Reece

No worries

Sounds a good idea! Be great to meet a few people. [strikeout]Either day[/strikeout] Saturday around 12-1pm would be good with me! Look forward to it Edit** Been advised by her indoors I already have plans for the Sunday

I completed the Enhanced Rider Scheme with Shires in Leicester last year a few weeks after passing my mod 2. Definitely worth while (although it may depend on the training school providing the training?) and Leicester council support it so it was subsidised cost. Cost me £60 for 6 hours training (£160 unsubsidised I believe). It's a great introduction into more "advanced" riding techniques/skills.

Welcome to TMBF. In my opinion go straight for the DAS. I passed my CBT last March and got a Honda CB125F. 7 weeks later I'd passed my DAS and wanted a bigger bike. I had a enjoyable 2000 miles on the 125 (mostly commuting) in them few weeks and was lucky to not lose any money on the 125. When you pass your DAS you'll have a hell of a wider choice of bikes. Some are even similar prices to what you'd pay for a 125 anyway (if you don't mind a slightly older bike).

As said, be more concerned about the cleanliness of the mating surfaces between block and head etc. For cleaning I'd use a rag for a initial wipe over then some Scotchbrite pads (or similar scouring pads) combined with WD40 (or a similar product) and gently clean the surfaces ensuring you are not to agressive. Once done check surfaces with a straight edge.

Currently wearing Oxford textile trousers and jacket which have been great through the winter so far. I also have 'K' aramid denim jeans for the warmer/drier weather. Spada all weather boots (budget boots). Oxford gloves (intermediate, but have been fine through the winter with the heated grips). Although this is my only kit which I purchased when I started riding in March last year. I will be looking for new boots this spring with my eye on some Sidi's. Never tried leathers so can't comment on them.

DAS

Personally, I use nothing as I pretty much only use fuel stations with the "pay at pump" style pumps. If on the unexpected time I use a 'convential pump' I'd just apply the steering lock.

Likewise, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year all!!

Congratulations!

Go for it. Will be good experience to train and learn during winter in different conditions. Also, there should be an abundance pf tests slots available at the test centre so will be easier to get a test slot to suit you rather than the waiting times that can be experienced in the warmer months.

Can't offer any help but posting so I can keep track of this thread. My current AGV helmet has always suffered with high wind noise at motorway speeds but was counteracted with Auritech ear plugs. However, I've just upgraded from my CB650F to a 2016 Honda Crossrunner and the wind noise is barely bearable on the motorway with the AGV and Auritech ear plugs so also looking for opinions on whether any particular branded helmets are better than others in the 'quiet' department?!

A phone call may be appreciated. Number is on my post on page 2 of this thread

Hello and welcome to the forum. I've just recently picked up a 3 month old VFR 800X Crossrunner and it is a dream to commute on. The round trip is 55 miles on the motorway. I also tried the Africa Twin which works of been my first choice of bike, but unfortunately the insurance premiums are far too high to justify getting the bike! I passed my DAS in May this year and went straight out and purchased a CB650F (sane bike as used for my DAS) as I found the bike really comfortable. However, I soon found out it wasn't so comfortable clicking up the motorway miles. In my opinion, something more upright with wine protection etc withdraw definitely be high on the priority list.

Is it with double checking with Hungry Hogg's regarding opening on a Sunday? I've been there on a Sunday before and I know Shires motorcycle training school take their mod 1/2 trainees there for a bacon roll on Sundays from time to time. Edit: their Facebook page say they're open on Sunday.

Congrats on passing Mod 1 Good luck for Mod 2!

Keep checking with the training schools regularly. The schools book all their slots in advance via the website. The bigger the school the more slots they can book. They can cancel the slots up to 5 days before the test date. Therefore most schools will cancel any unused test dates 5/6 days before the date so they don't lose money. The training school I used early this year explained this as I needed to arrange my mod 2 test around my shift work. I gave them a list of suitable dates/times and they kept an eye on cancellation slots and booked me in as soon as one became available. Only took a few days in the end. If possible give the chosen school(s) a list of dates and ask them to keep you updated.

Looks fantastic!

Not sure of any schools in Coventry, but if they don't mind a short drive up the M69 and A46 to the Shires Motorcycle Training school in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, then I can highly recommend these. Awesome team of staff and have a very high first time pass rate. I completely my CBT and DAs with them a few months ago and also completed a 6 hour Enhanced training session with them yesterday. There is also Circuitbasedtraining.co.uk that operate from Mallory Park. I've not any personal experience with them, but have heard good things, nut I do believe they can be a bit pricey(?).

Congratulations.

With a good training school and/or instructor the whole process is simple. It's nerves when the word "test" is mentioned that can make a fail. I passed my mod 2 last week. I was most worried about mod 1, which I passed first time. I took a deep breath and relaxed between each maneuver. Take your time and don't rush into each part of the test. Mod 2 I wasn't worried too much about. However I failed first time. I had a great ride with a clean sheet until I made a silly mistake 500m away from the test centre. I'd left an indicator on and at the next mini roundabout I was going straight on. However a car thought I was turning and pulled out on me. Instant fail for a serious fault. Retest last week and got a clean sheet. As said life savers, speed limits, don't hit anything and make sure your indicators cancelled and you'll be fine.

Our instructor was surprised he got a second chance at the slow ride before continuing to the u turn. Anyway, all the best for next time

When I took my mod 1 the other lad I had done my training with failed for going too fast on the slow ride (maneuver before U turn). He went a bit too fast and you could tell as the examiner was walking behind and he was pulling away from him. Our teaching instructor said straight away it was too fast. He was given s second attempt but was too fast again. Shame as the rest of his ride was perfect.

Is it the side check prior to the U turn you struggle with? I had this problem during my training. My instructor told me to do the following which sorted the problem. Keep back upright and try not to slouch during the maneuvers. Shoulder check Move off at a slow controlled pace Right shoulder check and then look forward again to regain balance Look right in the direction you want to go and complete the U turn. The key part for me was looking forward to regain balance. I was initially rushing the shift check and turn and not giving myself time to gain balance after the shoulder check. Hope this helps and good luck.