Motorcycle Training Forum

[Stu1963]

Hi,

One problem I've encountered when out riding on my own concerns mini roundabouts.

As I am preparing for my test, I follow the line of all roundabouts regardless of size, but as we all know, car drivers straightline mini roundabouts.

On more than one occasion I have been aware of cars strightlining, overtaking me and meeting me as I take the second exit (straight ahead). I have not been caught out by this as I have always seen it coming, but it is not ideal!

Any comments? Am I doing the right thing? The main problem is I have to ride quite slowly which gives cars the opportunity to overtake. With an instructor, he provides protection against this happening.

On another subject I managed to crack the U-turn. Plenty of practice, following advice already posted. I can now do U turns controlled without taking too much time i.e. slow riding but without hanging about too long in the middle of the road.

I practiced in car park with no kerbs in a width of 7 normal paces, working with steady throttle, clutch around the biting point, controlling forward motion with clutch and back brake.

Thanks
Stu

[yorkie 1200]

hi stu
glad you sussed those u turns
having your own bike to practise on is a advantage

mini roundabouts i presume you mean the ones that are painted on the road should be treated as a large roundabout the same rules apply regardless of what other road users are doing

when i did my hgv test i had to treat these painted islands as normal even though the trailer went staight over it

hope this helps

[rjh_786Bn]

Sounds like you are encouraging following vehicles to overtake By this I mean your positioning and speed

Take control, don't straight line, but don't go too wide either, try and stay more central thus Command
Also don't go too slow, as this could encourage overtakes when you should be taking control..........

This hopefully will help

[Stu1963]

Thanks for the advice guys,

As you suggest, I think it is a combination of going too wide and too slow. Probably too slow on the approach, or slowing down too early. This brings car drivers too close.

This has actually only been a problem on two particular mini roundabouts, neither of which are in my test area, but I'll go back and try what you suggest.

Cheers
Stu