I'm sure these are all piddling little things to you guys who have been riding for years and know exactly what they're doing...but for me as a 16 year old on the road for the first time it was all scary as hell...i got my CBT certificate but hell i'm not sure i want a bike now it all went so bad.

So yeah that was my day! I don't know anyone who owns a bike so i don't know how common the mistakes i made were. I'm just not sure i have the confidence to get my own bike now. Some reassurance would be nice

And that, in itself, is a pretty good sign that however much you might have felt on the edge, your instructor thought you were doing OK. It's not an automatic pass and if you look like you're going to become an accident statistic any moment, you will be failed.

As for being nervous out on the road: I'd be surprised if you weren't. It's a lot to deal with as an absolute beginner: not just control of an unfamiliar machine, but also the whole concept of roadcraft. That's a whole different ballgame to riding a pushbike and it all happens a lot faster. So give yourself credit for having done it at all and bear in mind it is a lot to take on board if you've never done either before. Not only that, but most people get nervous just being watched, so being followed around doesn't help.

All of the things you've listed are perfectly normal. Everyone forgets their indicators once in a while. Nobody likes doing U-turns. And absolutely everyone, once in a while, has a bit of a close shave through not paying enough attention. However, they are also all things that quickly become easier. It doesn't take long for the controls to become second nature, freeing up more of your attention to watch the road. And it doesn't take long, either, for you to improve your observation skills on the road: look ahead and anticipate what other road users are going to do.

Now that you've got your CBT you are in a position to practice on the road where you choose. You can find somewhere quiet, like the back roads all the driving instructors use for learner drivers, and spend some time just getting used to riding a bike before going out to play in traffic. Maybe have a little more instruction and training: most riding schools will be happy to provide that. There's nothing wrong with being nervous, even properly scared, until you get a little more used to it - better to be overcautious than overconfident - and there's no shame in taking it slow and steady. The confidence will come as you learn what to expect of yourself, your machine and the rest of the world around you.

It shows a sensible attitude to ask the question, but I can't see any reason not to give it more of a shot. Truth is, those are all fairly little things - even if they don't seem like it at the time - and it shouldn't take you very long to realise that and stop worrying about them!

>> ex silens nox noctis <<

BTW i'm glad i'm doing this now...i think if i'd waited till i was 17 and got a 'proper' motorbike it would have been a lot harder...least on a moped you don't have to worry about gears and all that.

If you're on a moped then speed is an issue, no question.  All I can say is stay away from fast main roads!  We had a guy working with us who rode a 50cc trail bike to work and back along the A40, the same route I use.  He always left to go home before me and I used to know when I was catching him up because of the traffic jam!  30 on a NSL main road is not safe, really.

Get the basics of your roadcraft on the 50, and then when you upgrade you will find the whole experience much more enjoyable.

And watch out for them sheep!

--

2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Its not the years of your life but the life in your years...or thanks to Black Dog, Its not the men in your life but the life in your men"....

www.yam-xt.com

What is a bit awkward for the typical solo learner - and something that doesn't happen with a little more power under the hood - is being intimidated by other road users because of their lack of speed. Quite often, this ends up with the 'ped creeping along in the gutter trying to let a constant stream of cars past: makes me nervous every time I see it, because the rider's in the worst possible road position with just no place to go if something unexpected happens.

Remember you've got as much right to use the road as anyone else and your safety is more important than their arriving two minutes earlier. Try to stay in a sensible spot (for test purposes, usually recommended to be 1/3 of the lane out from the left kerb - but at least a couple of feet away from the gutter or verge) and only move over to let people past when it is safe for you to do so; otherwise they'll just have to find their own way past when conditions permit them. Difficult, as BD says, on a national speed limit road because you simply don't have the speed to keep up - best to avoid seriously main roads, or peak traffic times, as much as possible.

However, I would say that every time I've been in Wales, the road users have been pretty good; and slower vehicles do take opportunities to move over and let others overtake quite regularly. You don't see a lot of that politeness down here: I'm sure Sussex has the highest proportion of ignorant drivers anywhere in the country!

>> ex silens nox noctis <<

How's the bike hunting coming along? Hope to see you turn up with rebelman to the next meeting!

>> ex silens nox noctis <<