mpl

Had my Mod 1 this morning- was feeling a little nervous but knew I could do all of the manoeuvres but unfortunately I totally cocked up the slalom, had to put my foot down and never managed to recover it. I continued the test and flew through everything with a couple of minor faults. I knew after the slalom that I had failed so I just used it has a practice session. Try again in two weeks. I think I was too over confident with regards to the slalom and figure eight because during the practice session at the weekend I had no problems doing it and maybe wasn't concentrating enough. Bottom line- I cocked up on the day!

I start as a p/t seasonal warden at a local country park/nature reserve on Wednesday and we have our own fold of Highland cattle

I think the problem may have been nerves- after all it was my first time on the road on a bike for 30+ years and my first ever time on something so powerful! I was wearing thermals yesterday and had no problems at all.

If you don't want to buy the dvd, you should be able to borrow it from a library

I did the first part of my CBT on a 125 on the training schools pad. I was due to do the second part on road on a 125 but when I turned up for it they told me I would be doing it on a 600. Needless to say I was pooping it a bit! Spent a while practising pulling off and stopping and then went on the road. A fair bit of the riding was in Cambridge in the usual traffic and it I soon got used to creeping along as and when the traffic dictated. I have now been out on a 600 three times and each time has just got better with regards to my handling of the bike particularly at low speeds, hill starts (not that we have many hills in Cambridge!) etc. It's difficult to compare my experience to riding a 125 on the road as it's been far too long since I did that. The ease of handling and controlling the 600 has really surprised me- nothing to be worried about! Anything you can do on a 125 you can do on a bigger bike and the thing I found helped me most was having confidence in myself and trusting in the bike to be able to do it. If it wasn't able to we wouldn't be asked to do them on tests! And Dazzie- don't brick it. You probably have more riding experience than I do- I don't even have a bike. If I can do it then anyone can!

You missed lizard

^ What Neil said. I took my test 10 days ago and was told to click three times for the potential hazard- if you're too early then one of your other clicks should fall within the marks. To me it seems like the clips had very little that you might otherwise click on compared to the first ones I looked at online 6 months ago. It's almost all CGI now so they add their own hazards rather than having a video of a real live road situation. Despite my worry over this part of the test I scored 59/75 and that was with one clip where I scored nothing! The only thing I will warn you about is feeling seasick! It's hard to explain but the clips had an odd look about them and made me feel dizzy and queasy a little so if you feel that then it isn't you so don't worry about it. Good luck!

Red Berry Joy Town- The Wonder Stuff

Good luck. I have my Mod 1 on the same day

Second time out on 600 today. First time was more of a f**k it because I expected to be on a 125 but today......well today was just a big f**k yeah!

Can't praise Camrider enough. They have been brilliant- they all seem to have unending patience although I like to think that I haven't tested it too much! Without me noticing they seem to have really boosted my confidence on a bike in such a short time.

I did try and sit back a bit more today- maybe on Monday I was clinging a little bit! riding a Yahama XJ6

It was a bit! The first time a lorry passed me in the opposite direction I was shocked by the buffeting. Was prepared the next time! I've been lucky so far- the two times (Monday and today) I have had on-road lessons the wind hasn't been too bad. All those on Sunday and Tuesday had their sessions cancelled. One more session then my Mod 1!

Out again this morning and I am bloody loving it! It's all becoming more natural and I'm quickly ironing out the little things like hovering my foot over the brake. I had a confidence crisis with U turns in a narrow road but forgot the basics and was expecting to go round straight from the kerb rather than move in a straight line first. Soon got over it and sorted it out. CBT now completed. Test pad practice on Saturday- bring it on! And did I say I'm bloody loving it

Was out again today and didn't suffer the same problem. Mind you it was bloody cold and I was wearing different underwear. By that I mean different style- quite obviously a different pair from Monday! I think I will play it by ear after I pass my test and get some experience of different conditions and adjust accordingly.

I took my theory test last week. One thing I will say to anyone due to take it- be prepared to feel a little seasick at the hazard test. It is now almost (if not all) CGI. It just doesn't look right and is very hard to explain why. I thought it was just me but someone else said the same. Despite that and like someone else said in this thread I found it easier than I thought it would be.

Are you trying to tell us Betty paid you a visit or just general perspiration? What/how much gear were you wearing? I don't know about anyone else (because I've not got that close to you lot) but cheap baselayers make me sweat like a pregnant nun - same goes for non-breathable waterproofs etc. Breathable all the way! Indeed she did! It was only that area I suffered the problem. The area that suffered was just boxer shorts and jeans. Top half was getting a bit chilly if anything due to the cold wind. I'm getting some RST jeans (not denim) soon and as I said I feel this problem will only get worse! I don't suppose the heat from the bike helps much either- lot more heat on a 600 compared to a 125.

After my first ride out on a big bike yesterday and only doing 25 miles, when I got back I found I was suffering a sweat issue. Bearing in mind it wasn't particularly warm yesterday, I am thinking when (if) the weather warms up and I've passed my test and doing more miles, what products do people recommend to resolve this delicate issue or at least lessen it??

Regarding the figure of 8, my instructor told me that you can actually go round the nearest yellow cone thus giving you more room. Only the nearest mind!

Personally I'd go. If you're going to lose the £15 anyway you might as well get some more practice. I believe the DSA will cancel Module 2 tests because of weather- not sure about Mod1. If they do you won't lose your money. Good luck whatever you decide

Cheers! It's certainly boosted my confidence knowing they feel confident putting me straight on a big bike

Tried it with Flickr but can't make it work

I got new RST gloves and boots today too! I'd post a pic of the boots if I knew how Mine are the RST Adventure- the shop only had one pair left and they were my size. Wore them for 4 hours this afternoon-2 hours riding. Very comfortable and my feet weren't sweaty when I took them off either. The gloves seemed good too although these items are the only ones I have experience of!

I started my CBT on Saturday and went back today to do the road work on a 125. I got there only to be told I would not be doing it. Instead they felt I would be perfectly OK going straight on a 600! Needless to say after last going out on the road on a bike 30 years ago on a 50cc, I was slightly worried. I needn't have been! It was awesome- almost got up to 70 on dual carriageway as we returned to base. Did make quite a boo- boo just as we got back but got away with it luckily. Glad it happened right at the end else I think it would have really knocked my confidence. If I had had any doubts about getting a big bike straight away they would have disappeared after today. And I love my new boots

I can't guarantee how good they will be but for that kind of money it's worth a pop!