Whats the one thing you wish they taught you at biker school?

[dandoolittle]

Lets face it!

Most bike tests are really easy and rely on luck more than anything else. The best thing that I ever did was take up some advanced training etc.

The most important thing that I learnt away from the school was to look at everything around the road. Don't stare at the tarmac but see how the road is going by looking at trees, electric cables etc

In my opinion they should tell you that in training!

OK you could argue that I live in a small rural town, but my text was in a large built up area

 

[Phill Andera]

I have to say that I was very happy with the testing centre I went to. Notoriously strict, they teach a great rider culture and maintain contact with students and customers long after the license has been taken.

In addition to the usual tips and techniques taught by most schools, some points that I found really useful were:

Wet weather riding
Be especially careful of the first 5 to 10 minutes of rain when the weather has been hot. This is when all of the road oils, grit and gunk raise to the road surface and is at its most slippery. After about 10 minutes of a good downpour, the road should generally have washed away all of the crap and the surface will improve with good tires. Still be wary of painted lines, metallic man hole covers etc.

Braking toward an intersection/traffic lights
Don't come in hot to an intersection/red light etc and then brake hard. Use control braking a good 60 meters or so from the stop line. When there has been traffic build up on the roads and cars are banked up from the stopping point, cars/trucks etc usually drop oil while waiting for a green light. You don't want to come in hot, be forced into an emergency braking situation and then find yourself sliding through past the stop line.

Maintain your lane position
Stay away from the gutters and control your lane. A nervous rider creates confusion in many cagers and for the aggressive cager, provides them an opportunity to think they can squeeze past.

Have many more but feel I'm monopolizing the thread and should save some points for when I get my microphone set up for vlogging.

 

[MrFalloffalot]

I remember the time i went down to the Licencing Cave, filled out the forms with me Rock Chisel, then went outside to do the test on the Brontosaurus they supply you.
Ahhh, good times....

Its been sooo long since i did my test. But since then ive learnt sooo much, i wouldnt know where to start in choosing one thing.
Certainly watch where you wanna go, not where you going to end-up. (proll the first bad thing i did, just before i went off)
> : )

 

[dandoolittle]

Certainly watch where you wanna go, not where you going to end-up. (proll the first bad thing i did, just before i went off)

This is something that is so simply yet people always do -

 

[BKarol]

wheelies

 

[itsatruestory]

One point I think is very important.. Look where you want to go. If you stare at the tarmac 10m in front of you then thats where you'll probably be. Especially around bends. Look as far down the road as possible on a bend.

I found that this will also help a lot with slow speed turning as keeping your head up will generally keep your bike more stable.

 

[MrCods]

Whats Biker School?
Must be something new and waaay before my time.
I went to the school of hard knocks for my bike.

 

[itsatruestory]

Whats Biker School?
Must be something new and waaay before my time.
I went to the school of hard knocks for my bike.

Lol, just like you have driving instructors which teach you how to drive. Motorbikes have riding instructors who follow you around on a separate bike.

 

[janx101]

.... Follow you around? .... Sounds like a setup for a race to me!!! ... "Oi instructor man!! Let's see you keep up through these twisties!!" ...

... But seriously ... On the P plate test day in NSW/Aussieland ... There are a couple of road ride sections of the day where the instructor moves up and back amongst the group of 6 or so riders ... Out in the traffic etc .... And there is a stop/chat/advise every 15 mins or so....

It doesn't count towards gaining/losing your licence (unless you crash) ... But it was handy for all present for information and technique tips .... The instructor on m y day a few years ago actually got stuck into a few riders for 'riding like a bloody grandma' ... And told them if they are gonna go into a traffic flow or merge .. Then GO!! ... Don't wobble around the corner and fluff about on the throttle because he was watching .... It makes him think a rider lacks confidence and ability ...

And his name was Jethro ! ... Quite a legend of a bloke! ... Strict on the rules but it was like being instructed by your favorite uncle!

 

[MrCods]

Lol, just like you have driving instructors which teach you how to drive. Motorbikes have riding instructors who follow you around on a separate bike.

Yes I meant to say I am waaaaaay before this time. I have never been to a riding or driving school? Such things are strange.

 

[MrCods]

.... Follow you around? .... Sounds like a setup for a race to me!!! ... "Oi instructor man!! Let's see you keep up through these twisties!!" ...

Yep I totally agree with this statement

 

[itsatruestory]

Thats all it practically is, you'll do an 9am to 4pm riding around. The instructor speaks to you through the ear piece and will only pull over if you've done something wrong and needs to make you aware of it, or if another road user does something wrong and will pick up on their mistake and explain how you can avoid it.
Each instructor has a maximum of 3 students.
On the actual test its 1 examiner per student. They will give you instructions on the earpiece and you follow them. However, the examiner CANNOT fail you if you don't follow his instructions. As long as you ride safe and follow all the rules and road regulations he MUST pass you.

My examiner get very frustrated when I didn't listen a couple of times (due to disconnection on the earpiece) but he still passed me.

 

[Majormio]

I wish they taught me how to ride in the Snow!
Last year we had pretty bad snow in the UK and sods law I rode my scooter to work (I work nights)
Come morning, I had no clue how to get home!

 

[Phill Andera]

I wish they taught me how to ride in the Snow!
Last year we had pretty bad snow in the UK and sods law I rode my scooter to work (I work nights)
Come morning, I had no clue how to get home!

Makes me laugh @Majormio . Your story reminds me of my time in Japan and having to ride in the snow. Both feet planted either side of me and using my big clodhoppers as skis. LOL Cornering on a downhill slop was a shit!! LOL

 

[MrCods]

Never went to biker school
Taught myself to ride.

 

[Phill Andera]

Never went to biker school
Taught myself to ride.

Explains a lot!!

 

[janx101]

That's a nice wig and bra you got yourself there Phill!!

 

[Phill Andera]

That's a nice wig and bra you got yourself there Phill!!

Do ya think I'm sexy????

 

[istanbulrider]

I would have liked the opportunity to use a skid pan type set up. To feel what it is like when the back end steps out, or the front locks up, or you give it to much in the rain. I would have liked to have been able to experience that in a way that the bike would not get damaged and you could learn from it. I have done it in a car and it was really educational. Obviously that is not part of a test but as we are wishing I would wish for that.

 

[motomike]

I think the main thing for me has been covered in the UK by the introduction of the new licence system and Mod 1.

I did my test on a CG125, the test involved no more manoeuvres than a u-turn and e-stop, and I then could ride anything (with engine restriction). I found the transition from 125 to 600 (my first bike that I picked up a week later) massive, and I think the mod 1 off road part, on a big bike, is a fantastic idea. I think I'd have had a lot more confidence early on in my big biking career had I learnt good slow control on a proper bike rather than having to learn it alone on a brand new bike I was scared shitless of dropping as an 18 year old kid.