Instruction vs Examination

[flamegrape]

The Gen:
I'm learning to ride in Sunderland with a local riding school and failed multiple riding tests.

The Story:
I've easily had over 10 hours tuition (from an un-named riding school) and when riding out on my lessons, the Instructor never gives feedback (positive or negative) over the radio link (only basic feedback at the office after the ride!), rides at least 5 to 6 car lengths back and has on occasions failed to give an instruction on which way to turn at junctions, never rode near towns or in town centres, always on open roads such as country roads and A roads. Sometimes the same routes over and over again and no actual test routes either.

In tests, I've failed on (as a car driver - what I would deem) simple problems which should/could have been picked up on during my tuition. Things like correct positioning on cross-roads for right hand turns (DON'T comment... I was told by an examiner it's different for a bike than a car, in that you have to be more cautious in the position you take up).

So, who do you blame? The Examiners (as I have been doing!) or your Instructor?

Bearing in mind:
I've never ridden a bike (ever!) before so any bad habits I have are as a result of bad tuition, sadly, not from years of riding.
The examiner doesn't know me from Adam so what would he gain from failing me (unless I slept with his wife!!) in a test, just for the hell of it?

I'm interested in hearing your opinion.


PS: I didn't sleep with anybody's wife!

[ian789]

Do you have any private practise? I'm doing restricted acess and i'm doing 20 hours with my examiner (no private practice).

I feel safe with my instructor and he always gives feedback - probably after every manoeuver and then a big talk at the end.

My advice would be to change instructors - go to another school say whats happened and ask for a few hours and see how it goes

[flamegrape]

[Ste]

Any bad habits are a result of bad tuition and from however many years of driving experience you've got.

Which tests did you fail?

After one or two lessons without getting any feedback from the instructor, how come you continued having lessons with that riding school?

[ian789]

They suggest more hours tuition when on the big bikes.

You've also got to think will you be safe enough after the test? It's better to spend more money for better training now than regret it after and making expensive mistakes.

[flamegrape]

I've got no "years" experience. I only started riding in February. I failed my Mod2. On right-turns at junctions. I was positioning myself too far over (apparently, in a car it's OK, on a bike, it's a no-no!!) then again when the examiner thought on my turn the oncoming traffic braked... I can't dispute that His word is final.. but here I can... I had time to turn!!

[m0l0t0v]

Sounds like the instructor is piss poor.

My instructor wasn't afraid to tell you if you were a dick or a saint He was a good laugh, taught me how to ride to pass the test, how to ride to be safe, and how to ride in real life situations, which would fail you in the test (after I passed)

He's also a good friend now
____________________
'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[m0l0t0v]

[flamegrape]

That's exactly what others have been saying m0l0t0v!!
You think I should get a few hours in with another school before I go for my next test??

[m0l0t0v]

Yup. This school sounds shit.


Name and shame
____________________
'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[m0l0t0v]

Also paying per hour? I had a proper schedule, £350 for 4 days, 9-5 including test, hire, everything.

Paying per hour sucks.
____________________
'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[Dazbo666]

Another for the instructor and the school. On my DAS training I remember getting "live" advice on my riding and a briefing session after each section of riding.

Plus, we were following individually tailored training scedules - with mine being slightly longer than some of the original CBT group because I had zero motorcycle experience
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Frost]

There is a copy of the highway code especially aimed at motorcyclists, or maybe its just a section of the normal one. I just read that and practiced it and passed first time.

What you should be doing to be safe and ride at the correct standard isn't some secret info you only get let in on by paying somebody, its freely distributed. Yes getting some feedback on something you unaware of can help, but it's best to be able to evaluate your own riding. It isn't just a case of learn for your test, pass and your done, riding a bike is a constant learning process if you plan on staying alive very long

[The999Kid]

[Frankiefish]

Hi Mate,

I was with a riding school in the Tyne Wear area and after 4 hours on a 125 and 2 on a 500cc I changed my school due to the lack of feedback and his tution style.

I went to a difference school and I'm so pleased I did. I get constant feedback good/bad and he also pointed out things I had been taught wrong!

Althought i failed my mod2 this week I feel confident I will pass next time.

If i were you I would change schools and go for one that will actually take you on the test routes!

[flamegrape]

Well last night I tried another riding school (ACE Motorcycles, in Durham - https://www.ace-motorcycle-training.co.uk/) and although I only had a 2 hour assessment ride with them, I was completely shocked at the difference. Over the radio, I was given constant feedback, he was verbally forward planning my route ahead to get me in the "mode" for doing it, doing the same for developing hazards, advising on riding style, road positioning etc.

Things I was doing wrong included changing gear mid-manoeuvre, using too much back brake on pulling away (causing the bike to lurch), not riding the clutch correctly or enough, wrong positioning on turns, wrong procedure for joining dual carriageways/motorways, using the front brake under 10mph, causing the bike to de-stabilise when stopping etc. etc.

When I returned after the ride, I got a full debrief, a check sheet was completed with my strong and weak points on and advice so the next instructor can pick up where the previous one left off and make sure my tuition is complete and in-depth!!

I'm booking more lessons with this school and going to take my Mod2 with them so - I hope this time I pass.

[ws4936]

[ws4936]

[m0l0t0v]

[ws4936]

So i did!!!! Don't mind me - lack of coffee. haha
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[m0l0t0v]

Haha no worries
____________________
'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[ScottyNSR]

Hi mate,

I'm from the North East to, and out of friends recommendation I went straight to ACE motorcycles, I knew the lads from there anyway......but in general, their school is excellent. You get told if your riding like a cock or not.

Cracking bunch and in my opinion excellent instruction.
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Lovvvinnn itttttt!!

[Capt Castle]

[locked]