General Test Advice and Pointers V2.0

[tom_ws]

had my first lesson yesterday. went great! went riding on the road after doing laps of the carpark, my instructor didn't believe me that i've never ridden before! loved riding so much, didn't want it to end. test is booked for 6 weeks time, am already nervous haha.

[Thalass]

Hey guys, i know about the blue catseyes thanks to this thread, but does anyone know what the fluro yellow ones are for? I've only seen them around for a few months. Don't want to be caught out!

[K1GxR]

i just did my R test. there's a few things that i missed anyway but the new rules for testing (headsets and 2 way communications) means there are no fixed routes. the theory and practice is all the same regardless.

1. lane position. this is still a greyish area, but if you move over more than 1.5 meters you need to indicate. usually if moving within the lane you don't need to indicate but if it looks like you're moving a bit more than usual over, just INDICATE. Also every time you indicate make sure it blinks twice before moving. one blink and moving doesn't cut it.

2. traffic conditions. 4 way intersections, give way etc... some examiners are doing this repeatedly to see if you can handle more than just one. just keep repeating is good. i was asked to do everything twice (O turns, emergency brakes etc in 2 locations). test took the standard time though.

3. biggest mistake i made was coming out of a junction to turn right across the road. i could've camped in the middle but chose not to do so for fear of leaving the examiner behind. you should just do as instructed and pretend the examiner is not there.

4. don't worry about common test routes. go everywhere and meet all kinds of traffic situations, road works etc etc that will really help prepare you for the test. i guess this is my fault, i had 3 refresher lessons before the test, and in one lesson the instructor was late (no big deal though). so i didn't get enough exposure. i missed a "form one lane" because there wasn't adequate signage. i saw it a bit too late but this is my fault because i didn't see that merge earlier on.

[Br3ndan]

I was taught by my instructor when i did my R-E test 4-5 months ago that if you are changing positions within the same lane you should not indicate.

Did you manage to pass your R class licence? and where did you do your test? I did my R-E at willagee... they didnt have the headsets then... must be a very new thing?

[K1GxR]

yea the headsets is very new. would have been implemented shortly after you did your test. it's a new thing though.

yes i passéd the R test. just barely made it considering the mistakes i made. did it at Rockingham. Willagee see me coming and fail me straight away.

i changed position but i moved more than 1.5 meters or something so i should have indicated. it didn't seem that far to me but maybe because the road opens up to 2 lanes? not too sure. it's small things like this that i must've missed but didn't realise. to be honest i did much better with my RE test, as i was only asked to do everything once and pretty much gunned the test in 20 mins.

[mys1]

I've got my test booked for the 22nd and i'm hoping to do it without professional lessons. (I've had my licence for quite some time now)

Most things seem pretty basic like MILO, O/U turns and ebrakes

Parking on a hill I'm assuming is indicating to pull over, Parking the bike and shutting it down in gear so it doesnt roll away when you get off?

Any other pointers people can give bar the first post?

Thanks

Tyson

[Cam]

Parking on a hill I'm assuming is indicating to pull over, Parking the bike and shutting it down in gear so it doesnt roll away when you get off?

If it rolls away when you get off, you've forgotten something else.

[mys1]

If it rolls away when you get off, you've forgotten something else.

Thanks for your valuable input...

[killswitch54923]

dont park too close to bus stops or fire hydrants (cant remember specific distances, maybe 8 meters or so). and for the love of god remember to turn off your indicator lol

[D3V1L]

I failed my first test because my nerves got the better of me and I kept putting my foot down while trying the O/U turns. I did have to ask why they were specifically relevant when in most places it's not possible and strictly speaking not safe to use that sort of maneuver in every day riding, the answer I got was long winded and complex and only really achieved the point of "you need to do it because we said so". Now I'm a big guy riding a comparatively small bike and I find it extremely hard to do the turns no matter where I manage to have my head, can some one please explain to me the point of O/U turns?

[agrid]

mysys1 make sure you remember to indicate and head check when you ride off after doing your e stop.

d3v1l, of you can't do tight o turns you need more work on bike control, keep practicing

[thro]

I failed my first test because my nerves got the better of me and I kept putting my foot down while trying the O/U turns. I did have to ask why they were specifically relevant when in most places it's not possible and strictly speaking not safe to use that sort of maneuver in every day riding, the answer I got was long winded and complex and only really achieved the point of "you need to do it because we said so". Now I'm a big guy riding a comparatively small bike and I find it extremely hard to do the turns no matter where I manage to have my head, can some one please explain to me the point of O/U turns?

they don't get you to do o-turns because its something you will actually use.... however o-turns show that you have low speed bike control and understand how the bike reacts to throttle, clutch friction point and bar position. Or, you don't and you put your feet down

low speed bike control is highly valuable in:
- car parks
- service stations
- stop/start traffic
- splitting tight spots

as to how to do them... (whilst starting out at least)

- ride the back brake (leave the front brake the fuck alone)
- keep revs up a bit
- keep clutch near friction point
- use rear brake to control speed
- keep your head up and where you want to go

remember:
- if the bike feels like it is going to fall over to the inside, ease off a bit on the brake or turn the bars MORE if you have lock available (both will cause the bike to want to stand up/tip back the other way). you DONT want to panic and turn the bars back to straight if you feel it falling to the inside as that will make it fall over faster - by doing that you are removing the force currently pushing the bike to the outside of the turn/away from the ground.


once you get good at it you will barely need the brake or lots of clutch slip to balance the bike at low speed, you'll be able to use the bars for most of the work.


there's no short cut to low speed bike control, practice, practice, practice. and its the one thing that most don't spend enough time on.

I always practice mine when i get home from work. I have a drive-way that is on a downward slope with a remote-control garage door at the bottom. I'll turn into the drive, hit the remote in my pocket, and ride very slowly down the hill balancing the bike with brake and steering without touching the ground until i am down the hill and can duck under the opening roller-door.

I also practice in stop start traffic if there's no room to split... or when waiting to turn right across traffic, etc... try to keep feet off ground for as long as possible.

[blackDG]

Hi all, I had my R-E test yesterday at Welshpool and failed.
I used the instructor bike on the test. I basically failed because did not realise that the signal I had on was not the right one, silly me.

Anyway, I was doing a O turn in front of the instructor. I was nervous as he brought me to housing areas with alot of sands. He made me do the O turns on such a ridiculous short distant and at a very tight road space. I found this is not really reasonable as the sand was very disctracting and therefore making me even more nervous.

I also had a difficulty understanding the assessor as he talked so much and I got confused. We had headsets on for the test! I wish he made everything simpler.

He also commented on lots of things but there is one thing I could not accept is that he marked me down on staying on stop sign too long.
I was not feeling safe to take off and that was a reason why i did not move.

Anyhow I thought i let you guys know.

[Kalika]

I think their argument (often) with something like staying on a stop sign too long is that you are (a) holding up the flow of traffic and (b) they are looking to pass you as a confident/competent rider, and if you show too much hesitation, you're not.

Sucks that you failed - I did my first time doing R-E as well (at Welshpool) without the headsets - made silly mistakes due to nerves. Did my second one in Midland - with headsets - and passed. I liked having the headsets - it meant that I didn't have to remember the multiple instructions for directions (at the end of the day, this is not a direction memory test) and the fact that my assessor was cracking jokes relaxed me, and just let me ride, instead of thinking over it constantly.

Good luck on your next test - I'm sure you'll get it second time around.

[Limitless92]

Awsome thread. Got my test on Wednesday at joondalup. Any advice for that area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[I Fancy Holidays]

I think their argument (often) with something like staying on a stop sign too long is that you are (a) holding up the flow of traffic and (b) they are looking to pass you as a confident/competent rider, and if you show too much hesitation, you're not.

Sucks that you failed - I did my first time doing R-E as well (at Welshpool) without the headsets - made silly mistakes due to nerves. Did my second one in Midland - with headsets - and passed. I liked having the headsets - it meant that I didn't have to remember the multiple instructions for directions (at the end of the day, this is not a direction memory test) and the fact that my assessor was cracking jokes relaxed me, and just let me ride, instead of thinking over it constantly.

Good luck on your next test - I'm sure you'll get it second time around.

The headset definitely makes it easier, although it seems that the assessors are still getting used to them.

Awsome thread. Got my test on Wednesday at joondalup. Any advice for that area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ride the area, learn the speed limits, find the skinniest road and do U-turns on it. Also be calm and confident, the worst that can happen is they fail you and you take the test again.

[Limitless92]

Thanks bud I think I just gotta control my nerves on the day and it should all go sweet. Been practicing lots and feel
Confident.

[Limitless92]

Thanks bud I think I just gotta control my nerves on the day and it should all go sweet. Been practicing lots and feel
Confident.

[Rosiemiss]

I've got my test booked for the 22nd December at Willagee, any advice specific to this centre?

[truewheel]

Hi PSBers

Went to book my RE at Willagee today but no spots available for weeks... so instead I have a spot at Welshpool this Friday.

Can anyone help me with regards to route(s) taken by assessors in that area?

Also, I noticed that earlier in this thread (Nov 11) somebody took their test at Welshpool and they as yet did not use Bluetooth headsets...can anyone confirm that they have them there now? I don't know this area very well...

Thanks in advance!