JTDG

Mod 2 this morning, passed with one minor (which I knew exactly as soon as it happened) hesitant on the first junction. But nightmare junction next to a hospital. Did lose the examiner and intercom died, sadly in the industrial estate there was cars for as long as eye could see parked up. Eventually found a spot and just waited. Apparently my gloves are off road gloves and examiner asked if I had a spare pair, luckily instructor had some that fit. Now time to find a bigger bike and sell the old 125

Passed mod 1 today. Mod 2 is tomorrow. Not sure if I had any minors, as he just said well done you passed (the couple of people before me, both got told their minors) the Mod 1 result thing doesn’t mention any (not sure if mentioned in the email to my instructor)

Couple of interesting bits came up over the next few sessions (he did clear up some of the previous points) Not to use the rear break during the slalom or figure of 8 (before I went with him, I did a taster session and was told 100% use it during those manoeuvres to help balance) Filtering, we got to a roundabout to turn left, temporary traffic lights it was backed up. I sat behind the large vehicle as I didn’t want to just sit at the entrance the roundabout as I would block cars wanting to take second exit, but also didn’t want to sit behind a large vehicle. I mentioned personally I would go around and filter up the middle of the lane normally on my 125. He said he would 100% as would most examiners and while they would probably be impressed at the confidence to not do it, which I do agree with (they won’t know my plans, plus it’s another thing I could get wrong so why risk it? ) but in that situation he said it’s kind of a lose lose, as both choices are kinda not great. So just curious has anybody filtered on their mod 2? By our test centre is an insane amount of temporary traffic lights and with a hospital nearby it’s a nightmare.

I wanted to ride ever since I was a kid. I paid £3k for my cb125f, I pay £30 a month insurance. Parked in a brick garage, and we live rurally. Exact same bike in Liverpool where I used to live was £400 a month insurance. That’s more in a year than the bike is worth. Bike theft and the costs associated with it was by a mile the number 1 reason why I didn’t learn to ride down there.

It is! I have my bike in for a service this week, so will be using that as an opportunity to have a little nosey!

Was driving past Halfords yesterday and popped in and got some Muc-Off Motorcycle Premium Anti-Fog Treatment. Used it yesterday at 6pm, still not fogging as of 12pm today. Even breathing on them directly no issues. Very impressed so far. So at 9:20pm (27 hours later) my glasses started to fog ever so slightly.

Following out of interest, my glasses fog up terribly!

I can only speak from learning in a car and diving a car. Some people are absolutely clueless, protected by a steel box or not I wouldn’t trust someone’s indicator at all. But if I’m going to get marked down for understanding that seems crazy. I’m not wanting to die anytime soon.

Nothing on the ground, hadn’t rained, it was a main roundabout so no dirt or gravel. Nothing at all. It was a roundabout by a motorway (so pretty big) we were coming down from 60mph, I approach at around 15mph (second gear) clear view, hadn’t had any wobbles or anything that would make someone think I would drop it. “Always assume worst case” which I get. We don’t have a steel car around us to protect us, but surely we can’t drive around assuming we might consistently drop the bike. Progress would never get made.

Currently in the middle of doing training for my full license. But I am confused by a couple of things my instructor has said. 1 - Approaching round about, was apparently hesitant (there was a gap but I came to a stop) he said we should always be assessing ahead, and if we see a safe space to go, because if we slow down suddenly the gap is no longer safe. Next round about, clear view to the right, access, and drive on (we were taking second exit, there was a just approaching what would have been my third exit) it’s a pretty big round about. Got told it would be a fail as “what if you slipped crashed and was in the middle” ???? So if I stop it’s hesitant and if I push on it’s a fail? 2 - Car on roundabout, indicating to turn off, I wait until he’s moved as I was always told “don’t trust others” he said I should have went what am I waiting for. Okay noted. Few roundabouts later, car indicating, I pull out, car doesn’t turn off “that’s a fail as you pulled out” 3 - At a junction, I looked left and right, safe (car in distance) but plenty of space to get out safely. Told I should wait “what if you dropped the bike” few junctions later (pretty much identical) I remember what he said so I stop and wait “why are you waiting, we assess and if it’s safe we go” that’s a mark against you as it’s showing your not assessing. Basically I’m just confused, I keep getting conflicting advice, and it’s making me far more nervous. I would understand if I had no road experience, but I do drive a car (I know it is different) but understanding when it’s safe etc seems pretty common sense?

So did a taster session for some exposure to bigger bikes. Did it on the new Honda Hornet. Wow that bike is smooth, however I instantly knew it was not the bike I wanted. It has a good sitting position but the foot pegs seemed in such an aggressive position and it made me feel so cramped. Did my first lesson of my DAS (this time on a Kawasaki z650) Not nearly as smooth as the Honda in my opinion, but far more comfortable, but easily a no from me. Takeaway, fully naked bike is 100% a no go. So can’t wait to be able to test ride some! I will say slow control is far far easier on these than my little Honda CB125F. It feels so light and unstable compared to both of them. So 100% happy I’m making the right choice moving up.

Ended up going into a triumph dealer (was looking to try helmets) gent was amazing, told him where I ride and what’s it’s like and he basically echoed many posts in here. Recommendations he made: Kawasaki Verys 650 Suzuki Vstrom 650 Triumph Tiger 660 Sport. He did say CF moto and Benelli do similar. Advised to test them all. Really top notch guy Said I could go for a fully naked but he wouldn’t advise it as we live in Scotland and it’s bloody rainy and windy and the protection those recommendations offer will be a game changer.

How long did most have to wait to be able to book? I have had a gander and apparently there is no mod 1 available all the way up to end of June. Which seems crazy to me 4months!

I believe the bmw and Honda are the same dealer. If you go to BMW website, you can select Honda and vice versa. Will speak to the lexmoto place and see what they say.

Hey, thanks for the detailed response! I won’t be servicing it, complete novice, so will leave that to experts (I barely managed to replace a bent bracket lever) which is what makes the Honda dealer so appealing. There are 3 places nearby. Honda dealer (BMW dealer next door) a Ducati dealer (only services Ducati though) I went to look at a used Yamaha yzf 125 when I first passed my CBT, and he was the one who said better to go Honda as the others will be difficult to get serviced as there isn’t any local anywhere. (I do think there is a place that does servicing nearby but they also only sell lexmoto I believe. Price bracket I’m pretty flexible. Used would be preferred, but I have also considered a pcp on new, as I like the flexibility of that. Insurance wise all are around £25-£35 a month (benefits of living rural with a garage I suppose) MT-07 I did read somewhere pretty much exactly what you said and I’m not really looking for “ease of wheelie” My commute isn’t partially long, but it’s very windy with lots of hills and very windy. But if I want to go anywhere not my town I have to pretty much take the A75 (if anybody here has driven it, you know how bad it is for HGVs, overtaking bits are steep etc) I’d say I want something “boring” but more so sensible, something that is punchy but i am not going to feel like one misstep and it’s wheelie zone. Something that is comfortable cruising around town, but something that has that punch when you need it. Something that will take the windy roads nicely (but I’m not going knee down) I plan on sitting on a bunch and once I have a complete selection in mind I will be doing a day trip to whatever city has as many of them as possible and will be sitting on them!