About to go for license

[javaman]

Got my beutiful 2000 zx6r, now all I need is a proper license The thing is I have been riding for 10 or so years before in my home planet, and now an overseas license conversion is needed.

Just went through the requirements to pass: a turn, a swerve, a stop(pie). Anyone would be kind enough to share what will actually happen on test day? I am thinking not to go for the course to save me 100bucks.

On the brochure it says 1 hour. That's a really long time for three maneuvers ?

[Quarkz]

Three? Haha. No. Much more than three. Its about the same stuff you go through when going for your 250cc licence. There was a thread on this a little while back: http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1154 Have a squiz through that, it should tell you about everything you need. It's just stuff like emergency braking, figure of 8's, obstacle avoidence, road rules quiz, high speed riding, low speed riding, apexing, slalom, couldersacks/uturns etc. Q-Ride (What it's called here) is compulsory in this state now (correct me if Im wrong guys, I dont really know) but it might not be in others. You should do it though, it teaches you a lot even if you think you know everything already.

[javaman]

Yes I have been reading two threads in this forum. Good advises, however I'm wondering more itu the technicality/items of the test i.e. doing a slow ride for few meters, then what, then what.... By the way I am in Melbourne. From the previous post I read that there is no figure of 8 testing here.

What scares me secondly is using the provided bike being not used to clutches etc. I reckon I will be more confident on my own zx6r but the rule says no..no.. for using anything > 260.

[Quarkz]

You can't use your own bike? Dude, that would suck!

[Felix]

Any test is going to involve emergency stops/swerves, slow speed turns, slow speed straight/creeping, probably at least a U-turn if not a figure of eight (pretty common though), and rapid direction changing ie slalom. If you are worried about any of that then you probably aren't ready, but if not you should be fine.

[Rusty]

...snip 8< ... correct me if Im wrong guys ...

Consider yourself corrected!

Qld Transport

It's the same as it's been for some time now - if you want to go straight to your R class licence, you have to go throguh Q-Ride. Otherwise, you can do the 250 Ls then test, then >250 Ls then test.

And there's also something in the regs about not having been disqualified/suspended in the last 3 years ...

[Graham]

Hi,
If it's any help I went through a registered Q Ride test last week, deal is to get a R Licence (unrestricted) you have to have a C licence for minimum 3 years (Car licence, that is) and a learners RE licence (which as you may know involves answering 5 dumb questions), if you are experienced it's a day course and 2 days if a novice.
It's actually very good, Iv'e been riding for many years and only wanted a refreasher, and I would highly recommend Q Ride, but I guess it also depends on where you go as there are a few around. I will give Warren a plug out at Runcorn for allit's worth.
Hope this helps, oh yeah, 1 day cost $220, and $440 for the 2 day session.
If they pass you you collect the R licence same day!

[kempy]

Q-Ride (What it's called here) is compulsory in this state now (correct me if Im wrong guys, I dont really know) but it might not be in others. You should do it though, it teaches you a lot even if you think you know everything already.

HA, you have a lot more faith in Q-Ride than I. Its the biggest load of shit ever, and way to easy to pass. More than anything, Queensland Transport instructors were barred from the process of designing the course/program for Q-Ride. That was fug-up number 1. There are plenty more.

As for the rest of it, QLD is the only state with a program like Q-Ride (competency based, progresive training), and the only program that allows people to go straight to an unrestricted licence (load of shite in my opinion).

[tape]

Can't use a 600 for P test, you have light rcognition swerve and brakes etc. but reasonably easy stuff. My 2 cents worth would be to pay the days cost and enjoy the day of friggin around getting used to CB250 and have a ball passing the damn thing...

[Felix]

's funny...

All the people that don't like QRide are the one's that had to do it the old fashioned way...just an observation...

I actually think QRide coupled with a LAMS type of dealie might be a fairly decent idea, but as it is, I wont be complaining about QRide anytime soon. I kind of like the idea I can ride my brothers SV650S without having to worry about being caught etc.

While legally there is nothing stopping me buying a rocket on wheels, good sense tells me my ER-5 is about as much bike as I want for a while

[Graham]

yeah, look my point is that Q Ride should NEVER be viewed as a fast track to a R licence, and I guess it will be by a certain element out there. The reason I gave them a tick (well the one I went to anyway) is that he failed 2 of the 4 participants for that very reason, ie that their skill level was crap and was quite obvious to all that they needed to go the 250 licence process for at least a year for the very reason of competency.
Having riden for 20 + years, I can tell you that I wanted value for money for the day, not just the licence and I v'e gotta say he delivered.
I guess there are some not so good stories out there as well?

Cheers

[javaman]

Thanks for the posts guys... I have decided to take the test lessons. It should be fun anyway and will give me greater chance to pass so no drama. The only thing it will set me back another $100 but still I think a decent price.

Ok so this saturday I will get my license... so happy !!

[Rusty]

I went through Q-ride, albeit a little differently. I did it over a few weeks, a couple of hours at a time. First was theory, followed by skills instruction/basic skills testing, then a three hour ride in as many different situations as possible. I would definitely recommend that model.

Having ridden a farm bike for years helped, too.

The "get it in a day" model sucks, IMO.

[javaman]

Done the test and passed. I am so happy if not for the license restrictions till January, this is because my overseas license shows only issuance date of January 2004 instead of the time I got my first license which is waaay back in 1991.

Anyway I'm hopping to the plane back to java next week and hopefully (finger crossed) will be able to find my old license (yes the one with long teenage hair) ...

The test itself is based on points here in victoria. Basically you accumulate points everytime you make a "mistake". The total point allowed is 40, and I got 9 points. There are 6 maneuvers I need to do. (1) Left cornering (2) Right cornering, and then in random, using light box: (3) emergency braking, (4) swerve right, (5) swerve left, (6) Emergency braking again. Even though I could do them all individually without lessons, I do not think I would pass without knowing the test structure itself. Thus I am glad I did the lesson and would recommend so for anyone going to the test.

[Felix]

Good stuff - congratulations!