Basic skills and early riding problems

[rebyl]

Sorry but I don't mean to crash your site but I have been reading it and feel the pain some of you are going through.
I am a Rider Trainer as well as an Assessor for all the larger Classes of Licences...2,3,4,5,P,WTR, DG's etc.
Top Marks to those who go outside their comfort zone and become or want to become ...NON Clingons, (pillions).
The Basic Skills test should not be to hard and most Assessors will give some free Tuition as well as advise on riding..well I do anyway...But the best advice that I can give is to get to a quiet area with your bike and practise your braking and bike control, make sure you keep your eyes up off the ground just in front of your bike...that is not where the hazards are on the road.... the hazards are out in front of you.
Try to beg or borrrow some cones to practise around, on the day of the test the cones have to be 3.5 metres apart and each cone needs to be offset from the centre line by 0.5 metres...there is some discression to move the cones out to 4 metres depending on the bike you are riding...longer wheel based ones....ask your tester about this if you are having problems...you have to keep your feet on the pegs and two attempts are allowed...The secret here is learn how to "Feather", the clutch and use the brake at the same time and remember to keep your head up...if you look down that will affect your balance...in a bad way....Same when you are doing the slow ride...focus on a point in the distance and use your perifial vision to stay within the lines, if you look down you may start to wobble or put your foot down...remeber to practise practise practise.
I have to make sure you are up to the standard and that you are not going to cause injury to yourself or other road users, so please don't be to upset if you don't make it on the first attemt...remember your life is in my hands.
Bikes are fantastic and a great way to meet people and even see the world but if you don't take time to learn they can bite you in the atse real quick.
Keep up the good work ladies.
Last thing...if you can go to some of the Ladies only Track Days...you really will learn heaps and then be able to kick the Ol Mans butt in the twisties:scooter:

[klingon]

...
Top Marks to those who go outside their comfort zone and become or want to become ...NON Clingons, (pillions).
...

Oi! There's nothing wrong with being a klingon! :girlfight:

Thanks for the input though. I think sometimes people (men and women) who have been riding bikes sice they were youngsters don't realise that for some of us, it's a big step to learn to ride!

So it's always nice to hear advice from someone who's directly involved with the training and testing.

[boomer]

...sometimes people (men and women) who have ...


What other types of people are there?

[Ixion]

Got a mirror?

[klingon]

What other types of people are there?

:rolleyes:

Sometimes people (and this attitude is not confined to either men or women) who have been riding bikes for ages...etc

This thread is in the Biker Angels forum, so I just wanted to point out that not all women are new to biking, nor are all men experienced riders.

[JellyBellyKelly]

hey thanks for the tips. had my learners for a few years now, had to put learning on hold while i had my second son. brought a scorpio a couple of months back so am practising lots at moment - got any suggestions/hints for sitting your restricted????? (i get really nervous at tests)

[Mumbles]

What other types of people are there?
Aucklanders :clap:

[rebyl]

Nerves are natural and we all suffer from them doing tests, if your Instructor/Assessor is aware of it being a real problem he may be able to help you calm down...talk to him. I once had a lady who was so nervous that I called off the test and took her to a different part of the car park to give her some tips and extra training then got her to go back and try again, but I put the clip board down and she thought she wasn't doing the test...she did it perfectly...it was just nerves. Just take a big breath, keep your eyes up and smile..good luck...PS My Training/Testing bike is a 2008 225cc Scorpio, good little bike and will fly through the test, it handles the cones no sweat:calm:

[cc rider]

rebyl, thanks for your take on things. Is good to know instructors are thinking about the Learners beyond the test track. :cool:
If you're able, some blogs for Learners would be very helpful. Well for me definitely. :baby:

Haha! I never knew a pillion was called a clingon. We (aus) call pilllions - pillions. Go figure! (I do not cling, I merely am) Damn, does this make me a pill?


Having my first ride of a scrambler (dirt bike) on the farm, this wknd. No cows to run into, bonus.
Very excited, in a controlled orderly fashion. :mellow:

[rebyl]

Forget the controlled orderly fashion and just let it rip and have fun, the farm and off road is the place to let loose...just watch out for electric fences...:banana:

[cc rider]

Forget the controlled orderly fashion and just let it rip and have fun, the farm and off road is the place to let loose...just watch out for electric fences...:banana:...lol For me that is a controlled orderly fashion :Punk:

All good rebyl, the fences haven't been replaced yet, so boundaries may merge (& the damn is empty)

Looks like a wet ride tomorrow, so should be able to really rip it up :cool:

[rie]

Try to beg or borrrow some cones to practise around

squashed coke cans work nicely. :)

[BiK3RChiK]

Breathing exercises help to calm nerves. Usually people forget to breathe properly when they are nervous and this stuffs up their oxygen levels in their blood supply and then they can't concentrate properly....

Also, it's good to remember that some other people on the BHS test are noobs also and will be in the same frame of mind you are.

Good suggestions, rebyl!

[CookMySock]

[...] if your Instructor/Assessor is aware of it being a real problem he may be able to help you calm down...talk to him.Instructors aren't mind readers, so you must speak up and tell them how you are feeling - an important skill in any part of your life. You must see that they are concerned for how you are feeling.

When I did my full bike license, I told him I was a little nervous, and he just paused and said "ok" and paused again, and said "well, when you are ready" - that was enough to help a lot. I went on to comfortably ace the test - enjoy it even.

I am sure instructors have methods up their sleeve to help the nervous - they are not experts in just riding, they have to be skilled in people as well. Simple things, like taking a break, talking about it, having a chuckle about something funny.. all help.

Steve

[Qkchk]

Nerves are natural and we all suffer from them doing tests, if your Instructor/Assessor is aware of it being a real problem he may be able to help you calm down...talk to him.

Ahem, there are such things as FEMALE Instructors too. :wari: (Who also do Heavy Vehicles as well as Bikes...)

A good Instructor quickly learns that every single student/customer is different and picks the best way to deliver what they intend to achieve. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses. It always makes me chuckle when someone excels on the cone-weave (part of the BHS test) and then does terrible on braking then the next person excels on braking but does bad on the straight line.... No one is the same. People learn differently as well. Some like demonstrations / hands-on where others do better by explanation and breaking it down into consumable tid-bids.

What bugs me is complains I get from my students about other Instructors who verbally abuse, be-little and embarrass them (and not teaching them enough fundamentals!). Bad people skills. :angry2:

[Jules13]

I was paranoid about my test. Was on my learners for 10 years avoiding it and passed a couple of weeks ago. I just had to set the date, pay the fee and I found it wasnt that hard at all. You just need to breathe, tell them your nervous and do it. The nerves should pass after about 5 minutes. I also went for a ride for half hour before I did it and practiced things I thought I wasnt confident on. I am looking to upgrade my bike and that is a great motivator.

[CookMySock]

I was paranoid about my test. Was on my learners for 10 years avoiding it and passed a couple of weeks ago. [...] and I found it wasnt that hard at all.Sorry, but I am going to have a smirk at your expense here. I'm just picturing you immobilised with fear for ten years, for thing that you "just did" and found easy. :msn-wink:

Steve

[PrincessBandit]

I was paranoid about my test. Was on my learners for 10 years avoiding it and passed a couple of weeks ago. I just had to set the date, pay the fee and I found it wasnt that hard at all. You just need to breathe, tell them your nervous and do it. The nerves should pass after about 5 minutes. I also went for a ride for half hour before I did it and practiced things I thought I wasnt confident on. I am looking to upgrade my bike and that is a great motivator.

I have to say, and I don't mean this unkindly, but if you were so paranoid about sitting the test what does that say about how you conducted yourself on the road in those intervening years? Or did you get your L but then not ride in all that time?

I've learnt that if you want to achieve something just ensure you prepare and then go do it. Mostly people are worried about tests etc because they are either underprepared or have no idea what to expect. In either of these instances it is easy enough to sort out so don't waste time procrastinating from nerves!

Btw, this is in no way meant to sound judgmental, just simply practical. :yes:

[firefighter]

Aucklanders :clap:

LOL! Coming from a Hobbit living in the middle earth!?..........:shifty:

If I ever have to go back to Shitterston North for a course I may just get it over with and kill myself!

Seriously how about a few more sets of traffic lights?! :sleep:

[boomer]

Sometimes people (and this attitude is not confined to either men or women)

if its not confined to men or women.. are monkeys included in your people category??

i'm confused :confused:

[Ixion]

Sigh. She was trying to be inclusive specifically for your benefit. And you're the one that complains. Just no pleasing some people.

[rebyl]

Ahem, there are such things as FEMALE Instructors too. :wari: (Who also do Heavy Vehicles as well as Bikes...)

A good Instructor quickly learns that every single student/customer is different and picks the best way to deliver what they intend to achieve. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses. It always makes me chuckle when someone excels on the cone-weave (part of the BHS test) and then does terrible on braking then the next person excels on braking but does bad on the straight line.... No one is the same. People learn differently as well. Some like demonstrations / hands-on where others do better by explanation and breaking it down into consumable tid-bids.

What bugs me is complains I get from my students about other Instructors who verbally abuse, be-little and embarrass them (and not teaching them enough fundamentals!). Bad people skills. :angry2:
Sorry but I don't prescribe to the problem some have with saying him or her instead of person, seems you are a bit touchy on the subject. Honestly thats not my concern. keep up the good work in getting more riders on the road to experience what the rest of us know.
As some say only Dogs and Bikers know the attraction of hanging your head out the car window.
Nice web site by the way. Those BKings are a nice bike but I prefer to Tour, here and overseas so stick to my HD Ultra...easier to stay at legal speeds to...grin.
I also dislike those Assessors that have, "small man syndrome", and don't give encouragement and instruction...doesn't take much extra effort and the rewards are more happy and confident riders. It should never be about ego....we all started somewhere...me that was about 25 bikes ago and more years than I care to remember.

www.kingcountrydrivertraining.co.nz

[rebyl]

Ahem, there are such things as FEMALE Instructors too. :wari: (Who also do Heavy Vehicles as well as Bikes...)

A good Instructor quickly learns that every single student/customer is different and picks the best way to deliver what they intend to achieve. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses. It always makes me chuckle when someone excels on the cone-weave (part of the BHS test) and then does terrible on braking then the next person excels on braking but does bad on the straight line.... No one is the same. People learn differently as well. Some like demonstrations / hands-on where others do better by explanation and breaking it down into consumable tid-bids.

What bugs me is complains I get from my students about other Instructors who verbally abuse, be-little and embarrass them (and not teaching them enough fundamentals!). Bad people skills. :angry2:
Was just checking out the excellent links on your site..top marks to you...more should look at them to make people realise that although we love our passion for bikes...they can, or should that be the cage drivers can cause you a problem real quick. One thing I always point out to new riders and anyone else that will listen is to, Ride like you are invisible to other road users and never assume that because you have the legal right of way that you are going to get it.
Like I said, great web site, wish mine was half as good.
Cheers

[Mumbles]

LOL! Coming from a Hobbit living in the middle earth!?..........:shifty:

If I ever have to go back to Shitterston North for a course I may just get it over with and kill myself!

Seriously how about a few more sets of traffic lights?! :sleep:

Need I say more, thanks mate. :spanking:
Oh by the way lived over 10 years in Dorkland (got my Bike License while living there) 23 years in Wellington, since I been in Palmy <3 years I've seen lots of short folks but never seen a hobit? :eek:

I enjoy the 10 min travel to work (rush hour) and dont miss the 2hr daily rush hour to get from west auckland to the CBD.:bleh:

[Jules13]

I have to say, and I don't mean this unkindly, but if you were so paranoid about sitting the test what does that say about how you conducted yourself on the road in those intervening years? Or did you get your L but then not ride in all that time?

I've learnt that if you want to achieve something just ensure you prepare and then go do it. Mostly people are worried about tests etc because they are either underprepared or have no idea what to expect. In either of these instances it is easy enough to sort out so don't waste time procrastinating from nerves!

Btw, this is in no way meant to sound judgmental, just simply practical. :yes:
All good. I suppose it just never became a big enough priority to plan and organise myself to pass it. I didnt mean I was paranoid for the whole ten years haha. That would be a personality defect that I am sure has a name lol. Now I want to upgrade so I am motivated.
I wasnt riding enough until this year so I was happy with the 250. Now I am not.