I suppose i ought to add a disclaimer and say that my advice isnt gospel, its just what worked for me. Many experienced riders will probably disagree with me, and they are quite entitled to do so. I'm just trying to help people from a nervous girl's point of view having been there myself recently while its all still pretty fresh in my mind
And much appriecated it is too. I have to say, I didn't realise you'd not that long passed your test, I had you down as one of oldies!
Did you go the A2 route or DAS? I'm always interested to speak to people on a restricted bike (or were) but there doesn't seem to be that many of them about.
I might have passed my test but I class that as mere formality - I still class myself as very much a learner and quite frankly, rather miss my L plates!
I did the DAS route, simply because i knew i would get frustrated on a restricted bike. And i'd bought my bike before i'd even done my theory test so i was determined i was going to ride it!
It is true what they say about you only learn to ride once you've passed, but that only means that you get more confident at trying new things. I still use everything that my instructors taught me, but i'm also developing my own style as well. I still sit at lights with my left foot down and right foot on the back brake, but now i sit in neutral when i can and sit up to give my back a stretch. I'm also confident enough in my balance to be able to ride along with no hands on the bars, again to have a quick stretch or give my wrists a rest. Jason might be gorgeous but he can make me ache quite quickly.
If i can help in anyway(and that applies to all the learners on here) then i will. Like i said, am no expert by any means and i'm still learning myself, but i'd be more than happy to help each other. You've done things on yr 125 that i havent done yet, so you can give me the benefit of your advice too!
I suppose i ought to add a disclaimer and say that my advice isnt gospel, its just what worked for me.
Oh I dunno... I kind of like the gospel according to DC Sounds like spot on advice from my POV and from having bored the pants off anyone I've spoken to, experienced and newbie alike, picking their brains ad infinitum
Roachy - don't quote me on this... but... I have a feeling that CG took the restricted route? Worth a PM anyway, even if I'm wrong
Good luck moonstone with your test Fingers crossed for you Im the same Karey had problems with gears and getting in the right one when going round a roundabout And when the Instructor got me to do my first Hill stop i thought he was having a laugh I did actually say that in the near future i will make sure i never stop on a hill....lol Anyway as you said practise makes perfect so you never know we might get it sorted eventually well that is when i get my wheels and can get out and practise Just stick with it im sure you can do it
Cheers Sweet, I know I can do it all, well kinda, cos the first time I rode it, I went over to HFG's with Herne following me (about 17 miles each way) and apart from a few wobbles and getting the gears right, I really enjoyed it.
But I got caught at some lights on a hill and I stalled, then when the lights changed, I couldn't get my balance/gears/clutch/throttle so I pulled into the side and waved the traffic on, then hadta wait for the next green light. It was a bit unerving, but I dint panic.
The same when I went out with Nina the other week, it had been approx 6wks since I had been out, and although I enjoyed it, I was mad at myself, because I felt I dint ride as good as i should have.
But it will all come with practice, I'm sure.
I think you are doing particularly well tho, considering you dont even drive!! Keep up the good work, and get saving up for the Pink Harley! ( wivout the dice tho!!!! ) lol
Awww its not good news I am afraid I totally f***** it up big time. I aint wearing them underclothes again LOL
It started bad I was terribly tense on my lesson before hand and the instructor kept telling me to relax my hands and elbows because they were so ridgid I never normally have this problem but today I developed it!
We got to the test centre paperwork all in tact my two questions were fine. The examiner seemed really nice so no worries there.
I came to ride out the test centre and hey ho my bike wouldnt start. I became very flustered and heard my instructor very kindly whisper "check your side stand" . I did and yep it was down. This really made me on edge.
I go out the centre ok up the hill where i did a cool hill start next road was a down hill one I pulled over as asked tried my downhill start and stalled I got flustered as I tried to regain some sort of composure. At the bottom of the hill there is a junction I had to pull up let the cars past and hey ho stalled again halfway accross the white line. By now I was really sweating my heart was going and I felt I had well messed up.
Next was the dreaded u turn I totally messed that one up too as I thought I would. The examiner informed me when I got back that he has never seen anyone trying to do a u turn in such a tight angle over the ridge of the road no wander I put my two feet down.
My emergency stop was fine..... My observations after weren't. Oh dear I feet like it was my first time on the road. Totally useless the only consellation being is that I agreed with the examiner I definately failed!!
Well its back to the drawing board and I really think now I need to get a 125 that I am comfy on and then get a few hundred miles under my belt that way I am not on a strange bike and will have the oportunity to ride it as often as I like.
Any one got a tiny tiny 125 for sale??
Thanks again to everyone for their support. It looks like this could be a useful thread to others so keep it bumped LOl.
I will be back
Lin xxxx
Lin... only just skimmed over this... im at work ..shhhh
but big hugs for you!!
I know u will be feeling totally gutted, but hope the knowledge that you have so many friends and so much support on here will help.
Will catch up with this when i get home.
Chin up!
Kaz xx
dont despair, just treat it as a practice run and try to get your own 125 and clock up some miles, just try to be positive, this just means your not ready and there`s no shame in that, prob will sail through next time and wonder what all the fuss was about xx
Dont give up!! get on the internet and book a test now!! you have to wait 10 days since last test, most areas are between 3-6 weeks wait, if you are patient once you have booked a test the DSA comp' updates every 15 mins so keep on it for a cancellation.......practice, practice, practice,....you will do it!!
Thanks Karey I am not as gutted. I rode rubbish and should have failed. So I totally agree with the guy. Nerves got the better of me. Just more money thast the sickening bit. Why is the test so expensive. With the two part test it becomes dearer too I think its just a way of trying to keep bikers off the road whilst milking them. I can see far more 125 learners on the road for a lot longer now especially as its cheaper to remain on a CBT cert soon there will be fewer qualified riders about and more learners.
now I sound bitter. LOl
Thanks anyhow x
Aww Lin, sorry to hear that. But chin up and look at it as experience. I dont know a single person that doesnt get nervous on their test, so yr not alone. I remember shaking like a leaf on my first one. Get booked in for a few more lessons and get yr confidence up. Or do what i did and hire the school 125 for the day and get out and about, all day. Practice yr u-turns and emergency stops and try and get experience round town. Take an outrider with you for safety/encouragement. Dont give up though, you can and will do it!
Moonstone, i think you are absolutley right, lots of people wont take the chance of doing the test and will continue updating their cbts and i dont think its good for anybody to have too many longterm cbt`ers on the road, it should be a stepping stone to a full licence the new test seems to almost be planned to make it awkward for anyone to get started or to progress.
Thanks Julie I know your right I am not ready yet.
I was trying to run before I could walk. Though my instructor seemed fairly confident in me before hand.
Peter69 I would book it if I had something to practise on but I havent and with the lessons and the use of the bike being £150 a day I cant afford to practise that much . I wish I could so I think I will slow down and buy a 125 what do you think???
do what ever you feel comfortable with, you must be about there or your instructor would not have encouraged you, what do experienced riders who have seen you ride have to say? if you splash out now and go for it this month at least you know what is expected of you on the day, if you leave it you will still have to pay and maybe more because there are more manouvres to learn, either way money spent on training is never wasted.
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