Safe Speed Forums

I am in the process of doing my motorcycle qualification (been a driver for over 20 years). So far so good.

Passed(?!) CBT. I know it is not a pass fail as such, but you must demonstrate a reasonable amount of safety while riding the, now 2 hour, assessment section.

Still did not feel 100% in control of the bike at stops and round abouts.
Physical difficulties with the CBT bike (big feet, siza 13's and wrong boots) made selecting gears awkward. This had a knock on effect with other controls as I was concentrating on selecting gears with the foot, my hand clutch control suffered. It was improving but it was hard. I presume it is like learning to play the drums. Using limbs that have learnt to be almost automatic while controlling a car now having to learn a different beat.

However my observation was good and speed control was good. I did not put myself in harms way. So to an extent I was happy.


Today I went and sat the theory test. Now I do not disagree with the test as such. It makes sure that there is at least some knowledge of the rules of the road. However I do disagree with the way it is implemented.

The 35 question multiple choice section covers the Highway code. Although not a bad thing there could be more questions say 50 or more. Also the time allowed should be reduced. Driving is a time sensitive activity. Decisions must be made quickly and safely. To allow someone to dither over a decision is inviting disaster. But otherwise the style of that section is OK.

The problem I have with the test is the Hazard Perception section.

You are sat in front of a computer monitor (much like the one you are looking at now). It is 2D and of fairly low resolution (in comparison to the mk.1 eyeball). You are shown 14, approximately 1 minute, videos. In the videos there are hazards you must recognise and acknowledge. These videos are all showing the view ahead. There is no attempt made to display any rear or side view and that is my point of contention.

One of my videos had a hazard approaching from the rear. If I had been in my car I would have had a rear view mirror. I would have seen the hazard earlier and made an adjustment to my driving. As it is, there is no way to see the hazard until it is in front of you.

The system, as it stands, makes you forward viewing only. That is where most of the hazards are, but a significant portion of them (i was told about 30% on my CBT) come from the side and behind. This is the part that the test does not cover.

This, imo, could lead to a lot of the smidsy's. I have been driving past a queue of traffic only to have someone pull out in front of me with out indicating or even acknowledging I presence. I know this is not confined to the younger drivers, but the exam system presently, does not instill any confidence, for me, in newly qualified drivers. It can be improved. I am not sure how, but it can be improved.

I passed the exam . 35/35 on multiple choice , 59/75 on hazard perception (could have been better ). Having read up on the hazard section it is not surprising. The marks are given for recognition of the hazard by an inexperienced road user. An experienced driver could fail this part of the test if they recognise and click a hazard too early. You will be outside the points zone and score potentially zero. Only 3 of the 14 were scored at 3 (average). The rest were 4's and 5's (the higher the better). However I do think on at least 2 I clicked too early.


Hopefully in the next 3 weeks or so I will be back saying I have passed my bike test and am looking for a motorcycle to purchase. Wish me Luck

Nice one!

FWIW I didn't feel very confident after my CBT either - those skinny tyres don't help with stability under braking...

I've heard an awful lot of people have failed hazard perception for the reasons you state...mostly bikers oddly enough. I've never had to take it but it does sound like utter bobbins.

Well done with the theory test. I got 35/35 for my bike one and I think 27 / 30 for the car one (it was only the 2nd year it was a requirement and it was a pencil and paper job). THe problem I have with the theory test is that the questions are ambiguous and don't really lend themselves to snap decisions - you have to think too carefully about the wording of the question and the answers.

When you do pass (assuming you're taking a DAS course?) don't go out and buy the biggest fastest bike you can. I have just as much fun on my little 500cc round town as I would on a bigger bike and I know that it will never exceed my ability.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I got a similar mark in my theory test... 34 in theory and 50 in HP... I think I had *too* much experience for the test. IMO people with worse observation skills than me have passed their HP with a much higher mark...

I only scored half in the double hazard clip, but I have a feeling that's probably because it gives you no warning about the double hazard, so I probably switched off after clicking, actually being in fear of clicking too many times and getting 0...

Just looking at the wee letter they give you to say you passed... Nowhere does it mention speeding Just 'using appropriate speed'.

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Mike

Yes I will be doing a DAS course and the test straight after :knockingkneessmilie

I have been bitten by the Charley and Ewan bug. The LWD has a lot to answer for all over the world. It is what made me decide to get a bike after all these years driving. After the CBT I know I should have done it sooner

I appreciate the appeal of the super bikes and super 600's. However I already have a toy to satisfy my lust for speed (a stripped pug 306 gti6) at track days. I am looking for more of a touring / dual sport type bike. Probably a BMW F650GS / F800gs or Suzuki 650 V-strom or similar to start with. Then graduating to the bigger versions a little later.

The thing is I have always found driving, when work related (commuting and traveling to various sites), to be a bit of a chore. Which is the vast majority of my traveling. After passing I will be using a bike for a lot of these journeys so may get my enthusiasm for driving back. Even possibly dropping the car all together and just using a bike. We will see.

I'd go for the 650gs personally - I've got a soft spot for big trailies and you won't go wrong with a bimmer.

The only thing is, my mate just bought a R1150RS and he said the clutch is really odd. Its a single plate dry clutch (like a car clutch) rather than a multi-plate wet clutch so it takes a bit of getting used to apparently.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I agree that bigger isn't always better. My friend has had all the big fast stuff and he now has what he regards as the best bike of his life - a KTM. The performance, handling and brakes etc. are incredible! They are not slow either, attracting both attention and respect even from the Superbikers.

For myself, I have gone for a big tall bike because I'm tall. I have a Kawasaki KLV1000, (same as the Suzuki VSTROM), although I've had it Dynoed and stuff. It's got a good 100bhp at the back wheel, which is enough at my time of life. It's also very comfortable for both me and any passenger.

It's horses for courses really - decide what you want from a bike, (in my case for touring and to look good on it), and then consider your options.

It's nice to look right on a bike. When I rode my mates Yamaha R6 I felt, and looked, like I was on a monkey bike. So if you don't want to look a bit dorkey you may want to consider a big traily like Sixy suggests.

Either way, good luck my friend. I wish you well and welcome to the biker club

Maybe one day we'll all meet up for a chat...

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Good luck with the DAS theboxers. I can't comment on the driving tests as I only had to take the one and the theory/hazard perceptions weren't around when I did my bike test.

One tip I would give is to practice the U-turn until you can do it in your sleep. Everyone I know that has failed has done so because they put a foot down in the U-turn.

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Prepare to be Judged

Honda Blackbird, perhaps?

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

(*raises hand*)

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

When you've got a big twin, or single for that matter, U-Turns can be a bit more awakward than on the multi's.

The pulse of each explosion on a large twin can push you quicker than you want to go at tickover with the clutch fully out. It was easy on my old four cylinder, and a six cylinder, but to do a controlled slow U-Turn on my twin, I find I have to use both the power and rear brake while slipping the clutch to execute it properly.

If I don't do it this way, I stand to go quicker than I want or stall the engine. You have only to loose one pot in order to stall it which doesn't happen as easily on a multi. On a multi, you can crawl slower with the clutch out and resist the excess speed with a bit of brake. This isn't so easy on a big twin without stalling the engine.

900 rpm on a big twin is still too quick sometimes so you have to use higher revs and slip the clutch while controling the speed with the back brake.

Just thought this may be helpful/interesting/boring? Sorry it was rather verbose but I hope I made sense?

We should be putting this stuff on the dedicated Motorcycle forum probably...

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Agreed. Can a moderator move this to the Motorcycle section?

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Prepare to be Judged

I fell in love with the V-Max in the 80's.



The bit that stuck in my mind was the description of the instrumentation.

"It has only one idiot dial and you'd be an idiot to look at it"

But it would be a bit much, performance wise, for me when I pass my test.



Yep already worked that out. I only managed one successful u-turn and that was on a road almost twice the width of the M25 No but seriously. If I can get a bike setup with no distractions, from the riding and control of the bike, I think I may do OK.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Heres hoping

Another little tip you may find useful is, to lean the bike inwards and you lean your body outwards when doing the U-Turn - it aids balance quite considerably...

Good luck!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

Yes we have drifted of the original topic. not.


I see where you are coming from. It just extends the lemming curve a bit.

FWIW when I was taught to to u-turns I was taught to balance the back brake and clutch and keep the throttlw fairly steady.

boxers - I'm hankering after a vmax... when I have the money that is...

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

The same here on the CBT. Just was not that successful


Guy I used to work with has one. It's a beast of a bike

Gotta be carful with the V-Max. There's a lot of people out there who like them. My friend had his singled-out at a race meet; never saw it again

Mine's often taken as a KTM because of the colour but it has the TL1000 engine in a touring frame. Beats many a racer off the mark up to about 70 mph I can tell you. Unlike the KTM or many racers, it's well balanced so although it will wheelie, if you put your weight forward enough you can deliver the power to the road. It's a lot of bike for the money too. They came down to £5300, if you can still get one.

Runs out of steam at high speed because it's designed to be a tourer and keep the wind off you rather than slice through it.
I fitted mine with a Power Commander and lightened it with Titanium exhausts etc. You would not be dissapointed with the way it goes



[img][img]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb186/ajm58/klv1000.jpg[/img][/img]

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Failed.

Something really stupid as well considering the timing of the fault. Had just done the U-turn, both walking and riding. Then was told to continue to the end of the road and turn left.

Got to the end of the road. Stopped on the left side at junction. Pulled away but rushed it, bike bogged down. I panicked a bit, I think, gave it more throttle and ran wide. Not into the other lane but too close to a mid road refuge. I was failed for Steering.

If it was not for that I would have passed.

Steve (the instructor) thought I was going to pass, but I knew I had failed before getting back to the test center.

Not that upset. Just did not think it was the best ride I could have done.

Booking a new test date as I type this.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. Will update again after the next test.

Next test date 24th July. Please leave the roads clear I need every bit of help

That sucks mate, hard luck - sounds a bit hard to give you a major for that though...

Best of luck for the 24th. FWIW I failed 1st time too.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

To be honest it deserved it. I was not fully in control, at that moment.

I just need to iron out the issue.

To top it all off. I found out today from the Doctor I have a severe chest infection (I think it was from the cold and rain on Tuesday). No wonder I felt like crap most of the week. Did not affect the riding much though imo.