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Posted by chief
- April 09, 2013, 16:59:25 PMQuote from: Troll on April 09, 2013, 14:53:35 PMYep La Crosse was a good brand... no more IMHO.We were sold that same bill of goods. Just as an example, one of the biggest employers in LaCrosse moved to china, shut down it's factory here, and now its a 100 empty building with a so-so restaurant in it. La Crosse Footwear used to be a big deal, now it's fake chinese crap. All the unions were told about the potential land of milk and honey, but they all got vinegar.
Posted by John Hopkins
- April 09, 2013, 15:18:50 PMAlthough some of my posts may seem to be moaning about the way things are..they are not intended as a moan, or a boast, they are just information about the other side of the English speaking world..Although I may not seem happy with things the way they are, I am still happy to live in Britain as it si now..my complaints are not really complaints about the country but more a nostalgia for the way things used to be..
I visited the USA in the mid sixties and loved the country, at that time I was in my early twenties and found that the country ran in much the same way as Britain, Australia and New Zealand did at that time, sure you had a successful space program but you also had old valve TV's and radios, we had the same mix of old and new and a fair share of American companies..I worked for Bell & Howell, Kodak, and 3M at different times. and my travels around the world gave me a hunger for interaction with different people and a need to learn more of the way others lived..One thing I did learn is that you can never go back and expect the places and people to remain unchanged, and if you stay in one place you don't notice the changes as much as someone who left and has come back...
Silly to add to the motorcycle test post, but it's still just information..
John.
Posted by Troll
- April 09, 2013, 14:53:35 PMWe were sold that same bill of goods. Just as an example, one of the biggest employers in LaCrosse moved to china, shut down it's factory here, and now its a 100 empty building with a so-so restaurant in it. La Crosse Footwear used to be a big deal, now it's fake chinese crap. All the unions were told about the potential land of milk and honey, but they all got vinegar.
Posted by John Hopkins
- April 09, 2013, 14:42:29 PMMid seventies I was living in Auckland New Zealand..Those prices were London and of course in the mid sixties before everything went bad..by the seventies we had become part of Europe and everything died...
Just for information and with no political axe to grind..
The Idea was that we would join the common market and convert from imperial measurements so that our factories with their new expensive tooling would have a new vast european market to sell to..
So we left ft and ins and turned to metres and cm's..all the factories were changed to supply the new market and when it came time to repair all the new housing built after the war, none of the new sized bricks would tie in with the old ones, the new pluming didn't match the old, and there were so many european factories that had been turning out metric pipes, bricks and other stuff for over 100 years, that our new factories couldn't compete, so they closed down.
I left Britain for New Zealand in 1971 for seven years because I could see the writing on the wall..two years later the whole of britain went on a three day week because there just wasn't enough work..
John.
Posted by chief
- April 08, 2013, 19:22:23 PMSeems to me mid 70's in Scotland petrol was about three times more expensive than the USA (59 cents a gallon here)... but utilities were about a third as expensive... its all relative I suppose.
Posted by John Hopkins
- April 08, 2013, 18:49:57 PM1965 in England gas was around 25cents a gallon allowing for the exchange rate at the time and that was an English gallon which consisted of 160 fluid ounces so we were not so heavily taxed in those days..and the icing on the cake was it was served by young blond topless girls...until the local council shut them down..
I was torn between riding enough miles to use half a gallon and not getting back to the pumps in time..the queues were five miles down the road..
John.
Posted by Troll
- April 08, 2013, 16:28:36 PMActually, gas was around 15 cents or so...and Florida, at least where I was, largely uninhabited. My grand parents lived right on US 1, in W Palm Beach. You could stand in the road and hear a car coming before you could see it. I used to hunt land crabs and lizards behind their house with a bb gun....The kids down the block had a Triumph T-Bird, and they let me take it out during the day, since they were in summer school. I visited my G'parents 2 years in a row, and then I bought my first bike...a '46 EL (61 inch) knuckle in about a million pieces. My parents just figured that it was something they would have to haul to the dump...until I got it running one night 
Posted by CDNRatMan
- April 08, 2013, 16:17:19 PMmmmmmm 63 in Florida, so it was a state by then....0.50 cents for a beach buggy......and a gallon of gas was 0.25 so that makes you..........
lol........
Posted by Troll
- April 08, 2013, 15:23:05 PMBack, more or less, on topic.....We bend over backwards here to make it (too) easy for a Wis. resident to get a class M endorsement. The majority of the licensing is done by the Rider Ed. schools by way of a law that went into effect in 1992. Trans. 129 allows the issuance of a waiver of road test by the school, as long as the student passes with a successful score on the test given at the end. The school doesn't actually do the licensing, the waiver of road test must be turned in at a local DMV and exchanged for an endorsement, We did away with the requirement for an instruction permit if the person elects to go through the rider ed system. They still have to take the "written" test, but it's now free. If a person decides to take a riding test conducted by the state, we have a thing called the M.I.T. Stands for motorcycle in traffic. The person must first hold an instruction permit, and then he is issued a receiver that allows the examiner to follow in traffic, give directions, and observe. The trans 129 waiver system has become so popular, the state has eliminated most of the MIT test stations...Personally, I think it's way too easy, but the 33% unlicensed figure remains. 3 years ago, the state sent out nastygrams to households with a registered motorcycle, but no class M endorsement...200,000 letters..go figure. I got my motorcycle license in New York, and it really wasn't easy back in 1967......Started riding in '63 in Florida, where 50 cents got you a beach buggy/motorcycle license....
Posted by CDNRatMan
- April 08, 2013, 14:59:38 PMQuotenot even going to respond to that because it will just make me mad that I who have served for 40+ years in MY military, and upon retirement I can not draw from UI, even though since the age of 17 I have been a regular contributor, why, because I am getting my little pension, yet someone who has never held a job in this country, be they just lazy or here because they want the benefits....and they can draw it.....some how does not seem correct to me....but I am not going to get into that ....it would be politically incorrect........We wouldn't want to inconvenience any non-citizens with the laws we pass for citizens
Posted by chief
- April 08, 2013, 13:04:58 PMWow, John... sounds a lot like the USA!! We wouldn't want to inconvenience any non-citizens with the laws we pass for citizens.
Posted by John Hopkins
- April 08, 2013, 12:09:19 PMQuote from: Troll on April 08, 2013, 10:41:31 AMIt is difficult to estimate our illegal drivers in this country as we have open borders, thousands of illegal insurgents cross the channel from France every week, we manage to combat this by making regular cuts in the staffing levels of border control and immigration staff and our police try not to interfere with anyone using European number plates, anyone driving an unregistered car who claims they are only visiting for the day and cannot speak English is usually waved through spot checks and ignored by speed camera operators..Our state DOT estimates that about 66% of Wisconsin motorcycle operators are licensed, the rest are faking it...is there any estimate in the U.K.
The police help out by not chasing anyone who has stolen a vehicle in case they hurt someone, but they always take a nice photograph of them which is their way of enforcing the law.
However the rest of us all pull together to make up the short fall in parking and speeding tickets so it all works out ok.
John.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- April 08, 2013, 11:23:39 AMok in Ontario because each province has slight variances in their licensing progression...
Graduated Licensing for Motorcycles Riders
New drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle licence must enter the Ontario graduated licensing system. This system is a 2-step process, which is usually completed over a 20-month time-span.
This is an optimal period of time to allow the new driver to acquire the skills and the necessary driving experiences that are very essential to becoming a confident and safe driver.
Level One (Class M1) requirements
Level One (Class M1) lasts a minimum of 60 days. It is valid for 90 days. Make sure to book Level One (Class M1) road test ahead to avoid a long delay.
Class M1
As new motorcycle riders with a Class M1 Licence you have to ride under following conditions:
Your blood alcohol level must be zero;
You must ride only during daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset);
You must not ride on highways with speed limits of more than 80 km/h except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144, 655;
You cannot carry passengers.
Once you pass motorcycle knowledge test, you will get a Class M1 Licence and an information package for new riders. You must spend a minimum of 60 days with a Class M1 Licence, which is valid for 90 days.
Motorcycle riders who successfully complete an approved motorcycle safety course that includes a road test with an M1 Licence are exempt from taking the ministry's M1 road test and can move to an M2 Licence after 60 days.If you complete an approved safety course in either level, you can reduce the time that you must hold an M2 Licence from 22 to 18 months. While the motorcycle safety course certificate is valid for two years from its issue date, it may only be used for the M1 road test exemption within six months of its issue date.
With a Class M1 Licence, an operator can drive a moped, limited-speed motorcycle and a motorcycle.
Class M2
You must pass an M1 road test or complete an approved motorcycle safety course before receiving a Class M2 Licence. You must have a Class M2 Licence for a minimum of 22 months.
If you complete an approved motorcycle safety course, you may reduce this time requirement by four months. With an M2 Licence, you gain more privileges - you may ride at night and on any road. However, at this level:
Your blood alcohol level must be zero;
You will be eligible to take a Class M road test after you have completed the time required with an Class M2 Licence;
You must pass this test to get a Class M Licenc
Note: Class M2 and Class M Licence holders may also drive Class G vehicles under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 Licence holder.
With a Class M2 Licence, the operator can drive a moped, limited-speed motorcycle and a motorcycle.
Posted by chief
- April 08, 2013, 10:51:28 AMQuote from: Troll on April 08, 2013, 10:41:31 AMI never had a MC license until I moved to TN. I joined the Navy in Alabama and carried an AL license the entire time I was in the Navy. Alabama didn't require a motorcycle license, and all States recognize the licenses of the home state for military personnel. I drove and rode in the UK under my Alabama license!Our state DOT estimates that about 66% of Wisconsin motorcycle operators are licensed, the rest are faking it...is there any estimate in the U.K.
After the Navy, the States in which I lived also didn't require a license - until TN... so this was the first MC license I have ever had. Now my wife has had one since she was 16.
Posted by chief
- April 08, 2013, 10:46:03 AMthanks for the interesting info. I remember the first MOD I took my American Triumph GT6 sports car through... geez. I bought my first car in Alabama... no inspections and the vehicle had to have at least one headlight and a windshield... nothing else required.
In the USA, everything is State controlled. Each State has its own rules, but all licenses are recognized in all States. In TN, you can get a learner's permit (cars) at 15. That means a registered driver over 21 has to be in the car with you when you are driving... and you can't drive between 10pm and 6am.
For Motorcycles... If you have a valid drivers license, you show up at the DOT testing center... take a written test (computer). If you pass that, an examiner will watch you make a circuit on your bike. If you can keep it upright, you're granted an endorsement on your DL.
MOTORCYCLE ONLY (Class-M) (126 cc or more) Any two- or three-wheel vehicle of more than 125 cubic centimeters (125 cc). A motorcycle license allows the holder 16 years of age or older the privilege of operating a motorcycle. The driver examination will include a vision screening, knowledge test and an on-cycle ability skills test.& (See Identification and Application Requirements for additional details). Note: if the applicant does not already have a valid driver license for a passenger vehicle, the knowledge test for Class D is also required.
MOTORCYCLE-SECONDARY (Class-M) Motorcycle is added in the secondary position on a valid type or class of license. The addition of a motorcycle license allows the holder 16 years of age or older, the privilege of operating a motorcycle in addition to the other vehicles. The driver examination will include a vision screening, written test and an on-cycle ability skills test. The motorcycle license expires when the primary license expires.
For example, if a driver wishes to be able to operate both a motorcycle and a Class D vehicle, he or she should apply for a Class DM license or XDM license.
MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLE (SCOOTER) (Class M-Limited) (from 51-125cc) Any two or three wheel vehicle of no more than 125 cubic centimeters. The license issued to a person 15 years of age will be valid only between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and within a seven (7) mile radius of the motor-driven cycle driver's home. The license issued to a person over 16 will only be restricted as deemed necessary by the Department of Safety.
Minors, 15 years of age, may apply for a restricted license to operate a motorized bicycle that is 50 cc or less, just as they would to operate a motor-driven cycle. The applicant must take a written test, vision test and demonstrate the ability to operate the motorized bicycle. The license issued will be restricted to a motorized bicycle only.
MOTORCYCLE LEARNER PERMIT (Class P-M) A special permit allowing minors fifteen (15) years of age to operate a motorcycle after completing the requirement established for a motorcycle license with the following restrictions:
- Must be limited to a motorcycle with a maximum cylinder size of 650 cubic centimeters (650cc).
- Must not carry passengers.
- Must be restricted from use on interstate highways or roadways otherwise marked.
- Operation during daylight hours only.
- Must be limited to a twenty (20) mile radius of the driver's home.
- At the age of sixteen (16), the holder of a motorcycle learner permit (Class P-M) may return to a Driver Service Center and exchange their permit for a motorcycle license to retain the privilege to operate a motorcycle. Note: No tests are required for exchange. After exchange all restriction and size limits are removed.
- Permits are valid for one (1) year from date of issuance. The learner permit will be valid only between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and within a seven (7) mile radius of the motorized bicycle driver's home.