Phil

Bummer, its a fail I was under the impression you'd to keep behind the examiner when doing the slow ride. Turns out that's been scrapped in favour of just a slow ride with the examiner behind you! I went that slow I had to put a foot down at which point it went to pot. Oh well

Every man for himself as far as I'm concerned

I've been out today on the test pad ahead of my test on Thursday. Overall went reasonably well! The garage thing I did fine. Slalom and figure of 8 I did ok, although I did have to go around the last cone once when doing the figure of 8, but I'm let to believe this won't constitute a fail. Bearing in mind I'd done it about 10 times. Slow ride was ok, but didn't spent too much time on that. U turn wasn't too bad, but I kept getting told to look right over my shoulder rather than looking at the line itself. Although I didn't touch it. Controlled stop was reasonably easy. I was struggling a little getting the speed for the avoidance, but once I got the hang of it I was ok. Really just got to gun it in second gear once the corner starts straightening out.

Certainy sounds like a bitch!

Yeah, I remember when learning to drive I had about 3 bad lessons out of the 25-30 I needed. Concentration levels seem to be much higher on the bike though as there's no room for error and I'm very self critical when I do things wrong. I suppose that's not always a bad thing though! You sound just like my instructor after the lesson! Yeah he did say it's possible I need to be more positive with the clutch and box when changing gear, it might have even been that I wasn't disengaging the clutch fully before hand. So far he seems quite impressed though considering i've had about 6 hours on the 500 so far and 9 hours in total on the road riding. That's without doing any other riding inbetween!

Well the refresher lesson was today and it didn't go all that well. Struggled most of the morning with low speed maneuvering and nearly dropped it at one point after doing a slow u-turn and going too slow/not keeping the drive on (surprising how something like that can knock your confidence for the next 10 mins or so!). Had to put my foot down and got it very close to the point where most would have stepped off gracefully and placed it on the deck. Overall didn't feel overly comfortable today for some reason, was hesitant and struggled with the gearbox. Missing gears and I kept finding a false neutral between 2nd and 3rd on the CB500 which the instructor says happens from time to time. Concentrating far too much on the controls and not spending enough time watching the road etc. Positive points were that I did well on the higher speed maneuvers which we practiced, and I got a pat on the back for possibly saving my life after a truck overtook another truck which was pulling into the junction we were pulling out of. I didn't personally spot the truck, but I didn't feel safe to go even though the instructor was willing me on so I just sat there waiting. Then the truck came hurtling past . So overall in the positive side of things, I didn't do anything which would have been classed as dangerous, but just the silly little things which I felt were taking my concentration away from the job in hand. I'm glad I did another lesson as I think I'd have struggled just with the sheer lack of time I've had on the machine. Oh yeah, and I hit 60 for the first time

First thing I was taught when driving a car was to only indicate when there's someone to indicate to

i dont generally keep the indicator on but when in a test situation and the pressure is on its just 1 less thing to worry about just a reminder. I can see what your saying, and can understand the reasons why. Why is it bike manufacturers don't go to more efforts in warning riders about indicators being left on I don't know. All the bikes I've seen have a simple flashing light below the dials, which in my opinion isn't enough. It should really be a flashing light on, or above the mirrors to draw more attention to it. The other side of the story, should you forget to cancel your indicator it can quite easily cause a serious incident so I can see why it's a automatic failure if you have to be asked to cancel it by the examiner. It still begs the question, if it helps to remind you about indicators being left on, why would you want to remove it after the test?

I know it's very easy to leave it on, but it's been said that it's annoying and that he can't wait to take it off after his test, which is what I was picking up on. If it's a help/benefit then leave it on rather than just using it as an aid to pass the test.

I'm going to be a bit of a hypocrite here, but if you need a buzzer on your indicators to pass your test, then perhaps your not quite ready for your test? I say I'm being a hypocrite because it's something I seem to be having trouble with too!

Rung the training place today to pay the deposit for the Mod 1 training (well it turned into the full amount when they asked how much deposit I'd like to pay ). Anyway, asked them about the training and they agreed it would certainly not hurt to get some time on the bike. I'll get a lesson booked next week

Like I said, I'll be having two 3 hour sessions the two weekends leading up to the test, one of which will be at the actual test centre sort of like a mock test. It's more the on road experience I'm thinking of here.

Yep, they're certainly things I know which can cause a fail, but they're also things which should in theory be easy to rectify with a bit more forward thinking. Apparently they're really typical things that car drivers do when moving onto bikes. Expecting the indicators to self cancel and sitting too far to the right (more or less where you'd be sat in your car ). I suppose their comment about me only needing the minimum amount of training was on the basis that I'd be taking my test reasonably soon, but unfortunately I just can't get the time off work for the test itself as it's midweek only. Although I've been driving for 7-8 years now, I've only really had 6 or so hours of riding a bike on the road so perhaps it might be wise to take some more time to get more comfortable with things. I don't really wish to get a 125, as from what I've been told I won't really learn a great deal on them (with them only being able to just keep up with traffic) and that they're expensive in comparison to bigger bikes, not to mention having it to sell again within a year if I'm to pass my test.

Hey up guys! I'm currently in the process of learning to ride..... So far I've done the CBT on an SR 125, and another 3 hours "conversion" lesson on a CB500. During the conversion lesson I had a few issues, but overall the instructor was happy with my progress and said I would need the minimum amount of training they offer to pass the module 1. That's two lots of 3 hour lessons, one of which is on the DSA test pad in Wakefield which they have access to on a weekend. The thing I'm wondering now, is that my mod 1 isn't until the 22nd of November, and it was about 3 weeks ago since I did my conversion course onto the CB500. I don't have my own (125) bike at the moment so I'm wondering now whether I ought to be thinking about doing another lesson in between just to keep things fresh. I know another lesson won't hurt at all, but when they're £85 for a three hour session, I'm thinking maybe I should just take a punt, take their advice and do the minimum amount of training to pass the mod 1. On the conversion lesson I did, everything seemed to feel fairly natural, I felt reasonably confident about the handling of the bike and the extra weight didn't bother me at all (possibly even go as far as saying it was reassuring). I'm still struggling with cancelling indicators though, and my road position was a little far into the middle of the road a lot of the time but other than that it seemed to go well.

Don't bother if you're planning on doing the full test. You'll just lose a bit of money on it, be bored that you can't keep up with the rest of the traffic and have to sell the thing once you've done your tests.

You can't actually book your module 1 until you've got the theory test certificate number so you've got to pass it first. You've no chance getting in before then I'm afraid though. You'll be able to get your theory within a week though if you're flexible enough, there's about a 3-4 week wait though for the mod 1 at most places.

Sounds expensive, but it's not really that bad. I'm paying £85 for a 3 hour lesson, which I'll be having two of. Then there's the hire of the bike for the test day which will probably be a couple of hours (bit of training, getting there and back), plus the test fee. Lessons £85 x 2 = £170 Test Fee £15.50 Bike hire £57 ish = £242.50 The mod 2 will be a similar sketch, but the test fee is more expensive @ £75 so that'll be more like £300 to pass the mod 2 Then there's the CBT, and the theory to take into account so overall you'll be paying about 6-700 average to get a full licence through direct access which I believe is very much the average price. You've got to bear in mind though that you've got a full two years to complete everything in (if not it's CBT again and theory again) so you've plenty of time to spread things out a bit if you're a bit hard up for getting through it all.

It's going to cost virtually the same whichever route you go down. There's pros and cons to both, but I personally prefer the slowly slowly approach as it allows you time to digest all the information properly and think about how you can improve on the following weeks lesson. Rather than trying to cram it all in, in the space of a week with no time for things to really soak in.

Always leave a doors width. Its onus on the rider to ensure this happens. If someone opens a car door while your riding past, its going to hurt! Not to mention your wallet as it will be your fault.

I think my main issue was just I was rushing to get round the turn, rather than getting the bike moving and balanced before starting to turn. I was taking far too long doing shoulder checks too which all serve to throw your balance even more! Only needs a quick glance!

Well did my cbt on sunday and I've certainly got a lot more comfortable with it all now. Arrived about half 8 and got straight on with the safety talk and gear etc. Next was a bit of a chat about a few road signs etc, all pretty basic stuff for a car licence holder. Next step was to get geared up and get out on the yard, usual chat about bike checks, then onto putting on and taking off the centre stand. Next step was to do some basic manouvers, gradully building up to junctions emergency stops hill starts all that jazz. Lunch time then kitted up again, this time with radio. Walked outside and almost instantly started to rain! Great stuff. Straight out of the compound is a 50mph uphill road which is pretty busy so I set off out there neaerly stalling it but got some good speed up and a great feeling. First stop was an industrial estate to do some u turns. They went horribly wrong for both me and the other guy who was out with us, just couldn't do it on the road for some reason! Anyway I suggested we had a 5 min break and the instructor agreed. Back on the bikes and the chill time paid off. Three almost perfect u turns from both of us. Couple of emergency stops each and it was back on the main road. I struggled a little bit coordinating my observations with riding the bike, so much going on upstairs! Did a few roundabouts and had the tail of the bike out due to changing down to first instead of up into third! Major brain fart. Locked the back wheel up and nearly blew the engine up! After that a bit of free riding which wasn't that good with the rain battering down but we didn't do too badly at the end of it! Certifcate claimed and next stop is the theory test!

At you're age you can do your CBT and run a 125 for 2 years. If you want to though you can do your CBT, theory, mod 1 and mod 2 and you will be entitled to ride on anything up to 400cc until you get to the age of 24. After that though you've got to take mod 1 and mod 2 again to allow you an unrestricted licence. All of this comes into force at the end of January though so you've got time yet to pass and gain a full unrestricted licence. If you're wanting to run a 125, then I'd suggest you just leave it till your 24 so you're not having to do the mod 1 and 2 twice.

I think it's a bit rubbish though as it limits you to a 400cc (within a power to weight ratio too), then once you're 24 you've got to go through all the Mod 1 and Mod 2 again, rather than just getting automatic entitlement like you used to be able to after riding a 125 for 2 years. Not to mention younger riders will have to do the Mod 1 and Mod 2, just to get 125 entitlement at the age of 17. So for a 16 year old then, you first have to take a CBT which gives you 50cc entitlement, then at 17 you've got to do theory, mod 1 and mod 2 to get 125 entitlement, then at 19 you've got to do the Mod 1 and Mod 2 again for 400cc entitlement, then at 24 you can do your mod 1 and mod 2 again on a larger bike to get the full entitlement. Jeez that's ridiculous! Glad I'm starting at 25 years of age!

Couple of articles shamelessly copied from the latest ride.... http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/philleuty/Licence/Licence1.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/philleuty/Licence/licence2.jpg

No one noticed then it actually says ariel on the side of the tank?