Hi, I am a total, total newb (FZR250)

[MyGSXF:Me]

There is no slalom any more.. check out this link!

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett...ills-test.html

[nzspokes]

Thanks Spokes, I will have to take you up on that offer.

Starting to come together. Less stalling - turns out I was shifting up instead of down and we all know its not gonna take off in 6th gear

Riderskills is where I am headed tomorrow. Googled the test, pretty much the only thing I am a little worried about is the slalom. Thankfully the street I live in is pretty quiet so I have been granny shifting while riding up and down, best I have gone so far is 45 k's in 3rd lol.

Your going to the right place then. They will teach as well as test.

[SNF]

I'm gaining confidence. Stopped stalling completely. Gear changing is much better. Got to 55 km/h in 4th gear. Actually got an adrenaline rush just riding about changing through the gears, man what a fantastic machine! Best $1500 I ever spent. Hit about 8,000 rpm this is about the highest I revved it before changing (red line is about 17,000 lol). Braking is coming together. Cornering is coming together (not putting feet down through slow turns.) Spent about 4 hours or so out on it today. I feel like I have a decent shot at passing my BHS, rather than having doubts like I did this morning.

[actungbaby]

So new, I have a bike and no L's. Have already booked my BHS for Monday. The only 2 wheel experience I have had is on my Yamaha Jog
It's been good, ridden it for a year on and off but its time I got my L's, bike came up at a good price which is motivation for me to get my ass into gear and get my L's asap.

good on you buddy my first bike was a 90cc honda step through still bascially same feeling fredoom aprat from extra speed bigger bikes have.

still all have wheels so who cares as long you enjoy the exp

[actungbaby]

I'm gaining confidence. Stopped stalling completely. Gear changing is much better. Got to 55 km/h in 4th gear. Actually got an adrenaline rush just riding about changing through the gears, man what a fantastic machine! Best $1500 I ever spent. Hit about 8,000 rpm this is about the highest I revved it before changing (red line is about 17,000 lol). Braking is coming together. Cornering is coming together (not putting feet down through slow turns.) Spent about 4 hours or so out on it today. I feel like I have a decent shot at passing my BHS, rather than having doubts like I did this morning.

great yeah doesint change that feeling am 49 and still gives me a good buzz

[sootie]

great yeah doesint change that feeling am 49 and still gives me a good buzz

I don't think it ever changes!

You get some interesting looks when you climb off something reasonably sporty with a grin on your face,

go inside & produce your Gold Card for a discount too!

[arcane12]

There is no slalom any more.. check out this link!

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett...ills-test.html

Um, that looks like fun?? I watched the video. The thing I liked about the old test was each bit was broken up into a seperate test, so not too much to remember at once!

Still on the other hand it looks like a better test of what you should be doing on the road. And while the amount of riding in the test has gone up, it actually seems a little easier (slalom and walking pace gone).

All I can say is practice! Get a friend to ride the bike to a empty car park and spend some time riding around. Familiarity on a bike is important. Once you have the feel for it you can work on doing figure 8's (tighter and tighter and you get better at them) start and stop, including that emergency stop!

I remember my test, I stalled a few times during practice, and the instructor said 'ease up a little on it'. I thought he meant the gas, but he meant the clutch! I actually stalled more after his little 'words of advice'. Don't be afraid to ride the clutch, and as it grips maybe a little extra gas. (assuming you are like me and worried you are going to give it too much gas and bin off with an accidental wheelie, or something else stupid. It made me use too little throttle and stall ).

Good luck!

[SNF]

Um, that looks like fun?? I watched the video. The thing I liked about the old test was each bit was broken up into a seperate test, so not too much to remember at once!

Yeah I found it rather difficult. A lot of stuff to focus on at once, I struggle with that. I should have spent more time on the FZR doing slower speed stuff, I think that could have helped. Slipped up on stuff like indicating, not turning the indicator off, forgetting to do head checks. Stalled a couple of times, had the odd shaky change during practice but I did it. I did pass, not brilliantly but I did pass. Getting a road code tomorrow and gonna start reading up. Would like to try have my L's by mid-December.

[Dragon]

Im out west to. We can head out sometime once you have your L.

Go to this guy for your BHS. Hes the best trainer ive been with. http://www.riderskills.co.nz/

Im pretty sure I did my BHS with him back in 2008 was a good guy to deal with

[strandedinnz]

Out west in Titirangi.Yeah towards the end I noticed my starts were better when I did that. It won't stuff the clutch will it? Seems to engage between half and 3/4's.

If you need some help with tips from a semi OK rider I can help you out, I live Titirangi way as well ... wave to white DR-Z motard if you see it :-)

[SNF]

Taking the bike out everyday. I'm still getting used to it. Starting to try hill starts now as well as emergency breaking. Feel a little more confident each time I go out, but I am not ready for any main roads - I stick to quite ones (since I'm only half-licensed right now). The riding skills instructor told me about looking through the corner, so I am applying this as well and its helping my cornering. Starting to feel like I'm in control of the bike rather than trying to remember 80 things and holding on for dear life (not really but we all remember our first time). My first day I didn't get out of 2nd or go past 20. I can hit 4th and do 50 okay.

[SNF]

If you need some help with tips from a semi OK rider I can help you out, I live Titirangi way as well ... wave to white DR-Z motard if you see it :-)

Much appreciated. Probably seen each other, I'm usually on the loud black Jog with 100 stickers on it, mostly going through Green Bay. As much as I'd like to take the FZR I know I'm just not ready yet.

[SNF]

Passed it and now have L's