Basic skills and early riding problems

[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.

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.

[firefighter]

Aucklanders

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

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?!

[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

[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. (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.

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. (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.

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!?..........

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?!

Need I say more, thanks mate.
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?

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.

[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.

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.