View Full Version : How much does riding a bike help in passing a car test?
I have my bike test next week, and shortly after passing that i will be starting my driving lessons.
Is there anyone on here that done their bike test before the car test? Did you find it a lot easier having road experience on the bike?
I wont be giving up the bike - i just want to learn to drive whilst i have the money, and while my young brain can soak up all the information.
To top it off, ill be learning in one of these beauties
http://www.autoweb.co.uk/crawleypix/YG57VRW_1.jpg
:|
It doesn't you get really nervous and nearly kill you'reself and the instructor by driving out in front of a lorry. :)
I honestly am terrible at driving, it's completely different to you're bike..
Could help with road sense, especially if you're learning in London...
AndyBrad
19-06-09, 12:27 PM
bike will help emensly in driving imo. I did my bike test at 28! and my driving has improved since!
:laughat::laughat:M-boy's learning to drive a hearse:laughat::laughat:
Road positioning obviously important, awareness of surroundings etc.
But the manoovers are very different, you don't reverse park a bike, but then you don't U-turn the corpse carrier:p
SoulKiss
19-06-09, 12:40 PM
Just remember that you cant/shouldn't filter in a car :)
Oh and that those BMW's DO have indicators despite what you may have observed while on the CG....
blue curvy jester
19-06-09, 12:42 PM
:|
It doesn't you get really nervous and nearly kill you'reself and the instructor by driving out in front of a lorry. :)
...
get a faster car :smt083
A hearse?! I love that car.
Im not sure what engine it has, but the Ford Focus alternative is a TDCi. Im surprised they can even insure it.
fizzwheel
19-06-09, 12:48 PM
To top it off, ill be learning in one of these beauties
I suspect you're going to be very very disappointed. I've driven two of them and they were both horrible and un-inspiring to drive.
Its really over-rated and our TDCI focus is alot better to drive.
As for bike helping car, I think it does, you'll have road experience and you'll know how roundabouts etc etc work.
I did my bike test first, at 17 - and then my car test about 4 months later. I found riding a bike helped loads - only had about 6 driving lessons - basically just to get used to the handling of a car, as the road sense and knowing all the rules etc, you've already got.
Be careful pulling out round parked cars tho, with oncoming traffic... you need a lot more room in a car :mad:
I did my bike test first, at 17 - and then my car test about 4 months later. I found riding a bike helped loads - only had about 6 driving lessons - basically just to get used to the handling of a car, as the road sense and knowing all the rules etc, you've already got.
Be careful pulling out round parked cars tho, with oncoming traffic... you need a lot more room in a car :mad:]
Thats near enough exactly what im doing. I started riding in february, and my test is next week. Im shocked at only six lessons... I'll be over the moon if i only need to spend that much.
dizzyblonde
19-06-09, 12:54 PM
I passed my test on a bike five years ago. Then I went to learn to drive a car. Much as I tried very hard to like driving a car, I just found it absolutely sh1te in comparison.
I was given all the usual excuses to keep me learning to drive, like its much better you don't get wet, you have a family, can't do the shopping on a bike. etc etc.
Still didn't like it, and I just couldn't get it right either, I was terrible.
I love my bike. I hate cars, I can't drive.....still :-)
I passed my test on a bike five years ago. Then I went to learn to drive a car. Much as I tried very hard to like driving a car, I just found it absolutely sh1te in comparison.
I was given all the usual excuses to keep me learning to drive, like its much better you don't get wet, you have a family, can't do the shopping on a bike. etc etc.
Still didn't like it, and I just couldn't get it right either, I was terrible.
I love my bike. I hate cars, I can't drive.....still :-)
Some cars can really be a blast though. My friends 2.0 golf GTi is seriously rapid and pulls through twisties like anything.
The bonus of having a car is mainly to go out places without wearing tonnes of gear, being able to pick up friends and really sit back and relax on journeys whilst blaring out music (as chavvy as that sounds)
If i get a car, it will not be a replacement for my bike. Theres nothing like the fun you can get out of a bike, and the sense of adventure it gives.
I can legally drive a car, I just can't do it very well..
I get scared going fast in the car, just doesn't feel stable..
Much more confident/comfortable riding the bike than theee cage :(
I can legally drive a car, I just can't do it very well..
I get scared going fast in the car, just doesn't feel stable..
Much more confident/comfortable riding the bike than theee cage :(
Is the car not very good? (not being rude lol)
Some cars feel a lot more solid than others, epecially over 60mph. Ive been in a fiesta that rattled after 70.
back then there were no theory tests tho ;)
back then there were no theory tests tho ;)
Yeah i realised earlier im going to have to fork out another £30 for a pointless theory test. I shouldnt have to do it again... it cant be much different from the bike theory.
SoulKiss
19-06-09, 01:08 PM
Passed my car test 18 years last Saturday while 17 (cant belive I have been licenced to drive for longer in my life that I wasn't licend to drive.....)
Waited (or should that be wasted) 15 years to get my bike license.....
Jamiebridges123
19-06-09, 01:23 PM
I did my bike test first, at 17 - and then my car test about 4 months later. I found riding a bike helped loads - only had about 6 driving lessons - basically just to get used to the handling of a car, as the road sense and knowing all the rules etc, you've already got.
Be careful pulling out round parked cars tho, with oncoming traffic... you need a lot more room in a car :mad:
:smt004
Yeah, only things you'd really have to learn are the size of the car and using pedals instead of levers and twist grips. :albino:
:smt004
Yeah, only things you'd really have to learn are the size of the car and using pedals instead of levers and twist grips. :albino:
that and "ooh look it goes backwards too"
oh and of course "what are back seats for again?" :cool:
You should only be learning how to drive a car, not roadcraft.
I got in the car for my first driving lesson a couple of weeks a go and I can drive. All I've been taught are the manouvers. But I'm also used to driving big dumpers, teleporters and diggers whichhas probably helped.
Is the car not very good? (not being rude lol)
Some cars feel a lot more solid than others, epecially over 60mph. Ive been in a fiesta that rattled after 70.
Aye the cars sound, it isn't a rustbucket etc..
Its not the car that doesnt like going fast, its me..
Just don't gell with cars, it seems more a effort than a pleasure to drive compared to riding.
Sir Trev
19-06-09, 01:49 PM
I did my bike test first, at 17 - and then my car test about 4 months later. I found riding a bike helped loads - only had about 6 driving lessons - basically just to get used to the handling of a car, as the road sense and knowing all the rules etc, you've already got.
+1
I only needed ten hours to get my car licence, which included the half hour each way to the test centre and the test itself. Got mine at 18 after getting the bike one at 17.
My instructor treated my like a complete novice at first in lesson 1. Get to deserted back road, I get behind the wheel, we pull away then stop, pull away then stop... After the third time I got bored and changed up instead of stopping, reminding him that I already had one licence and only really needed to learn the car control bit. We were in fourth by the time he realised I was right. Trouble is I then blew it all at the first junction - I turned the wheel a little and leaned. We didn't hit anything and after we'd both stopped p1ssing ourselves laughing I didn't do that again!!! Laerning roadcraft on the bike before starting off on the car help enormously. Go for it.
timwilky
19-06-09, 02:04 PM
Ride 4 times round the block in 10 minutes without falling off, get a bike license, have to drive through town, traffic lights, unmarked crossroad, reverse round a corner, 3 point turn, hill start etc. with the examiner sat next to you watching your use of mirrors etc
getting a bike licence does not equip you to drive.
Alpinestarhero
19-06-09, 02:26 PM
The road experiance will help, you'll be more comfortable. And at least you'll understand how a clutch works!
But there are other things to contend with; using your feet in a more precise manner (throttle and clutch), getting used to that big empty space next to you, not being able to manouver about in your lane to get a better view ahead, etc etc
jamesterror
19-06-09, 02:30 PM
After I ride, then get into my instructors car he says I do everything a lot quicker, going into roundabouts espically. The only pro to driving lessons is when its raining your dry, but I don't mind being out on my bike in the rain.
My instructor says my observations comes from learning on the bike and being aware of whats all around you, he tells me off for checking blind spots when changing lanes because I should already be aware of whats there but you can never be 100% aware.
My instructor says my observations comes from learning on the bike and being aware of whats all around you, he tells me off for checking blind spots when changing lanes because I should already be aware of whats there but you can never be 100% aware.
your instructor is weird. Does he realise that if you don't do the "lifesaver" they'll fail you?
jamesterror
19-06-09, 02:39 PM
your instructor is weird. Does he realise that if you don't do the "lifesaver" they'll fail you?
No in the car he means, I check over my shoulder as a precaution just by nature I think, its more a glance but he thinks its because of whats ahead.
He only critised me once for it and I explained to him and he agreed with my arguement.
No in the car he means
so did I
jamesterror
19-06-09, 02:44 PM
so did I
Oh. Yeh I thought you had to do some sort of "LifeSaver" in a car, he encourages looking fully round whilst stationary or having been waiting for traffic.
I always thought it was a bit silly not checking over, easily knock somebody off a bike or hit another car due to lack of visual in the R mirror.
i could be wrong about that, thinking about it - but i've always done the lifesaver glance in any vehicle, and they didn't fail me for it. All my non-biking mates who did their tests at a similar time to me, do the lifesaver as well. But as to whether its actually an observed part of the car test... no idea. Seems a bit silly if its not. No wonder cars keep wiping off motorcyclists.
jamesterror
19-06-09, 02:51 PM
i could be wrong about that, thinking about it - but i've always done the lifesaver glance in any vehicle, and they didn't fail me for it. All my non-biking mates who did their tests at a similar time to me, do the lifesaver as well. But as to whether its actually an observed part of the car test... no idea. Seems a bit silly if its not. No wonder cars keep wiping off motorcyclists.
Well one of my mates failed his driving test for lack of observation, so can never to be too little as long as you can justify knowing whats around you.
Well one of my mates failed his driving test for lack of observation, so can never to be too little as long as you can justify knowing whats around you.
So perhaps your instructor isn't that clever then?
I found it helped tonnes been riding for 7 years and passed my car test with 6 lessons and no minors by a guy who was supposed to be an evil examiner!
I knew how to drive a car though from off road driving, but the observation and 6th sense (the just knowing someone would do something) helped no end.
plowsie
19-06-09, 03:13 PM
Works wonders for your obs, it really is beneficial.
BanditPat
19-06-09, 03:29 PM
Ride 4 times round the block in 10 minutes without falling off, get a bike license, have to drive through town, traffic lights, unmarked crossroad, reverse round a corner, 3 point turn, hill start etc. with the examiner sat next to you watching your use of mirrors etc
getting a bike licence does not equip you to drive.
When did you do your bike test?!?!?
When did you do your bike test?!?!?
1960-something by the sound of it. My dad did a similar thing...
startrek.steve
19-06-09, 04:18 PM
I found having a fork-lift licence to be of great help.
Steve
I had my first lesson today, it was on an off road track (cardrome).
I found the observations easy, the only difference is to check the rear-view mirror. I need to get used to the sensitivity of the brake mainly, and the accelerator, and the fact you dont seem to need much clutch at slow speed.
I had a lot of confidence and didnt seem nervous at all, if anything i was too relaxed at some points because i kept driving with one hand.
I feel more ready now for my first road lesson on thursday in the BMW 1 series.
Best of luck from then on till your test chap - keep us updated!!
Seggons
20-06-09, 05:46 PM
I passed my bike test just under a year and a half before my car test and the things I had to get to grips with were:
Having 3 mirrors and the amount I needed to move my head to see the passenger mirror.
This is going to sound wired but getting used to having door pillows in my view.
Lack of engine braking meant I had to learn to use the brakes alot more then what I would on my SV.
My instructor let my drive straight from the off for half an hour and said all I'll need is 5 lessons consisting of 2 hours a lesson. All of which were done in winter in the pitch black. The only time I got to drive the car in the daytime was the hour before my test. :)
Bike helps you with driving it did me (i was still on prov and a 125 bike when i was learning to drive) even my instructor commented and said he noticed my road sense from my riding experience, where most learners he would have to say "indicate check mirrors and over take that parked car" i'd done before he could even say it, but you have to remember the size of the car and other vechicles as i used to think like i was on my bike an go for it :rolleyes: but you get that with time and im used to it now
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.