Back on a Bike...

**rupert** · 08 Jan 08, 02:04 PM

Well after the best (or worst!) part of 20 years off a bike I decided that it was time to do something about it, so I went off and did my CBT last Saturday - the weather was good to me, the rain held off and it wasn't too cold - must admit that I was pretty nervous about getting back on a bike after sooo long, but glad that I did.

Did my CBT with RideSure motorcycle training, they are based at the Dunsfold aerodrome where Top Gear do their filming - didn't get to see the Stig though!

Anyway I have decided that I am going to go forward and do a Direct Access course - in the Spring when the weather is warmer - my main concern is going to be the slow speed control, especially the U turn.

Then all being well it'll be shopping for a Duke!

So can anyone recommend anything for the Hazard Perception test, I have been a car driver and bike (the pedal variety) for the last 20 years without an accident so would like to think I am reasonably safe on the roads, but would like to have a chance to see what the test is like before going for it!

Cheers
Rupert.

**clockwork** · 08 Jan 08, 02:10 PM

You can pick up various versions of the HPT in places like WH Smith. Get as many different ones as you can. A tip as you have been driving for so long - I found I was seeing the hazard BEFORE the computer thought I should be seeing it, so I taught myself to click each one 3 times. When I saw it, again after a second or so, and again another second or so. I did pass first time so I guess that worked.

**moose** · 08 Jan 08, 02:55 PM

I have a hazard perception valve as standard - it puckers up very quickly if anything dodgy appears within my scope of vision!

Haven't seen anything like it for sale in WHSmiths though

//moose

**hughmark** · 08 Jan 08, 03:01 PM

Rupert, sorry don't understand why you have to do the CBT. If you have been off a bike for 20 years are you saying you never did your test? I returned to biking after an absence of nearly 28 years 18 months ago and found Bikesafe a good wake up call. Also, bikes have changed alot. I used to think a laverda Jota / Triumph Trident was a beast. How times change !! Good luck with your Ducati experience.

**rupert** · 08 Jan 08, 03:06 PM

I was on my way to do bike training and my GP100 blew a piston, so that didn't happen - hence the need for a CBT!

Bikes certainly do change - even the 125 I did the CBT on had electric start!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughmark

Rupert, sorry don't understand why you have to do the CBT. If you have been off a bike for 20 years are you saying you never did your test? I returned to biking after an absence of nearly 28 years 18 months ago and found Bikesafe a good wake up call. Also, bikes have changed alot. I used to think a laverda Jota / Triumph Trident was a beast. How times change !! Good luck with your Ducati experience.

**David.Hicks** · 08 Jan 08, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert

I was on my way to do bike training and my GP100 blew a piston, so that didn't happen - hence the need for a CBT!

Blimey - that takes me back - I had one of those for a while back in the 80s

**Steve GD** · 08 Jan 08, 07:39 PM

Welcome to the site, Rupert, and good luck with the next steps.

**sweetpea** · 08 Jan 08, 08:11 PM

Welcome back to biking! I doubt you will have a problem but rather than risk it I suggest you get one of those CD-Roms to practice on. Rather than but new have you thought about buying a second hand copy either on Amazon or ebay? That way after you have finished you can sell it on without it having cost a lot?

Another thought, I am sure that when I was looking at getting books about biking when I was returning to two wheels I looked in the local libruary and I am sure they had books and CDs on hazard perception (the same as those available on Amazon) its worth popping in and if they do not have them they can order them in for you - a great free service!

Good luck let us all know how you get on and when you pass your test AND when you buy that Ducati.

A Ducati has been my first bike and boy what a great choice I have made!!

**mahout** · 08 Jan 08, 08:29 PM

Hi there,

Ref: Hazard perception tests: Ride round and round Sainsburys carpark on Saturday morning.

No seriously, there's a cheapo DVD set called : LDC Driving Test, 3 in 1. Shows the pukka hazard perception video clips, plus theory test and highway coed stuff.

Enjoy, and get stuck in ready for the summer.

Oh, and do not try to do a U turn on a Ducati without LOTSA practice, and a strong right leg.

Ciao

Mahout

**rupert** · 09 Jan 08, 07:45 AM

I have gone ahead and booked my Theory test, as they say nothing concentrates the mind like a deadline, so I just want to make sure that I am ready for the Hazard perception test - all being well I will then book my Direct Access course for early April.

I'd forgotten just how basic a GP100 looked - easy to work on though.

It is the slow control part of the test that I think I will struggle with, but I'll just have to crack it during the course!

**Steve GD** · 09 Jan 08, 08:06 AM

Good luck with the HPT, Rupert. Just a thought.....as you feel you need to concentrate on slow speed/u-turn stuff, might it not be a good idea to buy a cheapie 125 to practise on between now and the DAS training? If you buy in the right price bracket, say £500-800 and come to sell in April, you should not lose anything at all, and tax and insurance are minimal.

**rupert** · 09 Jan 08, 09:04 AM

Steve - Thats a good idea I might well look into that

**JerryXt** · 09 Jan 08, 09:34 AM

...and you think 1098s are sh*te

/irony

Quote:

Originally Posted by David.Hicks

Blimey - that takes me back - I had one of those for a while back in the 80s

**Montana** · 09 Jan 08, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve GD

Good luck with the HPT, Rupert. Just a thought.....as you feel you need to concentrate on slow speed/u-turn stuff, might it not be a good idea to buy a cheapie 125 to practise on between now and the DAS training? If you buy in the right price bracket, say £500-800 and come to sell in April, you should not lose anything at all, and tax and insurance are minimal.

I had a 125 for two years (about 18 months to long, but I didn't have the funds for the test at that time let alone a new bike), and I practised U turns on that all the time.So when it came to doing my DAS course, I found after learning the bigger bike characturistics, the U turns were a piece of cake, and I never once worried about them.
I have found out about bike examiners that they also like confidence (but not being ****y), it's a fine line, but it seemed to do me well in the test itself, as I had a problem (just after the U turn actually) with the coms, and all I was getting was every other word from the examiner, this turned into hand signals which was no good as 2 bikes were running.So I turned off the engine, put it on the stand and walked over to him and told him the problem, we changed the battery in my headset pack and everything was fine.I'm almost positive that this helped me no end , as it showed that I was being level headed under pressure.

As Steve said getting a 125 now , getting the pracical done then selling it in spring, you shouldn't lose any money, and you would have had all the practise for free, invaluble if you ask me.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Andy

**MarkST** · 10 Jan 08, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert

my main concern is going to be the slow speed control, especially the U turn.

Cheers
Rupert.

Hi Rupert, happy new year and welcome to the site.
Try using your rear brake to help with slow speed control and the U-turn.
Mark.