Got some reading to do....

[oggs]

randlemarcus said:

How are the U-Turns?

Dunno yet!!! probably be doing that Thursday

randlemarcus said:

Dont suppose you have the theory test and electronic test DVDs knocking around do you?

I do but they were borrowed... if there is a way to copy both discs...

[shot2bits]

Oggs, remember to relax your arms and don't keep them straight either - don't lock your arms and keep them very relaxed. Also relax your grip - it's amazing how tense arms and hands will make slow speed riding difficult. As for the U turn, look ahead and use the clutch and some power to pull you round. As for riding on the road, its amazing what a difference shifting your weight off the bike will make - just slide off a little, your head should also move away from the front screen - i.e. don't keep your head in front of the screen when cornering (with exception of slow speed cornering of course).

[oggs]

shot2bits said:

Oggs, remember to relax your arms and don't keep them straight either - don't lock your arms and keep them very relaxed. Also relax your grip - it's amazing how tense arms and hands will make slow speed riding difficult. As for the U turn, look ahead and use the clutch and some power to pull you round. As for riding on the road, its amazing what a difference shifting your weight off the bike will make - just slide off a little, your head should also move away from the front screen - i.e. don't keep your head in front of the screen when cornering (with exception of slow speed cornering of course).

cheers.

I need to sort out getting my knee down !!

[shot2bits]

oggs said:

shot2bits said:

Oggs, remember to relax your arms and don't keep them straight either - don't lock your arms and keep them very relaxed. Also relax your grip - it's amazing how tense arms and hands will make slow speed riding difficult. As for the U turn, look ahead and use the clutch and some power to pull you round. As for riding on the road, its amazing what a difference shifting your weight off the bike will make - just slide off a little, your head should also move away from the front screen - i.e. don't keep your head in front of the screen when cornering (with exception of slow speed cornering of course).

cheers.

I need to sort out getting my knee down !!

Ball of your foot on the peg, bum off, head away from the screen leaning as well, knee pointed down and the right corner (normally on the track not the road ) Roundabouts will do it every time but you got to note that the ones near petrol stations may have derv on the road.

[oggs]

Hopefully no snow tomorrow or it'll be

[carrera2]

oggs said:

shot2bits said:

Oggs, remember to relax your arms and don't keep them straight either - don't lock your arms and keep them very relaxed. Also relax your grip - it's amazing how tense arms and hands will make slow speed riding difficult. As for the U turn, look ahead and use the clutch and some power to pull you round. As for riding on the road, its amazing what a difference shifting your weight off the bike will make - just slide off a little, your head should also move away from the front screen - i.e. don't keep your head in front of the screen when cornering (with exception of slow speed cornering of course).

cheers.

I need to sort out getting my knee down !!

Save it for a track, seriously!

[gordski]

shot2bits said:

Oggs, remember to relax your arms and don't keep them straight either - don't lock your arms and keep them very relaxed. Also relax your grip - it's amazing how tense arms and hands will make slow speed riding difficult. As for the U turn, look ahead and use the clutch and some power to pull you round. As for riding on the road, its amazing what a difference shifting your weight off the bike will make - just slide off a little, your head should also move away from the front screen - i.e. don't keep your head in front of the screen when cornering (with exception of slow speed cornering of course).

and what ever you do don't shut the throttle. I did and you end on your arse. Bike was ok, physically I was fine, but dignity was a little brused. The instructor nearly fell off laughing.

[oggs]

randlemarcus said:

How are the U-Turns?

I hate U turns.

I could do it on the 125 but not to well on a 500

I've got my test next week and that is according to my instructor my weak spot... which I aready know

I know how to do it but I'm not doing it!!

[rsvmilly]

oggs said:

randlemarcus said:

How are the U-Turns?

I hate U turns.

I could do it on the 125 but not to well on a 500

Slow control is tricky. The U turn is the trickiest manouvre on the whole test. And the fact that you only get one stab at it. You'll probably be fine on the big day.

oggs said:

I've got my test next week

Good luck old boy. Which test centre? St Albans?

[oggs]

rsvmilly said:

Slow control is tricky. The U turn is the trickiest manouvre on the whole test. And the fact that you only get one stab at it. You'll probably be fine on the big day.

oggs said:

I've got my test next week

Good luck old boy. Which test centre? St Albans?

Test is in Bedford

Monday I'll have another 1hr or so sorting it all out :fingerscrossed:

[Steve_T]

oggs said:

randlemarcus said:

How are the U-Turns?

I hate U turns.

I could do it on the 125 but not to well on a 500

I've got my test next week and that is according to my instructor my weak spot... which I aready know

I know how to do it but I'm not doing it!!

Did your instructor mention how you're going wrong? What do you find difficult?

[oggs]

Steve_T said:

oggs said:

randlemarcus said:

How are the U-Turns?

I hate U turns.

I could do it on the 125 but not to well on a 500

I've got my test next week and that is according to my instructor my weak spot... which I aready know

I know how to do it but I'm not doing it!!

Did your instructor mention how you're going wrong? What do you find difficult?

Steve, when I start turning i'm a bit slow and then the throttle revs higher as I turn and then I try a control it with the clutch & rear brake, I start looking at the kerb instead of down the road then it up foot down and I end up kicking myself.

[hiccy]

oggs said:

Steve, when I start turning i'm a bit slow and then the throttle revs higher as I turn and then I try a control it with the clutch & rear brake, I start looking at the kerb instead of down the road then it up foot down and I end up kicking myself.

I get a bit of speed up, dip the clutch and pile on the revs; right lifesaver, start turning keeping the revs up. Look where you want to go and control speed using the rear brake.

Sounds easy and it's a nightmare until you belive you can do it: it's actually dead easy, really.

[Steve_T]

oggs said:

Steve_T said:

oggs said:

randlemarcus said:

How are the U-Turns?

I hate U turns.

I could do it on the 125 but not to well on a 500

I've got my test next week and that is according to my instructor my weak spot... which I aready know

I know how to do it but I'm not doing it!!

Did your instructor mention how you're going wrong? What do you find difficult?

Steve, when I start turning i'm a bit slow and then the throttle revs higher as I turn and then I try a control it with the clutch & rear brake, I start looking at the kerb instead of down the road then it up foot down and I end up kicking myself.

Sounds like you're perhaps trying to do too much/are thinking about too much at once. Don't worry about having perfect throttle/clutch control for your test, it does not matter if you're revving the bike a little bit. To keep it simple, once you set the clutch and throttle to do your turn, do not change them, just use the rear brake to control your speed. The most important thing is where you look, just focus on getting that right. Ignore the curb, it's not going anywhere! Instead, look over your shoulder until you can see the white line in the middle of the road, then look up that as far as you can, off into the distance. You will naturally steer the bike towards it, which will bring you all the way round the turn. Once you're all the way round, then worry about pulling over to stop. Good luck mate!

Steve.

[catso]

Carrera2 said:

Keith Code books are very good - Twist of the wrist.

If anyone is interested, on the US based 'Ducati ms' forum www.ducati.ms/forums/cmps_index.php? they have an 'Ask Keith Code' thread where Keith will personally answer any questions on the forum.

Edited by catso on Monday 19th February 11:24

[oggs]

Well this morning at 9.17 was test time
As my instructor had another test at 8.17 I had to go up at the same time so 7am at his training school

Mr Numbnutz ere arrives at 7am only to of forgotten his CBT cert
2 choices forget the test and do another time or drive up to the test centre with all the documents do the test but have no practice

2nd choice it was then

I knew when it was my time i'd be a bit balance-less to start with and I was stalling straight away
Within 2 mins is the dreaded U turn but I nailed that sucker

The rest of the ride was comfortable I started to enjoy it

And then it was back to the test centre.. park up and go upstairs and i'll meet you back in the waiting room he says....

A couple of Q's about a pillon passenger then the words "Mr Oggs" you have....

PASSED

WooHoo

[black-k1]

Congratulations.

[chilli]

oggs said:

Well this morning at 9.17 was test time
As my instructor had another test at 8.17 I had to go up at the same time so 7am at his training school

Mr Numbnutz ere arrives at 7am only to of forgotten his CBT cert
2 choices forget the test and do another time or drive up to the test centre with all the documents do the test but have no practice

2nd choice it was then

I knew when it was my time i'd be a bit balance-less to start with and I was stalling straight away
Within 2 mins is the dreaded U turn but I nailed that sucker

The rest of the ride was comfortable I started to enjoy it

And then it was back to the test centre.. park up and go upstairs and i'll meet you back in the waiting room he says....

A couple of Q's about a pillon passenger then the words "Mr Oggs" you have....

PASSED

WooHoo

Well done that man!
A good feeling eh? So, wha ya gonna get?

[rsvmilly]

Well done matey. What are you up to tomorrow? Fancy going to

Mission Motorcycles in Bletchley (never been there myself but they seem to have a good range)

and/or maybe On Yer Bike who are out on the A41 towards Bicester

[Steve_T]

Superb news mate. Nicely done! Whatcha gonna buy?