mailee66

I was shown to put foot on the centre stand and press it to the floor and then feel that the stand it touching both sides. Crouch down slighly holding the bike by the bars and somewhere under/behind the seat, straighten up placing all of your weight on the peg of the centre stand leaning slightly backwards and the bike will rock onto the stand quite easily. HTH.

yes side stand is fine. I was worried about this too being a 7 stone weakling. I had more problems moving the bike from one bay to the other until my tutor showed me how to use my weight.....or lack of it. Oh I should also state that putting a big bike on the centre stand is all about technique and not pure muscle. I can now easily put my 240 kilos of bike on it's centre stand with ease.

you could always fit a couple of these to the straps. http://www.webbingbucklesstraps.co.uk/

I use an ocean pro one when I take the bike to my workshop. I often wear it over my bulky Hein Gericke jacket. As Phil states loosen one of the adjusters full out and it is easy to put your arm through then snitch it up once it's on.

I bought a Pinlock and it works very well...but I also wear glasses and they now mist up instead. I still have to crack my visor open when stopped to prevent them misting up. Just a pity they don't do Pinlocks for glasses.

WHOO HOOO! Well done that woman! now that must be a huge confidence booster. Now get out on that bike and gain more confidence ready for the tests. Great news.

I was thinking more along the lines of Valentina........

What, Rudolph!

Yay! way to go girl! Glad to hear things are getting better with each lesson. Just take your time and keep up the good work. I passed my test last year after getting back on a bike with a 30 year lay off! I assumed I would find it pretty easy to get back into but it wasn't. It took me about nine months of training and three failed MOD 1's before I got my licence. So you see it is not just you even someone with some previous experience can get it wrong too. Good luck with your next lesson.

No Moo, I am a fair weather rider as it is just for fun with me. I did take my lessons and test in the winter though and that was cold enough.

No Moo, I am a fair weather rider as it is just for fun with me. I did take my lessons and test in the winter though and that was cold enough.

I have to agree there, it is worth the money for the skills you acquire. God knows after failing on the swerve so many times I now think I could easily swerve in and out of a group of school kids on a crossing. But I should add that passing the test is really just the start of the learning curve as I have found there is no substitute for road experience.

Hmm, that reminds me, have you booked your test yet Moo?

Well done, keep it up. You are improving with each lesson now. Yes, a bike clutch is designed to be slipped without any damage. That lever is your best friend when riding slowly.

Yep, passed my test last year. I had to take the MOD1 three times but passed MOD2 first time and it cost me over £1300 from start to finish using a school. I had ridden a bike before but it was over 30 years ago. I wish I had taken my test back then for around £15.

Another plus for Co pilot here. I downloaded it after reading a post on here and have been well pleased with it. Got me all the way down to Essex and back with no problems. I also got a mount and charging lead for it off the bay and didn't cost much at all.

Well done. You have done all the hard part, MOD2 is a doddle being a car driver you should walk it. Just relax and think of it as a sat nav in your helmet. Good luck.

Well done. Keep at it and you will soon be riding like a pro.

Yep, pretty embarrassing, I did slink away to the cafe afterwards hoping there wasn't too many watching.....yeah right.

Had a good ride out today to Squires cafe. It is the first time I had been after hearing so much about it and have to admit it was worth the ride. It was advertised as a 2T day and there certainly was a few there along with some stunning bikes. I did have a bit of an embarrassing moment as I arrived as I pulled up in the second parking area which is on a steep slope and as I tried pulling the bike backwards into a parking space up the hill I fell over with the bike! Luckily no damage only my pride and someone came to my aid to lift it again. My mate couldn't help as he was still holding his bike on the brake waiting to park. Sods law I suppose. Anyway here are a couple of pics from the day.

Yes hopefully in the near future you will be bravylady.

Well done. Keep at it and get your balance cracked it will all be worth it in the end...you see.

Chin up Scaredylady, I had ridden a bike back in the 70's but still failed my MOD1 four times! Keep at it you will get there.

Well done Stan. ZZR 1200! Steady mate. Don't go too mad at first.

My instructor also had a good MOD 1 pass record until he met me too! On my second 'attempt' I got as far as the gates to be told that all of the examiners were on strike! No one had told the training school and my instructor was there waiting for me to arrive to give me the bad news! I know just how you feel Stan I too was gutted but kept at it as I had spent so much on getting this far I refused to stop and was determined I would beat the damn thing. I even asked the examiner if I had an invite to the Christmas dance for being such a regular customer. Chin up mate, you will get there.

Sorry to hear of your bad luck mate. It was the same for me as I had to use the school bike and all the additional costs, not to mention lost earnings. I failed it three times! so it did cost me a fortune....but it was all worth it in the end. Better luck next time you will ace it.