Lanceautoman

Passed my Mod 2 yesterday - I am so chuffed. Very nice examiner called Jon at Atherton DVSA Test Centre. Got a few minors, road position, control - stalled, not making progress - doing 30 in a 40 when i thought it was a 30. First time i have ever been criticised for going too slow! I thought i had failed though. Towards the end i heard his voice say "This road is a 20 zone" He said something after that i didn't quite catch but was convinced i had failed. Made it back to the test centre feeling rather deflated and gave my instructor a thumbs down. We went into his office for the debrief to be told "Congratulations i am pleased to inform you that you have passed" - It was a major WTF? moment. He asked why i was so surprised and I said i thought i had failed for speeding in the 20. He said i mustn't have head him say that because the repeaters have been removed due to roadworks it is not classed as a fault. Really enjoyed the ride back to the test centre on the MT-07 i had used and it was a nice feeling removing my L plates from my trusty YBR 125. Slightly annoyed though that i had to pay £11 to my insurer when i informed them that i now have a full license... Time to go big bike shopping now!

Excellent write up there. I have my Mod 2 tomorrow. How many minors did you actually get?

Excellent post - I passed my Mod 1 on Monday and have Mod 2 booked in a couple of weeks!

On the look out for a cheap and cheerful 600cc+ to hone my skills on before getting a new/newish bike. Sports bikes kill my back so a naked or sports tourer seem the best option. Bandit 600/650 currently top of the list.

Mod 1 passed today! I am so chuffed. Mod 2 booked in August

You are absolutely right about it being a mental test. I have been riding my 125 since October last year and ridden 6000 miles in all weather so I thought i would have nailed the Mod 1. I failed my Mod 1 stalling on the slalom. Rest of test was fine. Nerves got the better of me. I find the figure of 8 and the U turn to be the hardest things to do, U turn in particular. In practice I know i can do it, the bike wont fall over but i still find it to be really fecking hard! I my second go at Mod 1 on Monday and i am already bricking it - It is frustrating as I feel like i am a reasonably competent rider, on a 125 at least. I am less concerned about my Mod 2, if i ever manage to get my Mod 1 that is!

Belated thanks to all who recommended SealSkins. Been wearing them all week and my feet bone dry and not too hot to cold.my boots are saturated though. I got a pair of long socks for £20 and I'm really impressed.

https://www.wish.com/product/59eee1c659843432e8cf5fd8

I fitted some oxford grips to my YBR a couple of weeks ago when it was still cold. I never go above 50%!

cheers - MOT just been done but i agree, may need swapping prior to next one. Although by then i hope to have an MT-07!

All sorted now thanks all - I messed around and have fitted it. The beam pattern, whilst not as clean as a halogen one, is not too bad. the light out put is superb. I went for a ride at 10pm last night down some dark twisties and the light output is as not far off the xenons on my Jag.

Not with a YBR 125 mate. I have Oxford Smart grips and prior to my LED overhaul the charging warning light would come on when idling with the heaters on. Now the light never comes on.

I did have this installed: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Osram-HS1-Night-Racer-90-Motorbike-Headlight-Bulb-90-Brighter-64185NR9-01B-/352052517738?clk_rvr_id=1502418937181&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=twenga&utm_campaign=twenga&utm_param=eyJlcyI6MCwicyI6OTcyMDIzNywiY2kiOiIwM2UzNmQwOGQ0NjM0ZmQ0ZGQ5MDk5Yzk2NzNjM2YxYyIsImkiOiIzNTIwNTI1MTc3MzgiLCJ0cyI6MTUyMzk3NTU1MSwidiI6Mywic28iOjE1MDAsImMiOjE3NDA2MH0%3D&rmvSB=true Much brighter than standard. No modification required. The reason i have changed is that i have recently fitted heated grips and ive replaced almost all bulbs on the bike with LEDs so the alternator / battery do not burn out.

The base comes off to enable the bulb to be seated properly so it is not possible to tell which way it should go in unfortunately

Bit hard to explain in words, but, I have today received an H4 Led bulb kit to fit to my existing headlamp. The bulbs are 3 sided, like a toblorone. Does anyone one know if the bulb should be fitted with the triangle pointing to the ground or the sky?

that reminds me of a song by East 17 song....

Morning, I have a lovely pair of RST Tractech Evo boots which are very comfortable. However, they are not waterproof. Does anyone know a way to effectively do that? I did try spraying with Fabsil and it helped but did not work completely. thanks

Excellent answer. Thank you very much

I currently have a Spada Flip Front helmet. It was my first helmet and was a modest £65. Having been riding for around 6 months now i have a few issues with the helmet:- 1. I have had to have 2 replacement sets of visor side hinges as the others wore down and the visor would clip out; 2. It leaks, even with the visor fully down, water gets in down the top of the visor; 3. Pinlock wasnt included so i had to get a new visor with one fitted; 4. It is heavy; 5. It cannot be ridden with flip up (ie. Not P & J kite-marked) In an ideal world i would love a Shoei Neotech 2 but alas, it is outside of my price range. I have seen a helmet by Caberg called the Duke II which seems to tick the boxes at a more realistic £150ish but I wondered what experience others have or what different options i may consider? thanks in advance.

I commute and most of my riding is at night with my pinlock fitted, I also wear glasses. The only problem I have is if I forget treat my glasses with anti-fog spray.

thank you - I will probably look at a short DAS course in the New Year

that's helpful, thank you. I am 40, so, if i want a full license i need to borrow or hire a 700cc or do a DAS course? Any suggestions on how to improve the MPG? - COuld it being winter affect it? Most of the journey is 60MPH on a duel carriage way - 70mph down hill with a wind behind me!

I ride from Wigan to Manchester, a bit of b road but most of the journey is on the Eastlancs A580, with wind, up a bit of hill, as close to 60MPH as i can, with a top box and with all 18 Stones of me! - I think 82MPG is not bad considering! I think i will see how i get on in spring. Am i right that i need to do my Mod 1 & 2 on a 600cc or bigger? - Forgive my ignorance

Evening, I did my CBT in September having never ridden a bike. I bought a Ybr125 in October and I've been doing a 40 mile a day commute every day since then in wind rain and snow. I love the YBR, particularly for filtering and also the 82mpg I am vetting but I am already yearning for a bigger bike. The MT-07 is top of my list. I just wondered how long some of you rode on a CBT before passing your big bike tests. I kind of feel ready now but don't want to get too cocky and waste. You money Any advice welcome!