Pre A2 bike test nerves

[fanta]

I've got my A2 coming up soon, Can you guys give me some tips on lifesavers and other little things to watch out for

I'm ok with turn in road and emergency stop... i had a lesson recently and the tutor said i did them ok..

thanks

[stryker]

The thing I found most easily forgotten is the shoulder check every time you change direction, even when changing position in the same lane.

Just remember to think and think again before doing anything. You can get away with a few minors for being hesitant.

Also I found the following more easy to remember when turning:

Observation, mirrors.
Observation, position.
Observation, turn.

HTH.
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Now what?

[iCraig]

Just to re-itterate what stryker said do a lifesaver, whenever you make a manouvre and not when just changing direction.
The examiner will be looking for you doing a lifesaver when you change you speed too, I.e. when you enter an NSL limit before you speed up you must do a lifesaver.

Also as stryker said when you change direction you must do a lifesaver in the direction you are turning.

[JonB]

[Weed]

mebbe if your going from a 50 into a 30 and slow down rapidly and there is a car up your backside you could cause an accident??

[iCraig]

[allweatherbik...]

[NickD]

Above all else RELAX! Easier said than done I know, but if you are relaxed, it will just come to you, solutions to problems will be obvious and you will remember everything you have learned. It's been 14 years since my test, and I still ride like a tw@ if I'm not relaxed. It's not 'life and death', it's just a test. Breathe, focus, and enjoy the ride, and you'll be fine.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Nath]

Apparently all the possible test routes 'round my way take in a NSL road. My instructor told me that the examiner will be satisfied if you do over 50mph, if you're only on a 125.

The most important thing is what others have told you on observation. Basically, before you do anything, look over your right shoulder. Pull out wide to pass stationary vehicles, slow down for potential hazards, pull right up to the white line when stopping at junctions/crossings, and if you see a gap to pullout into do your checks before it gets to you so you can pull straight out. Make sure you're totally happy with U-Turns, hill starts, and angled/blind starts - These are all easy when you can do them, but if you're not 100%, are a great way to cockup an otherwise great performance.

So:
Plenty of observation
Always do the maximum speed limit, and don't hang around getting there
Slow down for potential hazards, but not stupidly
If you make a mistake, don't dwell on it.

I wasn't sure whether i'd passed my test, as i made a few errors, yet i only got 3 minors. Never assume you've failed, because you just don't know. Oh, and read Slavo's guide just to be sure you know everything.
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Hard livin', hard luck.

[iCraig]

Oh and one other thing to add is....STOP at unmarked crossroads if you have any on your test routes, otherwise thats an instant fail!

[fanta]

Well did the test couple of hours ago, a perfect ride, in rush hour traffic and he fails me on "Speed progress" I am so fustrated about it cause i ensured at all times i was atleast 2 seconds behind the car infront, exactly as the DSA book and Highway code says,and i obeyed all speed restrictions etc...and he fails me. Its a CG for gods sake!!! I'm in a bad mood!! And, whats this 10 working day wait between tests all about??

[stryker]

This confuses me. So you had no minors other than for progress? Do you think maybe you did anything to make him think you'd go out and get killed? Were you overly hesitant at junctions? Do you feel you say chances to join traffic pass you by?

Oh well, better luck next time.
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Now what?

[fanta]

Okay looking at the DL25 now, 3 minors on appropiate speed, and 2 on undue hesitation,one on steering, 2 on balance, i didn't get the pillion question at the end of the test either, instead he asked a question about riding in the wind! he did all the ticks on the sheet after asking the question, (must have had a good memory) then, delivered the bad news to me!

[Frost]

He failed you by giving you a serious on "making progress" in the "use of speed" section?

That normally means that you werent going fast enoug at some point and held up trafic. this might be misreading a speed sign such as taking a speed advisory to be a speed limit. otherwise it might be not going through a gap, or being too causious at a roundabout or junction.

Next time ask for a debreif from the examiner, he will normally tell you where you went wrong and what you did.

[Davo]

A couple of things to keep in mind, I apologise if they have already been said, but I'd thought it'd be useful.

-Cancel your indicators after turning as this can be marked as a serious if you pass a junction with your indicator on.
-MirrorsCheck them before changing speed, use a lifesaver when changing course.
-Know your machine At the beginning of your test you will be asked some questions to check your knowledge of the machine's roadworthiness, these will be asked as tell me & show me question. Also make sure all your lights & horn is working correctly, a few people have failed due to their brake light staying on/indicator not working etc...
-Ride as if your riding alone If you become separated from your examiner, don't slow down for him to catch up, it is up to him to keep up with you.
-DON'T PANIC As this will adversely affect your concentration, and more than likely cause you to fail.

Below is the breakdown of the test.

You will be followed by an instructor either on bike or car.

At the beginning of the test you will be fitted with a radio, then have your eyesight checked, where the examiner will ask you to read the registration of a car parked in the car park.

You will then proceed out on to the road and at some point during the test you'll be asked to perform a series of maneuvers (e.g. angled start, hill start, u-turn, emergency stop etc..)

When you get back to the test centre you will be taken back into the office and given your result (you will get asked about some pillion questions first - just to prolong the tension).

To pass the test you'll be allowed to make no more 15 minors (& no serious/dangerous's). Hope this helps & best of luck with the test.[/u]

[stryker]

[fanta]

i've now recovered, hopefully crack it next time!

[paulodd]

you'll be fine, if you have lessons before hand they straighten all your worries and mistakes out, if your not, just over exagerate your safety, thats all they are looking for, its not a test, they are just looking to see if you can ride safely! (easy said than done! i was very nervous when i had mine. lol)

good luck
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[ppeaster]

[Rift.]

its really easy just remember the essentials and have a friendly chat with the instructor before setting off to get on his good side.

i passed first time with 8 minors, my bro on the other hand failed first because he was in the wrong lane and when the traffic set off he changed lane so dont do that. He also let go of one handle to switch a button on the other side off but the instructor didnt see it luckily
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You only live once so get a bike and ride

[AdamBoyle]

What type of pillion questions/riding in the wind questions are there? I want to be prepared for when i go for my test

[pipnet11]

The question I got both times (doh!) was "what difference will carrying a passenger make to your bike?"

Answers: 1. Bikes more top heavy, meaning you have to lean less
2. Your combined weight is heavier so you want have as much acceleration and your brakeing distances increase.

Things that need changing (he might ask you this): 1. change suspension settings as described in manual.
2. increase tyre pressures again from the maual.
3. Adjust headlight to compensate for any change in ride height.
4. Leave larger distances for breaking and look for larger gaps when coming out of junctions etc.

Dont think I missed anything. As I say I got this same question both times so dont really kow what else you get asked.

Phill
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves

[paulyzf600]

yeah don't forget about the head checks they are one of the most important things!!! I know ppl have said already, if there is a parked car you must do a head check then move out slightly to allow for the correct space from the car then a head check to the left to go back into position (in town it feels like you are looking sideways more than infront!).
One mistake I made was I made my life saver head check as I committed myself which you must do before you turn!!

The questions like how do you check your chain tension you say I would refer to my owners manual same with any adjustments to the bike!
On my test I was asked to show how I'd test my lights........lol so I just switched them on and made sure the brake light litup on both front and back levers!

Oh and a must if it rains try your hardest to get some waterproofs on as this will give you extra browny points as the instructor will see that you have dressed appropriatly (they can sometimes mark you down if you turn up in jeans).
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Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat