Just getting some last minute cramming in for the module 1 test and was reading DSA’s DT1 document (guidance for examiners) - it says that the slow ride should be ridden in a straight line without losing control of the bike, as if riding in slow traffic. It doesn’t mention anything about putting your foot down but says that a slight loss of control should be marked as a rider fault (whereas a significant loss of control is a serious fault).
Sometimes if I’m in slow traffic, I might touch my left foot down as I’m going along - does anyone know if this would be acceptable in the test or would it go down as a rider or serious fault? I’m not suggesting paddling along with my feet - just the occasional touch…
i think it counts as a serious fault…thats ‘‘IF’’ your examiner notices!!! (and its your left foot obviously) I’ve heard you might be lucky and your examiner doesnt actually notice - just dont make it obvious and carry on.
…oh and make sure you carry on with the slow ride PAST the END white line - cos the examiner may put his clip board down towards the end - you might think the excercise is complete - when infact its NOT!
My understanding is that dabbing a foot counts as failure to control the bike at a slow speed, as you should only put your foot down when stopping.
However, whether they count it as a serious (test over) or a minor (you get a second chance at it), I can’t say.
A couple of tips - the examiner will be a little way away from you when you start the manouvre - I personally find it easier to pull away as normal then slip the clutch and apply the back brake to bring the speed down.
Also - don’t look at the instructor - he’ll be off to your side and if you look at him you will veer towards him. Fix on whatever point of his clipboard is closest to being in a straight line of view eyes - if you are staring over it, then you may find it easier to fixate on a point in the distance - you only need your peripheral vision to know where the instructor is, so learn to trust it
Oh, and keep the revs up a little - it removies the fear of stalling
balance has got a lot to do with posture and seat position dude, remember to sit your body on the bike in a balanced upright position, dont put wieght on the handle bars either, try to balance using good posture and no body wiehgt on the bars. the back break can be useful for controling the bike at slow speeds too, you can drag the back break lightly to steady yourself. also its harder to ride slowly (sub 2/3mph) if your fixated at the end of the road instead of the immediate surroundings.
you can only put your foot down if you are stopped/stopping and this then requires you to do check all around you (both sides lifesaver prior to moving off again) or it is a mark against you)
All the slow manouevres: u-turn, slalom, figure of eight, slow ride need to be done without putting a foot down - to do so would be a fail
In the oldtest whn you did these on the road, there were even more problems - like not a good idea to finish your U-turn with both wheels up on the pavement, which is what I did on my first test
If so, go to a car park and get yourself up to 10mph or so, then slow down gradually with the back brake, slipping the clutch. Keep the revs up and see how slowly you can go without putting your feet down.
Then do it by pulling away and seeing how slowly you can set off from a standstill. Revs and the back brake are your friend here!
Keep doing it again and again, and you’ll find you improve really quickly. After a few days, you’ll probably be able to get your speed down to below walking pace; almost stopped, in fact.
Just remember to keep the revs - and your head - up.
This is classic filtering technique, really… it’ll really help you in the real world if you can practice it.
When I took mine years ago I was dreading the u-turn. Had practiced that morning and had put my foot down a couple of times.
On the actual test I managed it and was nearly jumping off the seat with relief. Then noticed the examiner was already walking away and hadn’t bothered to watch most of it :rolleyes:
Good luck though. Just stay calm and concentrate on the job in hand. Don’t think about whats to come and treat every maneouvre individually.
Yeah - I did the test twice (old test) and noticed both times that once the examiner saw I’d pulled away OK and was into the U-turn, he turned and walked away and didn’t watch the rest of it. Maybe it’s so they can turn a blind eye to a foot down on a U-turn as they know many will do just that? Guess though that with the new module one being in a more controlled environment that they may well watch the whole thing :unsure:
When I did my module 1, the examiner did watch everything I was doing. He spoke to me before and after each exercise so would have had to make an effort to turn away if he didn’t want to watch!
Plus, with the test centre I was at, the instructor could stand in full view of the exercises, so turning a blind eye wouldn’t be a little secret between the examiner and candidate any more.
