Booked my practical test today

Yup, yesterday got the theory and hpt out of the way and booked my practical test today. The earliest I could get in the town I wanted was 10th November. I will also go for any cancellation as my instructor reckons after 1 lesson I am more than ready. Been riding and practicing myself anyway so I hope I am ready. he recons another 2 hours before the test an I'll not have any problems.

So all I need to do now is practice a few U turns and I should be OK (I hope). I wonder whether I should use my own bike or use the instructor's learner bike for the two hours before the test. His is a little smaller in size which could mean an easier U turn but I like my toe and heel gear lever I find it much easier to use for changing gears.

[grotbag]

I'm sure that which ever bike you decide to ride will be right for you on the day fsec


Good luck with the test and I hope you get a cancellation sooner!

[bilbo141]

good luck m8 - just dont wear your green leather jodhpurs or you'll get an instant fail - id stick with the bike you feel most comfortable with which id assume is your own i believe you would be more in tune with it the gears handlin etc which should afford you the benefit of concentratin on the ride and the road , can i ask where your doin it - i done mine in ards

Bilbo, I also booked mine in N'ards. The instructor who worked 12 years for Swift, 2 years for someone else and now 2 years for himself says ards is the best place. I wanted Lisburn as I'd heard it has much easier routes but he says the Lisburn routes have been changed and ards is the best place at the moment.

How did you find your test? I know you said you had some language 'problems' with the guy, but in general how was it?

[bilbo141]

test routes vary - but you can find them on-line - one way system isnt too bad depending on the time of day , streets used for u turn are reasonably wide, part of my course was along the bangor/ards carriageway - practise your hill starts whenever possible some pretty steep ones in ards as im sure your aware , best advice is to get down there and ride round it and familiarise yourself with the traffic layout including the rounabouts. im of to bed now m8 (4.30 start tomoro) i'll check with you in here tomoro nite - if i can be of any more help just ask

[gasman]

You will not be changing gear on a u turn, but practice on yours and then his as much as possible.

The only reason I bought my 125 was because I was crap at u turns, and knew without practice I'd end up putting my foot down.

Original plan was use school bike and just take the test, but best laid plane etc...

Originally Posted by fsec

Yup, yesterday got the theory and hpt out of the way and booked my practical test today. The earliest I could get in the town I wanted was 10th November. I will also go for any cancellation as my instructor reckons after 1 lesson I am more than ready. Been riding and practicing myself anyway so I hope I am ready. he recons another 2 hours before the test an I'll not have any problems.

So all I need to do now is practice a few U turns and I should be OK (I hope). I wonder whether I should use my own bike or use the instructor's learner bike for the two hours before the test. His is a little smaller in size which could mean an easier U turn but I like my toe and heel gear lever I find it much easier to use for changing gears.

Originally Posted by bilbo141

test routes vary - but you can find them on-line

Well my test is booked for 11 a.m which is mid morning so I suppose I will miss some rush hour and school traffic but I cannot find any reference to the routes. Do you have a link or something? If I know the main routes and the combinations I could practice over the weekend to be prepared for when and where to turn and schedule my mirror and lifesaver checks.

Thanks

[bilbo141]

this link should get you there go to the bottom of the page you will see newtownards motorcycle route 20 , its a pdf file i can probably post it in here if i knew how - anyhoo ive just had a thought i finish work at 9 on staurday morning if you wanna meet i can show you most of the routes and point out any tricky areas - we could start from the test center itself

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Thanks bilbo. I found the pdf but it says 2005 and routes could be changed depending on the examiner and the road and traffic conditions. I hope the routes are still current.

Re Saturday, I'll let you know tomorrow as I might have to go in for some overtime. Will find out for sure tomorrow and let you know.

Thanks

[Spinaltapper]

Hey good luck with that fsec, sounds like you're well prepared to pass.

With the u-turns, you just need to spend 15 minutes practising them, doing them constantly, then you'll be fine.

I was worried on the CBT but we practised them, doing about 12 in the end, and after that it was easy.