So the Test is becoming harder

[SoulKiss]

Hey Dave.

Didnt quote you as I didn't have any direct comments to make to any of your points.

1) U Turn, dont know what bike you are testing on, but 8 out of 10 is ok - gives you a good chance - you have 2 hours of instructor time - tell him you want to practice that,

Find the engine noise that you have when a U-Turn works, then focus on getting that sound and holding it, only then begin your turn. For me on the CBF500 I was on I figured that the right sound was very like a sewing machine, so I would roll slowly forwards till I got my sewing machine, then I would slid my backside over to the left a bit then look back over my shoulder to check its clear, and then keep my head there and just let the bike take me round.

I got pretty good at U-Turns - still cant do them on my SV tho....... but then I dont have to.

You will be advised by the examiner that you should ride for yourself, so do that. Dont second guess him, if you make a mistake, dont assume you have failed, just keep going and dont dwell on it.

I took 3 tests to get my license, should have been 2.

Go out there, enjoy the ride and while it seems that maybe you cut things a little fine (as your instructor sees it) so just adjust yourself to normal ride + 50% caution for the test.

Making good progress is (to my mind) not holding traffic behind you and riding as close to the speed limit as is safe.

Hope this helps, and good luck

David

[timwilky]

The test will never be rigorous enough or conducted totally fairly. My twin bro failed the 4 times round the block twice. Both for observation when the examiner was on the other side of the block. (Examiner was either a very fast runner or could see through 200yrds of houses.

Strange I cannot remember doing a u turn on my test. Was it always a requirement?.

I know a girl who passed her DAS having been told to ride round the block to do her emergency stop. Dropped it, picked it up and continued to do a perfect emergency stop.

I also had a friend who could not do his emergency stop on his test as when he came round the corner he saw his examiner wrapped round the front of an identically coloured BSA Bantam and the rider saying "He just stepped out in front of me"

The only way the test can be fairly conducted is to video the test and then critique it after the practical test.


I would like to see the law require a proper test for all two wheelers. The CBT does not adequately train the L plated rev&rip brigade. perhaps some sort of requirement similar to learner drivers whereby the learner must be accompanied by someone who has held a full licence for a minimum of 2 years

Originally Posted by timwilky

I also had a friend who could not do his emergency stop on his test as when he came round the corner he saw his examiner wrapped round the front of an identically coloured BSA Bantam and the rider saying "He just stepped out in front of me"

Now I shouldn't laugh....but that is funny!!!!!

Agree with saying the CBT should be harder as there are so many mopeds around that take such stupid risks....and so many of them always seem to have their foot down as if they're not fully in control.

Not that One-Accident-a-Month-Kinvig can throw stones.....

I don't think making the CBT harder will solve the problem with young lads on scooters.
Most of the scooter brigade near me I've spoken to haven't actually taken the CBT.

I dont think making the CBT harder will affect the majority of young scooter riders as round here most of them think they're like bicycles and you dont need to tax, insure or have any sort of licence to ride them. Until the Old bill get a bit tougher at catching and educating these breed of lunatic I fear more and more youngsters will get killed for want of basic training

H

[SoulKiss]

And they do something about the cyclists.

As far as I remember, the Highway code calls for bicycles to have a white light to the front and a red to the rear. Most have a flashy LED bar front and rear in appropriate colours, am I alone in feeling that while these are good for attracting attention, they dont count as a light?

The cops need to deal with that and make things better/safer - also with their persistant running of red lights

As for Scooters - well I saw one yesterday with L plates, 2-Up, both with unfastened Lids, going too fast over a blind crest of a bridge.

someone should just take them out an shoot them now so that at least when they die they dont take anyone else with them.

Had another scooter this morning on the A4 almost brush my left arm - I had filtered as far as I could to some lights (got too narrow) but this guy still felt he should squeeze past me and try (I had pulled over into the lane as that was the sensible place to be).

[northwind]

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

As far as I remember, the Highway code calls for bicycles to have a white light to the front and a red to the rear. Most have a flashy LED bar front and rear in appropriate colours, am I alone in feeling that while these are good for attracting attention, they dont count as a light?

Well, their lights aren't usually for lighting, they're for visibility- so they work a charm, better than the old 3V halogens I had when I was a kid. Though personally I'd have a pair on the back, flashing and solid. Cycling with those as your only light source was always an exercise in, well, crashing

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Hey Dave.

Didnt quote you as I didn't have any direct comments to make to any of your points.

1) U Turn, dont know what bike you are testing on, but 8 out of 10 is ok - gives you a good chance - you have 2 hours of instructor time - tell him you want to practice that,

Find the engine noise that you have when a U-Turn works, then focus on getting that sound and holding it, only then begin your turn. For me on the CBF500 I was on I figured that the right sound was very like a sewing machine, so I would roll slowly forwards till I got my sewing machine, then I would slid my backside over to the left a bit then look back over my shoulder to check its clear, and then keep my head there and just let the bike take me round.

I am doing mine on CB500. Not sure what sound it makes as I am too busy sh1tting myself. As I said it feels OK sometimes and I do the turn on a 5 pence. 2 minutes later airport runway wouldn't be wide enough for me. My instructor thinks I am doing well with the U-turns but little he knows my heart RPM is close to 200 and I am half blind with fear of dropping the bike.

As a matter of interest does the examiner take in account of what bike you are riding? Surely you cannot do a U-turn on the V-rod as easy as on lets say Duke II?

Cheers for the advice mate. I will try to listen to the engine this Sunday.

[jambo]

Tim, in all fairness mate a test has been nothing like that for a good few years

You are no longer out of sight or voice contact with your instructer during your 45 minute outing.

I did my test a couple of weeks ago, and was asked to ride around the block & come back for the emergency stop.

Could easily see the above happening.


My instructor (I think, certainly someone in the know) said that the new plans were for there to be a few major test centres (something like 40 nationwide), with large areas with road markings, and I think the idea was to take the test within these grounds.

I think the CBT is really only there to allow you on the roads to practice, but it's misused (if used at all) as a driving lisence for mopeds.

I feel rather than making it harder, the current one should be more strictly enforced, and that the req age should be raised-I feel that MOST (not all) 16yo are not mature & responsible enough to go out on the road on a scooter-hell, I'm not sure I am & I'm 28

Andy