Bad start...........
Discussion
Started the DAS today, got the test on Friday. Hadn't ridden since my CBT a couple of months ago, so it took a little while to get to grips with everything again. Other than leaving the indicators a couple of times (Got a proper b
king for that over the radio) and checking right on left hand junctions while pulling out (Do it in the car all the time for safety) it was going okay.
Then he mentioned my clutch control needed a little work and it all went to pot. All I did was be paranoid with what I was doing with my left hand. I ended up dumping it pulling out of junctions, which didn't put me in the best of moods, and then we did a U-turn. Never had a problem with these before....
Started the U-turn, got funny with the clutch, then looked at the curb... Panicked, and tugged the front brake. Next thing I know is that I'm holding the bike up with my thigh and I can't pick it back up again. After that, we rode back to the centre, as I think he gauged my mood as 'slightly pissed off'.
I can drive a car, fly a plane, and now I'm paranoid about what I'm doing with the clutch on a bike. Its a joke, and really getting me down now. I rang a biker mate afterwards, and told me not to fret and it'll all come together, but I've never made a mistake like that before that put me and machine in danger. Is there any hope of me getting this sorted by Friday? I don't like feeling I'm wasting everyones time. Up to clutch paranioa I was enjoying myself!
king for that over the radio) and checking right on left hand junctions while pulling out (Do it in the car all the time for safety) it was going okay.Then he mentioned my clutch control needed a little work and it all went to pot. All I did was be paranoid with what I was doing with my left hand. I ended up dumping it pulling out of junctions, which didn't put me in the best of moods, and then we did a U-turn. Never had a problem with these before....
Started the U-turn, got funny with the clutch, then looked at the curb... Panicked, and tugged the front brake. Next thing I know is that I'm holding the bike up with my thigh and I can't pick it back up again. After that, we rode back to the centre, as I think he gauged my mood as 'slightly pissed off'.
I can drive a car, fly a plane, and now I'm paranoid about what I'm doing with the clutch on a bike. Its a joke, and really getting me down now. I rang a biker mate afterwards, and told me not to fret and it'll all come together, but I've never made a mistake like that before that put me and machine in danger. Is there any hope of me getting this sorted by Friday? I don't like feeling I'm wasting everyones time. Up to clutch paranioa I was enjoying myself!
my 1st day of DAS I got home and felt like crying, I felt like the biggest berk in the world, just didnt get it at all. 2nd dasy it came together.
have a beer, watch some tv, think about something else, early night then up 7 attack it tomorrow. Sounds easy but try not to think to much, just get on with it. if possible rent a cheapo bike and go and ride about a bit.
best of luck matey.
have a beer, watch some tv, think about something else, early night then up 7 attack it tomorrow. Sounds easy but try not to think to much, just get on with it. if possible rent a cheapo bike and go and ride about a bit.
best of luck matey.
Badger i remember those days from my training, you just have to rise above it. and keep calm, everytime i felt myself getting angry i would pull over for a second take my helmet off and take a few deep breaths before getting back on with it.
we've all had the really really stty days while training just take a few deep breaths and keep going, could maybe worth asking your instructor to spend a bit of time just working on your clutch control.
we've all had the really really s
tty days while training just take a few deep breaths and keep going, could maybe worth asking your instructor to spend a bit of time just working on your clutch control. I've already taken your beer advice! I'm going to go in early tomorrow so I can potter around the car park and practise a bit.
I hope it does all come together, part of me is doing this for my dad. He'd be well made up if I pass, and we can spend some time together riding. I've not told him I'm doing the test yet, but it's at the back of my mind.
Glad I'm not the only one who felt crap after the first day!
I hope it does all come together, part of me is doing this for my dad. He'd be well made up if I pass, and we can spend some time together riding. I've not told him I'm doing the test yet, but it's at the back of my mind.
Glad I'm not the only one who felt crap after the first day!
Dont worry yourself bud, although I was generally fine with all I just could not master the u turn (instructors comment was 'you'll only ever do it on your test then forget about it'), kept f***ing up with both the clutch and front break, thankfully didn't drop it but pulled up and had a break many times! Ended up adjusting the idul speed of the engine so no clutch was needed, thankfully no problem on test. Not sure if it was just a psycological change or if he did adjust the engine but it worked!
Try and not treat it like a wall, ultimatly its the same a car just using your hand, pleantly of time yet to get used to it!
Best of luck!
Try and not treat it like a wall, ultimatly its the same a car just using your hand, pleantly of time yet to get used to it!
Best of luck!
Yeh you'll be fine.
Just forget about today and get on with 2moro i recently passed (3months ago)
& i smoked the first day, second day i was put on a different bike and it all
went to pot, 3rd day it all came together again and the morning after i passed with 1 minor.
You just need to relax & at every turn, just think mirror, lifesave blah blah blah...
Just keep telling yourself it over and over when doing the corners before your test and it'll be drilled into your brain!
If your having problems with the clutch just ask the instructor if before you go out you can practice goign round the carpark for a few minutes to get yourself warmed p, that way you can practice it and you'll be alright for the ride-out!
Just forget about today and get on with 2moro i recently passed (3months ago)
& i smoked the first day, second day i was put on a different bike and it all
went to pot, 3rd day it all came together again and the morning after i passed with 1 minor.
You just need to relax & at every turn, just think mirror, lifesave blah blah blah...
Just keep telling yourself it over and over when doing the corners before your test and it'll be drilled into your brain!
If your having problems with the clutch just ask the instructor if before you go out you can practice goign round the carpark for a few minutes to get yourself warmed p, that way you can practice it and you'll be alright for the ride-out!
As the others have said, dont dwell on it.. you know you can do it, just relax and you'll be fine.
In the same way as you know you looked at the kerb on the u-turn and ballsed it. thinking about it is the problem...
As you've already said get there early and pootle round the car park for a bit with no pressure and you'll sort it
G
In the same way as you know you looked at the kerb on the u-turn and ballsed it. thinking about it is the problem...
As you've already said get there early and pootle round the car park for a bit with no pressure and you'll sort it
G
Try not to preasure yourself into passing first time. It will become a predominant thought and will distract you from your learning. You said your dad doesn't know about you sitting the test, so he won't know if you do happen fail either it'll just add a little bit of delay. There is plenty of summer left (if it has even started yet).
U-Turns will become second nature - plenty of revs, back brake for control and slip the clutch. Look right down to the end of road to where you want to go pretty much as soon as you start to turn and don't stop looking till the bike is pointing that way
.
Search you tube for some instructional videos on all aspects of biking. You'll find that it's easier to listen when your sat at home with a beer over sitting on a bike wanting to ride.
U-Turns will become second nature - plenty of revs, back brake for control and slip the clutch. Look right down to the end of road to where you want to go pretty much as soon as you start to turn and don't stop looking till the bike is pointing that way
. Search you tube for some instructional videos on all aspects of biking. You'll find that it's easier to listen when your sat at home with a beer over sitting on a bike wanting to ride.
Best advice I can give you is simply to relax - easier said than done I guess. Most things on a bike are done with the legs - keep you arms bent and totally relaxed. Keep the clutch around the biting point as much as possible with some revs til you get used to it. On a U turn you can keep the revs up and the clutch biting to pull you round.
Hi all,
Bit of a slow start this morning. He took us straight back to where I dropped it yesterday, and made us do u-turns. Took me a couple of mins to get comfortable, but I decided to just get on with it. I did scuff the tyre on the kerb the first time round, but he didn't give me chance to even think about what I had done, and I just went for it again. Seems I wasn't turning the bars enough, so I think I'm getting to grips with it now confidence wise. Got about 6 in a row fine after that.
Got a major bking lunchtime for using the wrong lane on the roundabout. (Tip - Don't say you were doing what anothers schools instructor just did, it doesn't go down well) Well, that and trying to squeeze through a gap I shouldn't have.
Had a good think about it at lunch time, and then I spent the next two hours just riding up front. Started to come together then, and started enjoying myself. Lifesavers at the right points, not cutting junctions, and gently feeding the clutch when needed on corners. (Had a little funny, but I got caught out by the camber and would have been a minor at worst) Plus loads of sodding u-turns! Forced to do one in front of about 15 builders watching and went okay. I think my last ride would have been a pass if test day with a couple of minors. I drove home pretending I was on the bike, what a difference!
I've proved to myself I can do it now, so I just need to avoid any silly mistakes tomorrow. Feel alot better than I did last night, but still a bit apprehensive about tomorrow! Still I feel safer now, so thats the main thing primary to passing the test.
(BTW - There were a couple of good Youtube vids I watched last night on changing gear smoothly. Made a big difference to me today)
Bit of a slow start this morning. He took us straight back to where I dropped it yesterday, and made us do u-turns. Took me a couple of mins to get comfortable, but I decided to just get on with it. I did scuff the tyre on the kerb the first time round, but he didn't give me chance to even think about what I had done, and I just went for it again. Seems I wasn't turning the bars enough, so I think I'm getting to grips with it now confidence wise. Got about 6 in a row fine after that.
Got a major b
king lunchtime for using the wrong lane on the roundabout. (Tip - Don't say you were doing what anothers schools instructor just did, it doesn't go down well) Well, that and trying to squeeze through a gap I shouldn't have.Had a good think about it at lunch time, and then I spent the next two hours just riding up front. Started to come together then, and started enjoying myself. Lifesavers at the right points, not cutting junctions, and gently feeding the clutch when needed on corners. (Had a little funny, but I got caught out by the camber and would have been a minor at worst) Plus loads of sodding u-turns! Forced to do one in front of about 15 builders watching and went okay. I think my last ride would have been a pass if test day with a couple of minors. I drove home pretending I was on the bike, what a difference!
I've proved to myself I can do it now, so I just need to avoid any silly mistakes tomorrow. Feel alot better than I did last night, but still a bit apprehensive about tomorrow! Still I feel safer now, so thats the main thing primary to passing the test.
(BTW - There were a couple of good Youtube vids I watched last night on changing gear smoothly. Made a big difference to me today)
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