Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Silly isn't it? You can do the test course a dozen times almost with your eyes shut, but as soon as he stands there with the clipboard and stopwatch ... you forget where you put your brain.

I knew I'd missed it too.

starlet wrote:

Glen wrote:Ironically you can fail your L's for not doing headchecks but not your P's. The instructor will point it out to you but so long as you don't do anything dangerous you'll be right. Having said that...do your headchecks they'll save your life one day.

I did my Ps a about a month ago and each headcheck you miss you accumulate 3 points. So if you miss 3 headchecks that's 9 points which is a fail and the instructor is not allowed to point out what you've done wrong until the end when they say "The test is complete, pass/fail" etc.

That's how it worked for me anyway

I stand corrected, sorry about that. They've obviously changed it in the last 3 years since I stopped instructing. We never used to add points for failing to headcheck and I did instructor school in about 1998. it must have been at the time they widened the Uturn and spread the cones out.

Daisy wrote:

starlet wrote: each headcheck you miss you accumulate 3 points. So if you miss 3 headchecks that's 9 points which is a fail and the instructor is not allowed to point out what you've done wrong until the end when they say "The test is complete, pass/fail" etc.

That's how it worked for me anyway

Me too. Technically, I missed one. I did check - but he'd already seen me release the clutch.

In Tassy do you have to headcheck with both heads

Sorry, no more tassy jokes I promise

Glen wrote:In Tassy do you have to headcheck with both heads

Sorry, no more tassy jokes I promise

Its ok. We both thought it was funny.

My licence test was done in country NSW about 25 years ago:
"How did you get here?"
"Rode me bike."
"How many times did ya fall off?"
"None!"
"Good-o, sign here thanks."

It was a simpler (and more lethal) time...

Actually, it was closer to 27 years ago...

- I bet it was the old crusty Sgt who issued the licence as well eh ??

Yeah, Sgt Kelly, I think it was. More of the Ned Kelly in him than Sgt Kelly, though.
One of NSW Pleece's finest exponents of country coppering - don't reckon he paid for a steak or a beer in over thirty years.

starlet wrote:I did my Ps a about a month ago and each headcheck you miss you accumulate 3 points. So if you miss 3 headchecks that's 9 points which is a fail and the instructor is not allowed to point out what you've done wrong until the end when they say "The test is complete, pass/fail" etc.

More accurately, you accumulate 1 point for the first head check missed, 3 points for the 2nd and 5 points if you forget to do a head check a 3rd time. So if you forget to do head check 3 times you do fail but I wouldn't stress if you forget to do it once (but don't do it a 2nd or 3rd time). Just like you lose 3 points for putting your foot down once during the obstacle course but get penalised 5 points the 2nd time. If you make the same mistake twice, the penalty increases for the 2nd time. Keep in mind, the point system is designed so that you can make mistakes and still pass comfortably eg. forget head check once (1 point) and put foot down in u-turn (3 points) still means you pass with 4 points to spare.

Glen wrote:I stand corrected, sorry about that. They've obviously changed it in the last 3 years since I stopped instructing. We never used to add points for failing to headcheck and I did instructor school in about 1998. it must have been at the time they widened the Uturn and spread the cones out.

You only lose points forgetting head checks in the obstacle course. I don't think the instructor penalises you if you forget head checks during the group ride but he might pay more attention during the obstacle course if they see you displaying bad habits in the ride.

my gpx 250 could do it (ride safe in SA). it would be a lot harder on the zx2r. hire a cb250 or a dirty for the day. anything naked or trail orientated should have no issues.

good luck!

OK Guys,

Thanks for all the good advice and tips, I went and rented a Hoonda CB250 today ($120 for one day hire) - (Bloody MARSHMALLOW with ape hangers !! - That's what if feels like anyway )

Only good thing about this bike is I can weave in and out of parallel car parking spots next to each other, and I managed to sneak into the RTA test site at Botany for 5 mins, to see what it is like through the cones (Sorry if anyone who works there saw me, I was just curious and the gates were open !!

Anyhoo, off I put-put to Loftus for the test, should be a cinch.

Then back on the ZXR next week, thank Gaaawd.....

Thx again.

P Plates Granted - 12 months to go until I can ride a " proper " Bike - Oooh Yeeah ! -

Standard question for down the track, but funnily enough I don't think I want a 4 cylinder screamer bike next, I reckon the TRX850 Yama-haha is a good all round bike, would love a decent sporty Kawasaki V Twin, but they don't make anything, do they ??

All of your comments were a great help, so Cheers. The CB250 was defo a good idea for the test, a bloke with a 250 Blade failed ......

Over and Out...

well done mate...

TRX...hmm they had a problem with... let me think... weak welds i think it was... so keep an eye out for em...

what abt a er6 ?? they not a bad thing..

Hi.. without sounding like a girl..the er6 is a great med weight easy to ride bike you can throw around and has enough grunt for starters..easy to corner and servicing is a breeze....pretty good all rounder...worth a look! and too $$

Cheers
Possum