More info about a2test.

[matty8887]

Hey guys,

Few questions regarding the a2 test, i have some training tomorrow and just want to clear a few things up.

At traffic lights should i look to both my left and right before moving off?

If a vehicle is going say 20mph in a 30mph zone shoud i overtake? I know you shouldnt unless it doing 10mph or less but i have heard people get a minor for not progressing.

should i stop if i cant see the examiner behind me if he doesnt say so? If he does should i pull over at the first opertunity say if it is on a main road or carry on and find a safer place?

When changing from 30-40mph or vice versa, should you do a mirror check or lifesaver?

When turning left i always thought a lifesaver should be used, but i have read that a sideways glance is sufficient.

I thought it was check right then left mirrors, signal left, left lifesaver?, manouver(closer to the curb), left lifesaver then turn?

And turning right was... look in left mirror then right mirror, signal right, right lifesaver, manouver, right lifesaver then turn?


Cheers for any help

[0ddball]

This may not neccesarily be right but it's the way i did it and i did ok.

Just a right shoulder check then set off but look both ways just before going through the junction to check for red light jumpers/emergency vehicles

Depends on the situation but if you aren't sure then it's better to get a minor for going too slow than a major for going too fast or doing something the examiner thinks is dangerous.

If he doesn't say anything carry on. The radio's they use are more reliable and have a greater range than most training school ones so if they want you to stop you should hear them say it. If i lost sight i just slowed down a bit untill he appeared in my mirrors again then got back up to speed. Pulling up on a main road is fine if it's safe. Just make sure it's not blocking a driveway/on double yellows/ too close to a junction/ directly behind a van ect

A mirror and a right shoulder check.

Yep, do a lifesaver a cars length before you turn and make it an obvious one so the examiner notices it.
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ZXR750L

[matty8887]

OK thanks alot for the info spannermonkey.

Anybody got any more opinios on this or anything else relative to the test?

cheers.

[bilbo]

Hi,

It's a good idea to look both ways at lights but not essential, but at least one, which ever side you might have traffic or small rodents climbing under your bike on.

If it is safe to overtake, go for it, ONLY though if it is safe and you can complete the overtake without putting others at risk. You can get minored for not making progress if there were overtaking opportunitys but only do what you feel comfortable with.

When changing any into any new speed limit you should check your mirrors. Most important when you are slowing down as you're more than likely, being a nice sensible bike rider an all, to get some chav in a vaux nova wizz pass you. It at least gives you a warning of someone passing you.

I never used a left lifesaver unless the turn was sharp enough that i meant i had to move over to the right making space on my left for some little car to sneak up. Thay are not required but they will mark you down if you do use them, what ever you feel safe with really.

It basically goes mirrors, signal, observation, manouver. Will depend on what the junction is if you need to put another obs in just before the turn. I always uses to life savers when turing right, once when i move over and once again when i acutally turn.

Best of luck with your test.

Bilbo.
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Burn rubber not your soul!

[matty8887]

OK guys, thanks alot for your info, made me that bit more confident.

Bilbo, when you said

[bilbo]

Yeah sorry buddy that is what i meant, they WON'T mark you down for using them so long as you don't start weaving all over the place when you do.
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Burn rubber not your soul!

[matty8887]

OK mate nice one, think i will use them as i have been when i have been on the road so no need to adjust my riding as i will loose confidence.

[bilbo]

[matty8887]

Cheers bilbo, great help thats boosted my confidence lol

[bilbo]

That's what BCF is here for mate!

Are you doing the training on a school bike or your own?
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Burn rubber not your soul!

[matty8887]

Im doing it on my own bike, rs125.

I am only doing half a day of training tomorrow which should put any queires i have to rest.

Im sure the bike training place wont question if the bike is restricted or not but im not sure on the examiner, if he will query it or not?

Also i have an arrows exhaust on it but im sure that is road legal now? not sure if that will affect anything?

cheers

[bilbo]

Shame, if you have a school bike you don't have to worry about ranting the tits off it or crashing it.

I was told that the examiners perfer people on 'slower' bikes. They like to see a good image that you won't go tearing off down the road. It's a very sterotypical view but it's true unfortunatly.

Not really sure bout you restriction and pipe, best ask your trainer.

If he says no ask them if you can use a school bike, they're normally a bit banged and not very pretty or fast but will do the job for you, will give the right image and won't bite your arse if you miss a gear or drop the clutch a bit quick etc.

I did mine on a good old Yam TW 125, slower than two milkfloats stuck to a boeing 747 but got me through was bloody comfortable to.
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Burn rubber not your soul!

[bennyboy]

I just read this post and am pretty worried for you. I had a 105mph RS125 and was told i wasnt allowed to take it into test because it was blatant that it has more than 12bhp. Arrows are also totally illegal, if they dont have the kite mark, then its not road legal. You cant take a test on a NON road legal bike. Doing a turn in the road will be much harder on an RS than the little CG125 i used from the riding school. The RS's turning circle is pretty shit tbh.

Saying this though, good luck, and i hope you pass. Tell us your result when u can. Just relax, the test is a peice of piss, i did it with no minors
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2000 peugeot speedfight....1999 RS125....2001 RS125....1997 GSXR600 srad

[matty8887]

Ye well i have got the original exhaust s i can put that back on, although i would prefer to bodge the can onto the arrows downpipe, but arrows can has 2 bolts whereas the orignal has 3.

I will disconnect the powervalve and show it if neccessary.

I hope i will be able to do it on my bike else im going to have to pay more. I shall ask my instructer tomorrow see what he says.

Thanks all

[bennyboy]

If i were you mate i would seriously think about using one of the riding schools bikes. I personally found it tricky to do a turn in the road with my old RS, whereas i could do it on the riding school bike in almost half a roads width. You dont want hassle from the examiner about power, and it might get you in his bad books. Pay £30 odd quid to use a bike school one
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2000 peugeot speedfight....1999 RS125....2001 RS125....1997 GSXR600 srad

[priller]