Im need to take the test.
Discussion
Guys and girls.
I've had enough of being restricted to a 125. And i would like to move on to a bigger and better bike.
Now i know that there are different types of tests out there, but i want the one which will allow me to ride any bike once compleated.
Which one is it?
Before taking the test though i think that i will need lession of monuvers (anyone know of instructors in the Bromley area?). I find it difficult to do a turn in the road on my current bike as the lock is not that great (should of got a scooter). How is a u-turn supposed to be performed so that i can go and practice this. Also apart from the u-turn what other monuvers (sp?) will i need to perform so that i can pass this test.
Oh and will an examiner fail you if you put your right foot down at lights rather than your left?
Thanks
D3
I've had enough of being restricted to a 125. And i would like to move on to a bigger and better bike.
Now i know that there are different types of tests out there, but i want the one which will allow me to ride any bike once compleated.
Which one is it?
Before taking the test though i think that i will need lession of monuvers (anyone know of instructors in the Bromley area?). I find it difficult to do a turn in the road on my current bike as the lock is not that great (should of got a scooter). How is a u-turn supposed to be performed so that i can go and practice this. Also apart from the u-turn what other monuvers (sp?) will i need to perform so that i can pass this test.
Oh and will an examiner fail you if you put your right foot down at lights rather than your left?
Thanks
D3
d3ano said:
Guys and girls.
I've had enough of being restricted to a 125. And i would like to move on to a bigger and better bike.
Now i know that there are different types of tests out there, but i want the one which will allow me to ride any bike once compleated.
Which one is it?
Before taking the test though i think that i will need lession of monuvers (anyone know of instructors in the Bromley area?). I find it difficult to do a turn in the road on my current bike as the lock is not that great (should of got a scooter). How is a u-turn supposed to be performed so that i can go and practice this. Also apart from the u-turn what other monuvers (sp?) will i need to perform so that i can pass this test.
Oh and will an examiner fail you if you put your right foot down at lights rather than your left?
Thanks
D3
Sounds like you need to do a direct access type test. Simply put, you need to do the test on a big bike to get a license for one. A school will hire you a suitable machine while you train with them and for your test.
The manouevres are a controlled stop and u-turn. The u-turn needs you to maintain steady revs while you slip the clutch and control your speed with the rear brake. Never is the phrase "look where you want to go" more apt than on a u-turn. The lock on a 500 like you'll ride for your test is not great compared to a scooter, but you'd be surprised what space you can turn round in.
Good Luck,
Steve
d3ano said:
I was told by the guy that did my CBT that i should always put my left foot down because its safer to do so. If i didn't and put my right foot down i would fail the test.
Was he talking 8ollocks?
I took my DA in October and the guy who did your CBT was right. You are meant to cover the rear brake all the time when not moving. The reason you shouldn't need to put your left leg down is that they expect you to know what hear you're in and make sure you are down into first before you come to a standstill (unless its an emergency, obviously).
It sounds like you need to do a full DA course to be on the safe side too. Seeing as how you have already got the CBT that should save you half a day, or a full one depending on the school you use. And it should be a big bonus that you can already practice the u-turn on the 125. That was the bloody stressful bit on my test because you know that if you cock it up its a wasted week! But I passed first time.
I will put my instructors head on for a moment, and try and clarify the point regarding left or right foot down.
As a learner, the DSA like to see the rear brake covered whenever the machine stops on the basis that it may prevent the bike being pushed forward in the event that it is shunted from behind. Once you have passed your test, it really matter not which foot you put down as long as it is safe, although at advanced level we as examiners prefer to see the right foot go to ground, again providing it is safe.
There are 5 set excercises in the test, 4 you will do, the 5th is an option, they are, emergency stop, hill start, U turn and moving off from behind a parked vehicle. The option is the slow ride where the examiner will walk in a straight line varying his pace and you have to ride alongside matching your speed with his walking pace. This is usually done if the U turn was a bit iffy.
The whole test lasts 40 minutes, and you are examined from the moment you turn your engine on, to the moment you turn it off back at the test centre. You are allowed to drop 15 minor faults before you fail, or if you make 1 big dangerous mistake that is an automatic fail.
You will also be asked a question about balance and control. For example, how is a pillion required to sit on a motorcycle? The examiner is looking for a full answer, and you can fail the test on this question although it very rarely happens.
A decent instructor will show you the way. Although the test is quite easy, there are certain do's and dont's which can have a bearing on your test result. Instructors who deal with particular test centres will know what each examiner is looking for and how they work, so will be in a position to provide inside knowledge of what is required.
Hope this helps and good luck!
As a learner, the DSA like to see the rear brake covered whenever the machine stops on the basis that it may prevent the bike being pushed forward in the event that it is shunted from behind. Once you have passed your test, it really matter not which foot you put down as long as it is safe, although at advanced level we as examiners prefer to see the right foot go to ground, again providing it is safe.
There are 5 set excercises in the test, 4 you will do, the 5th is an option, they are, emergency stop, hill start, U turn and moving off from behind a parked vehicle. The option is the slow ride where the examiner will walk in a straight line varying his pace and you have to ride alongside matching your speed with his walking pace. This is usually done if the U turn was a bit iffy.
The whole test lasts 40 minutes, and you are examined from the moment you turn your engine on, to the moment you turn it off back at the test centre. You are allowed to drop 15 minor faults before you fail, or if you make 1 big dangerous mistake that is an automatic fail.
You will also be asked a question about balance and control. For example, how is a pillion required to sit on a motorcycle? The examiner is looking for a full answer, and you can fail the test on this question although it very rarely happens.
A decent instructor will show you the way. Although the test is quite easy, there are certain do's and dont's which can have a bearing on your test result. Instructors who deal with particular test centres will know what each examiner is looking for and how they work, so will be in a position to provide inside knowledge of what is required.
Hope this helps and good luck!
T-c,
I want to practice slow manoeuvres over the weekend.
As I have no idea on what to do with regards to these I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction on what to do.
U-Turn.
When an examiner takes you on the road for a u-turn, do they determine the width of the road to the style of bike?
I currently have a sports style bike, which I know has a larger turning circle than, say a scooter. What happens if I put my right foot down during the turn (I assume that all u-turns are done to the right)?
Also what happens if I don't put my foot down but don't make the full turn, as there isn't enough of a steering lock?
This is really worrying me at the moment.
The others I am ok with its just a matter of trying to perfect them and getting used to putting my left foot down rather than my right.
Thanks for the help.
D3
I want to practice slow manoeuvres over the weekend.
As I have no idea on what to do with regards to these I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction on what to do.
U-Turn.
When an examiner takes you on the road for a u-turn, do they determine the width of the road to the style of bike?
I currently have a sports style bike, which I know has a larger turning circle than, say a scooter. What happens if I put my right foot down during the turn (I assume that all u-turns are done to the right)?
Also what happens if I don't put my foot down but don't make the full turn, as there isn't enough of a steering lock?
This is really worrying me at the moment.
The others I am ok with its just a matter of trying to perfect them and getting used to putting my left foot down rather than my right.
Thanks for the help.
D3
d3ano said:
T-c,
I want to practice slow manoeuvres over the weekend.
As I have no idea on what to do with regards to these I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction on what to do.
U-Turn.
When an examiner takes you on the road for a u-turn, do they determine the width of the road to the style of bike?
I currently have a sports style bike, which I know has a larger turning circle than, say a scooter. What happens if I put my right foot down during the turn (I assume that all u-turns are done to the right)?
Also what happens if I don't put my foot down but don't make the full turn, as there isn't enough of a steering lock?
This is really worrying me at the moment.
The others I am ok with its just a matter of trying to perfect them and getting used to putting my left foot down rather than my right.
Thanks for the help.
D3
Foot down = fail, incomplete turn due to steering lock = fail.
Steve.
As it was explained to me, it's your responsibility to provide a bike suitable for the test. If you don't and you get an examiner with a point to prove, you fail.
My perspective - it's just one of those things and it's perhaps worth hiring a bike from your school, so you don't have any issues of this nature. After that, you can ride what you like, put your feet down if it suits, use your right foot when you stop .... but you have to pass the test. Just get your test passed mate, you're not going to beat the system on this one.
Steve.
My perspective - it's just one of those things and it's perhaps worth hiring a bike from your school, so you don't have any issues of this nature. After that, you can ride what you like, put your feet down if it suits, use your right foot when you stop .... but you have to pass the test. Just get your test passed mate, you're not going to beat the system on this one.
Steve.
Before the test the examiner will ask you to push the bike round in the road to make sure that you can do it.
Even extreme supersports bikes such as GSXR's/r6 etc will be able to run in a normal road, the secret is confidence,
When doing the turn after you get to halfway across the bike should be at least 90 degrees from the kirb you started from, at that point look as far down the road as you can. If you look at the kerb you will hit the kerb. If you feel the bike is not stable just rev the bike more and bite the clutch this will keep the bike upright.
Good luck
Tim.
Even extreme supersports bikes such as GSXR's/r6 etc will be able to run in a normal road, the secret is confidence,
When doing the turn after you get to halfway across the bike should be at least 90 degrees from the kirb you started from, at that point look as far down the road as you can. If you look at the kerb you will hit the kerb. If you feel the bike is not stable just rev the bike more and bite the clutch this will keep the bike upright.
Good luck
Tim.
Tim2100 said:
Before the test the examiner will ask you to push the bike round in the road to make sure that you can do it.
Even extreme supersports bikes such as GSXR's/r6 etc will be able to run in a normal road, the secret is confidence,
Don't take the test on a Ducati as the steering lock is cr@p and your thumbs get trapped when on full lock - this makes 'mini-roundabouts' interesting!
(unless you're going to 'doughnut' it round
) BTW someone mentioned that you need left foot down so you can hold the footbrake for a hill-start...so how do you engage 1st gear? unless you're riding the clutch (not on a Ducati, they wear out too quick!)
Curious as when I learned we obviously weren't so 'correct'
cazzo said:
Don't take the test on a Ducati as the steering lock is cr@p and your thumbs get trapped when on full lock - this makes 'mini-roundabouts' interesting!
Thats why practically all riding schools use Gs500/ER-5 & CB5000. As the turning circle is really good and a piece of piss to control.
Tim.
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