PhxViper

Firstly thank you to everyone who has posted their experience and stories on here. I read every single post on the run up to my Mod 2 test and it really helped the nerves and what to expect. Here is my long long account of my Mod 2 experience. I did my Mod 2 on Tuesday at 8:20 and glad to say I passed first time with 3 minors! I've gone thought my training fairly quickly, CBT on the 25th March, Mod 1 (Second Attempt) on the 1st May and then Mod 2 just. Mainly doing an hour or two at the weekend to practice my bike control and safety. Driving for 10 years gave me road experience and a edge I suppose over brand new learners? Had an hour riding in the morning before the test (with another guy doing his test at 9:20). This helped massively, got me use to the bike again, calmed the nerves and had a really good ride. I didn't know where the test centre was as Mod 1 was done in Burton Upon Trent, not in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and I had never done "the test routes" either so it was all abit new, but I like to think because I didn't know the roads / area it kept me more focused instead of assuming things. I had an examiner called Steve who at first seemed serious and moody, but I think he was ex-miltary / ex-police and just had that tone about him. Sitting down to sign the paperwork and asked the safety questions, he put my mind at ease, abit of banter about his equipment (we had the same gloves and jacket, but his were better as his are paid for...) . Eye sight test done and we were on the bikes. (Safety Questions were Kill Switch, Tyre Depth and Carrying a Pillion). We started the independent ride incredibly quickly, but the radio and instructions were given in good time, I'd never done independent riding with my instructor (Not a problem to me) but it was kind of freeing being able to make my own decisions. He gave some instructions during this, which I thought was odd, but i'm not complaining. During the independent ride I had to pull over twice, once behind a car and a normal one (didn't have to do a specific hillstart, but i think because those occurred naturally), these were all fine and Traffic was on my side even tho it was rush hour traffic. My first minor and one I knew about was Clutch control on a hill, right hand turn, across traffic lights. Lights went yellow and then someone went quickly thought the other way so were red by the time I could go, and had to go because I was way over the line. Gave it abit too much and Jerky. Silly but nevermind. I thought I completed stuffed the test shortly after that tho. Stopping at a giveway from a minor to a major. Coming to a controlled stop, rear braking. and for whatever reason, I took my right foot off the brake and put both feet on the ground while the bike was still rolling?! I have no idea why I did that, but then jerky stopped with the front brake. I thought that was game over but it was never mentioned by the examiner. So took the advice from the forum that even if you think you've messed it up, just carry on as normal. However he did pull along side me shortly after and asked if everything was ok? So I started over thinking what that meant! The only other strange thing to happen was I had to move to a right hand land in grid locked traffic. He was clear we had to go that way as he wanted me on the dual carriage way. I crawled in the left lane for a while, before finding a small ish space infront of a John Lewis Lorry. I dumped the bike in that gap. I was WAY too close to the car in front in my opinion, but needs must. The instructor managed to squeeze behind me and thanked the Lorry driver. He then did something weird and I'd never read about. He said follow me... So I thought ah... I've royally messed it up now. He filtered down the right hand side (between the car and pavement (one way system). I had to walk the bike (both feet on the ground) around the car because I was close and it was a tight gap between the car and kerb. But as soon as I cleared it I was back on the bike normally and he told me to over take again and off we went like normal. And then before I knew it we were back at the test centre. Bike parked and in the waiting room. He asked he how it went and I just said I think it went ok, but maybe could have been better but didn't want to say anything else (I'd read about people talking themselves into Minors, and the guy who was doing his test after me did exactly that!!) So I sat for what felt like 10 minutes waiting to hear the words, unfortunately you've failed, and then all I remember is him shaking my hand and saying congratulations!! Explained about my minors, I picked up my other 2 literally in the last 30 seconds of the test. I went too close to a kerb avoiding a pot hole (Ok fine... Better to go close to the kerb than the wrong side of the road? I've had a Bike hit my car doing that before) and then minor for steering back into the test centre, again avoiding pot holes! If only they'd fixed them I'd have come away with only 1 minor but never mind. I'm chuffed to bits. The test was over in a flash, and was... enjoyable which was surprising. And 100x better than the Mod 1. The ride back to my instructors (Stoke Motorcycle Training - Who I would absolutely recommend to everyone in the area, Ken is amazing!) was free'ing... No radio. He went ahead and me and the other guy just followed. It was my first time on the CB 650 F without instruction and it felt right! Now bike shopping at the weekend to hopefully buy myself a nice Yamaha MT-07!