Another Bike Test Thread!

Hungrycol

Hi guys, I have my "A" bike test coming up in a few weeks. What are the normal pitfalls? What is the most common cause of failing?

What I got so far that I'll need to know and do:

Know your Rules of the road and road signs for the short theory test

Be able to push/walk with your bike

Be able to point out items on the bike, such as brake fluid, oil etc

Drive the bike at walking pace

Be able to perform a U turn without putting your foot down

Apply the 3 golden rules: Communication (with other road users), Observation (mirrors, signal, lifesaver, manouver), Postion (on the road).

What else.....?

colm_c

I'd advise a pre-test the day before.

The instructor will walk you through all the questions that come up on the test and where people fail.

I'd highly recommend Dave Lyons if you're looking for an instructor.

Dorsanty

Turns are all important as you can imagine. Follow, OSM PSL as much as you can. Observation-Signal-Manoeuvre and Position-Speed-Look.

Also Giving parked vehicles and cyclists the required safe distance when passing. So car can open door and cyclist can fall over and you won't have to take any emergency avoiding action.

Also if you can, do a pre-test within the same week or as close to your test date and time as you can. You won't regret it.

murphaph

colm_c wrote:

I'd advise a pre-test the day before.

The instructor will walk you through all the questions that come up on the test and where people fail.

I'd highly recommend Dave Lyons if you're looking for an instructor.

Agree with all that, including giving Dave a call. He'll see you right in one pretest and will tell you that's enough. He's not a scammer.

Niall06

I also suggest its no harm doing a pretest.

Arrive early.
Also have your tax displayed on the bike.
Wear the proper gear incl Hivis vest, makes a good impression.
Give the bike a good clean before the test
Good luck with the test.

famagusta

just wondering, where in dublin is considered to be the best place to do the test? what kind of waiting list is there?

Dorsanty

Waited 6 months for Tallaght test centre.

I'm not too sure on the separation of car and bike but this link might help you judge, http://www.drivingtest.ie/passrates.html.

Tallaght shows a 50% pass rate and sure enough I had to do it twice to get it. I'm sure it's not just so they get double the money.

colm_c

9 weeks to get my Test in Raheny.

Passed it first time round (only been biking 3 months at that stage).

Hotblack Desiato

Dorsanty wrote:

Tallaght shows a 50% pass rate and sure enough I had to do it twice to get it. I'm sure it's not just so they get double the money.

Pass rate for bikes is much higher than cars - about 90%

Hungrycol

Thanks for the replies:

What did you fail on Dorsanty? I'm looking for the common areas of failure.

Unfortunately I using another motorbike for the A test because I only have a 125cc. I won't get this other bike until about 30 minutes before the test in order to get comfortable with biteing point, brakes, handling etc. I've had one 2 hour pretest so far and, closer to test, intend on another 2 hour pre test but they're both on my own bike.

Dorsanty

My fail on first attempt was due to my technique in turns. As in I had none. So I clocked up too many grade 2's. Think marks were in observation turning left/right. 6 in all and it's game over. (I wasn't very good back then)

I had only done one lesson prior to the test and was still trying to put all I had been taught into practice when I did my test. Did the lesson with ISM and he had me doing about 4 lifesavers in a turn. So when I did the test it wasn't 100% natural and I ended up getting stressed and making mistakes. Having said that the ISM guy did improve my braking and numerous other areas. Just not turns which I believe he made too complicated.

When I passed I did a pre-test with Aaron rider training and they are great. Big thumbs up for them. Even called me after my test to see how I got on. Will be doing my Aon skills assessment with them as soon as I get the time.


So if you want to pass first time make sure your turns are up to scratch make sure you do proper lifesavers (half second glances don't count). I see you have lessons done and booked which is good. Good luck on the day.

agent_smith

Get some rider training and you will be fine. It is a formula to pass the test. They expect you to drive a certain way. I was driving for years before i went for the test (fairly recently) and passed. I had done rider training courses and the like but they teach you to drive in a realistic way. I had to go and get training to learn how to drive for the test. Since then i had to get training again to make sure i stop driving the test way and back the safe way!

Hungrycol

Unfortunately I failed. Lack of observation of hazards (mainly parked cars) and lack of progression at traffic lights. The tester didn't like my right turns much either. Ah well. It's all fixable and I'll do it again and will be confident that it'll be ok next time.

You're right, it's all about driving safe and not driving the test, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for all your feedback on here.

Chunkylover

I failed my 1st cage test and it was the best thing that could have happened to me, made me a lot more relaxed for bith my next cage test and bike 1

If you cant wait for the next test, you may want to go with an AON assesment (as long as you are with them), its a 6 hour course and you really can learn a lot, as was said David Lyons is great, really taught me alot, got me thru the test and the assessment

Hard luck and better luck next time

colm_c

Hungrycol wrote:

Unfortunately I failed. Lack of observation of hazards (mainly parked cars) and lack of progression at traffic lights. The tester didn't like my right turns much either. Ah well. It's all fixable and I'll do it again and will be confident that it'll be ok next time.

You're right, it's all about driving safe and not driving the test, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for all your feedback on here.

Apply for your test in Raheny, you should get your test day in 6-8 weeks.