Which Bike should I take to the M.O.S.T

The question "Which bike should i use for the test?" may not be the first question you ask about the MOST, but it’s up there, and although it may seem difficult to answer, once a few principles are understand it becomes much clearer.

Q: Is the Honda cb125 the easiest bike to use for the test?

A: Yes it is one of the easiest if not the easiest to use.

For those who do not own a bike, you will usual end up with a rental from a company or hiring one direct from the rider training centre where you are undertaking your pre-provisional course and/or skills test. For those in this position, it is pretty straightforward. If you have own bike, the more difficult choice to make is ‘do I do the test on my bike or or just rent one?

“But I have my own bike and it would make sense to practise and do the test on this bike as this is the bike I will be riding?” That makes sense and furthermore, why should you pay extra to rent a bike. The question then narrows to a pretty basic one: “Can I do the test on my bike? Well firstly, Yes you can, in the sense that you are permitted to do so. Should I do the test on my bike? I would want to encourage all people to take the test on their own bike. I want to promote understanding of riding principles, and skills development so that the test becomes easy. So that leaves 2 questions: ‘Am I capable of doing it on my bike?’, and ‘Is it even possible to do on my bike?’ Let us look at the later first.

From my experience having trained people on the Honda 125 as well as on their own bikes I can tell you that for many bikes it is entirely possible. Even on the most extreme, one that I thought almost couldn’t be done, I have had someone do it. Here are some of the bikes I have seen go through the test successfully.

Honda VTR250; Kawasaki Ninja 300/400; Yamaha R3 /MT-03; Honda CBR500R, Suzuki GSX650F, Yamaha MT-07; Ducati Monster 659 and yes even a Yamaha XVS Cruiser, although the last one does need some serious practise and some lack of regard for one’s wellbeing  hahaha. Those with cruisers are really the only ones to whom I would suggest to consider getting an easier bike, at least to practise with and learn the techniques, before translating these techniques on to your own bike, which you will need to do anyway to become a safe and confident rider. So it is possible to do the test on these bikes, which means that someone can do the test on my bike, but how do we approach the second part of the equation: ‘Can I do the test on my bike’

This is just a matter of building up the right techniques gradually, understanding the necessary riding principles and to practise in a way that does not destroy your confidence and make you doubt the possibility of success, tempting you to just get the easy bike. Let us chat firstly about what makes these, using the Honda 125 as an example, easier.

The Honda cb125 is a great bike to learn on. What makes it easy for the test is a few factors. It is light-weight, low seat height, has a big steering range, and a soft smooth rear brake. In comparing this to say a Ninja 300/400, a bike that is heavier, taller and less steering angle, we want to say that the window of opportunity to make each test segment is reduced. Whereas the 125 is very forgiving and you can often adjust even if multiple things go wrong in the lead up, a bigger bike is less so and you usually have to get everything right to see consistent results. This is important when practising on your own bike.

When practising on your bigger bike, it is going to be tempting to use the actual test segments as your benchmark of success. Then, perhaps after a few tries including repeated failed attempts, you will attempt to adjust variables and perhaps sometimes get it and sometimes not. This is not to say it is impossible, but you to get multiple variables in alignment before you will see results against the segment. It is like a box, padlocked not with one, but with three. Now, before you can open the box you need to unlock all 3. You will need to unlock the principles of slow speed, body and bike positioning, and steering before the segment is consistently doable, you can practise these techniques individually and gradually combine them to form the whole. So Instead of trying to randomly make it through the entire segment, practise each skill, and then combine them. Only then will you be able to see a consistent result.

This means for a bigger bike with less steering capacity and more weight, you need to know the principles behind each part of the test as you will have a narrower window of opportunity to make it through a segment. The principles of Slow speed control and steering are big factors in the first parts of the test, but the later test segments you may find are countered by being even easier when you have a bigger bike. These segments are namely the quick stop and obstacle turn, where more power gets you up to speed faster and stronger brakes (include ABS) help to stop quickly. The slower segments of left-turn, cone-weave and u-turn, will demand you to know and use the principles.

Take our masterclass on the MOST, or drop in for a short lesson (or ‘ULTRA BRIEF’ lesson) on slow speed, steering and handling your bike. it is a little harder to master, but not impossible. To demonstrate this here is some video evidence. This is a mother riding her MT-07 and destroying the cones which are spaced an offset even greater than that demanded by the MOST.