tourists, but alas; one of their far-reaching policies ruined that for me...Ice Bear trikes, other than their worthless (because of how weak and slow they are) 50cc trikes are NOT CARB certified! Business plan ruined....

[Johnp]

Personally, I got my motorcycle license about 20 years ago in Texas. Took a rider safety course, and automatically got the stamp as I recall.

I've owned several other bikes including a Triump Sprint ST, Honda Nighthawk 750, BMW K1200GT, etc... So since those are all pretty lethal machines I wouldn't have risked riding without a license. Also, you need insurance when you're riding a $10-20k machine. ;-)

[Mudflap]

Got my endorsement in California the day I turned 16. That was 1969 when there was no test on the motorcycle, only a 10 question multiple choice addition to the car license.

[bogieboy]

i have ridden several thousand miles with out the endorsement, but want to make work of getting it... when ya work 7-6 and 7-12 saturdays its difficult to get to the dmv.....LOL

[Ron B]

I got my motorcycle license when I was 14 (age in Alabama to get mc) to drive to school ,when i got my drivers license at 16 they put a M on it also, also a V for vessel.

[zingshoen]

riding without a license? don t ride in the woods and at night and respect the police! and don t ride away from them when they flag you down! lots of guys don t know how to ride or drive with a license either.

[mjstef]

I agree with all of your posts. In the end though, The state endorses me to drive these things which endanger hundreds of people i pass on the highway but wants me to take a 2 day course and pay $175 to drive a 300# motorcycle that endangers myself???