U-turning on a bike?

[nzwowpro]

Hi there, i am going for my restricted test in a few weeks and i was wondering what the safest way of doing a u turn is?

Yes this may sound like a silly question but i know they test you on this type of thing,

Do you Indicate left and pull over, wait for traffic to gap and then do a u turn like normal? Im quite confused and need to practice. Thankyou.

[Maha]

That is the correct way to do it when you have an instructor behind you.

[nzwowpro]

Thanks,im guessing you are meant to indicate right as you wait on the side of the road?

[haydes55]

Thanks,im guessing you are meant to indicate right as you wait on the side of the road?

You know it all already. Now do what I did. Find a quiet road and ride to the end, u-turn, repeat and repeat until it's so simple that the test is just a joke. I spent 10 mins doing u-turns and a good half hour just cruising around the testing area to learn where hazards might be and what speed limits are where (easy to miss a sign when you're looking for a hazard in the distance).

Relax, I've never heard of someone failing a license test who doesn't deserve to. My test started with "don't crash and you'll likely pass".

[Smifffy]

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ro...g/turning.html

Bike, car, same same.

Unless you feel like turning the bars, locking the front brake and feeding it the gas then dropping the brake, but yeah nah, not on a licence test.

[nzwowpro]

Thanks for the help and clearing that up. I will go ahead and practice tomorrow.

[rocketman1]

[QUOTE=nzwowpro;1130610096]Hi there, i am going for my restricted test in a few weeks and i was wondering what the safest way of doing a u turn is?


This may all seem fine, UNTIL... you have to perform a U turn on a steep hill.
My advice is to travel on until you reach a flat area then turn. If you have to turn on a hill make sure you keep your weight continually on the uphill side of the bike.
Fine if the road is wide enough to turn 180 degrees in one go, but if you have to do a 3 point turn, make sure you don't have to put your downhill foot on the ground, because depending on how steep the hill is you will not be able to put your foot down until the bike is almost horizontal falling down the hill with you under it.
It's like putting your foot down in a big hole.
I know, because I have been there done that, so will a lot of readers that have done a few kms.

Practice this on a light bike, don't try it on a 350kg Triumph Rocket or the like

[Erelyes]

I found this helpful.



As well as practicing a lot around empty suburban streets, and a local R/C track.

Didn't have to u-turn in my test after all that, but it was still helpful.

[danchop]

for the life of me,i cant see why u turns are still legal.sure as hell more dangerous than riding with a bent number plate like i was ticketed for yesterday

[haydes55]

for the life of me,i cant see why u turns are still legal.sure as hell more dangerous than riding with a bent number plate like i was ticketed for yesterday

You're taking the piss right?

[danchop]

You're taking the piss right?

about the number plate? no im not, one fifty fine and a small chase with siren and lights.the small chase was because i wasnt thinking i was the target on my scooter.one side of the plate was bent

[Berries]

for the life of me,i cant see why u turns are still legal.

Something to do with turning around and going in the opposite direction I think.

[haydes55]

about the number plate? no im not, one fifty fine and a small chase with siren and lights.the small chase was because i wasnt thinking i was the target on my scooter.one side of the plate was bent

I haven't seen how your plate is bent so I'll reserve judgement on that. But seriously U-turns should be illegal? Mr. Perfect never missed a turn? Never been to a dead end street?

U-turns are as simple as a downy, and 100% safe when done right.

[Gianz]

well they're illegal in continental Europe if the line is continuous and you'll lose your licence straight away if caught. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw people doing it all the time here.

[haydes55]

well they're illegal in continental Europe if the line is continuous and you'll lose your licence straight away if caught. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw people doing it all the time here.

If you can see far enough both directions to safely do a u-turn without being in any vehicles path why would it be illegal.

"Sorry I'm late babe I drove past your driveway, I thought you were number 17 not 15, I'm just on desert road so I'll be about 20 minutes til I can turn around at Waiuru."