How to Pass an Advanced Bike Test - Positioning 

I take mine on Sunday - these videos have been solid gold! Thanks John - I think you're a star for taking the time to produce and upload all these films

Talk of pedestrians has suddenly reminded me that twenty years ago I was walking down a lane holding the hand of my son, who was aged about 3-4. He suddenly slipped his hand out and dashed across the road - sudden squeak of brakes, and a car behind us that I hadn't even heard screeched to a stop about three feet from him. That was sobering.

I can definitely echo the sentiments of watching out for pedestrians and dogs, they can be relied upon to do unpredictable things - and it's much harder to move away from them when you're behind the wheel of a bus. I've had pedestrians waiting at a bus stop on the opposite side of the road, they see my bus, realise that it's actually the one they want and run across a busy 60mph road to try and catch it. Even in the town centre they'll just amble about near my bus as I'm driving along, completely unaware of the danger they're in.

14:15 Reg's shadow looks like a gesticulating skeletal Terminator on a bike. Most unsettling!

Nice to see you back, Reg! Was missing your videos a lot! Looking forward for your clips from India! Sorry to hear you got Covid on arrival back from holidays. Wish you soonest recovery!

i take mine next week, your uploads and knowledge have been a great addition to my studying, look forward to the masters videos.

Welcome back, thanks for the upload.

Good to see you back, excellent video as usual!

Good to see you back. With your recent luck I wouldn’t buy a lottery ticket. Save a couple of quid!

Another good one.

Welcome back Reg. I laughed about the little dogs. 😄Dogs in general don't like motorbikes. 🐕Watch out for owners using those awful long extending leads. The dog can get a long way into the road on one of those! I too need to get back editing having had a couple of months enjoying the great weather taking out IAM Associates, social riding and cycling.

Yet another fantastic video full of very useful information. Even with a couple of advanced qualifications under my belt I still consider myself a beginner, as I am always learning. Interesting what you said about positions 4, 5 and 6. When I did a Bikesafe course our police rider was encouraging us to move to position 5 or 6 on left hand sweepers. Although I understand the observation advantage, my feeling is that unless I'm a police / paramedic rider responding to a triple 9 call, is the observation advantage worth the extra risk of the position?

wellcome back ,

23:17 - I've had a fairly thorough b*ll*cking for doing something virtually identical to that before now. The reasoning: A lay-by should generally be treated like a junction to the right - and in some ways, perhaps even MORE like a junction. Drivers suddenly decide they need a slash etc. and turn in, perhaps with a mirror check - but you're in their blind spot cos you've committed to the overtake and are halfway through it. I dunno. I just flag this up as something to talk about.

Frustrated that many riders don't properly consider S.S.V (safety, STABILITY then view) while riding ( unlike S.V.S in a car ?). We cannot expect safety to be satisfied on our bikes if we happen to overlook stability and deploy a position of view as a priority ? Riders not being "dynamic" with their positioning. It clearly is a large topic Reg ! Off-siding through blind bends happens in front of me very often. I wish all riders would aspire to further ( and ongoing) training ! Who owns X-Ray glasses or a Crystal ball ? We should always be sacrificing "everything" for safety too, I often see that many riders simply won't move pro-actively for unstable situations, let alone dangerous ones. Negotiating puddles at speed with unknown hidden potholes beneath. Staying in Pos-3 with oncoming traffic is another. Staying deep in Pos-1 but not adjusting speed to suit. etc etc. Lost the view? Lose the speed. Oncoming traffic ? We seldom see bikers near-siding to avoid unseen " lurkers" hiding behind oncoming heavies for example. I dont think we could ever cover all the elements required for best riding practice regardless of how many videos or books there are ! Thanks !

Perfect horn use at 15:57, doesn't mention it though because the video is about positioning 🤣

HI Reg. Interested to learn the route you were taking today ?. Looks very picturesque ...

Information ... (Plus the 4 phases) is always considered though isn't it Reg ?

Good morning, nice to see you back. Just a question, you performed an overtake about 23 mins into the video where there was a layby on the right of you. I've always been told that is a no no, is there a reason that this one was OK?

Hello sir, should I let behind car overtake me in the same lane. By going to near side. But allowing them overtake on the same lane I feel unsafe. Even though they should overtake from overtaking lane when it's occupied car drivers force motorcyclist to near side in the left lane on the highway when overtaking from wrong lane that is left lane. I believe motorcycle have car sized space to them legally. My question is that shouldn't I hold centre of the lane or position 2 in the left or slow lane? Thank you. From India

17:59 I think she's demonstrating unsafe driving 😂

Could you do one about riding in the rain please Terry

mmm.. you have mentioned positioning with panniers on previous vids, never had panniers before until last week, all i can say its going to take some adjusting or is it confidence, they look huge from the back, lol . Trying to adjust to the width when i cant see them ! any advice or is it practice on car park which is what im thinking. Good to see you back, cheers Andy

This is all just to make lots of money. Bike tests are just like car tests; once you've passed, just about everyone drives totally differently from how they were taught. You couldn't keep riding as they taught you because you would never get anywhere. This is all just to make lots of money.

Overtake on a offside lay-by Reg? White van man driving.. thought this would be a deffo no no??? 23:19

well i passed.

Agree or disagree. But as far as I'm concerned, bike tests these days are just a money-making scam. When I was younger, you took your test on the road with one guy standing and watching you. and it must have taken half an hour. All this crap now is just to con people out of a lot of money, and I don't like being conned. I haven't passed my test, but I was riding a 250-cc for years and never had any accidents. It may be important if you intend to ride a high-powered bike but not a 250-cc There is nothing they could teach me that would make me ride any better. I'm sure it would be easier and less hassle to get your pilots license. I only wish I had taken my test before they brought all this bullsh*t in.