I will be taking the riding/test in a few weeks. I tried the 250's that the course provides and had a rough time with the size. While I'm only 6' I have a size 14 foot and kept getting distracted trying to jam my foot under the gear shift. I also felt like my knees were too high to get comfortable. My lack of experience didn't help things either. LOL!
Wow, it's like we had the exact same experience. I'm 6' 2" and also a size 14" shoe. I took my safety course last year near here at Fairliegh Dickenson University and wore some very big toed work boots (timberland steel toes) thinking these would be great for riding (having never ridden anything except a bicycle before). DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD IDEA. I had all kinds of trouble shifting on the little 250 cc test bikes because the toe on those boots (as great as they are for work boots - very durable - great ankle support) really was way too thick to get between the foot peg and the shifter lever.
I was able to do enough basic shifting into 1st gear and nuetral to "get it" and still manuever. My manuevering was good enough, I was just falling short on the basic "UP" shifting through 1st and 2nd gears (we didn't go higher than 2nd) -- I also aced the written part. The course instructors were very cool and understanding about it all and passed me anyway with the understanding that before I got my own bike out on the road, I'd need to get some flat toed boots (which I definitely did). Over the weekend - 3 day morning course the instructors could see I was having problems specifically having to do with my choice in foot wear. Had I felt comfortable enough to wear sneakers (and if they'd have allowed it) I wouldn't have had that problem at all.
This course gives you a voucher which you bring to the DMV so you don't need to take the road test. So I was able to get my license and start riding. But not until I got some decent (and I use the term very loosely here) boots I could shift with.
Once I got some flat toed boots (almost like cowboy boots but with a square toe - which I got from the clearance rack at a DSW near me - I really lucked out with those things being there when they were) I was good to go. I was able to shift through all the gears and start trying some stuff out on my own bike. I've been able to wear my skechers sneakers riding more recently as I feel comfortable enough to do so.
Your bike looks great. I have the same color 1985 650 and love it.
Ride safe!!
Mike
