Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Doing a UK bike test.. on my Bonneville America..

Anyone else done their UK test recently?

......

So I did day one of my 'Direct Access' course today, and have been fortunate enough to find a school where the instructors are qualified to train you on your own bike, rather than using the school's generic Japanese 500cc jobbies.. So while the Triumph looks a little bizarre with 'L' plates fitted front and back, its been great to be actually out and about and enjoying her :-)

For the benefit of our US cousins, the UK bike test has become a very complex set of procedures.. A simple summary is:

For learners, If you're aged 16 - 50cc bike only, restricted to 30mph. No other option.
For learners, If you're aged 17 - up to a 125cc bike, also with a restricted power output, but most will hit 60-65mph.


For all learners, regardless of age, you have to complete a CBT (compulsory basic training) day before you can turn a wheel on the road. This is a mixed full day of classroom, off-road and on-road training, instructor led with earpieces etc, which has to be completed and passed before you can obtain insurance (ins companies now ask for the CBT pass info before issuing cover.) It also is only valid for two years - if you dont pass your test in that time, you have to complete it again, every two years.
If you're aged 17 - 21, you can take your bike test on a 125cc bike, which if you pass then entitles you to ride a larger bike (albeit restricted to less than 33BHp) for the next two years. No other option. After those two years though you can then take the conventional test and ride larger (derestricted) bikes.

If you're over 21 - then you do 'Direct Access'

For Direct Access you need to have completed a CBT, and have already passed the motorcycle 'Theory' test ( Computer based, 50 multiple choice questions, followed by a whole bunch of hazard perception videos, one of which will have 2 hazards, the rest only one - you have to 'nail' these..)

If you've done those things, then the Direct Access training and tests have to be carried out on a bike with a reasonable power output (typical 500 is fine), but as you cant legally ride that size as a learner then the whole thing has to be under supervision from an instructor - so hi vis jackets, radio earpieces, the works.. Thats where I am now.

The test itself is in two parts - module 1 and module 2 - the first of which is tested off-road and covers all the 'control' elements.. so it includes emergency stop, U turns, slalom, low speed figure of eights (x2), a controversial hazard avoidance (come out of a corner, accelerate to about 35mph (its speed trapped, you cant go slower) then swerve around some other cones and come to a halt back on the right with your front wheel in a specific place) and a bunch of other stuff.. Module 2 is a more conventional 'on road' driving test similar to a car driving test.

typically, CBT= 1 day, theory test = 1 hour, Direct Access = 4 days supervised training plus however long the two tests take. CBT typically costs £125, Theory about £50, Direct Access about £595 :-(

You gotta complete, and pass, all of it..

All of my long-term biker friends and colleagues tell me they don't think they would pass it now, which aint encouraging!

I'm enjoying it, it was great doing day 1 of the Direct Access today - with a minor issue... the turning circle of a Bonneville America turns out to be only about 9" less than the allotted space to complete the U turn on the test, whereas the school bikes have a couple of feet plus to spare.. so its somewhat marginal and is taking some practice!!

As soon as I pass there will be a ceremonial burning of the 'L' plates :-)
This is taking some commitment - but is gonna be SO worth it!

Ben

That sounds crazy tough!!! Worth it? Absolutely and I wish you luck, Ben. Here in the states it's a piece of cake still and it can all happen in no time at all. I sure hope our govt. doesn't take any hints from across the pond there.

I too wish you luck Ben, and yes, its gonna be SOOOO worth it

I'm glad you took the time to explain the modern test, as back in the days of the dinosours when I took mine it was only the two part test, where the examiner would follow you about on foot

But my daughter is geting close to that age now, so I needed to know roughly what was invovled

Cheers for that

dang...in the states if you can buy a bike and keep it up-right you get a liscense.

Cool, glad it was of interest - I spend a lot of time in California and Boston with work, and it's always interesting to me to learn about the differences..

A lot of my colleagues in the US are shocked at how draconian some of our anti-motorist measures are (ANPR for example) but to be honest, I dont have the slightest problem with a 'tough' test for either motorcycling or car driving - increased training and higher standards can only lead to safer motoring for all..

I'd be in favour of compulsory re-tests (or at least refreshers) every few years.. I know for sure that coming back to this after the 24 year gap since I last rode, and having to mug up on all the new laws and approaches has been of benefit to my car driving since, not just the biking, and has forced a more careful and thoughtful approach.. I suspect like many long term drivers I was simply driving on 'automatic' as it were, and very relaxed about it. It's tough, and I'm frustrated at just how hard I'm finding some of it, but isnt that the whole point?!

:-)

Here in Queensland, Australia they have just changed the rules so you can actually exceed the speed limit on your test and still pass.

Ben,

Thanks for that explanation. Don't know what we do in Canada right now. When I got my license several months ago in 1971, we wrote a simple test, then we were allowed to use/practise on our bikes without passengers. When tested, we explained where the various control surfaces were on the bike, performed basic maneuvers, accelerated through 1 gear change then nailed the brakes to stop on a designated spot, etc etc. We then took our bikes on a trip around a city block with the inspector watching our departure and enterance into the parking lot.

Unlike you I didn't bring my BSA 650 to the test. I performed my test on a Honda Trail 90. Remember confusing the instructor because the bike had 2 rear brake controls. Foot and left hand where the clutch usually was. This bike had a centrifical type clutch so there was no clutch work. Must say it was a lot easier than what you are going through now.

Well.. I passed my module 1 of the UK direct access scheme today - very pleased, a clean sheet with no 'minor' marks :-)

- CBT Day (on 125cc) - passed
- Theory test ( & hazard perception ) - passed
- Two days instructor training for module 1 - complete
- Direct access module 1 test (taken on school Honda 500cc) - passed
- Two more days training, and Direct access module 2 test (to be taken on my 865 America) - booked for next Tues / Weds..

Wish me luck!

Oh and I had to do it on the school bike - the Turning circle on the Triumph was just too ****** big!

All the luck in the world Ben

Good for you, Ben!!! Keep us updated on the rest as you make your way through. I still can't believe how tough and long it is over there.

That's awesome Ben! Gotta be a good feeling making it through all that! You guys got it tough over there compared to us at least.

Thanks all!

:-)

Congrats on coming as far as you have, and good luck for the next stage.

That is the final stage isn't it?

I tried crossing my fingers for you, but then I found I couldn't type this

I had sold my last Triumph in '83 and I had not ridden on two wheels since. Then I fell in love with Clyde. It was a '07 leftover Triumph Speedmaster at the local dealer. The price was right. The deal was struck.

I rode the bike home with paper plates and no motorcycle endorsement on my license. BUSTED. I decided that since I had not ridden for over 25 years maybe I could use a brush up lesson or two.

I signed up for the MSF riders course. The fees were reasonable and since it was being taught in a location over 80 miles away I figured I would use their bike rather than trailer mine to the location etc. Besides this new Triumph would have been a bear in some of the slow speed u turn and within a parking space things we ended up doing with the school bikes.

All was well. I found the place. We got geared up and we were issued a Suziki or Yamaha or whatever Jap flavor they had. These were all 125 cc bikes just smaller and lighter than my cruiser. The controls were all the same and it was easy and fun to ride.

The instruction was good, very much to the point and we went out and did things on a bike that I would have never done on my own. It was great. I learned how to manhandle this little bike into spots that I would never have belived possible.

I thought I knew how to ride before. I was wrong. Now I could make slow speed and very tight turns with complete control and confidence.

It ran over 6 hours and we certainly got our moneys worth. Having passed all the segements of the testing including a written test we were all given paperwork which when presented to DMV would get us the coveted Motorcycle Endorsement for our licenses. I got mine on the way back as I drove through Laughlin NV and found a very seldom used DMV office with a total of 3 people working there and only me.

I was out of there in 10 minutes and on my way home.

Now I was a licensed MCY operator and I started out with the Triumph and since then we have logged 12K miles and saved a lot of money on gas.

I highly urge anyone who has not taken the MSF course to consider it. Everyone will learn something and when you go don't even think about taking your Triumph unless you really are an expert at slow speed.

We had a guy with a 800 lb Moto Guzzi and when he got to the slow speed stuff he had to park it and use the school bike. Even the instructor when using the Moto Guzzi had a tough time doing those figure 8's inside a parking space.

The secret is to look where you want to go....not at the front wheel....not at the ground.....look where you intend to go and turn your head in that direction.....you will be surprised to see how tight your bike can turn and you will not fall over.

It was well worth the money but I still shudder and shake when I take this Speedmaster onto dirt and gravel roads. That front wheel just digs in the bike feels really unstable. So I keep to the hard surfaces and leave the dirt trails for the enduro and trails riders with the smaller bikes with the funny knobby tires.

Well - I passed it! :-)

Very pleased indeed, and got through the final stage (module 2) with no minor faults at all, including the newly introduced independent riding section.

I 'thought' I had failed it. I was asked to pull over, and did so - a little distance before a left-hand turn and the instructor instantly said no not there, pull out again and go to the other side of the junction. I thought any move which means he instantly tells me to go somewhere else has got to be a fail, a little harsh but hey.

Turned out all it was was that he didnt have enough room to pull up behind as someone was leaving their driveway.. The good bit was that having thought I had failed, I simply relaxed into the driving for the next 45 minutes.

It's taken a good number of weeks to complete this, and it's been expensive (about £775 worth of training / tests)- I'm very happy to be through it!

Oh, and between passing the test and bedtime last night, I managed to put about 220 miles onto the bike :-)

Let the good times roll!

Thanks all for your support

Well done Ben.
Be careful out there, lots of people driving on autopilot not paying any attention to whats going on around them.
Enjoy the bike, and riding with a full licence.

Nice one Ben, well done and enjoy riding with a full licence.

Congratulations Ben... let the good times roll!!! Be careful and have fun!!

Good for you.Congratulations.Watch out for those ****** cars

er,am i missing somethin here.my mate passed his test recently,and he had t do it on a 500cc bike like ya say soooo arnt bonny amercias 790 or above.