Aww dammit!

[Glen]

Thats right, my instructors werent from the RTA, they were from Stay Upright, but the guy who supervised my test was from the RTA. Thats because I'm special and had to do a modified test. Hence no weaving cones. And no getting on & off the bike all day either.

And I did do the rest on my beautiful silver ZZR.

Aha, now I see. Have fun on the ZZR

[chameleon]

yes, beautiful bikes the ZZR's. pick of the kawasaki litter

[John H]

So now the only problem is that i may not get another chance to do the test before my L's run out (got 2 months left, and they are always booked solid) so I dunno what's going to happen.

You may be able to go to your licensing authority and request an extension on your current licence/permit due to the provider not being able to get you booked in. Here in Victoria you can go to Vic Roads and get a 3 month extension on a learner permit if you are unable to get tested. I think you can only get the extension once, but it is there if needed.

I dunno about SA, but when I failed my Ps the first time, my Ls were about to expire so I went to VicRoads for an extension and they gave me an extra 15 months! On top of the fact that my original Ls were for 15 months. Oh and when I first learned to ride back in '96 I was on Ls for 15 months then. I'm probably one of the few (if not the only) motorcyclists in Australia to have been on Ls for a total of 3 years 9 months! My avatar should be a big yellow L plate.

[Gosling1]

..... My avatar should be a big yellow L plate.

just e-mail Dan the Man, he can set it up !!

[Tones]

what practical value do these slow speed skills have?

You would be suprised how much slow speed skill translates into high speed skill. You can learn a lot about throttle control from doing tight u-turns.

Absolutely spot on. Teaching the slow speed stuff did more for my riding than any other course I've done.


I've always advocated doing the course and test in NSW on the bike you are going to ride. I don't know how the scheme works in Adelaide but in NSW if you practise all of the stuff you learn in your L's course you'll get through your P's fairly easily no matter what you're riding. Getting to understand how to make your bike turn and how it stops/swerves will be much more rewarding than doing it on a loaner hack.

Stick with it mate and just practise.

The advanced course I run is called a "defensive rider" course and a lot of time is spent controlling the bike. Anyone can ride fast, but it takes skill to ride it slow. We spend time riding slow (like the learners test) but going thru a maze, over planks that sort of thing.

Cheers

[Neka79]

Out here in the real world we all put our feet down when crawling along, or doing u-ies..

Not me sister I like to do the crawl with both feet on the pegs, easier to squeeze between the cars and trucks that way. I also U-turn with both feet up, unless it's on a slope. Years ago... (In a galaxy far far away) I developed this technique on my old Z1R where I would roll to a stop, flick the sidestand down, and then deftly lower the bike onto it by tipping the bike left while I shifted my weight right. "I think?" Anyway it was way cool and always got a laugh from the coppers when I was pulled over I havent tried it on this new bike yet. Probably cause I'm still fussing over it a little.

yep..i dont put the feet down if i can help it..i ussually pull up at traffic lights & see how long i can keep the bike balanced b4 i have to put feet down....i also did the stand trick a few times, but if u dont get Nuetral spot on it stalls...
i often put the foot down to U-Turn if im in a hurry, and i moto-x it..foot out in front, its a blast..not safe tho..and u shouldnt do it..

[stevew_zzr]

Not that i rode *perfectly* but i did do the figure of eight as best as the ZZR can do it (full lock, tilted over, leaning the opposite way to balance the bike) but still went over the lines twice (10 points gone).

But yeah, i've been practising a bit lately so that i'm 100% ready for the next test (even tho i am definitely switching to another bike) and aside from the times when i do something utterly stupid, like look down (which i'm trying to minimise) i can do the manouvres no problems.

[Neka79]

when u goin again steve?? ne news??

[stevew_zzr]

Gunna book it in first thing tomorra morning.... put myself down on the list if anyone 'pulls out' as well.

[Neka79]

Gunna book it in first thing tomorra morning.... put myself down on the list if anyone 'pulls out' as well.

yea no 1 likes it wen sum1 "pulls out"

[stevew_zzr]

Awrighty - got it booked for .... wait for it

*drum roll*


May 11th

*sigh*

Will take a car to Halls Gap methinks cbfed risking my Ls hooning down to HG.

[7THSIN]

they should have said at the start of the day that there's no way i'd be able to pass the test on the bike and i should get on the p.o.s. bikes and get used to them and do the test on them.

When I went for my L's course at Ridersafe (Wright Rd) it was one of the first things they told us, we were also reminded at the end of the Sunday session and when I went back for my R-Date licence.

I'm surprised that no-one told you, as it was reiterated to us several times, and just about every biker I met had told me not to do the test on my bike (ZXR250)

The CB250 took a bit of getting used to, but I passed the test without losing any points.

Were any of the other people on the day using sportier bikes? Or were they all on the supplied ones?

[stevew_zzr]

I think one person brought his trail bike, then other people were all on the supplied bikes ?

Maybe the instructor up at murray bridge is crap and/or doesn't really care ?

[Shaman]

Hey Steve,

Tough luck mate, but the good news is that I'm booking myself in on Friday so at least we'll be off them at the same time.

Gotta admit though, I did my training at Walkley Heights (Wright Road - same as 7THSIN) and they drew out the exact exercises we'd have to do and I took pictures They also said to use the bikes they provided - I got told a couple of times and everyone else who I've talked to who just passed has told me to use their supplied buzzboxes as our bikes just won't have the turning circle for it

Bit annoying considering you spend x months getting used to a style of bike and then have to somewhat re-learn a few things just to pass the test.

I was under the impression that you could attempt it twice without having to pay, though - it's just the time inconvenience.

[red_dave]

Well... Good luck to both of youse...