phil4

Congrats, awesome news! Well done! Sent from my phone.

I didn't filter at all neither when training not during the test. While it wasn't central London there were likely to be situations to do it, however the test route didn't have any chances. My trainer suggested than in central London for example it was needed and expected as part of "making good progress". I guess it depends entirely on where and when you're being tested. That said I think it's worth getting the hang of it, since it's very handy. Sent from my phone.

Thanks All. The bike lives on a battery charge thingy, and I've seen enough lights on there to suggest the battery is on it's way out.... so quite possibly that issues (especially as it was before I got going the error came up). Just turned the ignition on now, and no error, so that's a good start. And Spanner, thanks for that link, if I come to change the sensor, that'll be my go-to page. Thanks again!

Hi, Started my bike up this morning ahead of a nice ride out, and was presented with a new error - PKUP 34.0. Suggesting the an error with the "pickup sensor". The bike fired up ok, and the error light vanished while running. No issues with running. But when I'd got back home, and turned on the ignition (but not started it), the same error appears. So, does anyone know what the Pickup sensor does? Is it critical? important? needed? Am I damaging things running the engine with the error? If it's only the sensor that's faulty, then it looks like replacing it is just a case of getting the fairing off and a 30-50quid part. I just wonder if it's something I need to do before I next ride or not? TIA.

Congratulations!!! Onto the proper and fun bit now. Strangely Mod2 is the easiest! Well done! Sent from my phone.

Good luck! Also although to fine to click a few times as the hazard progresses, don't do it. On all but one clip there's only one hazard, I got 0 on one of mine (because it deemed my input unacceptable), as I'd clicked at things I though could turn into a hazard. So for example car approaching from the side, people walking towards a crossing. I merrily clicked away and then got zilch. Instead I think you need to predict more accurately which one is the hazard and click as it occurs. The CGI graphics were supposedly good, and clear. Good luck! Sent from my phone.

That's great news, half the problem solved and you can now stop

I did and still am in the IAM on car driving front. From memory the bike stuff is very similar, and something I'm considering doing too. There may be some variances (based on a couple of decades having gone by) but roughly the process is: 1) You join a local group. They're almost all volunteers. 2) You'll perhaps be given a talk on what and how to ride, and assigned an "observer". 3) You'll arrange with the observer a number of runs out, usually for an hour or two to suit you both. Think of each one as a lesson, they'll watch and comment, much like a lesson. 4) After a series of observed runs, you'll hopefully be riding to the Roadcraft way of doing things, their system of dealing with hazards. 5) You then take a test, for this rather than your observer, you'll get a member who's a police qualified rider, and they'll take you on all the different types of roads and hazards they can. There's usually a test fee, joining fee, and then yearly subscription (currently £32.50 I think). As to benefits. There may be some fringe ones on insurance, but varies and may just be sales tactics. I've never had any savings on my car insurance from it. The biggest benefit, if you buy into it, is that the police properly qualified riders/drives know what they're doing, and you've learned how and what they do. Sure you'll not be making blue-light runs, but the system they've just taught you is what they're supposed to be using, as it's supposed to be good, safe, and work. It might be a good stating point for you to buy and read roadcraft ( http://www.roadcraft.co.uk/motorcycle-roadcraft" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ). that's what you'll be learning so if you disagree, would save you a lot of time. As I say, may have changed a bit since I did it, but doubt it's changed much. Good luck!

Well done! Awesome news! Next bits easy, honest! Sent from my phone.

Fake. Watch where the audience are looking... It's not at the "projection". Sent from my phone.

Now you've got it sorted, keep thinking positive m, but don't overdo the practice now, once or twice to show you still have it but don't overdo it. Good luck! Sent from my phone.

Ok, so why not take the (perhaps misguided), approach I outline above. Start at the top, undo the brake line, finger over the outlet, pull the lever. So you have pressure there or not? Attach brake line, block off brake end, finger over it, pull lever, do you have pressure? Just work your way down checking for pressure. Always always narrow down the problem area it'll always help. Sent from my phone.

Now before anyone listens to anything I say, I'll tell you I'm not a mechanic, no pretty much nothing about bike mechanics and have never ever touched any sort of brake system, apart from the brake lever. So it sounds like you've tried all the obvious, but have you tried verifying each part works? I'm thinking take it all apart. Check the lever squirts out fluid, that the master cylinder squirts out fluid, that a line.... Squirts out fluid. In other words work your way from the top down checking that each and every thing works by unplugging the bit after and checking that you get fluid out. Granted I realise brake fluid ain't nice, but surely worth it at this point? Sent from my phone.

Re 2, it's 7.5m. Look at the third page of this for all the dimensions and distances. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/316690/motorcycle-manoeuvring-area-multi-purpose-test-centre.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Sent from my phone.

1. Yes, In the uk we ride/drive on the left, so will always be doing a U turn to the right, in normal circumstances. 2. Something like 7-7.5m. It's a standard set for the test, doesn't vary. 3. 1st 4. Yes and yes. But make sure you're straight and upright before using and front brake. Sent from my phone.

Some nice bikes there! Sent from my phone.

There are two sorts of bikers. Those who have dropped a bike. And those that are going to. Ignore the cretin and enjoy learning. Treat the test like a practise run, and just give it your best shot. Being too nervous is bad, but a few nerves help to sharpen and focus your mind. I'd rather have some nervousness than none. As I said best advise I can give you is to not go too slow. Sent from my phone.

Don't feel bad, it's hardly like it means you can't do it, or that you'll ever need it in real life. I can count on no hands how many times I've had to do a uturn. Just think of it as a practice run, and give it another go with a nice positive attitude. Good luck! Sent from my phone.

The theory test isn't too expensive, at £23, but factor it in. The training times listed seem a bit skinny, I'm more worried about the Mod 2 only allowing you 6 hours. I realise you've been riding for a while now, so not fresh to it, but it still doesn't sound like long to get the hang of all the scenarios the test might throw at you, get used to the bigger bike etc. However, that's still the route I'd take, it gets rid of the L plates, and doesn't even force you to get rid of your 125 if you simply don't have funds or can't find a bigger bike. But is setting you up the future when you may be able to buy the bigger bike. and that's why I would and did do it. Good luck whichever way you go!

Sometime forget how it's not always easy! Well done for getting it going and sharing the hilarity. Sent from my phone.

This, on my bike intend to almost need no brakes, unless coming to a complete stop. It's made worse by planning, as in I know I need to slow/stop far enough away I can just ease off the gas. I've got an car with a simple engine braking trait, and have the same with that, very little brake use, unless stopping. Sent from my phone.

What can I add? I can reiterate what Adriam above says, don't focus on going too slow, sure don't gun it and whizz round, but definitely don't try and go too slow. Once you're happy you can do it at a bit faster then try and slow it down. You'd be surprised how fast you're allowed to it. You should have seen me motoring for the slalom, even leaning a little. Next tip, go plenty wide on the fig 8, I believe you're even allowed to go as wide as between the last two yellow comes of the slalom!!! That gives you some idea of the width you can have. I think the rest has been converted above, look where you need to go, use the back brake only, careful with the revs as you turns the bars on the fig 8. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think a good portion of the public see L plates and think "slow, learner". When it comes to cars, they're right about a good many of them. Bikes have strange rules so it's not a given, but that's their perception. I'd get training and testing and get rid of them. As other have said a pin lock visor insert will do a great job, though early days I'd just leave the visor open a bit (I quite like the added airflow). You're right about a camera helping in an accident that's not your fault, but also its not Hollywood and so you may not capture what's needed. I'd spend the money on test/training. All just my opinion mind, so take as you please. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did my Mod1 in the carpark/test centre at Oxford's Kassam Stadium on a Monday afternoon early in Feb. It was clear but very windy. I rolled up a few minutes late (instructor had got his times mixed up), nervous has heck. During training I could do it all consistently except the figure of 8, I really struggled with the left turns, and more often than not couldn't do two complete circuits. So that would be the crunch point. The examiner pointed out that it was my choice to do the test as windy, pointing out he could make no special allowances. I opted to start. I was given the choice on whether to park in the left or right garage and chose the right. It meant a longer manoeuvre, but felt more confident doing the cornering going forward rather than backwards. The cone weave was fine, then the figure of 8. I just told myself quite firmly "just do it". And did, before I knew it the examiner signalled and I was on for the slow ride over, I may have gone too quickly as was elated to have got round the 8. The U turn was a doodle, I'd never had problems. Then onto the swerve and emergency stop. The sighting run (controlled stop) was useful since the Oxford test centre is different to the normal layout, you start the run from behind the stadium seating, out of sight of the examiner, speed sensors, cones etc. So you get a chance to have a few second breather, compose yourself. Sighting run was fine. The swerve went ok, but was slightly confused when stopping as two of the blue comes had vanished, so rather than stop with front wheel in the box I just stopped over the line. Emergency stop ok. And the verdict? 2 minors as 2mph below the 50kph on the swerve. Phew! Examiner did say I may have missed a shoulder check but he was too busy trying to not get blown over. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Due to some mix ups and confusion (my instructor was trying to move someone else's booking and moved mine by mistake), I arrived at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford at 8am for my 8:15am test. The weather wasn't bad for early Feb, but most definitely cold and damp. My examiner arrived shortly after, and is turns out the same chap who'd done my Mod1 4 days earlier. He started with the paperwork and then gave me the radio to put on. And then it was out to the bike and rolling. The first few turns took is down Nightingale avenue in Blackbird Leys, though to Cowley. Luckily while most of my training hadn't been here, while waiting for the Mod1 we'd been this exact way. So at least I was vaguely familiar, as its an odd road, lots of brick, slow and turn and junction after turn and junction. On the last stretch of this was where I picked up two my two minors... There was a narrow mush road and two oncoming vans. I figured (correctly) that there was enough room for us to pass without much drama. The van driver wasn't best impressed (clearly wanted much more room), and pulled a face. When I checked my mirrors I could see the examiner had stopped and realised I'd made a mistake. Oh well I thought, what's the worst? Call it a practice run. It got easier from here as we headed out to Garsington, where we did the hill start. I got really lucky here, as I pulled away the bike stalled!!!! And then caught again, and I was away. So it was rather jerky, but observations were all good and once going we were up to speed. It was then onto the independent ride, which basically was all the way back to the test centre. This was a breeze as I'd ridden this route many times. Back at the test centre there were a couple of questions about pillions but after the first part of my answer he was happy and left to fill in his paperwork. I headed inside to remove the radio and wait for the verdict. I was pretty sure stalling during the hill start at the very least had failed me. But apparently no, two minors as mentioned, and that was it, passed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk