Cool, glad it was of interest - I spend a lot of time in California and Boston with work, and it's always interesting to me to learn about the differences..
A lot of my colleagues in the US are shocked at how draconian some of our anti-motorist measures are (ANPR for example) but to be honest, I dont have the slightest problem with a 'tough' test for either motorcycling or car driving - increased training and higher standards can only lead to safer motoring for all..
I'd be in favour of compulsory re-tests (or at least refreshers) every few years.. I know for sure that coming back to this after the 24 year gap since I last rode, and having to mug up on all the new laws and approaches has been of benefit to my car driving since, not just the biking, and has forced a more careful and thoughtful approach.. I suspect like many long term drivers I was simply driving on 'automatic' as it were, and very relaxed about it. It's tough, and I'm frustrated at just how hard I'm finding some of it, but isnt that the whole point?!
:-)
