Passing your motorcycle test is a gateway to a new life on two wheels. Between April and June of this year, just under 34, 000 people took their practical motorcycle tests, with people up and down the country keen to get their certification to ride a motorbike on the road.
But whereas the particular testing routine for cars is relatively well known, how you get your motorcycle licence isn’t quite as clear. So here, with some help and advice from Triumph UNITED KINGDOM, we’re going to take a look through just what you require to do to get your bike licence.
What do I need to have in place before I do my useful test?
As tempting as it might be to rock up to the test centre and obtain started, you’ll need a few things in order first. You’ll need to have done your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and gained a certificate for this. It’s a course you will need in order to take to start your full motorbike licence training and it’s there to make sure that you can ride safely. It’s not the course that you can pass or fail, too, but it will need to be completed. Once you’ve done your own CBT, you’ll be able to trip a 125cc with L-plates on the highway, but it needs to be re-taken every two years.
You’ll also need to have passed your motorcycle theory check. This involves 2 parts; the first is a multiple-choice test while the second is a hazard perception video that requires you to ‘click’ the mouse when you see a hazard on the particular screen.
I’ve done the CBT plus theory test – now what?
What happens next depends on age. If you have just turned 17, then you’ll be able in order to do your A1 licence which allows you to ride a 125cc motorcycle. However , many individuals hang on until the next stage as the A1 doesn’t bring huge benefits over a CBT, though it does not need to be taken every two years.
If you’re over 19, then an A2 license will be the best place to start. You’ll must have your own CBT plus theory certificates, but if a person pass you will have the ability to trip a bike that is restricted to 47bhp or a power-to-weight ratio of 0. 26bhp per kilogram without L-plates. It’s a great entry into a much larger, more powerful bike than a 125cc.
Nevertheless , if you are over 24 or you’ve held your A2 driving licence for more than 2 yrs, you can do a Direct Access Course. Passing this allows a person to ride a motorcycle of any power or even engine size. It’s a lot like passing your own full car test and it’s the particular one we’re doing right here.
Is this a good idea to perform training before my check?
Definitely. Even if you have had a few years of motorcycle experience – or even more – getting onto the ‘big’ bike is a completely different experience in order to riding a 125cc or smaller. The full motorcycle test also brings with it an unique collection of requirements, so having some expert training can work wonders plus make sure you’re properly prepared for your check.
Fortunately, there are training schools based down and up the country so you’re likely to be near one.
Is there a certain type associated with motorcycle I need for a Direct Entry Course?
Yes. When you are doing a Direct Access Course, you’ll need to be riding the motorcycle which is at least 595cc with at least 50kW of power. It also needs to weigh over 175kg. The Triumph Trident 660 that we are practising on, with its 660cc engine and 59. 6kW of power will be just the right type associated with motorcycle with regard to the job.
So where does our testing start?
If you’re going down the coaching route, after that the first area you’ll start is with your Module 1 examination. It’s the first of two tests and is conducted entirely off-road in a dedicated site. It’s all about your handling and control of the motorcycle and, without this, you’re not able to proceed to your Module 2 exam.
You will need to bring your theory test pass certificate, a photocard driving licence (bring your passport if you have a good older paper-style version) and your CBT certificate. You’ll also need appropriate safety clothing, including a helmet, proper boots without open toes, a heavy motorcycle jacket and trousers as well as proper gloves. Lightweight gear, such as trainers or even tracksuits, is definitely not allowed and wearing such could result in your test being cancelled.
Mod 1 is broken up into seven parts, all tied up in the test that’ll usually take around 20 minutes through start to finish. To pass, you will have to have made no serious or dangerous faults – which are potentially dangerous or could involve actual danger to yourself, the examiner or anyone around – or no more than five riding faults, which are potentially harmful but can become severe if repeated.
Wheeling the particular motorcycle
To show that will you’re able to properly handle the motorbike when you’re not riding it, you’ll be asked to trip into a box, put down the side stand, jump off plus – whilst checking your own surroundings frequently – wheel the motorcycle backwards inside a slow and controlled manner, arcing into a second box and then returning the bike back to the particular stand. It is all about control inside this area. Examiners will be looking for plenty of safety checks for your surroundings.
Slalom plus figure associated with 8
Up next, you will be requested to ride a slow slalom around a set of cones before entering into the figure of 8. It’s a good idea in order to focus on the cones much further ahead of you, rather compared to the one directly in front. This will keep your head up and your balance level; focus too much on the cone you’re approaching and it is more of a likelihood that you’ll hit it.
The figure of eight, meanwhile, is usually another check of control. You’ll have to keep the particular revs reasonably high to maintain stability while trailing the rear brake will certainly allow a person to turn a little more sharply. Again, focusing on the region you’re planning to go will help to make a sharp, effective figure associated with eight.
Slow ride
This is pretty self-explanatory. The particular examiner may stand forward of you and ask you to perform a controlled, slow ride within a straight line before stopping with your front steering wheel in the pre-determined box. Again, this is regarding clutch plus brake manage.
U-turn
In case you’ve ever researched the motorcycle test, you might have found that the particular U-turn seems to carry the most amount of pressure. It is designed in order to mimic the U-turn between two kerbs. You’ll furthermore need to perform an over-shoulder check (often referred to as a ‘lifesaver’) before making the turn. Here, a good tip is to look further up the opposite ‘kerbside’ prior to turning, concentrating on the area you want to proceed. If you move over the opposite white line you’ll fail the check, but it’s surprising just how dramatically you can make a motorcycle change.
Cornering and controlled stop
Your reviewer, evaluator will now ask you to drive up plus around a curved section of cones before returning to them and just before bringing the particular bike in order to a controlled stop. There’s no speed limit on this – as there are usually around the following stages – but it is a smart idea to build up a bit of speed before stopping. You’ll need to come to a halt within an region marked out by blue cones.
Cornering and an emergency stop
This section sees you perform the same left or even right curved section, yet this time you’ll need to progress to a minimum of 31mph before riding through the speed trap that the evaluator will have pointed out. Once you’re through the trap, the particular examiner may raise their hand to indicate it’s time to perform an urgent situation stop. You will need to stop because quickly – but since safely – as possible, applying the more powerful front brake first prior to blending in the back brake. It’s all about progressive pressure here, rather than a ‘snatch’ which can cause a lock-up or worse.
There is no need to change down the particular gears, just come to a good effective stop and bring the clutch in just before coming to a halt and select first gear.
Cornering and hazard avoidance
Finally, there’s the cornering plus hazard prevention section. Once again, you’ll go around the particular left or even right turn to build up speed and accelerate upward to a minimum of 31mph just before passing with the speed-detecting equipment. Then, you will need in order to steer close to a group of stationary cones before returning to the straight collection and coming to a stop. If a person clip a cone while performing this particular movement, you’ll fail straight away.
Is there anything else to think about?
Indeed. Examiners can be looking at you closely to ensure that you are doing the proper security checks. So before moving off, you should be checking both shoulders. This particular must be done each time.
Exactly what next?
Your examiner can tell a person when you’ve finished your test whether or not really you’ve passed or failed. You’ll also be emailed a breakdown of any kind of faults you may have incurred. When you’ve exceeded, you may continue on to take your own Module two examinations. If you’ve failed, you’ll have to wait three working days before you can take it again.
