Motorcycle Training Forum

[120bpm]

Hiya from another newbie (sadly only in terms of riding though). Just failed my DAS on the famous U turn. Hadn't really managed a confident, totally controlled one during the training to be honest - a few just scraping through but mostly with screaming revs. I know all the 'dos' and 'do nots', but the second I start to pull away it just seems to evaporate. Practice is the key I know, so I'm wondering if anyone knows of a trainer/instructor up near E London that does one to one that I could get some u-turn specific training from? I'm confident on the road, slow speed control transitioning from speed is okay (for a beginner), it's really just that !&!* u turn. Not gonna bother with a retest til I can do em at will else my confidence will just get destroyed. Certainly am not giving in though and will try and get a couple of hours practice in each week to keep the momentum going. For what it's worth, I took more positives away from the fail than negatives as it kinda showed I was up to speed on the bulk of riding which is cool as I did a CBT on a 125, then 3.5 days on a 500 then the test. To go from years of driving to riding is a real eye opener - truly brilliant, and addictive as hell, eh?

[rjh_786Bn]

Hi and welcome to the forum
Sorry to hear that! My understanding is the U-Turn is the biggest contributor to failing the bike test nationally, so it is important that you get plenty of practise! You should insist your Instructor allows you time to build your confidence on this special excersise

Visit http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk for training schools in your area

Don't give up, you are right in that, there is so much enjoyment once you have your license

Or you could come up to SUNNY CONGLETON where we enjoy a great 1st time pass rate

[Lady P]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear about your test - I'll hopefully be doing restricted later in the year with Rob (RJH), but consistency with the U-turn is now the biggest problem so I can empathise (and I know I'm not the only one) - also finding somewhere to practice is a nightmare (guard on local industrial estate threatened to call the police if I didn't leave, so now looking for somewhere new). If you do decide to make the jaunt 'up North' perhaps Rob could put on a "U-Turn Clinic" - I'd be interested and can think of at least one other person who may like to come along. In any event, good luck with it!!!

[120bpm]

Cool. Cheers all. 'U Turn Clinic' - That's the very thing! I'm gonna Google that now just in case. I'm in London so training up there is, sadly, unlikely but I'd sure as hell get up there for specialist Uey clinic! I reckon there is a demand for it...It is the practice thing that's the fly in the ointment. I need to do it on the full size bike (it never caused half as much hassle for me on the 125 during CBT - I was never brilliant, but could do 'em with some consistency), but of course I can't ride a 500 except under proper DSA training and I think practising on a smaller bike would be a bit counter productive for this maneuvre.

[rjh_786Bn]

Mmmmmm 'U Turn Clinic'

Let me put my commercial hat on £££££££, and perhaps some form of evening class could be arranged?

How many could be interested?

[fuse]

hmm your story sounds familiar, eh robert! i had exactly same trouble - took me loads and loads of goes to even get one right, but when you have nailed that first one they get much much easier.

The only thing i can say is to think about the actual act less and just got for it - i found the more i thought about it when i was doing it the more consistanly bad it was. When i was just able to do it, they just got easier and easier - in fact i actually did better on narrower and technically harder roads than was necessary. now i do them all the time on my street and its barely 2 car widths.

Practice is the key, if you can book yourself a 3 hour lesson with an instructor alone (maybe pay more for it) then i would definately say its money well spent. My irony was i got the u-turns perfected and then missed a 30 speed limit sign on my test about 2 mins later because i was so happy

[Lady P]

I'd certainly be interested, only difficulty is weekdays as I've no g'tee of knowing where I'll be or how long - weekend would be fantastic!

[ValHarri]

i think rob should come here to me for so i can have some oone on one tuition, as i cant go on motorways with L plates

[rjh_786Bn]

One on One tuition, sounds good to me

[yorkie 1200]

[quote="120bpm"](it never caused half as much hassle for me on the 125 during CBT - I was never brilliant, but could do 'em with some consistency)(quote]

Hi mate and welcome if doing a u turn on a 500 causes you to fall apart when doing your test why not just do your restricted test on a 125

[Caz]

Hi Rob,

I would definately be on for a masterclass on the old 'U -Turn' !! They are driving me mad!!

See you soon,
Caroline.

[ValHarri]

Bry has helped me out with u turns alot, i dont look at it as a manouvre now just turning the bike round, seems to work for me