PRACTICAL TEST FRIDAY

[Baller]

Hi
I’m 18 and have been riding my Yamaha SR 125 for the past nine mouths now and have been enjoying every minute of it, but there comes a time when you out grow the L plated bikes, so I think it is about time to take the test and step up to 33 bhp. I feel ready to pass but lack just a little confidence.
I have gone for the cheap option with the Yamaha SR and haven’t taken any lessons which I might regret come Friday, but this is because I’m a bit tight for cash so I kind of need to pass on Friday. To be honest I’m quite nervous about when to do rear observation checks, so basically I need a little help. Are there any pointers you lot can give me about the test and what the instructor will probably be looking for.

I will be taking the test Friday in Chingford, if anyone else has been on this route I would appreciate some info.

[mrchips]

Get one lesson in at least, shouldn't cost you any more than 30 and it wont be 30 wasted.

[Baller]

It’s probably to late now, but if I fail on Friday I will book a couple.

[spitefuljack]

Ooooo, Id have got a least one lesson...

Anyhow....

Make sure you do a 'lifesaver' before any manouver of direction change.

'Ride for yourself', ie, dont worry what the examiner is doing or where he is..

Keep looking in your mirrors.

Watch your speed!

[Baller]

One problem is that my mirror checks are instinctive and quick with very little movement. I have tried nodding at my mirrors, but I just forget to.

How is the examiner going to tell when I’m checking my mirrors?

[instigator]

Check your mirrors before setting off and chaning down or up in speeds(always do it when going from 30-40, 40-nat and so forth)

Remember the mirror, signal shoulder check, position, slow down, lifesaver about 1-2 car lengths before junction and then turn.

You'll find a lot of useful tips on the new bikers section, take a look around it.

[JodieWodie]

Hi...

Basically, you have to slightly exaggerate your obs....
I found that if I normally looked at my mirrors, my instructor couldn't really tell ALL of the time...so you have to really make it obvious and nod at them...especially if your examiner is following in a car a way back.

You must also remember to do your mirror observations when changing speed...(coming up to and leaving different speed limits).

Instead of engine braking all the time, (which I tend to do I must admit), tap your rear brake too to let your examiner and other road traffic know that you are slowing down.

Lifesavers are VERY important..and I feel that as you have not had any lessons, you may find this aspect difficult..particularly about WHERE to do them. (I found these tricky and a pain to learn on roundabout exit).
Remember them when changing your position in the lane after indicating...before setting off at traffic lights/when stationery...going onto roundabouts...exiting roundabouts...turning at junctions/corners...
make your LS's obvious too.
Not just a quick eyeball flick.

There will be a u-turn in the test..and en emergency stop.
When you do your u-turn don't forget a LS before you move off...watch your mirrors...get your biting point and hold it..use only your REAR brake for slowing and balance....do another rear LS before you turn..look where you want to go...keep your head up.

You will be asked two 'show me tell me' questions at the start relating to vehicle checks...and one question at the end regarding balance and pillion passengers.

OH...and remember the 2 second rule between the car in front of you..(I got a minor for this..I am a SOD for doing it ! Ooopps !)

Good luck !!!

Jo xx
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[Barker-CBR 600]

Not got much advice that hasnt been said.

I passed without a lesson, but it took two test attempts to do so and i really think had i even had one lesson then i could have had a much better chance of doing it the first time round. Failed due to 'balance' after putting foot down too early (riding a cruiser makes it oh so tempting *grins*) or 'walking' when in centre of town etc...

Lesson would have identified that, instead i had to pay for test all over again and redo it! So yeah, most instructors would do an assement lesson i think if you ask them, just to pickup on small things/bad habits that you might not even consider as problems.
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[Baller]

I really didn’t think you had to do that many rear lifesaver checks. I probably will fail now knowing all this, but it serves me right for going for the cheap option. I definitely should get some lessons.

Don’t give up on me just yet. I will use your advice and get as many miles under my belt as possible this week.

Thanks!

[Davo]

[JodieWodie]

[Barker-CBR 600]

One tip that i wish i had done before my first one...

If you know the area, just take a ride around and think about any area's that might scream 'test route'.

Things like partially hidden/unexpected stop signs, one way streets that split at the bottom for left/right, roads that have the familiar stench of many a failed U-turn.

Best thing i did was get driving lessons in the area, cause he would take me through all the major test routes and be able to really detailed things to look out for.
(for me it was exactly the above *grins*)

I had similar situation, spent so much on the new bike i only had enough for one more test... best thing to do is forget about that completly, make you far more relaxed thinkin you could always redo it.
____________________
Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[Baller]

Help Please

When stopped at traffic lights, do I have to do two life savers, both sides before accelerating straight ahead? Basically what’s the full traffic light procedure?

When you’re turning left off a main road into a minor road do I have to do a left side life saver before turning left?

Man I’m Nervous
So little time

[Gazdaman]

I think lifesavers are fairly instinctive because you're making sure nothing's about to kill you.

Yes you need to make a left lifesaver just before you turn left, to make sure there's not a cyclist/motorcyclist coming up your inside.

Instead of mirror obs people have been talking about I was taught to look behind, i.e chin to shoulder.

Gaz

[8316]

hey there!
i took my test last thursday...in chingford!
i took no lessons and had been riding on my gs125 for over 8 months. i too was lacking confidence, and used this forum for help. the people are great. thanks guys again!
hint. look blatantly at mirrors every 5 seconds or so, like you should do in a car, and make sure of those 2 shoulder checks when wanting to turn! i got 8 minors, 2 for missing life-savers. i practised for 5 mins my u-turn and emergency stop, and was ok.
if you have the white bmw examiner, he'll take you to a small block in chingford. quite narrow road so u-turn a little trickier, but e-stop is very easy. he doesn't jump out on you, as he can't hide, so he just waits then puts his hand up. even in the pouring rain it was easy!
hope all goes well!
you can pm me anytime if you need any more information mate!
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Now own a Fireblade!! Speed Limits? Bah!

[stryker]

Good luck.
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Now what?

[Baller]

I’m on my way to the test with a rubbish back brake.

Nervous as hell

[Ste]

Bit late, but good luck.

With the back brake being crap I wouldn't worry about it, the examiner will see you using the back brake (i.e. moving your foot) in your emergency stop but won't actually know that it doesn't do anything.

[8316]

yeah, i agree. my instructor was to the left of me, so when he put out his hand, he couldn't even see my right foot. never really use it that much anyway
____________________
Now own a Fireblade!! Speed Limits? Bah!

[JodieWodie]

I was thinking about you....

how did you get on ??


____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[8316]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=351078#351078
____________________
Now own a Fireblade!! Speed Limits? Bah!

[stryker]

That makes no sense?
____________________
Now what?

[Barker-CBR 600]

So Baller

How you do?
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[8316]

been a long time now....
where is he?
____________________
Now own a Fireblade!! Speed Limits? Bah!

[superchoward]

Maybe he is still celebrating