Screwed over by work = Going cold turkey into a test. FAIL

[nutter]

I did a few extra hours at work 4 weeks ago to pay for lessons, but I've just seen my payslip, and i haven't benn paid for them. I have told my manager, who has said he'd sort it for a 4th week. But it means I can't afford any lessons before my test.

I've got 11,000 miles under my belt on a cbr 125, which I'll be doing my test on, I've got the U turn sorted, and by accident I've became an expert at the emergancy stop. I had a near miss last week which shook me abit so i've slowed down quite a bit. I tend to use some advanced techniques, even at slow riding, such as using the visural point etc.

Basically, any tips, is it all common sense stuff?

Also, is slowing down using the engine a big no no, as I dont tend to use my brakes for speed limits or hazards I spot early on, just close the throttle early and coast in (with the engine still engaged)

Any advice most welcome
Mark
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[lofty]

You can slow down using your engine fine, but basically if you are slowing down and not showing brake lights, the person behind might not realise you are slowing down... just be sensible.. changes in speed don't really require brakes, stopping before turning and things does.
Remember your lifesavers, especially the ones as you are moving off, and when you do your u-turn you have to pull away (so lifesaver) then do another lifesaver before you start your turn.
Also, remember to move to the left/right if you are turning left/right, and you hardly want any gap next to you, eg... if you were turning left be as far to the left in your lane as possible, so nobody can come zooming up your inside.

[Azonicben]

Sucks about pay, no way of definately getting it, ask for a sub?

On test just relax, ride for yourself, dont panic.

Good obs Mirrors, Indicate (four flashes if you can) Lifesaver (to whichever side you`ll be positioning), move road position, check road clear, final lifesaver before turn.

Mirror checks every 5-10 secs and when changing speed. (make sure you move your head so the examiner can see you looking)

Make sure to come to a complete stop at stop lines.

If you got a green at a filter go if safe dont wait for green filter arrow.

Make progress! although sit in traffic rather than filtering.

Even if you dont actually use the brakes when coming down the gears, just rest your foot over the rear to illuminate the brake light whenever you slow down, gives peeps behind some indication of your slowing.

Hope this is helpful and good luck
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Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[nutter]

What do you mean about the green filter thingy.

Do you mean if you have the main green and say a right hand arrow. If the main green is clear but the arrow isn't illuminated, but safe to do so, move off anyway?

Never came across it before if I'm right

As for the look, i get the feeling I'm going to need it LOL
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[Azonicben]

Yep you got it, see https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=161104

If you waiting to turn right at lights with a right filter light, the straight ahead is green you may go if safe.
____________________
Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[nutter]

Thanks, that explains it. I've got it at 08:20 in the morning next thursday, so with a bit of luck there will be alot of traffic around, and lots of traffic jams, bollocks am I filtering on my test. Thanks lofty for the tip about junctions, I alsways go down the middle of my lane for a left turn, gives a wider turning circle, increases the visural point etc, so I'll edit my riding to suit. Any more tips?
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[Azonicben]

If you can find this book

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learn-Ride-Everything-Need-Motorcycle/dp/1844252205

its very helpful it covers the "new" test but thats only what happens on the day(about three pages).
The actual riding advice it gives (the whole book) is universal to both tests and is very helpful.
____________________
Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[nutter]

I'll buy it tomorrow. I've already got the police motorcyclists roadcraft book, which is where I learnt about the visural point and that sort of stuff
____________________
Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[lofty]

Reiterating about the green filter light thing, most will not trigger a turn arrow unless you are waiting in the junction because unless you ride over a sensor it doesn't bother, there was one on my test and on the days up to my test my instructor actually made us get off our bikes and go look at the junction, the amount of muppets that just wait there and it turns red so they can't go is amazing!

Before you move off, lifesaver to both sides. Ummmm, god I only did my test a few weeks ago how can I have forgotten already!
When you are stopped, left foot on the floor, right foot covering your back brake. Make your mirror checks obvious! You also have to be able to push your bike around in a half circle.
Have you got all the questions they can ask you? eg. If you were carrying a pillion what would you have to adjust on your bike... tyre pressures, headlight angle, poss suspension.. argh and there is one more I always forget!

I got asked to show how my kill switch works, turn on bike, hit kill switch.. not exactly rocket science!
You can also get questions asking if your lights are working, check back brake light by putting your hand behind it... pressing back brake lever, and front, etc, ditto with your indiclickerrrrs!
Also they can ask about checking oil... how do you know how much you have, locate window etc, same for brake fluid.

My brain is exhausted!

[steppen22]

[lofty]

Haha, you won't have to show an oil change... don't be pedantic! As for the kill switch... ''I don't have one'' but if I did this is what I would do... etc etc..

[Hungrytang]

[Noxious89123]

Would just like to point out that mirror checks every 5 seconds is too many, and you'll be failed, for lack of observation.

Although your rear observation is very important, it should not be detremental to your forward observation.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Azonicben]

if you sit and count one missisipi, two....... Etc 5 seconds is longer than you think. I said five to ten seconds as this is what I was taught, worked for me, 1 minor
____________________
Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[nutter]

Do you need to do life savers along with mirror checks, or is it only when changing position in the lane at a junction or pulling off

I've got a 4 point check thing going. Front right, front left, rear left, rear right, and as my head moves i check the mirrors, is this sufficiant?
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[Azonicben]

That sounds a bit over the top, lifesavers only when your position changes, check mirrors before speeding up or slowing down, change of speed limit for example.

Did you have any luck in finding that book?
____________________
Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[lofty]

Lifesavers are for moving off, moving over, before you turn, before you change lanes. For everything else, mirrors, make sure you look in your mirrors when you are changing speed, eg. going from a 40mph to a 30mph, to show you are aware that the person behind you may not realise you are slowing etc.

[Tonka]

My Instructor repeated over and over......

"Mirrors are for speed, shoulders for direction."

If you are slowing down or speeding up (into NSL from 30/40mph) make sure the Examiner can see you check your mirrors. Whenever you need to move position in the road, do a life saver (look over shoulder) on the side you are moving to.

Take care with shoulder checks, as they need to be done every time you move ie. parked car on left = right shoulder check, move out to go past car, left shoulder check come back in to middle of your lane.

HTH and all the best
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[nutter]

Just a little update.

I've messed around with finances and can now afford a 3 hour lesson, that I've booked for wednesday afternoon with Kickstart of telford.

I've started to use some of the techniques mentioned, especially the observation bits, which are helpful, I'm just finding it soooooooooo boring riding to the book, I can't wait till I can get throttle happy again
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[GSF Jamie 600]

Hi
I'm like that, im not sure whether to pay for lesson when i feel fine just riding normally. Do you think i'm being naive going for my test without any lessons, ive been riding my cagiva planet 125 for 2 months now and have done more than 1500 miles. I just don't want to falk out when its unnesscesary. I think/hope if i ride normally but be extra observant i'll pass, what do you think?
Thanks

[Tonka]

I did my bike test straight thru' on DAS so can only speak from car driving experience. It's so easy to pick up habits when you're used to doing something and find out that although it's fine for everyday, you'd not be passed on a test.

If you have read any threads on here about the IAM tests for bikes you'll know that their riding techniques are tops for keeping safe on the roads but some of the techniques would get you into trouble on your A test.

I think that if I was you I'd get a lesson so that the Instructor can straighten you out if necessary - it's cheaper than re-taking your test
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[GSF Jamie 600]

Good point.
Cheers.

[nutter]

I've done 12,000 miles mate, did a big run at the weekend, and even though I'm working towards advanced police level 1 with help from a relative, I need to bring it back for the test to standard riding techniquies
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[nutter]

I just failed on my bleeding u-turn. As for going cold turkey, I needed the lessons, got too many bad habits. 5 minors else where.

NOT A HAPPY BUNNY
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[nasty]