Regarding the Basic Handling Test

**Owl** · 23rd December 2008, 09:28

Originally Posted by editrix

Greg McQuillan at StayUpright in Ashurst. I totally do NOT recommend them. Sadly, they're the only cert place around so I didn't have much choice, but honestly I'd advise Palmerston North people to go to Wellington or wherever, especially if they're not scooter-riders.

Thanks for the "Head's up"! My Mrs was wanting to go there for rider training once she gets her bike. In fact I encouraged it, but I'll look for other options now. She already has her class 6L thank god!

As for being in tears because of a bully trainer, I think you need to HTFU.

Hell, one of my old skydiving instructor's used to yell and threaten students with a hockey stick if they kept cocking up! Students used to look like this

before the end of training!

**editrix** · 23rd December 2008, 09:32

Yes, I know cone weaves are good practice. I will do them. Really! I will!

(Wellington boots make good substitutes, and happily my workplace has an enormous carpark that is empty on weekends and makes a terrific place to practice.)

But I'm pretty darned sure that this testing guy didn't have them 3.5 metres apart, since there were six cones, and the 18 metre "slow ride" took up the entire length of the carpark.

I'm going to sit the written exam today. Wish me luck!

**editrix** · 23rd December 2008, 09:42

Originally Posted by Owl

As for being in tears because of a bully trainer, I think you need to HTFU.

I had to sign a waiver that said the instructor would treat us in a polite, respectful manner, and that we must do the same. I wondered at the time WTF that was about, but after about two minutes it wasn't hard to figure out.

Him: So, how much experience have you had riding?

Me: Well, I've ridden up and down the road a few times, and --

Him: I CAN'T TEACH YOU IF YOU WON'T TELL ME WHAT YOU'VE DONE! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, RIDE UP AND DOWN THE ROAD A FEW TIMES?

Me: Um, it means I've ridden up and down the road a few times....

Him: Now, push the scooter forward to get it off the centre stand.

Me: (tries twice and fails) Centre stand? I've never seen one. (gets off scooter and bends down to see how it works)

Him: GET BACK ON THE SCOOTER! I DIDN'T TELL YOU YOU COULD GET OFF IT! DO AS YOU'RE TOLD!

Me: I just wanted to see what--

Him: DO WHAT I TELL YOU TO DO!

This went on for an hour.

Maybe I do need to HTFU, but I also see this as a case of a person in a position of authority abusing his position, since he was also administering a legal test after this so-called training session, and he could -- as he threatened to -- fail me if he chose to even if I carried out all the manoeuvres correctly.

I've been taught to drive cars, boats, planes, etc, and have never run across such a poor instructor in all my life.

**Owl** · 23rd December 2008, 09:57

Originally Posted by editrix

Maybe I do need to HTFU, but I also see this as a case of a person in a position of authority abusing his position, since he was also administering a legal test after this so-called training session, and he could -- as he threatened to -- fail me if he chose to even if I carried out all the manoeuvres correctly.

I've been taught to drive cars, boats, planes, etc, and have never run across such a poor instructor in all my life.

Fair enough! It certainly sound like he needs a new career!

**Slyer** · 23rd December 2008, 10:10

Maybe he was having a bad day?

**editrix** · 23rd December 2008, 10:23

Originally Posted by Slyer

Maybe he was having a bad day?

I'm sure not going to go back for another trial to find out!

Once with him was quite enough.

**prettybillie** · 23rd December 2008, 16:07

Originally Posted by jerm

What I'm wondering is whether it's smarter to go ahead and buy a 250 bike, learn on my section (roughly 1/2 an acre with half of that paving, other half grassed) or going for the test and doing a training day with one of the people mentioned here on KB.

Do both the riding around your yard and a training day!

**editrix** · 23rd December 2008, 19:55

I found it quite awkward going from practising at home on my 250 Kawasaki to doing the test on a scooter, because the brakes etc were in different places. I'd suggest checking to see what kind of bike you'll be doing the test on. If it's similar to the one you're wanting to buy, by all means get it and practice at home. If you'll be buying a motorbike and testing on a scooter, you might want to do the test cold so that you don't keep stomping on a nonexistent brake or putting in the nonexistent clutch during the test.

I passed the written test today and am now the proud owner of an L plate. Tomorrow (if the dang Manawatu winds stop blowing at 8 zillion kph) I get to ride up and down my road for the first time -- legally

And I'm so glad I found this forum. Y'all are great!

**quickbuck** · 23rd December 2008, 20:23

Good stuff,
Now, the next big lesson you have is to master the Winds of the MANAWATU....
Yep, they don't let up, and if they get to you there won't be a good days riding this side of Christmas.... Oh wait....
I mean, you won't get out much.

It is a confidence thing, and understanding how your bike turns and handles that allow you to attach the winds.
I know it is very spooky when it just seams to push you to the other side of the road, and that knocks your confidence.... But keep asking questions and reading on here, and you will pick up some great tips.

Remember the only stupid question was the one that wasn't asked.

**editrix** · 24th December 2008, 11:34

Thanks. I WILL learn to ride, and yes in the #%#$ Manawatu winds, too! Perhaps not while it's hosing down rain, though....danged Xmas weather!

I really love my little Kawasaki. I can't wait until I can commute to work on it.

**Tricia1000** · 26th December 2008, 19:51

As long as you don't let your licence lapse, then you won't need to do it again. Basically though it just comes down to technique, and it is a very useful manoeuvre to master.
You can pick my brains any time. I don't mind. Education is good, and negative learning experiences that you have had, make learning difficult.
My BHS course, takes 2hours and 15 minutes, and I make sure that my students are encouraged as much as possible.

Congratulations on your L plate by the way.
tricia
www.rcsom.co.nz

Originally Posted by editrix

Thanks again, Tricia. I really appreciate being able to pick your brain like this!

Where I took the test, the carpark was maybe at most 200 square metres, so going 20 kpm wasn't an option anywhere except on the diagonal, and certainly not entering or exiting the left/right turn part.

I'd never tried practicing the weave on offset cones, so I had real trouble with that one. My partner admitted she didn't think she could do it on her own motorbike (a Dukati) because the wheel base is too long -- is that cone weave pattern specially designed for scooters?

And please tell me I'll never have to do it again! That cone weave was very nearly my downfall.

**editrix** · 27th December 2008, 07:05

Tricia, since you've kindly (and foolishly

) given me carte blanche to pick your brains -- could you tell me what kind of real-life road situations the cone weave, slow ride, etc are meant to mimic?

And could you give me technique tips for what you do if you're blatting down the road at the hoon-speed of 70 kph and you suddenly see a pothole or bit of wood on the road? How do you swerve around an object at the last moment while going fast (well, fast to me) without going into the ditch?

With an L plate, I can't go above 70, but all the roads around me have a speed limit of 100. Other than my L plate, is there anything I can do to let car drivers know that I am NOT going to go faster just to make them happy, so they'll have to pass me? Should I ride way over on the left hand side?

Finally, why does every single person in the North Island decide to take their car/tractor/bike/ute/lorry out for a drive on the afternoon that I decide to practice my bike skills on a quiet country road?

Cripes, I've never seen so much traffic on that road in my life!

**BiK3RChiK** · 27th December 2008, 08:54

Originally Posted by editrix

Hi. I'm new.

I bought (and love) and practiced a bit on my little Kowasaki 250, then went to do the basic cert test. It was utterly, utterly horrible and disastrous.

The would not let me use my own bike. I had to use their scooter. They would not let me wear gloves. They did not teach me anything. The man yelled at me, bullied me, had me in tears, and then told my partner that if she attempted to communicate with me from the roadside in any way he'd fail me on the test. He also told me that only scooters are any good, and that Harleys etc I could shove up my ###.

They didn't ask for any ID, so I could have had my partner take the test for me!

And when I said I wasn't learning anything and would go somewhere else, the guy actually moved the cones closer until I could manage to do the slalom successfully.

My advice: if you possibly can, look around and choose a cert place where they treat you decently instead of telling you off and bullying you. This has nearly put me off riding a bike for life.

Flamin' heck! I wouldn't stand for this kind of shit!! Report the tosser. He deserves to lose his instructing licence, IMO

Don't ever take that kind of abuse sitting down!