6R restricted test in Kilbirnie - My experience

[simpy1]

Well I just got back from doing the restricted test in Kilbirnie (and I passed, woohoo!). My friend went last week and it sounds like he basically just had to ride around the block. But I got a much more thorough test.

The tester was very professional and also friendly. He lamented that he couldn't be out on his bike, as it was a cracker of a day, not a cloud in the sky. A Wellington miracle!

After checking brake lights/indicators/horn he followed me all around Kilbirnie and Lyall Bay, through roundabouts, stop signs, and busy parts. He got me to pull over on a very narrow street and do a u-turn, which was not too bad but I am glad I was on a small bike! Then we went around the airport from the Lyall Bay end, through the airport drop-off bay (which is a painfully slow 20 kph zone) and then back along Evans Bay Parade at 70 kph. All up it was probably 20-25 minutes of riding.

The only tip he gave me was don't indicate right when you're going straight through a roundabout (which I thought was a bit rough as both roundabouts where I did this were 3-road intersections which involved a bend to the right. Kinda Y-shaped). I did indicate left coming out of them though, as is correct. Also I forgot to indicate when pulling out after my u-turn, but that's probably just bad habits coming out as the street was deserted!

So for you guys thinking of going there - you might get a super-easy test or you might get a more challenging one. But I have only been riding for a couple of months (was bikeless on learner's for ages) and didn't find it difficult. Just be prepared to do a tight u-turn if he asks!

[auvicua]

Here is my question: how to do a tight U-turn? I have my foot touch the ground every time I do a U-turn. Will the tester fail me if I do that during the test?

[steve_t]

Here is my question: how to do a tight U-turn? I have my foot touch the ground every time I do a U-turn. Will the tester fail me if I do that during the test?

Squeeze the bike with your knees. Practice, practice, practice

[FJRider]

Here is my question: how to do a tight U-turn? I have my foot touch the ground every time I do a U-turn. Will the tester fail me if I do that during the test?

Probably NOt ... but do try to find time to practice U-turns in deserted car parks sometime.
Start off doing big circles ... then progress to tighter turns with short straights. Then just keep tightening the turns ... with feet UP.

Practice is the key ...

[Jonno.]

Here is my question: how to do a tight U-turn? I have my foot touch the ground every time I do a U-turn. Will the tester fail me if I do that during the test?

Use the rear brake.

[Old Steve]

Something which might help you - ride around in first gear with your right hand (throttle hand) placed on the top of your tank, go up and down a deserted car park or somewhere clear then start including turns. Yeah, use your back brake to slow down. Roadsafe had us doing that and it really improves your control at low speed. Once you're confident controlling your bike at such slow speed, doing a u-turn becomes a piece of the proverbial.

I've considered doing my u-turn one handed like that when I do my 6-R test next week. Nah, maybe not.

[John_H]

Here is my question: how to do a tight U-turn? I have my foot touch the ground every time I do a U-turn. Will the tester fail me if I do that during the test?

Lean in the opposite direction of the turn to balance it out.

[Old Steve]

Lean in the opposite direction of the turn to balance it out.

Yeah, try doing that around roundabouts too. Really lean the bike into the roundabout, but lean your upper body out of the turn to balance it out.

[davebullet]

Also - don't look down doing a U-turn. In fact don't look down ever. Don't be afraid to use a little throttle if you feel the bike "falling in" and you are already on full lock. Feather the rear brake as said. Apart from controlling speed without taking the front off line, It makes the back end squat and more stable.

[breakaway]

So he passed you even though you're one of those drivers that think you're supposed to indicate right while going straight through a roundabout? Must have been in a good mood.

I can't see how it would be difficult to figure this out - if you're taking the second (or greater) exit on the roundabout while rounding 50% or less of its circumference, then you don't indicate when entering, just left when exiting.

[Smiff-ta]

Im pretty sure you can put a foot down during the U-Turn if you need to.

[Juzz976]

I thought it was indicate left approaching for first exit only, only indicate right if taking any exit after 2nd. Indicate left when exiting.

Problem is when you goin through/around a round-about at 50km/hr and you left indicate to exit you're supposed to indicate for 3 sec before turning?

Theres also a T round about here with someones driveway making it an +, makes things confusing.

[simpy1]

So he passed you even though you're one of those drivers that think you're supposed to indicate right while going straight through a roundabout? Must have been in a good mood.

I can't see how it would be difficult to figure this out - if you're taking the second (or greater) exit on the roundabout while rounding 50% or less of its circumference, then you don't indicate when entering, just left when exiting.

I never indicate right when going straight through a roundabout. But these roundabouts were Y shaped, so not indicating leaves things a bit ambiguous, so I indicated to make sure any cars knew that I was taking the right exit, not the left one.