madcow87

Cheers folks. Despite the downpour and planks in Audi's I had an awesome day riding my bike home yesterday. Unfortunately using the Tapatalk app I can't upload any pics but here's a link to the only one I've managed so far...https://flic.kr/p/XroHS4 I promise to get around to summing up my experiences and I'll make a thread in another forum with more pics of the bike when I get a chance as I'll be throwing mods at it that I'll keep a track of too! Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Man it sucks but it definitely sounds like they took you for a ride (no pun intended) on that first CBT. I must admit I dropped the DAS bike on my Mod 1 training 3 times and on the third I finally snapped that damn brake lever (stupid freaking thing give me grief all day) and I paid them £20 for a new lever, but they did say that it wasn't necessary that was me just being me and what I do. Its not my property and although they're covered and what not I wouldn't have felt right about leaving it. But like a million people have said already the right instructor will guide you through this. At your pace. Allowing you to do the basics and really get a grip on it. I've read about a lot of people maybe having to go back for a second/third time but they've often been given more than 20 minutes and they've spent more time than that working on setting off and stopping safely. New school should hopefully be much better for you!!

I know its been cleared up but thought I'd throw out there I've literally just done this... CBT - the compulsory bit. DAS - 1 day training on a Suzuki Gladius, then the Mod 1 part of my test. Another day's training with the Gladius then the Mod 2 part of my test. Both tests were done on the Gladius, exactly the same bike I'd been training on I did my tests with. I literally did this all within a month with no prior riding experience and passed both tests first time. Only thing to point out is that until you've passed both parts of your test you are restricted to only riding a 125. I considered getting a 125 to practice and learn to handle the road on a bike, but in the end it would've been difficult financially for me so I just stuck to the training and tests as quickly as I could. I'm 29 years old so this was the best option for me, and I would 100% recommend it to yourself or anyone else looking into it. There was actually one lad I encountered who did his A2 license 6 months ago, so he paid for all his tests and bike hire and training and did his tests and was restricted to an A2 bike. Then 6 months later (now) he turned 24 and decided to do it all again to get a Full A License.

Sounds like a pain man!! Our test centre joins straight onto a one way road which I think takes some of the nerves away because you only have to worry about traffic coming from one way, if you know what I mean. I thought I'd failed when approaching a mini-roundabout a van was crossing so I slowed to a crawl pretty much and timed it to just nip out behind him and around. I thought though that I went to close to the back of him and if there had been someone coming from the junction to my left on the roundabout I'd have been hidden by the van, which made me think it was a dangerous move and I'd fail. It seems though that the examiner may have been concentrating on my signals by that point and it maybe acted as a smoke screen because he didn't mention the roundabout move, just the signals. Hoggs you'll have to wait and see what she looks like but it looks like Friday afternoon is the day so I'll get some epic photos and post them up on Friday night :)

Morning folks! So first off thank you all very much for the kind words and congratulations, I'm still buzzing and a little shocked but man am I happy!! I spent most the weekend looking around any and all shops I could get to and had a sit on a fair few bikes...I've actually ended up going with a little Ninja 250 I took out. I did try some bigger bikes that I thought would be an ok shout (ER6 and CB650) but after a ride I decided to cut my teeth as it were with the 250. Couple of reasons for this. 1) This is truly my first bike, I've never rode on my own before, I've never really spent the time doing things for myself I've always been following instructions and although I know I can handle the bigger bike under training/test circumstances, I feel like if I get a bit giddy on my own I'm likely to maybe do something stupid, and frankly I'd rather it be on a smaller and possibly more forgiving bike. 2) and this is the main one. Cost. I got this 250 for a really nice price that I was comfortable with and although I knew I could probably afford more I don't want to as me and the wife are wanting to save to finally get our own house. This is a birthday present for myself and I chose not to spend too much money on it. Unfortunately none of the bigger bikes came close to the price of the 250 (which is to be expected) and the ones that did were bikes that I wasn't interested in. Frankly I see this as my first bike not my last, but in all honesty I'll probably hang on to this a while because it'll do everything I want it to and it'll do it well. I took my uncle (lifelong biker of 35 years) and my best mate with me (biker for 10 years) and they both agreed that I may get bored of the power on the 250 which I completely understand, but then they both understand that I've wanted to do this for so long that any bike to me is going to last and I won't get bored. I'm genuinely extremely excited, it may not be able to leave my friends' Ducati or Suzuki's in the dust but hopefully it'll be a good platform for me to really understand how to ride and how to ride well. I'll hopefully be picking it up later this week and I'll of course be sure to post some pictures when I've got it

Probably not, most don't allow test rides if you've had your licence less than 2 years unfortunately . Really! Damn it I didnt know that. Thats a shame because I dont know what bike I want to get. Was hoping to get on a couple to see what I like. Maybe complicated things. It may make it easier and I'll just buy what I like the look off and deal with it haha Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone. Absolutely buzzing still! I had chance to get out this affa to do some shopping but then my sons shelves fell off his wall and that was that. Off tomorrow for a damn good shop. I dont have my license but will I be able to take bikes out on a test ride if I take all my docs? Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Splendid news for you all! I passed!!! 3 minors, which were all the same and if I'd have done it once more I'd have failed. I got them all very early on in the test and then had a moment where I thought I'd failed. After that it went really smoothly. Can't tell you all how happy I am right now and I'll try to do a bit more thorough post up later. I'm currently trying to find a way that I can get out bike shopping! Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Well unfortunately with it being my wife's birthday yesterday I never got chance to post anything. However my training day went splendid. Had a really good day and managed to nail everything and felt incredibly comfortable and confident afterwards. Late on yesterday and this morning I've been very anxious and nervous (this is pretty new to me) so I'm sat waiting with my kids to head out. Leave at 8am so with a bit of luck I can update with the outcome before dinner time [emoji16][emoji16] Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Sorry guys haven't been able to get on these last few weeks with work and family getting in the way. Quick post to say I'm nervous as s**t right now. Haven't been on a bike in 4 weeks and I'm about to head off for my training for The mod 2 which is on Friday morning. I'll do my best to get a decent post up tonight and have a browse of the forums now my phone is working again [emoji849] Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

So I had my Mod 1 this Tuesday just gone (4/7/17) Passed with 1 minor. I had a training day on the Sunday before the test, and that went terribly bad! I had lost absolutely every ounce of confidence, U turns being the most prominent weak point. So Monday I spent the whole day worrying about the test, even considered ringing the instructor to cancel it and pay for some more lessons (I had only been riding since Saturday) because I thought I wasn't going to be ready for it, despite proving that I can do all the manoeuvres for the test. Day of Test - Rain. All the rain. All the way to Carlisle it rained, and it continued to get heavier over the couple of hours before my test. There was 4 of us doing Mod 1 in the morning, one of which I did my training with on the Sunday who was absolutely the sure favourite out of the two of us to pass. Me and one of them went with the instructor and both bikes to have a little ride and a little warm up prior to the tests. During which time I had absolutely no confidence in what I was doing. I was riding ok, just had no conviction and was scared of repeating my mistakes from Sunday on test day. So we go back and wait for the test, the other lad goes first. Pass. 1 minor for hitting 48kmph on the swerve. But he comes out and says that everything was much further apart than when we were training, the cones, the lines for the U turn, everything. It was then that I suddenly relaxed a little and decided whats the worst that could happen. To begin with (even the manual handling) I was shaking so badly. Like a s****ing dog! Just about mustered through the slalom, figure 8 and slow riding. Onto the U turn. Round I go (all the checks of course!) then as I get to the other side of the U turn, my front wheel runs onto the white line, I correct it and straighten up before stopping, but at this point I'm 100% sure I've failed. Relaxed even more and smashed out the higher speed stuff with ease, and the examiner says about leaving the test pan. I'm thinking at this point I've failed so poorly. Upon him opening the gate, I spotted a learner driver coming into the car parking area and then just stop, partially hidden behind some bushes. Then another learner driver beings to reverse out of their parking bay. I'm still waiting to come out of the test pan, but both of these cars seem to have stopped moving. So I edge out very tentatively checking all the time and pulled into the motorcycle bay. Off we go inside (I requested my instructor to come in, figuring I've failed). Before I've got my helmet off and stuff, the examiner says "I won't torment you any more, you've passed. 1 minor, it was otherwise a very good solid ride." The reason I mentioned about the cars pulling in and out at the end there, is because if that happens to you, treat with care and take your time, because it is still part of your test until you are off that bike! Later on one of the other lads picked up 1 minor because he pulled out of the test pan without taking care of the traffic moving around, like me he had learner drivers pulling in/out and just proceeded through without a second thought. All in all that was a massive confidence boost!! Unfortunately the lad I thought was a sure for a pass failed, he didn't quite completely straighten up on the U turn and put his foot down, I thought it was a bit harsh personally, but what do I know!! Looking forward to my Mod 2 now, which is booked for the 4th August. 1 month in between riding, but I'm much more comfortable on the road than I was with the Mod 1.

Thanks Guys I'm a little speechless still to be honest, but just having that little piece of paper is a massive confidence boost!! So emailing back and forth a little with my instructors last night and the examiner is travelling down to my local test centre at the beginning of August for 2 nights so there's the opportunity there. I've already got the time off (just needed to convince the wife that her birthday was the PERFECT day for me to go for my Mod 2!) so everythings lined up and planned. 2nd August will be my Mod 2 training (which is just riding around town/lanes from what he tells me and making sure I've got the hang of cancelling my indicators), then the test will be in the morning of Friday 4th August. Fingers crossed!! I'm going to try and post my experience and my feelings from when I was doing my Mod 1 test and I'll share that in the experiences thread too

Yeah the speed thing I suppose can be tricky like that. Coming home from Mod 1 doing 70 in the car was starting to feel slow till I slowed to 60 then 50 so its always changing no natter what. I've just noted that people jump in on bikes can be timid with the throttle to begin with and its something I personally need to make sure I shrug off before Mod 2. Speaking off I'm not entirely sure yet, my instructor had 2 lads going straight out on Mod 2 after my Mod 1 so we didnt get chance to chat about it yet. If I want to do it Locally I think Mid-August is the soonest available, if I want to travel to Carlisle and do it there (like the mod 1) I can probably do it sooner I don't know yet. Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Oh god no I dont mean to do that,and wouldn't discourage anyone from riding! Thats something I picked upon from instructors looking specifically at the way I'm going, which is all in one without any previous riding experience. If you jump on and love it but aren't comfortable with riding fast, absolutely keep it up! My thoughts would be that if that is the case you just need to keep riding and you'll get comfortable with it. But if you plan on trying to "crash course" the DAS as quickly and efficiently as possible, without any experience in riding its something to bear in mind that examiners will look at that kind of thing. Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone. Very very happy to say that I passed! One minor, my front wheel just ran onto the white line a little. But honestly when it happened I spotted it, thought I'd failed and then just completely relaxed and rode on regardless. Did a little dance when he handed me the certificate! Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Thanks mate. Been a bag of nerves since Sunday and been awake since 5am this morning but truthfully the nerves are easing right now and I'm feeling good. Hopefully that continues and it'll all come up cricket. I'll be sure to post later whatever happens. Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Absolutely stellar work pal!! I've just done my first big bike training for Mod 1 yesterday, had a couple of hours in a car park practising manoeuvres, dropped the bike on the U turn Have got the test in the morning and fingers crossed I can pull it off. I proved I can manage every manoeuvre, its just putting them together tomorrow now.

Thought I'd ask the question in here for anyone that might have read this and be able to offer any input. So my main hang up has been the U turn and just generally turning right at slow speed. I don't feel nearly as bother by turning left it just seems to be turning right. I've proved to myself that if I feel the bike bogging down I need more power to pull it around not less. But what I feel is that I'm not doing anything with my body to make it easier for myself to drive through, I'm thinking I should maybe be keeping my upper body straighter and looking through where I'm going and hinging myself at the hips to allow the bike to lean under me? For example, the third time I dropped the bike was at a tight right hand junction. My instructor and the other pupil took the turn fine seemingly in the same position that I was, so what did I do wrong. I'll try and explain the scenario and post a link so people can see it on google maps. We approached the junction and stopped at the "line" and were preparing to go right. I'd stopped and was safe to go, it was on an incline so I had my foot on the back brake whilst I set off then let off and started trying to turn in, at this point for what ever reason, I panicked (I know that was a mistake) and shut the throttle off losing all power and the bike tipped, with it being on an awkward camber I just fell and dropped it. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.1601613,-3.2019288,3a,75y,3.98h,70.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAHHg0X3GWCUy-rEK6kPedA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Admittedly, looking at that image it doesn't look that bad at all, but there were a lot more parked cars around which made me nervy and the bushes are much more overgrown now so the visibility is shocking around there. (not trying to make excuses for being incompetent ) So when I approached to turn right around the houses, I stop at the line, should I really had my wheel turned right and the bike leant over to my left? Then when I make the turn should I try to keep by upper body straighter and allow the bike to lean under me, hinging at the hips? I apologise if that was horribly worded but if anyone can navigate that mess and provide anything for me to think about it'd be massively appreciated!!

Yeah I keep trying to remind myself that I've gone through 2 full on days of riding/learning to ride and that on Friday afternoon I'd never rode a bike on the road or attempted any of this stuff. In the gran scheme of things what I'm doing is probably quite ambitious but you'll never know if you don't try, and I'm confident that I have shown and proved to myself that I can handle all this stuff. I just need to take it one manoeuvre at a time on the day and remember everything that I've learnt. Especially from those drops.

Don't worry about it. I snapped my brake lever other week Wasn't even Sat on the bloody thing..... Welcome to the world of biking Cheers mate. Yeah I knew something like that would happen to me eventually at least when I've only spent 8/9 hours total on a bike I've got some excuses we live and learn, it hasn't put me off I just need to focus on correcting the mistakes!

No yeah thats the same thing as I was taught mate. What I was doing was shutting the throttle off when it turning. Meaning no power to pull the bike around and instead just getting really heavy. The strange thing is that I wasn't doing it in my figure 8 which I'm told was perfectly fine, but for some reason I get to the U turn and switch off. Really gotta be on the ball with it on Tuesday. Just had an email from my instructor finalizing a few things, and he said in it to have no fear he genuinely believes I can do it. The pessimist in me says he's doing to build the confidence. But I'm going with it. I do think I'll be fine. And unfortunately I'm not out again tomorrow. Next time I get on the bike will be a quick practice at the test center, then the test. Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

So here we go. TL:DR - 3 drops, one broken brake lever, no injuries, but plenty of positive feedback going into my test on Tuesday. If thats caught your attention then read on at your peril Big Bike Mod 1 Training Day So today was the big bike day, following my CBT yesterday. Specifically looking at Mod 1 training looking at hopefully passing my test on Tuesday. Big ask for anyone I'd say but I was well up for the challenge, and what a challenge it was in the end... So to start off in the morning we had a bit of a chat of the thing we need to consider (power, weight etc), suit up and off we go. For the morning we actually just rode around the roads and got a feel for the bikes. I took quite well to them on the road. We had a chat about counter steering and how it could be useful for the Mod 1 and its somewhat instinctual to riding. So we reached a quiet section of road and under the watchful eye of our instructor me and the other lad practiced some emergency stops, which I found not nearly as daunting as I'd thought on the big bikes. We repeated this a couple of times then turned in the road to go back the other way...drop. Performing the U turn I got to the other side of the road and shut the throttle off (I know) and dropped it on my right ankle. Nothing serious, nothing broken. Pick bike up and off we go again. Heading to the car park for the training went smoothly, handled everything on the roads with no problem and I was improving my clutch work and what not that I had issues with yesterday. We stopped nearby at a little cafe for a brew and a breakfast then went to the car park for some training. We started with the high speed stuff... Controlled stop - check Emergency stop - check Hazard avoidance - check (eventually) Onto the slow speed stuff. I knew in myself that this was my weakest area, so I was asking lots of questions and repeating stuff till blue on the face. I tackled the slalom and figure 8 OK, the slow speed riding was fine too. Went to start practicing some U-turns. Drop. That's right guys I dropped it again doing the exact same manoeuvre because of the exact same damn thing. Again there was no damage to me or the bike. Picked it up and carried On going straight for another U turn. Perfect. Continued to bang out another 3 on the bounce with no issues. One final run through each slow speed manoeuvre then stopped for a chat in the sunshine. My instructor said he was confident I can get trough the Mod 1 and that I've demonstrated all the skill and ability to pass and not to let the drops get to me. I felt somewhat proud that I just got back on but at the end of the day they weren't mega offs. So we headed back to the lock up and we took the scenic route through some lovely (poor) roads. Drop. Yes. I know. A third drop. A very odd junction, incredibly tight lanes (no larger than one car wide) it was off camber and uphill. I handled it badly from my initial position at the junction but then when I started turning right I'd shut the throttle off and down we went again. Finally snapped that brake lever. Was utterly sick of it. Good riddance. The instructor and other lad had continued on and thankfully some lovely man came out of his house and helped me up. I felt alright and rode back OK but I have felt some pain at the top of my back since. I'll come back to these drops shortly. So. Regroup back at the lock up and have a chat about the day. my instructor was more than happy having me out on the road and he is still confident I can manage the test, providing I do what I know I can do. A bit of fun though my CBT instructor from yesterday, this morning he said to my new instructor to try and catch me out, but wouldn't say what on (I thought it was the signal cancelling and stayed on top of that all day!) It turns out it was my obs. The new instructor spent every time behind me trying to sneak up on me. Proud to say the little swine didn't. So the drops, and this is food for thought for anyone in a similar position to me, on the u turns, and this same thing happened on the last drop at the junction. It was 2 mega mistakes. #1 - Looking at the ground in front of me, not where I wanted the bike to go. #2 - shutting off the throttle, the clutch was in a perfect position and the control was fine and the rear brake work was fine too. My brain got scared of the no ice and I shut off the throttle and beggared it. Rookie mistakes I know, but I am a rookie and I keep reminding myself that as of 48 hours ago. couldn't do any of this. Yet two qualified, experienced instructors both think I can pass my Mod 1 on Tuesday and have been awful helpful in answering any stupid questions I've spat out. So yeah it was a long one, a hard one and a an insightful one. I'm gonna be doing a lot of visualising over the next few days and really trying to remind myself I'm fine and I can do this. Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

I'm currently writing a bit of a report now and I'll copy and paste it shortly lol but yeah it was a tough day. Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

Funnily enough i did m mod 1 training on the big bike today and dropped it 3 times doing the same damn thing. Only damage was one snapped brake lever. I had a feeling it would happen during this weekend anyway but it still makes you think about it lol Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

So a really quick stock take from today. It was a hard day at the office today. I'm feeping positive but it hasn't gone too smoothly and I'll either update with a post tonight or tomorrow morning. For now I'm having a beer and I'll be enjoying a takeaway later tonight with the wife and kids [emoji38] Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk