I'm going to book my Direct Access - any pointers?

PardonTheWait

PardonTheWait

PardonTheWait

Soldato
Joined
26 Aug 2003
Posts
24,288
Right.

I've decided that within the next few days I will be booking my Direct Access bike test - from start to finish, CBT included. I'm going to start phoning around tomorrow.

I'll have to break it up into 3 or however many I need to weekends, because I'm pretty new in my job and can't book 4 days/a week off. Shouldn't be too bad though as it's only broken up into a few bits, not strung out over weeks and months.

I've been riding bikes for about 18 months now, and can handle the mechanics of a bike fine. I know how to ride, my riding is all done on dirt/sand/mud/water and I've ridden on tarmac. I know how to handle a bike, but I've never ridden one on the road. (well I rode my mate's scooter a bit but we won't talk about that!)

So... What can you guys tell me to help out?

I'm not going to be cocky...

I know this:
bikenoname.jpg

Isn't the same as road stuff!

The bikes I've ridden are very tall, very slim, have no extra controls and most importantly in my mind, no fairing! I've ridden a couple of road bikes up my drive and I'll be honest, it felt ****ing weird turning the bars and not seeing anything move... with an MX bike it's totally naked, you see the front fender move, and it felt very disembodied with clocks/fairing covering that up! The weight of the machine is also something I find strange and will need to get used to.

I also know that I can't ride on the road like I do on the track... The bikes are different animals and obviously it's a different environment. I no doubt need the tuition just as much as someone who's never ridden a bike in their life in many ways.

Aside from the actual riding of the bike though, I'm a total noob. What will help me get brownie points, what will possibly save my life on the road one day - while I'm sure my MX experience will be very helpful in some ways with reaction times, being well-versed in falling off and whatnot, it won't help me pass my bike test or avoiding accidents. I wanna soak up as much stuff from you guys as I can before I go into the tuition and test, because of course every little helps and I'm a total road noob!

So any tips, please do let me know :)

Thanks
 
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Wait a few months till it gets warmer :p
Ive just started my direct access a few weeks ago, had 3 lessons so far and everyone has been in the snow/rain and wind. Today was the first time ive ever had blue hands, literally blue.

Im a total amature so I cant offer much advice, as a total bike newbie even I found it easy so im pretty sure you will pick it up no problem.
 
Pah! This weather's nothing to a hardcore nutter like me!

Mostly though - I need transport hardcore, and to be honest I can't drive a car for toffee! Needs to get done, now's as good a time as any :)
 
I get a free-ish bike once I pass, we've got a 'family bike' that's been my dad's, then got sold to my brother-in-law, who then lent it to my mum, then we bought it back :D

It's worth about tuppence but it's a great bike for commuting/cheapness to run, plus it's a big single like I'm used to riding :) It's an aprilia Pegaso 650, looks just like this one but with no top box:

1997pegaso65002re.jpg


Strangely I'm not actually much of a fan of sportsbikes. I like sit-up bikes and most of the bikes that stoke me up are either big trailies, supermotos or off-roady bikes...

Odd for someone of 21!

I'm sure the speed bug will get me in the end.
 
At least you probably have the family approval, biking is a dirty word in my family.
They are just about coming round to the idea now, they never had a go about it, just kind of blanked me when I mentioned it.
 
Life shoulder looks (Very important, the instructor will tell you why)
Ride with extreme care in wet
Keep plenty of distance

That's all you really need to know, everything else should be with ease.
 
Your lucky, keep us posted of how it goes....I wish I could take a direct access, but I have the problem of my mum and dad cutting me off completely if I ever get a bike while they are still alive!! :(
 
Link in Chelmsford are pretty good. Did my restricted test with em in January. Most of all don't worry, at least youv'e got the basics of throttle/clutch etc sorted from already riding :D.
Good luck!
 
I was going to suggest them actually, there is also Castlepoint and Rochford but they only do Sunday mornings and then loan you the bike on test day.

Link have a good reputation though.

As far as biking advice goes,

You probably have the advantage being able to ride a dirt bike here given the extra balance needed for that, so use that to your advantage especially on the U turns, which in all honesty is probably as technical as it gets :D

Emergency stop is just a case of getting used to applying lots of front, then lots of rear, to the point that it slows you down without skidding, then the drills that get you to the side of the road.

The rest is all about enjoying the ride, lots of lifesavers and mirror checks and more enjoying the ride :D
 
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My mum did her test with Link but I can't get to them unfortunately :(

I think I'm going to go with a place who operate from Garons Park, I spoke to the guy on the phone (one of the instructors) and he seemed pretty sound. I'll book up with them and ask if I can pay for the CBT separately, as I'm sure when I do that I'll have an idea if they're a sound school from that day. :)
 
I passed with 8 hours worth of training after never being on a bike before.

You really won't have a problem as you already ride.

Just remember the biggest cause of test faliure is people not turning off their indicators!

Also move your mirrors so you can't see out of them without moving your head, this then makes the instructor see everytime you use the mirrors.

I know a few peeps who have failed on emergancy stop from locking the rear wheel, braking from 30mph doesn't even need the use of the rear brake so you can just fake using it and stop with the front. a lot of people don't even use the rear brake other than slow manovers and when you have 2 up.

Hope that helps
 
I know a few peeps who have failed on emergancy stop from locking the rear wheel, braking from 30mph doesn't even need the use of the rear brake so you can just fake using it and stop with the front. a lot of people don't even use the rear brake other than slow manovers and when you have 2 up.
Click to expand...

This bloke is trying to give you tips on how to fail, so take no notice whatsoever, on a test you stick to doing it as you have been taught, that way you cant get picked up for having to "fake" anything.

And at 30mph if you grab too much front wheel its can be game over, its totally dependant on what the weather is like, so i say again, stick to doing the manouevres as you get taught ;)
 
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