"New bike test - a question for the Instructors" thread in "Staying Alive"
Originally Posted by Ernie Cooley How many people actually do that when they are getting out of a parking space? normally sit on the bike, ...

Originally Posted by Ernie Cooley

How many people actually do that when they are getting out of a parking space? normally sit on the bike, clutch control with a bit of throttle and front brake, foot the bike back, bit of throttle, foot the bike back until you can get out easily. Perhaps a better test would be if they rider could actually control the bike whilst sat on it in this example rather than say they fail because they cannot handle it when not sat in it?

Originally Posted by Ernie Cooley

In this months Bike there is a short comment on why this is include in the test, apparently it is to simulate manouvering a bike 180 degrees from a parked space and it has to be done in an arc.

How many people actually do that when they are getting out of a parking space? normally sit on the bike, clutch control with a bit of throttle and front brake, foot the bike back, bit of throttle, foot the bike back until you can get out easily. Perhaps a better test would be if they rider could actually control the bike whilst sat on it in this example rather than say they fail because they cannot handle it when not sat in it?

Originally Posted by Bike Breaker

I turn the bike round and point it in the general direction of where I want to go before getting on. My legs aren't long enough to safely paddle the bikes around except for my teeny weeny little one so I don't, but I seem to be able to manage to push backwards any I need to.

I can do 3 point turns in a road with a steep camber though.

Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

So surely the exercise should be one where the rider chooses how to deal with the problem, and so long as it's done safely and successfully, the method is down to choice?

Originally Posted by Bike Breaker

I can do 3 point turns in a road with a steep camber though.

Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

So surely the exercise should be one where the rider chooses how to deal with the problem, and so long as it's done safely and successfully, the method is down to choice?

Originally Posted by Scootabout

Don't go beyond the crown of the camber. I think I learnt that one by experience

Originally Posted by Bike Breaker

I believe that should be the philosophy for pretty much everything if a bit of common sense is thrown in.

Having short legs I find moving my bike while sitting on it difficult even on the flat. Uphill is almost impossible so it's a case of drive up forwards, roll down backwards. Alternatively I'll get off and push.