MissBex

Try not to feel too down about it, I know it's very hard not to. Mine was £125.50 each time and I failed 3 times so very expensive for someone only contracted to 8 hours a week But I got there in the end. I kept saying to everyone, as long as I've got the funds to do it then I'll keep on trying. Luckily the roughly 2 -3 week waits between tries would often go over my payday so just managed to hang in there each time. You could possibly look into using a different training school if they had a pre-booked slot sooner (That's what the guy from skegness did, came down and used Camrider and did his mod 1 in Peterborough) But I guess it's not ideal and not everyone finds it easy to get used to a different bike, instructor, area etc.. so quickly within a few hours. You could go the buying your own bike way but then I guess you'd have to pay to get it transported to the test centre? At least you've got a 125 that you can use to practice on in the mean time The day I passed that test was SUCH a good feeling, was well worth it. I was shaking so bad when he told me I'd passed and gave a Huuuge sigh of relief.

Aww no sorry to hear I put my foot down on my 3rd attempt at mod 1, it's so silly it's an instant fail - especially as you showed that you could do it multiple times but I guess they have to go by the book. Having to wait that long for your next try is another annoying factor as you don't want to get too rusty in between. I originally was told I had to wait 5 weeks myself for my mod 2 retest but luckily they call me up within 2 weeks and said there had been a cancellation. So you might get lucky with a cancellation yourself We had a guy come down from skegness as he couldn't get any around his area for ages and thankfully he passed which was nice as he hadn't made the trip for nothing. Maybe you could look a little further afield for places a other test centres. Have you had a look on the gov website when you click book your practical test to see the dates they've got on there at test centres nearest to you? Best of luck for next time!

Warning - Another wall of text from me. (You should know it wouldn't take me long to stumble across this thread!) Heya, I can completely understand exactly where you are coming from. I passed my DAS 2 months ago I found the mod 1 particularly stressful. I am only 5ft 2 myself and pretty feeble. I did the same thing as you, CBT and 3 days training - although mine were all on a 600 (XJ6N - Lowered) I could flatfoot one side and ball of foot the other. I was quite nervous about not being able to completely flatfoot as I felt unstable on uneven roads. I dropped the bike straight away when I first got on it. I tried it for size and then my instructor said to ride it around the training area for a bit to get used to it. I had that funny feeling something was going to go wrong as soon as he told me to do this. I didn't trust myself. He told me to just ride it forward (on gravel) and stop. I just sat there.. Frozen. He kept waving me to ride to him but I still didn't move. He came over to see what was up and I told him I'm nervous I feel like I'm going to drop it when I stop. He rode it off the gravel for me and down to the tarmac area. I got on it again and as there was more space I started riding it around... and around... and around... I knew I needed to stop at some point! So I rode it one more time around and then looped back to the instructor who was stood with another instructor just having a chat. Pull up nice and smoothly in front of them... panic.. right foot out, left foot out... wheeeeee... tips straight over haha. What a twit I felt! The more I rode the more I just got used to it though and became more confident. I found it particularly frustrating moving the bike around. There I was in the schools training area. Other guys do the maneuvering.. straight round in the arc shape, no problem, no sweat, 30 second job. There's me - side stand up, hold on to the bike for dear life, big heave to get it rolling backwards. Stop. Deep breaths. round again in a forwards arc till in line which the box. Stop. Deep Breaths. Roll it backwards again with a final heave. Stop in box, try and knock side stand with foot without tipping the bike too much. Job done. Totally knackered. bout 2-3 mins at a guess lol. I was taught to do it this 3 point turn way as this is easier - more moves but less likely to drop it. I would be absolutely knackered by just the end of that maneuver + the fact that as I was maneuvering it my shins kept knocking the huge-ass engine bars on the bike and my leg resulted in having the most massive bruises. I used one hand on the bar to steer and I used my other hand to push on the seat as I felt the grab rail was too far for me to stretch to, making me feel unstable with it. On each of my 4 mod 1 attempts I did the maneuvering fine (1 time was very close to the right cone) but I still managed it. Each stop I did for the 3-point turn I took about 30 seconds rest and a few deep breathes, shoulder checks each time before moving again. I found the more I did it the more used to the weight of the bike I got (Aswell as building up some muscle too probably! lol) So I would advise If you are worried about it try and do it quite a few times to practice. It was very kind of my instructors to pull me backwards when parking up, or tell me to get off and they'd push it back for me as I couldn't get enough footing and power to push it back myself in most cases. However, sometimes I wish I could have just got off and done it myself for that extra maneuvering practice. I guess I should've not been so shy and just said to them I wanted to hehe. I booked in an extra day's lesson after a few of my mod 1 fails and for some reason it was the best riding I'd done - I think it was because I was so much more relaxed that day due to not having to worry about a test, just calm riding around town and a bit of practice at the test centre again in the afternoon for the maneuvers. I wish you the best of luck and if you feel you need more training then go for it, it all helps. Hopefully you'll just breeze through it though and wonder what all the fuss was about And as one of my instructors kept saying "Winners never quit and Quitters never win!" Not sure if any of this will be helpful but I know for me, what helped me a little with calming my nerves was reading other peoples experiences and knowing that I wasn't the only one Ride safe MissBex -x-

Congratulations!! Good luck for no.2!

Thanks guys. Was hoping we wouldn't have to do that, but I thought it would be them that are the problem. I'm sure my stepdad wont be best impressed with that as it took him ages to put it back together last night as he'd forgot with hose goes where lol! P.S. I meant would turn over but wouldn't fire hehe, was late when I typed it XD

Heya all. My stepdad has a 1996 GS500e that he got from a guy in Germany a good 10 or more years ago and had it sat in his garage. It was started and run a few years ago when my friend was going to buy it as his first big bike but he ended up getting something else instead. So it's been sat again for a few years and now my stepdad want to get use of it again. At first it wouldn't start at all and that was because it had a dead battery. He'es bought a new battery and then it wouldn't turn over. I said to him it's probably the carbs where it's been sat for a long time. So today we took the tank off and had a look around. He thought the carbs weren't perhaps getting fuel but turns out they were, no problem. The petcock thingy - he blew down the tube and if you have the arrow so it's slighty off central facing downwards (Like south west position) then the air goes all the way through, but in other positions you couldn't hear the air getting through, so we left it in the south-west position, put it all back together and tank on and it started up but the choke fully all the way on and lots of revs. We got it idling without the use for throttle but with the choke fully on still but it was only at just over 1k revs which didn't seem right to me. As soon as you start to close the choke off it just cuts out. Tried it again afterward a few times and wouldn't even start again. We called it a night and I said I'll see if I can find any help online, so if anyone has any advice that would be most appreciated

Aww Sisyphus11, sorry to hear But yeas it's easily correctable so just be extra observant next time. It happened to me too as well, on my 1st attempt. Was going all around peterborough and I knew most of the areas were all 30's & 40's but I was going down a road and didn't know what the speed limit was so I went slowly through it not wanting to speed. There were no speed limit signs anywhere to be seen. End of the test he said I'd failed for going too slowly/not making progression (and also for being in the wrong lane for turning left - no idea when that happened). He said it made it seem as if I was scared of the speed limit (I wasn't, I just didn't know what it was lol) Good Luck next time!

Best of luck to you both and +1 for deep breaths before each maneuver. Don't rush it and what helped me to pass was having a nice chat about random things with my instructor to take my mind off of it whilst waiting for my turn. I trained on an 2011 XJ6N (the newer style to the old XJ600's). Nice bikes for learning on

+1 for this. I also used the government websites mock tests as well but for some reason that one's not working atm. I also used the official DSA theory test disc for the most part as I was given it from a friend who passed his a few years back. If you type in motorcycle theory test and motorcycle hazard perception test into google there's a fair few websites you can use to practice.

Sorry to hear Karmin, when things don't start off well it does lead to that horrible downhill spiral sometimes.. but sometimes you think you've done rubbish and you actually pass. I hope you have the regular examiner for your next Mod 2! I don't think they have to show you a map or written instruction for the independent ride, I'm sure they get a choice to use what they like. Both my independent rides started straight away at the test centre. I was given 3 directions - turn right out the test centre, turn right, turn left at the traffic lights and from there on I was just given instructions to "follow the signs to....". What did confuse me the first time round was he said to me, "Follow the sign's for 'Station'." So I was riding along and the first sign I notice was this: http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Station1_zps25843558.jpg The word 'Station' with the symbol for it and an arrow pointing left. I see ahead a left hand turning so I assume that's where I'm probably going. Ride towards the turning, slowing a little and notice this: http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Station2_zps8ebd5296.jpg Another left arrow on the sign for the turning with 'Station' and the symbol for it on it... I didn't notice the 'Car Park' bit underneath. Slowed right down and indicator was on... then I get through the headset, "No, not into the car park!" Cancelled indicator and carried on. Didn't mark me down for that but told me I'd failed on another part of the independent ride for being in the wrong lane to turn left and apparently he had to hold the cars back behind me... I still to this day have no idea where and when that happened! lol Passed 2nd time with a different instructor. Thought I actually did worse riding but only got a couple of minors for steering which was mostly down to the schools bike having a practically bald front tyre (which they didn't realise till I told them it wasn't handling right) making it slippy when turning! I'm sure you'll ace it next time. Good luck!

Congratulations sm0129! Have you got a date for your mod 2 yet?

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Oh No! That seriously sucks big time!! I do feel really sorry for you, I know I would have been absolutely devastated. I think it's absolutely disgusting that you lose all that money because you made a small error and forgot it. You'd think they'd have some way around it, as you say like phoning up dvla or if you was able to get home and back within a short amount of time they may still be able to fit you in or at least reschedule the test for another daye without taking the fee. I actually almost had a similar experience on my 3rd mod 1 attempt. It was a really hot day and I hadn't taken the thermal liner out of my jacket. After some practicing maneuvers at the training school I decided I was way too hot and took the liner out before setting off to the test centre. The other guy on his mod 1 decided to do the same. Got to the test centre and sat down for a while. We had about half an hour before my go. I thought I'd get my documents out ready on the table so I wasn't faffing about unfolding them etc.. when it was my turn. Got all the paper parts out of my pocket, took them out of the plastic sandwich bag I'd folded them up into in case it rained.... but wait... where's the card part?? Oh Yes! I remember. I put it in my inner pocket of my coat. Reached in and felt around the pocket... hmm not there... Wait..... waaaaiit.... OMG!!! I'd put it in the liner pocket which was back at the training school!! Heart started to thud so hard in panic. I told my instructor - who had just bought himself a nice hot cup of coffee - he put the coffee down and said he'd go back and get it as quick as he could. The ride usually takes about 20 mins there, but he managed to get there and back in that time! His coffee was still warm too I was sooooo thankful and sooo relieved. It is so easily done, especially when you mind is set on thinking about the tests. I think it would be good if you managed to get the tests done on a big bike as it saves you the hassle of having to do it again in future. With my fails and extra lesson etc.. I felt the same way about it just eating your money. I would have been able to afford a bike by now if I hadn't had to spend so much on the tests & lessons, but It's all going to be worth the saving when I get one in the end. As far as I'm aware you have to wait a minimum of 10 days before you can retake the Module 2 test, but thats if you fail. As you didn't even get to do the test I'm guessing you can redo it whenever they have a space? So could be possible to get it in before next Thurs.. but if your test centre is anything like peterborough's then they are usually booked up for at least 2-3 weeks if not more. I hope you get lucky with a cancellation.

Some roundabout can be tricky but generally on a 2 lane roundabout with 3 or more exits it usually left = Left & Straight over and right for any exits passed the straight on exit, unless the road markings indicate otherwise. (e.g. Left with a left only arrow) For 3+ lane roundabout usually you make your way to the left hand lane before the exit you need to take if going right. I find it annoying on busy roundabouts because sometimes there is just no room to change lanes without pushing in. It's easier on traffic lighted roundabouts. Here is an example of a roundabout that I used to get to my training school and which was also included as part of the route on the test. It is traffic lighted. http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k53 ... 36e28a.jpg This is how my instructor told me to do this roundabout following the Green line. The red dot is where I enter the roundabout from - 3rd lane with a 'Right' Arrow on it. After the 2nd exit (Straight on) you indicate across to the middle lane and then again into the left where you exit off on the left side of a 2 lane exit. If you didnt have time/space/forgot to move across to the left hand lane before the exit, you can follow the Yellow line (Middle lane) and exit off on the right hand side. ..This is however how I do it when I'm driving around not on a lesson or test.. so much easier! lol http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k53 ... ba4f20.jpg Enter roundabout in middle lane (Straight on & Left arrow). stay on the left side where it goes into 2 lanes just after, then with no cars to worry about on you left side, indicate over after the 2nd exit (Straight on) into the left hand lane again when it goes back into 3 lanes and exit on the left hand side as normal at the exit. After I failed my first attempt I traced my route on google maps and had a good look at road markings, speed limits etc.. Even though I was taken a different route the 2nd time, the first part of it was all the same, so at least I was pretty confident on that part Best of Luck for Wednesday!

C O N G R A T S !!! What an awful thing for the examiner to say afterwards. Maybe he was annoyed because he wanted to fail you but didn't have enough reason to do so. hehe All that matters is that you got the Pass! Well done.

I can understand how you must be feeling, especially since you already have years of riding experience. From what you've written it seems the main reasons for your fails is just really because you don't know the roads well/at all - something that is easily fixed so don't beat yourself up too much about it. You know you can do it! What made you decide to go back to doing it on a 125 after failing on the 600? I'm guessing the costs? I had no previous experience riding, but did my Direct Access on a 600 straight away as I'm 25 and wanted to get it all out the way with. I too felt the sting in the pocket. Here's mine: Theory - £31 6 Day Course - £699 (CBT, 3 days training, Mod 1 (Fail 1), Mod 2) Extra day's Training - £110 Mod 1 (Fail 2) - £125.50 Mod 1 (Fail 3) - £125.50 Mod 1 (Pass) - £125.50 Mod 2 (Fail 1) - Already paid for within course Mod 2 (Pass) - £185 Grand Total for Licence = £1401.50 All worth it in the end now it's done and dusted. At least you get it cheaper as you are doing it on your own bike, but they must make a killing out of us lot. It's just too expensive. I've got a colourful congratulations waiting for you

Heya, Just had a look on the GOV.UK website and it says: "You must exchange your test pass certificate within 2 years of passing your test or you’ll have to retake your test." Hope this helps and good luck with your Mod 2!

Yeah it is torture! We've had some lovely days recently I always look out the window when I hear bikes coming along the road and smile thinking that will be me soon! I've actually started looking into SV's as well. I never liked the older rounded ones but the - I think 2003 onwards - ones look nice, especially the full faired ones although they are more pricey. They seem to start around the £1500 mark for ones with high mileage or a bit of damage/Cat C repaired etc.. so I'm keeping my eye on them in case I spot a bargain. I may be able to get a little loan of my mother hehe. They are apparently very good for new riders, feel small and light as they are a twin and have a pretty low seat height too. Sounds just right for me.

Good Luck!

As others have said, it does depend on training and test dates available, but also if you fail or pass too. For me it took quite a while, I did a full 6 session direct access which included CBT, 3 days on a 600, day for mod 1 and day for mod 2. I spread my training out over my next payday so I could afford it, so I did my CBT and then 1 day on the 600 then had to wait 3 weeks until I got back on the 600 for the next 2 lessons. Then I failed my Mod 1 three times so I had to wait around 2 weeks each time for slots for them and then failed my mod 2 once and was initially told I had to wait over a month for the retest! Thankfully, They phoned me up with a cancellation booking so I managed to get it in 2 weeks after I failed. (The minimum is a 10 day wait for mod 2 retest) So all in all, I passed my CBT on 23rd Feb 2014 and Passed my Mod 2 on 30th May 2014. So just over 3 months for me in total.

Not at all hehe, Mod 1 I failed 3 times and passed on the 4th attempt Mod 2 I failed the 1st time and passed on the 2nd attempt I really liked the XJ6 I used for training, it was lowered which meant I could flat foot one side and almost flat foot the other side. I found I needed to be really smooth in first gear with it compared to the 125 though otherwise it was jerky. I'm also a shortie at 5ft 2 hehe. I'm saving up for a bike still, all the training and retests sapped all my money away pretty quickly. I only work part time so I don't have a great income and wouldn't be accepted for finance because of it. I'll have around £1000 saved next payday but still not much on offer that isn't quite old for that price. I'm looking at ER6's, Hornets, XJ6's, Bandits (Although my friend has one so wanted something different hehe) and I do really like the the FZ6's too. I've seen a green ER6F on ebay from a dealer thats just under £2k and comes with panniers and givi rack included, done around 29k miles. Wish I had the money already! lol I think the prices will start to fall a little when the summers over, but hopefully will have a bike before it is so I can enjoy the sun while it lasts. My only worry is most likely any of those bikes will need lowering in some way for lil me so I just hope I'm able to reach the floor enough to ride it home safely. I only passed just over 2 weeks ago but I feel like I haven't ridden for months!

I think I find right easier too, but on my training I had to learn both ways, even though the Mod 1 u-turn was right anyways.

Big Congrats Swainy! I know how you feel with that bike maneuvering bit lol I am also only 5ft 2 and in practice all the guys were making it look soooo easy, like they were making no effort at all to move it around... me on the other hand, by the end of pushing and pulling it about I was exhausted lol! The more I did it I'll admit it did become slightly easier, but I kept knocking my shins against the huge engine bars on the XJ6 and would end up with massive bruises! I was taught to do it the 3 point turn kind of way instead of just wheeling it around in an arch into the bay as it was less likely I'd drop it, which way did you do it? The XJ6 I rode had been lowered and I could flat foot one side and nearly flat foot the other. What bike are you training on? Best of luck for your mod 2! x

Aged 19 or over: A2 Motorcycle Licence At 19 can get an A2 Motorcycle Licence allowing you to ride a motorcycle or scooter with power up to 35KW (46.6 bhp) which will typically mean up to 500cc engine size, or a restricted version of a bigger more powerful model. There are two ways to qualify for an A2 licence: First if you have held an A1 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test. Or second if you are 19 or older you can take the Direct Access route by completing your CBT and passing your Theory Test and Practical Tests. You are then allowed to ride any A2 category motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger. After holding an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test and get an unrestricted A Motorcycle licence. Aged 21 or over: Unrestricted A Motorcycle Licence At 21 you can get an A Motorcycle Licence, allowing you to ride any motorcycle or scooter of any size or power. There are two ways to qualify for an A Motorcycle Licence: One, if you have held an A2 Motorcycle Licence for 2 years, you can take another practical test. If you haven’t held an A2 licence for two years and if you are aged 24 or over, you can take the Direct Access route by completing CBT, Theory tests and a practical test. You are then allowed to ride any motorbike or scooter without L plates and to carry a passenger. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, because I'm guessing you only have a CBT and haven't held an A2 licence already for 2 years, that the A2 will be the one you will need to take, and then in 2 years time redo the same test again to get the unrestricted 'A' Licence. As far as booking the course and tests go, usually you book it all at once. Choose how many training days you think you'll need and then the Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests. For example, I was completely new to riding and booked a Full 6 Session Course which was 1 day CBT, 3 days training, 1 day for Mod 1 & 1 Day for Mod 2. This was classed as the Complete Novice course, but I still ended up booking an extra day of training after failing my 1st attempt at mod 1. I'd recommend that you make sure the school books the Mod 1 & Mod 2 atleast a week apart so if things don't quite go to plan with your Mod 1 then you won't lose out on the test fees for Mod 2 and they can just rebook it for you for another date or wait till you have passed the Mod 1 then book it. Really you can personalise your course how you want. I spread mine over 2 paydays. Just discuss it all with your local school/s. If you're looking to book it anytime soon, get you're Theory test out the way with. It's pretty easy, and I think about £35ish. You can access mock tests online or buy practice DVD's to study. Hope this helps Information taken from the Get On website. http://www.geton.co.uk/#filter=.portfolio-category-35

Good Job, Well done