Practical Test Prep

[nasty]

Right, I've got my practical on the 21st October.

I bought an NSR125 to get some experience after passing my CBT and have clocked up almost 500 miles on it, Ive had 2 lessons so far: 1 on a CG125 and the other on a 500 Kwak, training school I'm taking my lessons with say I'll need another 5 lessons on the 500 in prep for my test. In the next 3 weeks I should of clocked up at least an extra 260 miles commuting and more for my fun rides.

With regard to riding time do you think this will be enough?

I had a real life emergency stop to perform yesterday when a single decker bus pulled out in front of me, I didn't panic and controlled the bike well, u-turns are getting better all the time and I find it far easier on a 500cc, I'm happy with my cornering but I think I need to put some time into hillstarts as I'm still abit crap at those. My slow riding in a straight line is ok unless it's really slow and I mean barely moving which gives me the odd wobble!
____________________
ZX6R F3

[nasty]

I guess I'll find out when I take my test
____________________
ZX6R F3

[muzz]

It all depends on you..... you seem confident which is 90% of the battle, if you are calm and confident, then your riding will improve, and the test should be no problem.....Good luck
____________________
Ride Safe 'N' Free

[Wise1]

Its not about how many miles you put in really.

You can do 1000 more before the test but think about how many of them are at test standard?

Examiners are not looking for perfection but consider when I did my test.

4 people from my school went down and only I came back up with a certificate. 1 failed for driving to slow in a 50, they were doing 30. The other put a foot down on the U-turn and the other racked up some 22 minors so were clearly having a very bad run.

The simplest of faults can fail you. So you need to be sure that the miles your doing contain lifesavers, mirror checks, and so on.
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[nasty]

Thanks guys,

Yeah I'm confident, but not over confident. When I'm out on the bike I try and make the most of the time by doing what I've been taught to do, observations and lifesavers are second nature and automatic so that's a good thing.
I think my question could have been worded a bit better, thanks for the advice guys
____________________
ZX6R F3

[Wise1]

What are your expectations for the test? Do you know what he will be asking you to do, how to do it, why he is taking you down a certain road etc?
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[nasty]

[Wise1]

Be careful with that, half the road on my test were not on any of the test routes supplied by the DSA. As they were originally intended for Cars the bike examiners use their own routes to make sure they get to see what they want from you as a rider not a driver.

Might not be the same in all areas though.

The instructors should know where they go though.

I went to practice a few e-stops with my instructor as we went down to the test centre. Less than an hour later I found myself back on the exact same road with the examiner for both uturn and e-stop.
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[nasty]

[YZFR1IAN]

[Wise1]

she was....
____________________
Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[FerretFing]

[Wise1]

[screawm]

I wouldn't worry about the test routes, I didnt go on a single road listed as a test route. (Obviously appart from the start of the test).
Just remember what you've learnt and apply it to the road that your on.
I know people that have remember all the routes and gone on them and failed, for the simple fact that something unexpected happened, e.g. road closure or hazard and panicked.
____________________
VFR 800 (Yes its the VTec, and its great)

[nasty]

[tutton]

The main reason for doing test routes is so you know if something always happens on that road for example it merges into one lane or something or always congested, or the speed limit changes without much signage.
____________________
Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[Wise1]

[nasty]

[muzz]

[nasty]

[quote="muzz]
Here goes,

You can only enter a box junction, if your exit is clear UNLESS you are turning RIGHT and are ONLY prevented from doing so by ONCOMING traffic (your exit MUST be clear)[/quote]

Thanks muzz, that's alot clearer now!
____________________
ZX6R F3

[nasty]

Ok, 3 more lessons before my test on Tuesday 21st.

So far I've managed to have a go at U-turns on a big bike which I find fairly easy compared to my NSR -probably cos it's easier on the bigger bike. Emergency stops are fine too.

Hmmm.......one thing that puzzles me is I've now started to forget what road signs mean and more importantly how traffic lights work - pulled away at a RED light when the lane next to me turned green - not sure what happened there

So manouveres are ok but now find I'm making silly mistakes with regard to roadsense , must be a bit of nerves knowing my test is around the corner
____________________
ZX6R F3

[muzz]

[Davie_G71]

Man, it seems like so long ago now since I passed my test, but i have to say that i REALLY enjoyed it and i will stick my neck out and say that I didn't find it difficult at all.

I think the reasons for this are because I prepared for the worst possible outcome, it doesn't matter if you fail, sure your ego and pride will take a knock, but if you fail then take it as something you need to improve on, unless of course you think you failed un-fairly that's a different matter.

Secondly, while on my test I was concious that I was being examined, but thought about it in such a way that i didn't feel pressured, that I was out for myself, and took in some of the scenery.

When you are out, to keep your mind focussed, check your indicators are off constantly, give your arms a shake as this will help relax you, but most of all enjoy it. I know i did.

David