Show Me, Tell Me lights/indicators

On the motorcycle practical test, one of the specified questions for 'Show
Me, Tell Me' is:
"Show me how you would check that the lights & brake lights and reflectors
are clean and working."

The model way of showing this is given as:
"Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), identify reflectors. Check
visually for cleanliness and operation."

However, on the CG125 (Makes Sign of Holy Pushrods), the lights and
indicators operate only when the alternator is running.

As starting the engine with the bike still on the stand is an instant test
failure (loss of control), how should I show that they are working
correctly? As far as I can see, I would have to give a "tell" answer instead
of a "show" answer. Would this result in being marked down?

Suggestions to take the test on another bike will be mocked and derided
copiously. There Is No Other Bike.

 

****, is it? That's bonkers.

Can you start the engine whilst astride, then put it on the stand - or is
that "reckless endangerment"?

 

I don't know. I had thought of doing that, but it seems risky. In the
absense of any clear correct way of answering the question, there
seems to be a choice between:

1) physically doing something that the examiner may regard as a loss of
control and give an instant fail for, or
2) giving a verbal answer only whilst pointing to bits of the bike, which
may result in being given a minor fault.

I would be inclined to choose the latter. Are there any good reasons not to?

 

Give him a verbal answer and then offer to get on the bike and start it to
verify, explaining that you know about the not starting on the stand rule.

 

Can't you just explain it to him as you have here?

 

<snip>

How about procuring an engineers inspection mirror on an extending handle
(bit like a car aerial).

You could then sit on the bike with the engine running, whip out the mirror,
extend and be able to check all points on the bike.

Maybe a daft idea, but it is early.

 

Thinking back to my test, one of the questions asked was the 'what
would you do before carrying a pillion'. That was definitely an
acceptable 'tell me' and I can't see that your lights issue would be
any different.

One would also assume that the tester would know enough about bikes to
know of the 'limitation' of the CG (MSOHP)

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Didn't say it was hard did I?

IMHO the test is too easy, and I'm surprised I'm still alive.....


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Don't be so sure...

 

Sit on the bike with the stand up and start it with your foot on the
back brake?

 

Now there's an interesting thought........

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Point out to examiner that lights only work with engine running (designed
that way) and this is how you would check - check lights for cleanliness
first then get on the bike, start it up, hold it on front brake/footbrake
and then check front lights and indicators - place your free hand in front
of headlight if neccessary to check that light (dont forget both main beam
and dip) is working (reflected light from hand will confirm this). If you
can see rear indicators then check these visually (if not then see next
bit) - if anyone else is available (such as the examiner!) you would ask
them go to rear of bike and tell you if tail light and brake light (and
indicators if you can't see them) are working OK - tell him that if no
person is available you would check by backing bike up to nearest object
(car, wall, shop window etc) and checking reflected light as confirmation of
functioning.

Alternatively - mount remote control video camera on rear rack, linked to
HUD projected onto visor!!!!

Tony

 

Why not? Loads of people must do their tests on a CG. The only reason
I didn't was coz they are too big for me (yes, I know!).

Motorbike instuctors and examiners are, IMVLE, decent people who want
to see good biker saget onto the roads and be safe. They're not all
paper-pushing jobsworths trying to keep us off the roads.

I think it's like generally in life: don't assume too much
intelligence, but don't assume lack of intelligence either.

 

....or use a handy reflective surface/shop window to see the red glow
yellow flashing whilst sat astride. Putting a hand over the headlamp
shows it working.

 

It certainly needs to be more relevant to modern riding conditions. I would
suggest the following enhancements to the current test.

Marks will be deducted for:

Insufficient use of lanes 1a/2a on dual carriageways.
Incorrect use of the turning left, turning right and turning nasty signals
Sticking ones knee out when only 2 degrees from vertical.
The pulling wheelies/stoppies in an incorrect location [1]

Extra marks will be awarded for:

Correct use of the mean and moody biker stare
Correct observation of fit bored housewives
Use of wheelies/stoppies to attract said MLIF's

Any motorcyclist performing a manoeuvre which causes a female's knicker
elastic to snap at 50 paces will automatically be awarded a full licence.

[1] I.E. where nobody can see you

 

*bzzt*

Marks deducted for use of a Clarksonism on ukrm.

 

Guilty as charged m'Lord. However I would like to say in my defence that I
only took my eyes off the clichometer for a moment and it must have just
drifted in.

 

While I know what is meant by MILF, I've never worked out what it
actually stands for.

 

"Mom's I'd Like to ****".

HTH.

cf. www.milfhunter.com (s5w2p4)

 

Tsk and you being a man of the world and all that.

Mothers I'd Like to ****

www.milfhunters.com (not work safe!)