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Today I'm going to fail my bike test

RubyToogood

RubyToogood

RubyTwobikes
I might stand a chance of scraping through if it wasn't raining, but it fucking is, so I'm screwed :( I just haven't got the confidence in the wet. Apart from anything else, there's no way I'll manage a U turn without putting a foot down. What the heck is the point of doing a U turn anyway? I can't think of a situation in real life where you would need to be able to do a tight U turn without putting a foot down.
 
Hope it stops raining and dries up a bit for you... but you've ridden in the rain before. Fingers crossed for you hon :)
 
I know, I came all the way back from Richmond in pouring rain recently and survived - it's doing it in the correct fashion and not looking like a basket case that's the problem.
 
Do what you do, and don't worry about how it looks. I know that's easy to say and not so easy to do. I hope it goes well today and look forward to congratulating you :)
 
They'll allow for the fact that it's wet, as long as you adjust your riding style accordingly you should be fine. Don't go into it thinking you're bound to fail, or it willbecome a sefl fulfilling prophecy. And if you don't pass, then you've still got a couple of months before the shake up in October.
 
Good luck rubes I'm sure you'll do fine.

I've just ridden into work and its wet and I'm always nervous in the rain, hesitant cos of visibility and have no confidence in the tyres gripping. So I end up thruppenny bitting round some corners.

There are load of bikers who cant ride in the rain.

Plus points are the lower speeds etc will give you a lot more control and you'll ride more safely.

Truth be told it as you long as you ride safely it would be a evil examiner that fails you cos you took it easy in the wet. Its not a major one and as your already gonna be nervous, they should make some allowance for the rainy stuff. its more likely it will be added on as a point if you fail something else.

Where it will get you is if you panic about it, causing you to make mistakes, like forgetting life savers etc. If you fail it will be because you stuff up something else

Just ride to what you feel is safe for you, remeber your lifesvares relax and enjoy it. Take the fear of failure away and your just going out to practice riding in the wet with probably a car following you telling you where to go. So if you can, just think of it like that.

I did my test in the rain so I'm with ya on the worry front. I passed so I'm sure you'll be fine :)


Good luck Rubes I'll keep everything crossed for you
 
Good luck - I know it's difficult under test conditions, but just relax your shoulders and arms, and ride as smoothly as you can.

You'll be good. Rain will make you a better rider! :)
 
djbombscare said:
Where it will get you is if you panic about it, causing you to make mistakes, like forgetting life savers etc.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm worried about. Nerves have always been my biggest problem on the bike. It's basically a psychological problem rather than a riding one. I'm not one of those riders who are dangerous because they don't value their lives and zoom around everywhere with no regard for safety, quite the opposite.

Added to which I've ended up confused about my rear observation routine. When I was originally taught, it was all lifesavers and no instruction on using the mirrors at all (lifesaver, signal, position, lifesaver, manoeuvre). In practice I use my mirrors quite a bit. And reading DSA manuals now they are quite hazy and basically say "use your judgement but do a lifesaver before you change direction". So I don't really know what examiners are looking for - which is where it would have come in useful to have had some tuition (but I figured it was cheaper to chance it, do the test and fail, because the driving schools want £££££££).
 
Stick with what you were originally taught its the safest option and shows your being observent and aware of yoru surrounding. Form what I've hard they still teach lifesaver lifesaver lifesaver.


I know its really nerve racking I actually vomited before mine. I put my lid on and then rushed to the bog.

Luckilly my instructor saw me and just said "look you've been riding for years you know you can do it I know you cna do it all you've gotta do is show a complete stranger who you'll probably never ver see again that you can do it. Its just another ride"

And thats all it is Rubes just think of it as another ride. A practise ride for the next time you take yoru test in a months time if you think your gonna fail thsi one. It should relax ya a wee bit.

Take the pressure away and just see it as another ride. Its not the end of the world if you fail you can do it again. Its just a ride
 
Well I didn't fail as such...

I had the bike serviced at the weekend to be on the safe side, including getting new rear brake shoes since they were on their last legs. The brake felt quite different afterwards but I thought it was just a settling in thing. However on the way down to the test centre it started doing this weird clonky/grabby thing about half way down the movement. I was still quite early so I rode round some quiet side roads a bit to see if it would settle but it didn't, so I came (very carefully, most of the way) home.

Bollocks to doing emergency stops in the pouring rain with a dodgy rear brake.

Cowardice or sensible withdrawal, I dunno.
 
Sorry its not all over rubes but a sensible tactical withdrawl I reckon. Fingers cross for a sunny less worrysome one
 
Sorry to hear that Rubes, but like the others have said definitely a sensible withdrawal; hope you can get another one scheduled in soon.
 
Good advice by bombscare just another ride.. If you want to add to that if you have the time I don't know what bike you are riding but if you are riding to test centre then its probably a 125 unaccompanied anyways.

Next believe it or not try to keep to gear at 3rd not much power not too little and you really need to move the throttle to effect more thrust...net result smooth smooth riding. My advice once the rear brake is fixed. Find a carpark and practice try this out.

The key to safe riding in the wet is smooth you can roll it over etc as much as you like as long as you are smooth. Finally always pick the bike straight up then break in the wet and back brake only slowly and gently just give better distance.

You will find it just as easy as the dry only requiring higher gear at lower speed and more distance for rear braking...

No go get that test done. Good luck ;):D
 
cliche guevara said:
They'll allow for the fact that it's wet, as long as you adjust your riding style accordingly you should be fine. Don't go into it thinking you're bound to fail, or it willbecome a sefl fulfilling prophecy. And if you don't pass, then you've still got a couple of months before the shake up in October.
Click to expand...

What's happening in October :confused:
 
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