As above, I say "new" although it was introduced a couple of months ago. Anyway you know what I mean. I had every intention of passing before the introduction of the new one but as usual I took the laid back approach of "Ill get round to it.....". Now my bike is drawing near completion of its rebuild (see sig for link) I REALLY need to get my finger out and get a licence. Is the new test harder to do? Is there anything in particular to do or look out for?

Cheers folks

 

theres a test where you have to manover round cones in a certain time, a few people fell off on the first day of the test being intorduced

 

I've recently done the new style test - I can honestly say I don't know why it's getting all the hype - I don't think it is any harder than the old style - just some new elements.

On the Module 1 you are in a car park and have to do a few extra manouvres including the 'dreaded swerve avoidance'. However the amount you need to swerve is tiny - the cones are right next to each other. I honestly believe that if you come off here you shouldn't really be riding on the road. However some elements here are easier - e.g. the U turn distance is massive, perfectly flat and smooth and you know there is not going to be any oncoming vehicles.

Mod 2 is similar to the old test but you have got most of the manouvres out of the way - such as the U turn and emergency stop so really is just a 30 min ride about with a few stop starts.

Not really that much to it and not worth all the hype it's recieved if you ask me - you'll be fine!!!

 

Matt, thats really how I percieved it after reading about it. I couldnt understand all the hype and wondered if I was missing something. Sounds good to me mate, ta.

 

Yeah, I did it about 6 weeks ago.

Did the whole bike test thing in one go - I'd never riden a bike before; CBT, bike theory test, Direct Access Course (two days training), new Modular Test (over 2 days - Module 1 is the off-road manoeuvres and Module 1 is on-the-road observed test).

I didn't find any of it a problem - passed all parts without any problems

I will say that it is very expensive to do though - cost me Ł750 to go from nothing to having full big-bike license! I had to hire the bike (and gear) from the test centre for 5 days in total though.

As MattJones says, the swerve avoidance test is a piece of piss. I don't understand the hype about this either?! The 'obstacle' is is just a few cones which jut out about 2 foot - if you can't avoid them at 50km (there is plenty of space to do so) your gonna be pretty crap on the road test anyway.

From what I saw, most people fail on the figure of 8 test (foot down at any time, and thats an instant fail) and the high speed swerve and high speed emergency stop test (50km). Some people just were not getting the speed up - you get another chance if you don't get enough speed the first time, but fluff it a second time and that's a fail.
Oh - one more thing - on the off-road Module 1 test - you must still make the necessary observations! I.e. over-shoulder check before moving off etc. I guy I was with almost failed because he clocked up so many minor errors by not doing this. Treat it as if you were riding on the road!

steve

 

does not sound to bad then.

 

Cheers for that Steve

I been meaning to pull my finger out for ages but I did the same as I always do and just put it on the back burner till "I got round to it". I booked it up yesterday with ACE, they sort everything out for you and as soon as CBT and theory is done they get the practical training and the tests booked straight up. They say it usually takes 6-8 weeks, mainly due to waiting for test bookings, from first booking in with them to being fully licenced. He reckons it may be quicker for me as Im unemployed and have all the time in the world at the minute Ill be hassling him as much as I can to push things on wherever possible.

Hope I feckin pass

 

From what i hear its EASIER than the old one. Why would they make you do the manouvers in an artificial environment? Surely these should be done on the road where they are actually likely to happen. The manouversn is what makes most people nervous about the old test, so to get them out the way in a car park (), would make the actual riding test a piece of piss.

As said, if someone comes off or fails the first part, swerve test etc in a car park, then they shouldnt be on the road anyway, which of course is the point of the test.

 

some good vids on youtube of the swerve thing

it seems people do like falling off on it but ho hum

i did mine last year and my 1st big legal bike was a freblade