Newbie from Netherlands - Europe - Helppppp!!!!!!

[Peter Y]

HI Folks Im Peter from the Netherlands. Ive been reading all the various bike info on this site for quite a while.

Im in the process of trying to get my drivers license. In Europe its quite difficult. After 5 months and 1000 Euros I am still not there. We have three exams in Holland. Two practical and one theorey. I passed my first practical and theorey and flunked on the last practical. That means a six week wait and another 400 Euro.

I am having some problems with positioning myself in the turns(in bends). Problems from preparing to enter the bend to position in the bend to comming out of the bend. In other words I have a "bends" issue.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreicated

[The549]

That's insane...I wonder if all those tests help mortality on the road at all.

Are you able to get yourself on the road at all to practice? What exactly can you do and not do so far?

[big_ry_ry]

the best thing i can say is ride but i dont know the laws there. I would make sure the bike is a good fit, different bike handle differently. Could be many factors on how your bike is set up or how comfortable you are riding.

I did some calculations and 1000 euro is $1316.39 american
and 400 euro is $526.56 US..that is crazy, cost me $26 american (19.75 euro) for the permit which included the permit test, permit card and road test fee. I believe 30 american (22.79 Eur) after i passed, for a new license with the motorcycle endorsement

[blues2cruise]

Are you downshifting before you get to the turn?

[Peter Y]

That's insane...I wonder if all those tests help mortality on the road at all.

Are you able to get yourself on the road at all to practice? What exactly can you do and not do so far?

We can only practice on the road with the presence of an instructor. That basically means 40 Euro per hour if you want to be on the road. So the way it works is the instructor follows you on his bike and talks to you via an ear piece and gives instructions.

Very very expensive.............

[Peter Y]

Are you downshifting before you get to the turn?

U know I down shift before I enter the turn touch the brakes ever so slightly if I have to and then if im turning left move to the right a little and then work my way(try to work my way) to the middle of the lane while im constanly increasing or maintaining speed through the turn.

So I am effectivley leaning over to the direction I want to turn.

[Peter Y]

the best thing i can say is ride but i dont know the laws there. I would make sure the bike is a good fit, different bike handle differently. Could be many factors on how your bike is set up or how comfortable you are riding.

I did some calculations and 1000 euro is $1316.39 american
and 400 euro is $526.56 US..that is crazy, cost me $26 american (19.75 euro) for the permit which included the permit test, permit card and road test fee. I believe 30 american (22.79 Eur) after i passed, for a new license with the motorcycle endorsement

Yep all your calculations are correct. This weekend also I just bought a bike a Suzuki GSX 600F (I think its called a Katana in the USA) 2003 model. But I wont be able to ride it until I get my license. I cant help but hink this is insane and and so am I for putting up with all this.

[blues2cruise]

Here is a diagram to look at. It is one of a few ways to handle a curve. The red line shows where he is looking which is wrong. The blue line shows where you should be looking. Perhaps that is one of your problems. Are you looking where you want to go...ie...through the curve?



Here is the website it came from.

www.motorcyclebasics.com/curves.htm

[Peter Y]

[quote="blues2cruise"]Here is a diagram to look at. It is one of a few ways to handle a curve. The red line shows where he is looking which is wrong. The blue line shows where you should be looking. Perhaps that is one of your problems. Are you looking where you want to go...ie...through the curve?

Today I changed my instructor and for the first time I had an instructor that actually showed me step by step how to enter and exit the curve. The previous instructor would only follow in his car from behind.

The new instructor actually said he would have never put me up for exams with the way im currently handling turns (says a lot about my previous instructor). Unfortunatley in Europe this is a big business with big $$. I cant do anything about the past but I think im on the right track.

[blues2cruise]

Hey, Peter, Good for you for changing your instructor. It really can make a big difference having the right instructor.

Good luck on your next test.

By the way....if you want to quote someone, you can click on the "quote" button in the top right corner of a post.