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[gettin2dizzy]

Hey,
i've just had my first test today, i've been riding for 18months so wasn't too worried about it. I got 2 minors and 1 serious! Instant fail!
I failed for not observing a car while moving to the right lane to turn right. I asked the examiner during the debriefing
"do you mean the silver cavelier?" and he said
"yes"
.......somewhat confusing?! if i saw the car enough the recognise and remember it where was the 'lack of observation'? if he expects me to pass on my next attempt without more training - why do i need to do it again?! seems like bullsh*t to me! such a pain as i have a new SV650S waiting for me in the dealership! Has anyone else had troubles with the tests? i don't want to believe the story that examiners have to be close to the national average- but it wouldn't surprise me at the moment.

[hovis]

i think maybee HE didnt see you look at it????????

[hovis]

or did you pull into right lane too close infront of the car????

[Paws]

Most likely you didnt exagerate your head movement to show youd seen it.

[gettin2dizzy]

hehe, yeah. Having a motorbike follow you probably isn't best as he also has to look around. There was enough room for him to pull in behind me - my instructor said there was nothing at all wrong with the manouvre, but if he was following strict textbook guidelines i would have to leave 4 times the normal distance due to heavy rain.

[muffles]

yeah you want to exaggerate your observation, they have to see you do it to know you did. did he think you saw it afterwards (mirrors?)? problem is, it'd be hard to change his mind to pass you after he's already said you've failed...

[gettin2dizzy]

well it was apparant i'd seen it after the test. but i think your right, once the examiners made the desicion he can't go back on it. you'd think for £58 a go they'd video it - not exactly new technology - to show what you did wrong, or assist some kind of appeal

[philh]

Now, dont take this the wrong way, but maybe he just did'nt 'like' you? I dont mean that in terms of you personally, but your riding on the day. Here's what I'm getting at...

I thought I'd flunked my test (a couple of weeks ago). I'm sure I made some balls-ups. However, my trainer kept telling me to 'look confident, look professional'. Over the three days DAS I got the distinct impression that the examiners, here at least, give a bit of leeway if they get the general feeling that you deserve a licence.

Even if I do say so myself my bike control is pretty good. Head up, lots of steady balance at low speed etc. (years on mountainbikes?!) Maybe seeing me looking confident gave my examiner a good vibe? I walked away with just two minors. Certainly I was told that if an examiner gets the overall impression that your not entirely at home on a bike then he/she will be actively looking to mark you down...

If there is any substance to all this, then apart from making every effort to 'look good', you're always gonna benefit from some old-fashioned luck.

Of course, your examiner could've just been having a bad day?! :? In any case, you'll nail it next time! Good luck...

[Shellywoozle]

Ahh that's not good. I have my test coming soon and I am terrified that something like that will happen to me.

I have a black helmet and the instructor told me today to put a white piece of tape down the back so that the tester can 100% see me making my mirror checks etc.

Maybe he didn't observe you do it, nevertheless you saw it and it's not fair.

Good luck for your next test tho !!

[BLK SV]

Irritating things like what happened to you, have happened to a few people I know; but I wouldn't let it bother you now it's in the past. Just look forward to ur next test!

Start my training 2moro, can't wait!!

Good luck mate with your next test mate!!

[Samnooshka]

I did my test 3rd time lucky... although i didn't fail the first 2 tests as they were cancelled on me... i had to wait 20 days before they had an availability to do my test on the 2nd time, then that was cancelled, but luckily they had an availability the same day at a different test centre.

my test was cancelled the first time because the examiner didn't have time to take his lunch yet! the 2nd time because the examiner was late, but luckily i passed on the 3rd time with 2 minors.

[northwind]

Anyone can fail on the day, even the best rider. Sounds a bit odd, this one, though.

[Biker Biggles]

I'm sure I'd fail every day.Passing the test is a skill you have to practice,and very few of us ride like that normally.Do they still teach the Hendon shuffle?

[El Saxo]

I failed on a similar thing on my first test and my instructor agreed with most of the above, that the examiner might not have seen my head move, especially as I was wearing a plain black helmet.

His advice was the same as Shellywoozle's instructor, a vertical strip of electrical tape (in a contrasting colour) down the back of your lid will make your head movements a lot more noticeable. IMHO that's better than purposely exaggerating your head movements, 'cos if you don't have to concentrate that much on making sure you've been seen by the examiner then it's one less thing to worry about / be dsitracted by, and you'll be more relaxed on your test.

Good luck, you'll be fine next time :thumbsup:

[Jabba]

I'm with the others.............sounds like he didn't see you doing a lifesaver, or a proper one at least. You saw it in you mirrors, but that's not enough.

Could it have been more to do with the whole observation, position, etc routine (that I can't remember these days* :lol: ) rather than just a single part of it?

Either way, sounds like you were unlucky. Better luck next time :thumbsup:



* goes to dig out copy of Roadcraft to refresh memory :roll:

[Paws]

Now, dont take this the wrong way, but maybe he just did'nt 'like' you? I dont mean that in terms of you personally, but your riding on the day. Here's what I'm getting at...
I thought I'd flunked my test (a couple of weeks ago). I'm sure I made some balls-ups. However, my trainer kept telling me to 'look confident, look professional'. Over the three days DAS I got the distinct impression that the examiners, here at least, give a bit of leeway if they get the general feeling that you deserve a licence.
...

Your correct there hun, more often than not tehy will mark you/pass you on how you body language is! eg; if you all tense/slumped over the bike they dont feel that your confident enough to ride just yet.
I totally lost my nerve 10 mins into my test, had a few tears, pulled myself together and relaxed..and the instructor said when we got back taht i improved after my intial bout of nerves

[lukemillar]

Do they still teach the Hendon shuffle?

This rings a bell, but can't remember what it is! Care to elaborate....