So........... The Nerves Kick In

[Steve - RS125]

I passed my theory test last thursday and the DAS is booked in for the 3rd and 4th of July, I am taking the 2 day course which in itself despite the fact I have being riding for 2 years already is pretty daunting.

I have to say its not because I cant pass, because I know for someone who has only being riding for 2 years I am a very capable and weary rider, I think its because I want to pass so so so so so much I am scaring myself with the thought of failing, this coupled with the fact all my biker mates passed first time its a bit of added pressure, even though they are on my side and wishing me all the luck in the world etc.

What did you lot feel when you were about to do your DAS?
Am I normal in feeling this?

P.S - Toe Sliders well and truely scrubbed in on 10.06.06.
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Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

[syl]

Everyone gets nervous to some extent when taking a test, even if it is known to be simple (like the theory). Things can always go wrong (especially on the practical when other drivers can f*ck you over) and no-one likes to fail.

The more it matters, the more nervous you will be - if your job depended on it for example, like the cameraman on "The Long Way Round". Same if you had a brand new big bike sitting waiting for you at home.

Don't tell anyone exactly when your test is. That way if you do fail, you won't have to suffer the embarrasment of telling them when they ask how you went on (just book another one sharpish). And because you know all this, there won't be as much pressure on you - so you shouldn't feel so nervous.
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Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S

[Villers]

You will start to feel better once you get into your training and get all your bad habits worked out of your system! The nerves you have will help you as long as you can keep a lid on them!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[APNess]

I shat myself in my tests (both of them). Was so focussed on the U Turn in the 2nd (what I failed on in the first) that when I did it I nearly failed the rest of the test through being slack and relieved at doing the damn thing. U turn is, in my opinion, the hardest, and most pointless, section of the test. I guess it's there to prove you can control the bike to a set standard.

My own tips for the u turn are:

1) Check mirrors, lifesaver left and right
2) apply 3-4000 revs, blipping or holding them, to set off, held on clutch, use foot brake if you need to slow down slightly, KEEP REVS UP THOUGH and go forward at 3-4 mph for 3 seconds.
3) Turn head right, lifesaver, keep head turned right and FORCE YOUR EYES UP! NOT DOWN! Look at the kerb and that's where you'll go/fail. KEEP THE REVS UP and turn the bike, use 5-6000 if need be, held/balanced on the clutch. Be brutal, get the bike round keeping your eyes focussed on where you want to go (fix on a distant car if need be?) and most importantly, don't look down or at the kerb. KEEP THE REVS UP - much easier to turn the bike when you do. If you slow bike down,you risk tipping over, foot down, test failed.
4) Ignore the smell of clutch and back brake, BE BRUTAL, keep the revs up, blipping them or held (I tried both ways, found it better to blip constantly). If you get this bit right, everything else is keeping your eyes open, turning your indicators off, and obeying the rules of the road. And if you pass your test forget about U turns. Sportsbikes have laughable turning circles!

I'm aware you are probably a far far better rider than me - I did a DAS and 7 weeks ago had never ridden a bike in my life. I failed my test on the U Turn, took it again, and got angry with the bike, gave it plenty of revs and pissed it 2nd time round.

Picked up my 1st bike today. 145hp Thunderace. Bit more power than my Cg125 (11hp if you're lucky), but not hard to ride (though I have limited myself to 6k revs till I'm ready for more).

Hope my tip with the U turn helps someone - if in doubt, hold it on the clutch and make lots of noise with the throttle and full/near full lock! You'll get round! (I hope!)

Good luck!

[400bandit]

I was in a similar position to you. My dad, the biggest critic around pasted first time (though that was in a time when chariots where still on the roads ) I did a three day A2 course (I'd been riding over a year on a geared bike). I didn't even tell my dad I was doing it.

Test day came, in tunbridge wells (hills and funny one-way systems galore!) pooring with rain and I had never riden around the area until the test. I was a wreck! I was so nervous, in the training I had riden really good but on the day I was making silly mistakes thinking about it. Anyway test time comes, a few minutes into I thought I failed my emergency stop (put of by a police car unloading rapidy and the worst time ) the instructor knew I knew I'd done it wrong and told me to do it again (top bloke ) But at this time I'd thought I faild so all my nerves went and I rode great

Got back to the test centre and he asked me all the questions and that but I must have sounded so misserable, thinking I had to go through all this again, he took me inside and then said I'd past, I could fainted at the point, biggest shock I've ever had! Was a pretty big shock for my dad too

So the moral of the story is, don't think about passing or what the bloke behind you on the white Honda is doing. Just act like you was rinding by yourself, and really at the end of the day if you don't pass theirs always next time.

Good luck, Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[JonT]

Just reading that brings back all the horrible nerves I felt when I did mine. I passed because 3 minutes into the test I was convinced I had allready failed and had nothing to lose.

However I just got a minor for what I thought was a serious, and because I stopped so damn fast he didn't make me do the normal seperate emergency stop (since I had pretty much covered that by my own will )

[short1uk]

What questions do they ask you on you DAS? I thought it was just riding that you do since we have already done the god awful theory.

C

[APNess]

Generally questions about the bike (remember BOLTTS - Brakes, Oils, Lights, Transmission, Tyres, Suspension) and about carrying pillions, what they should do, what you hould do. You'll probably get asked to demonstrate a couple of functions of the bike - where the emergency cutout switch is, for example, the horn, the oil level etc. It's not hard, just gotta keep your head on the day so you don't have a blank!

[Steve - RS125]

Cheers for all the advice folks, and I am glad to hear I am not the only one who has felt / feeling this in preperation for the test.

It sounds silly but I felt exactly the same doing my CBT, I have a brand new VL Intruder sitting in the showroom with my own reg on and insurence covering me for the day of my CBT and then I go and throw my bike down the training yard whilst panic braking in and around the cones.

Oh well, I know I have more than enough ability to pass a full test with the skills and experience I have gained over the last 2 years, so lets hope the nerves (As horrid as they feel) stick with me so I dont lose the edge and get complacent.

Cheers for all the help / advice guys and gals.
____________________
Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

[MarkJ]

Before my test I was scared to death. When I set off out of the car park I couldn't remember doing a lifesaver before I set off, so thought that had failed me, then I couldn't remember doing the 2nd lifesaver on the U-turn, so I thought I'd definitely failed by then. Convinced I'd failed, I rode round to be told I'd passed with 3 minors - I couldn't believe it! If I can pass, you definitely can. Once you've passed you'll wonder why you were so worked up about it.

I agree with not telling your mates when the test is though

Also, on my car test I was having trouble putting the clutch lever down because my leg was shaking

[18aprilia]

if your feeling abit under pressure or alittle bit scared of whats to come, try doing what i did. And thats taking some Calms, there a herbel pill that make you feel.... well, more calm. just like the box says. You can buy them in any phamacy.

if it worked for me. it can work for you.
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Supra King

[aha-shake]

Who the hell takes tranquilisers and rides?! That is like the stupidest thing you could ever do! There is probably a warning on it somewhere saying that you should not drive or operate heavy machinery whilst taking them.

And to the poster, nerves can be good, more alert, but remember to breathe

shake

[JonT]

[aha-shake]

[JonT]

[aha-shake]

Ok...

What i meant by that was, it doesnt matter if you think it, its not true.

It is NOT safe to ride under the influence of any drugs, this includes herbal or non herbal tranquilisers.

Fact.

Shake

[JonT]

[aha-shake]

[JonT]

aha-shake I think in our little debate we have sourced the problem down to the way in which tests are conducted. Maybe steps should be taken to make the entire experience less stressfull for people.

If we did not allow people who become highly stressed by driving tests to drive then I think we would of failed those people as a society.

I for one would not of been allowed to drive, even though my nervous nature caused my performance on the test to be a highly inaccurate reflection of my normal driving.

[Steve - RS125]

Well I have considered all of the above advice, and I have come to this conclusion..............


From now until I pass my bike test, I am going to live de life of da Bob Marley Maaaaaan, I rah sit der and puff on de old chuff whilst getting high as de kite maaan, listenin to me nuff ragga reggae tunes maaaan wid me top pukka bong and shizzle maaaaan.

Only kidding folks, on a serious note I can safely say despite how nervous I am now I will be fine on the test day.
This is exactly as I felt when doing my car test a few months ago and I got in that car and drove like a demon and passed first time after 6 one hour driving lessons with only 5 minors.

So if I do half aswell as that, then I will be onto a winner.

And just to follow on from the above conversation, I believe if someone is that stressed and nervous they cant ride a bike under test conditions and they rely on "Calms" or other herbal or none herbal remedys to calm them down then they should not be on the road.
Whether you are nervous or have took somthing which may only very slightly effect a persons mind set / mentality they could become a danger to themselves and others around.
____________________
Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

[aha-shake]

Good luck steve, thats how nerves work for me too, and im glad someones awake when it comes to the whole tranqs on the road thing.

Guess their too sleepy to realise its wrong

Like I said, good luck buddy!

Shake

[18aprilia]

errr.. excuse me? get your facts fight boy before you start giving it all the large. These calms that i have been talking about dont drug you out nor do they make you feel dozzy or unable to use/ride a bike.

they get rid of the neves that you might feel if you were to go ahead with... lets say a test for example. they just help you clam down and feel more at ease. christ i would suggest you went out and had alook at a few packs and you will see there nothing bad.
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Supra King

[Steve - RS125]

Cheers fella, I will do my best.

Did you know they call me "Ice Man"??


















I just melt and crumble under the heat of a test.
____________________
Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

[18aprilia]

loool, you think your feeling bad. when my mate did his car test he was almost sick with fear. just the way it is with things that mean alot to you. same with starting a new school/college/workplace. if you dont have neves your not normal.

hell.. look at it this way mate. if i passed.... you can sure as hell pass.
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Supra King

[Steve - RS125]