Difficulty of Full License Test

[Bend-it]

Thinking back to when I did my full license test, to be honest, I wouldn't have passed me. I made a hash of the u-turn, and actually, still can't do one properly...

Most of what I learnt about riding, I learnt riding with others and at the advanced skills course organised by roadsafe.

So... while I do empathise with those yet to sit your full license tests, do you think that the test is too easy? Actually, same for the driving test, but this is a bike forum, not a driving forum.

Personally, I'd add in a handling tests on both wet and dry surfaces, emergency braking and hazard avoidance (not just detection).

[DarkLord]

I got to admit, my full license test I did this morning was an absolute breeze. It was shorter than my restricted, and just a straight forward ride, really. Not that I'm complaining of course, as I feel I deserved to pass it regardless, but if it is as easy as mine was everywhere, it makes me wonder if some riders who are perhaps not qualified to ride a bigger bike, in terms of skill level, may sneak through and get themselves into trouble later on...

[yungatart]

There are areas of my riding where I am definitely not great, but I passed mine last week.
I have never been asked to do either a hill start or a u turn in either my restricted or full, although the tester asked me if I had done any advanced rider training. he was pretty impressed that I'd organised a RRRS course in HB.
Personally, I believe the test is way too easy!

[hellnback]

I agree, all the tests are too easy, should have more in them. The basic handling I did in '94, I suppose things have changed a bit (for the better) since then. To get your full all you had to do was do your time then pay $50!

[DarkLord]

My Dad was telling me about how when he was around my age all you needed to do was go to the AA and say you wanted a full motorcycle license (I think you needed a full car license first) and they gave it to you, from there you could go out and get a 1200cc if you wanted. So times have changed a bit since then, but I agree it's still very easy.

[Gremlin]

Yep, too easy

Although I have recently been told that while I'm a lunatic, I obey the road rules more than just about anyone he has seen...

Go figure

[CookMySock]

The drivers license tests are just the minimum standard for the general public. If you rate yourself as a motorcycle enthusiast, the full license test is a license to begin your motorycling career in earnest.

Within five years you should be able to professionally execute any of the full test manoevers, immediately without question or hesitation.

Steve

[varminter]

The problem with any driving/riding test is that it's assumed the person being tested will, with time, improve. Sadly this is not the case. Just watch other buggers on the road, in fact I've decided that the vast majority of them are CGI controlled by a simple computer.

[Okey Dokey]

I think the single most attractive thing to me about motorcycling is that I never feel that I have "mastered" it. Every ride is a chance to improve some aspect of my riding.

I love the challenge of trying to constantly improve, and I agree that the license test is just the starting point. I love the information that is shared here on kb, for this reason. There was a neat post a while ago in which Kevin Schwantz had lots of riding tips. I printed it off so I can feel inspired about what bit of bike control I can focus on for the day.