Need some advice for L's and P's

Hey Guys,

I let my L's expire last year due to health, even tried to sell my bike here as I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But im back!

My health has improved considerably and am now contemplating getting my L's again. So what am I waiting for?

Well, im scared of the MOST test (NSW) and I don't think ill pass them on my xvs650 as I feel its too big to manoeuvre in the test. I don't want to sell my xvs650 because I love the bike.. im scared of letting it lapse again so before I go for my L's, I need a plan.

I was thinking of buying a very cheap bike (or hiring a bike) so I can get some practice and do the test on it. Problem is I don't really have that much cash... if I hire one on the day, I don't know if ill be familiar enough with the bike to pass..

Thoughts welcome!

 

Had a guy on my (1st) MOST, whose bike broke down on the day. He rode one of the hire Scorpios, and aced the test. If you hire one for the day, you'll get a chance to practice with it so should be ok.

Having said that, I'm sure others here have passed on bikes the same size as yours, not that it helps you at all, but I thought I'd get in first.

I'm also sure someone on here once saw an arthritic 97 year old grandma do the test on a Goldwing.

 

With practice a bikes like the XVS650 can make the test. Need to lean then in a bit for the u-turn, but nothing too hard. Cruisers are fine for the test. Only thing to really watch out for is the low and wide pegs.

With borrowing, you'll be on it for most of the day before the test, and practicing the test components on it, so you will know the bike by then.

 

i just did my p's and while i used my own bike, about 3 people hired one. you get to ride it all day, and then have MOST for the last hour. you'll be fine hiring a bike.

 

Practice on your own bike, check the MOST Practice threads, or post up what day/time would suit you to practice & see if someone can go along for company/pointers. That way, even if you do still want to hire a bike on the day, you'll have gone over the course enough times to be comfortable. Hell, after 3 months you may even find you want to do the test on your own bike (running wide in the U-Turn is only 1 point, so it does not mean you'll fail).
We're past the winter solstice, so the days are only gonna get better for riding

 

The hire bikes are a sinch to ride. Not much difference to a push bike compared to your bike.

On the day of the MOST test you will spend a few hours doing test runs at separate parts of the course, ride some large circles and figure 8 criss cross . You will be quite comfortable riding your bike or a loaner by the time the test comes around. The instructor helps you along and gives advice.
The day is a breeze, at the end you will wonder why you worried so much about it. You also get a second crack at the test right at the end of the day if you need a second chance.

Also your L's are 12 months so plenty of time to practice on your own bike. It's just a matter of seat time to build confidence.

 

You love your bike, and you are concerned about cash.. I would suggest practice practice practice on your own bike, you have 12 months on your Ls, theres no rush, you might as well learn how to ride YOUR bike to the best of your ability. Plus, during the day of the MOST you can practice and the instructors want you to pass so will help if you have problems throughout the day. The test itself is 5 minutes and nothing tricky, plus as mentioned above, going wide on a u turn won't fail you

 

I think ur right Rhi about doing it on my own bike as I want to save the money of buying a small bike just to practice on..

wish I could come to one of CR's practice sessions, but truth be told, im scared of the barton hwy.. especially since my speed limit is 80k and 1 lane most of the way from yass

 

mate, the best option is to just use a hire bike for the day. Easy to pass the test on - and then you can practice everything you have learned, on your own bike, in your own time, on roads you are familiar with - without having the pressure of passing a test on a bike that may not be suitable for the test (well, not as suitable or easy to use as the hire bikes.)

 

Take Dogtrap road through murrumbateman to Sutton road then keep going to Qby. Or if your keen take back way onto wee jasper road. Still you will be going slower then posted and you can do 90 now.

 

yup

 

Hi, glad to hear your health is improving. I would recommend doing your L's when you can, should be a good refresher and confidence boost. Regarding your current bike, it may be difficult to build skills and confidence on a bike that is heavy and has slow steering. Remember your first pushbike? The one you got really good at riding and then outgrew? That's what you should look for in a learner bike.
As soon as you feel ready, book in to do the Provisional course, it's not difficult and has a lot of focus on the mental and physical skills required to operate a motorcycle with the least risk.
Note to previous post;
Ride on or over line on line in U turn = 5 points

 

My test had guys both on a cruiser, and a 650, the cruiser guy aced and could have done it blindfolded. The 650 guy did the same but failed because he didn't swerve enough in the obstacle avoidance test. It was so disappointing because he had done so well all through the test, and the obstacle avoidance was the last thing he had to do and he only slightly clipped the tennis ball.

It's not encouraging for me to say a guy in a 650 failed, I know, but my point is that it can be done.

Really, the test is overhyped and nothing to worry about. The worst that can happen is that you don't make it through and you retest at a later date.

 

When i did my MOST test. I hired a bike. I had been learning on a hyosung GV250 and when it came time to do my test. My bike was unable to be used as i had let the rear tyre slip slightly towards the bald side. I hired a bike. Aced the test. The bike i hired was easier to manouver through the course and it didn't take a long time at all to feel confident on it. I recommend hiring a bike. They are all in great condition and you will feel comfortable on it pretty quickly. Good luck with it all. Hope to see you out and about soon.

 

If you're going to practice, make a judgement based on how confident you are on your own bike. You should aim to get comfortable doing the test on your own bike before you go for your Ps, that way it's just doing the same thing you've done many times, on the bike you're comfortable with (I did it on a Boulevard 800cc cruiser).

 

well im certainly inspired again! Have booked in my pre learner course for this weekend at quangers so its practice practice practice!

 

Just hire one. simple. Or borrow someones "pass easy" bikes... My EL250 was awesome, i would be happy to lend it but it has now sold.

 

well ive done my pre learners course and got my L's today.. those little 125's are so easy to throw around... me thinks ill hire one of their bikes or borrow my mates cbr 250 for the MOST

 

I did this course which worked out good, because they do the P's test at the end of the day after taking you for a road ride, classroom lessons and run you through what the test entails.
https://hart.securewebsite.com.au/c...ing/5.-pre-provisional-motorcycle-course.html

And I just hired their little 250 like this:
https://hart.securewebsite.com.au/c...hire-for-pre-provisional-course-and-test.html

And here is the page with a whole lot of other options.
https://hart.securewebsite.com.au/course/new-south-wales/motorcycle-licensing-and-training/

Enjoy.