Hello all, I'm considering taking my bike test very soon was wondering what would be the best way to do it?
I've been told to take 1-2 lessons to see where I'm going wrong and I've also been told to take the 3 day course which is like £350. I'm not quite sure what to do, Don't really want to waste my money since on tight budget.
Also hoping on getting a Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM Mmmmm...
You've obviously done your CBT Paul, which is a good base.
There is of course two parts to the test now and I can't advise you on the first. What I would say however is that from your posts you appear to have a few miles under your belt now and so I'd have thought that a lesson with a good instructor would sort the off road element for you.
Regarding the second, on road part. My advice would be to again, get some tips from an instructor regarding what you should be doing and when and then get some more miles in on your own practising these points.
Then once you feel confident enough to tackle the test, a couple of hours with an instructor before your test and you should be ok.
Then, once you've passed your test you can start learning how to ride properly lol!!
take some dosh out of the bike budget for your training, be prepared and minimise the possibility of having to do the test again,a good instructor will tell you if you are ready or not,dont begrudge spending the money on training which will keep you safe,wont take you long for you to realise that passing your test does not make you a good rider, that comes with continued training and experience and you younguns do learn quickly! good luck
paul,you say you have 12 mnths no claims?and your asking about when to check mirrors?i am a driving instructor(so they say)but i teach my pupils from day one how important it is to know whats going on behind as well as in front,yours mirrors are your best friend on the bike,awareness and anticipation is the main key to keep safe.i agree with the people who say find a good instructor,£30.00 an hour is not a lot of money these days,but spend it wisely with a good instructor,good luck and be safe edd.
I can't help you with the new off road section but the on road remains the same so here's some of what I had do *to pass my test*.
Safety (obs/speed) and machine control are what they are looking for. Demonstrate these and you're well on the way there.
MMR/S everytime you change speed (limit signs, slowing for turns, roundabouts, lights etc) or direction (lane change, passing parked cars etc).
Show them you're not just riding aimlessly about, check it's clear at lights before crossing the jct etc. You don't want t-boning by some **** running the lights!
Lane position should be centre of lane or slightly to the left. There does seem to be some variations in what's taught regarding left or right of lane but for test standard, they won't want to see you riding near the crown of the road. Position yourself correctly for turning left and right at jcts in good time with the correct obs.
Just before turning left or right don't forget your final lifesaver check in the direction you're turning. Lifesavers at roundabouts seem to vary too, I was taught a right one when exiting left and straight on and a left one when turning right.
I think it will be money well spent to have a lesson or two with a good instructor locally to where you take your test. They will know what they like to see, any little tricks the examiners like to use and the test routes.
Others may disagree with what I've said but this is what I was taught and it worked for me. I took my test in an unfamilar area, my examiner wasn't the usual *fair* examiner (one of the reasons I travelled 80 miles to take my test), he was a senior Cardington examiner but I still passed first time with 1 minor and I wouldn't have done that without 2 things. All the practice I put in on my own bike and the time I spent with a very good instructor.
Best of luck Paul.
PS, try to recall what was taught on your CBT, OSM/PSL etc and look on the internet for guidance on what instructors teach. Get those things nailed and you'll need even less time with an instructor but I'd still have some lessons.
After your test, consider some more training - riding at test standard is only a very small part of your biking career. You'll learn loads more once you've got those L's off.
On arriving in the UK some months back my wife and i saw road signs we were'nt familiar with in South Africa , i then bought a 2009 AA The Highway Code booklet which we've been studying and found it very helpful, thats why i say the learning never ends. Very helpful tips from Roachy as well to a beginner. Apply yourself totally and good luck Paul.
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