Test on Thursday....Advice

[chilli]

Got the test on Thursday in Chelmsford. Happy with the general riding, but the 'ol u-turn's are a bit shaky...2 out of ten result in the foot coming down.
Anyone got any useful tricks I need to pick up in the meantime, and any advice on the route/conditions I'll expect.

Cheers,
Chilli.

[FunkyNige]

Just relax, U-turns were very shaky for me before my test, but the day of the test they just 'clicked' and I was going round in tight spaces no problem. Came to do one on the test itself and went round without any drama, it's all in the mind you see.

Just go out and have a ride round with some bloke on a big bike behind you telling you where to go, that's what I did and I only got 2 minors.

[Davel]

The knack is just as you think you're about to fall off, accelerate slightly to bring it round.

Don't panic and don't worry about it - just relax and treat it as another lesson.

I fell off, doing a u-turn a few days before my test and was really worried about it.

On the day though, I did the best u-turn that I'd ever done.

Good luck!

[chilli]

Many thanks....Keep saying that myself, but are crap at exams/tests!!

ps - Not much "banter" on this site is there? Are there not many bikers on here, are are they all pretty quiet. Just wondering if there is an alternative forum which I'm missing out on??!!

Cheers.

[wendyg]

I spent half a day doing nothing but U-turns in the run-up to my test. I also (was made to) do reverse U-turns ie left lock, which is even harder, and made the normal one seem like a piece of cake.

There's no substitute for practice, unfortunately, but on the day, the U-turn was the one thing I was really confident about, and it was fine.

(I still hate doing them now, though!)

[Davel]

The lack of activity may be because we're all out - on our bikes!

Get your test sorted and get out there with the rest of us....

[chilli]

Cheers all!!
Got another question but will opena new post!!

[annsxman]

For the U turn.

1. Look where you want to go, not at the front wheel.

2. Control the bike with clutch, throttle and rear brake.

[chilli]

Thanks again... Know how it SHOULD be done, just gotta do it on the day. Anyway, that day is tomorrow, so I'll be back then!

Would be good to get to know fellow "bikers" in the Essex/London area who could offer some advice on nice rides/routes in the areas? My neighbour got me into bikes, but he's a bit "tasty" and probably won't want a new recruit holding him up!

Cheers.

[tycho]

Good luck today. I couldn't get u turns right until I was on my test. Just remember to use the clutch, keep the revs up and use the back brake. Oh, don't forget to look where you want to go.


I also post on www.visordown.com as well as here. Register, introduce yourself, put your "card" behind the bar and offer everyone virtual drinks. It is the tradition and you'll keep the old fogies happy if you do this.

[Davel]

Well...............?

[Rawwr]

Yes. Well....?

[m1spw]

Maybe he failed and can't face the pressure of telling everyone? Cmon, we want to know what happened chilli!

[Vitesse39]

I reckon he's passed but is still recovering from his 'celebrations' to be able to let us know.

Either that or he's already down the dealership buying a bike.

[chilli]

BINGO!!!!

4 minor issues and that was it.....U-Turn was fine as was the e-stop.
Haven't stopped grinning yet!!!
Took the whole day off yesterday, as I had to go bike shopping in the afternoon. Fancy the ZX636 or the R6... However, after having insurance quotes of £1100, I fear I may be setting my sights too high.....

Perhas an older one to smash up first!!

Any advice??!!

Cheers all.

[Rawwr]

Congratulations, matey. Hope to join you sometime

[rsvmilly]

chilli said:

BINGO!!!! 4 minor issues and that was it.....U-Turn was fine as was the e-stop. Haven't stopped grinning yet!!! Took the whole day off yesterday, as I had to go bike shopping in the afternoon. Fancy the ZX636 or the R6... However, after having insurance quotes of £1100, I fear I may be setting my sights too high..... Perhas an older one to smash up first!! Any advice??!! Cheers all.

Try something like a Thundercat (600cc) as a first bike. Should be able to get TPF&T for a few hundred. Or something unfaired such as the Suzuki SV650.

[Vitesse39]

great news, congrat's and all

I've been well chuffed with my ZXR400, then ZXR750 as first 2 bikes. Insurance on the 400 for the first year was £160 ish and it still had way more to it than the CB500 I took the test on.

[Davel]

Welcome to a new way of life!

[chilli]

Many thanks.....

Actually now thinking of an older one...Perhaps 3 years or so. Something around £3k should bring the insurance down a bit. Anyone advise on a good company to call?