SouthernManc78

Thanks I was planning on staying over the night before so I could get there first thing. It's a 2 hour drive to the NEC from my house and I don't fancy an early start Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like the Street Triple and the insurance is manageable rather than eye watering like when I got quotes for a CBR600RR. I'm debating with myself whether to get a bike just before winter though as I know I'm not going to be using it that heavily in the colder months, I'm also planning on going to Motorcycle Live and hopefully riding a few bikes there so I might wait until spring next year yet Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So an update on this... I passed my mod 1 on my 3rd attempt after the 2nd I failed on the u turn again. On the morning of my 3rd attempt the school I've been doing it with let me know they'd had a cancellation for a mod2 exam the next day so this meant I jumped at the opportunity to do the last piece of the puzzle so soon. I passed mod 2 with just a few minor faults so I'm now a full licensed holder and looking forward to choosing a bike! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I nearly made that mistake too but having been on a DAS course this week on ER-6N's I realised I made the right decision. When I pass I'll be getting an MY-07 I think, I really want a CBR600RR but because I'm a new rider the insurance for one of them is just stupidly more expensive than an MT-07 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice one, congratulations on the pass. Enjoy your bike before winter kicks in I say Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've got another date for the Mod1 test in two weeks time now anyway so will just put it to one side until then. To be honest the muscles in my hands and neck will thank me for the rest as riding for 4-5 hours each day for 4 days was quite intensive even if it was blood good fun. I'm struggling to type on a keyboard with my right hand because the muscles don't want to do the things I'm asking them to do [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So been having a great time this week on training and really enjoying the power of the big bikes. When practicing the slow control stuff I'd put my foot down on the U turn once each day because of going to slow and come test day did exactly the bloody same. Foot down and fail, doh!! Just waiting for another date now so I can try again, think nerves got the better of me which is frustrating but he ho, onwards and upwards Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good luck on your mod2 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Passed! Got 92% on the questions and 91% on the hazard perception Ready for the Mod 1 & 2 now Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm currently sat outside the theory test centre waiting for my appointment time. Hopefully in approx 1 hour I'll have my theory test completed Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The centre I'm doing it have Kawasaki ER-6N bikes which are nearly new apparently. Having read a few reviews I think they should be fine for me Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did my CBT about 4 weeks ago and got my theory test this week. Work commitments have meant I haven't been able to do any further training but I've found out yesterday I'm going to not working next week and so did a ring around the training providers around Southampton and found one who had availability for next week. I've got a 5 day course booked for next week so if all goes to plan I'll have my full license before the end of the month Excited much...oh yes! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff. I went in there a few weeks ago and was talking with one of the guys, he was really helpful and knowledgeable. I even bought a pair of boots in there even though I knew I could get them cheaper online because I was so impressed by their helpfulness Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone, a socket set is one thing I've never really needed so far but I'll get one of them to start with. I like the idea of a torque wrench too as I like gadgets [emoji3] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, Are there some tools that anyone who needs to maintain their bike should have in their garage? I'm a newbie but have a collection of tools from years of diy jobs around the house and just looking to see what I might need to buy on my next trip to B&Q or Halfords [emoji3] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Make sure you double or even triple your day rate for those 10 days your there as 'hazard pay'. I wouldn't do it for the same rate as what I'm on in the UK. Oh and see if you can fly business class [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's not a bikers fault either that they're allowed on the roads with so little training, it's obviously harder these days but not by much. I passed my driving test before the theory test was introduced but I still had hours of road tuition as I had no other way of getting on the roads as my parents wouldn't teach me or let me drive their car [emoji3]. It's obviously harder to supervise a rider and there are no dual controls [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A bit off topic but it amazes me how a 16 yo can do a 1 day course and then be allowed out on the roads when if they wanted to drive a car they'd have to undertake hours of tuition under instruction on the roads and pass a driving test afterwards. Seems like a recipe for disaster to me Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had a similar experience myself and then out on the roads the youngster was totally different and lacking confidence as he'd never ridden on the roads before where I was more confident on the roads being a 20 year veteran in cars Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with the rest and say do it on a geared bike if you intend to ride geared bikes as it will give you a better chance of mastering it. I did mine yesterday on a geared bike having never ridden before and although it takes some practice it is worth it. I wouldn't like to start from scratch teaching myself clutch control and gears without proper instruction as that's how bad habits are picked up and will hinder you doing the mod1 test as you have to relearn things the proper way Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was surprised how fast I felt it was on a 125 so I might get myself one for 6 months so learn on so get any drops or falls out of my system on that before I spend lots of cash on a decent bike Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So I went and completed my CBT today, started off well enough but was struggling with clutch control a bit as I've never ridden any bike before. Just as I was starting to get the hang of it I somehow managed to wheelie the bike but didn't come off it and regained control and brought it to a stop, after that I was awful and thought I wouldn't complete it in one day. I took a 5 min break and then did some more practice and was loads better. The instructor was 50/50 about letting me out onto the roads but my confidence had improved by this point and he was happy enough, so off we went and I had loads of fun even getting it into 5th gear going along at 40 MPH. It was quite windy today and I was surprise how much the wind can affect your riding but I made it back to the training centre and got my CBT certificate. There is around a 6 week wait for availability on a Direct Access course which takes it closer to winter so I'm thinking I should get a 125cc to potter about on and practice clutch control and mod1 stuff on myself and maybe doing the tests so I hopefully have a full license for when next spring comes around Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is a place called Metropolis Motorcycles near Vauxhall tube station I've visited a few times. They are mainly a bike dealer but have a good size space allocated for bike gear and helmets Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It might be safer for them but not everyone else Maybe another candidate for a retest Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's why people should have to retake their test if they have more than a couple of accidents in a reasonable timeframe. It would hopefully weed out these people and get them off the roads Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk