SometimesSansEngine

Everyone seems to find different aspects easy and different aspects challenging - but by the sounds of it your instructors will see you through. Just remember if there is any specific thing you find tricky that someone else would have experienced it too! Chat to your instructors and if you need extra assistance ask away on here.

Well done [mention]GiorgioG[/mention], it's a good feeling isn't it.

Right then, when's this mod 1 due then?

Might be worth taking a screenshot of the app's settings page and posting it here?

There's always some ideas on this website https://www.justoffjunction.co.uk/ But what specifically are you looking for? (eg space for the kids to run around, activities for the kids, food etc)

About 17°C, enough to take the liners back out of the kids' jackets!

My very happy discovery - every single box on my bike can fit a helmet. Which means when we come out with the kids I can stash three helmets on my bike, and [mention]Magpie84[/mention] can put her helmet in her top box, leaving our hands free at our destination

Picked up indicator for the Triumph and fitted it. Which also gave [mention]Magpie84[/mention] the chance to buy some new bike boots, the reason she gave was "work"

As promised [mention]XTreme[/mention], we made it out as a family and got to Dorset

It's not an issue with the IAM group insurance - if an observer is level 3 radio qualified then they are OK to follow an associate and provide guidance whilst on the move. Level 1 is directions over radio only, level 2 is qualified to go ahead of the associate and explain what they are doing and why. Simply put stick to what you're been assessed to be capable of and you'll be fine.

Replacement rear indicator from Wemoto arrived for the wife's Tiger (we discovered it hanging off, tried gluing but no joy after a few rides) Took advantage of this WFH lark to fit it at lunch. Already knew from the pictures and description the connector as different, but knew I could just swap the innards. Only that wasn't the issue, turned out it simply didn't fit. Messaged Wemoto and the return is sorted, no problem there. Just annoying as now had to pay full price for a genuine replacement from the dealer. Paid online for click and collect, figured I might *just* have enough time if I zipped over straight after work, but realised en route there was no chance I was going to make it. So took a scenic ride home. The humanity.

Planning a family rideout to a cafe, watch this space....

Well that's not entirely accurate. IAM groups can use radio if the observer is trained to do so. So what you mean is some choose not to use comms for that reason. Others make claims about insurance (that they become an instructor etc) but IAM have clarified that should not be the case either. If observers are really worried that you won't make enough rearward observations then just don't announce turns over the radio. Simple.

Like I said, you get used to it

The Bullfrog brags about his buff whilst stood in the buff. It could go either way.

Magic roundabout in Swindon makes this a fully legit method. You can go left or right around it to reach your intended exit, varying depending on the traffic across it that day. Once you get used it it it works really well.

That actually is a reasonably serious point - in 2018 nearly five people died daily on the roads, and 68 people seriously injured every day (and this is something that has actually gotten better through the years and if I recall correctly the UK has one of the best records in Europe...!) Some will use the term "accident" but it does point to some serious issues with standards and/or the state people drive in. Many roads have been engineered again and again where there are so-called "accident black spots", think how many bends you arrive at on a motorcycle where even though you haven't ridden it before you just know it's going to be a pig because of the advanced warning signs, road paint, chevrons etc let you know all you need to know. All these things cost money, each one tells you that before you came along a few unfortunate buggers made a mistake there. Lane discipline, save a few poorly marked out roundabouts, shouldn't be hard, following the lane spirals on roundabouts make it a doddle... but seemingly not to many people. This roundabout in Bristol https://goo.gl/maps/dM5Sv9yNQFQ52L2K9, I was in the right hand lane to take the M32S on Friday. Followed the lane markings and spirals, only to get honked at by two separate cars that were in the middle lane for Fishponds and Easton and wanted the M32. But obviously it was my fault. You realise you're in the wrong lane? See if you can move across, if not just follow the direction you've accidentally pointed yourself towards and sort it out in a bit. It's all the people who don't realise that if you're stuck in the right hand lane of a roundabout and missed your turn off you can just go around again and nail it on the next revolution! Instead they swerve across in a panic

Closest I've found is Bath Southgate Car Park, which included chunky ground anchors in the spaces. Rubbish photo but you can just about see them here, the red rings by the back wheel. One of the other (soon to be demolished) car parks had railings you were free to chain your bike to, although in that case whilst great that your chain and padlock would be held off the ground they could have been angle ground through easily enough... but still better than nothing.

Indeed, the ones who say "I wouldn't pass my driving test if I took it now" worry me. It's hardly something to be proud of. At the time you're taking it the car test is some horrendous monstrosity to pass, after some solid driving experience you should look back on it and wonder what all the fuss is about (there's vids of youtube of people taking mock tests and feedback on the faults they get, have a watch and you'll see what I mean).

On the F800 GT the valve is built into one of the alloy spokes, so is automatically at a ninety degree angle. Clever, but I looked around the circumference of the wheel three times I went to check the pressures trying to find it, before eventually realising its true location.

Well.... Technically whoever earned these points HAVE been to court and HAVE admitted or had their guilt proven. He's at the other end of this process. I'm afraid he will have to do some digging. Or he'll get to insurance renewal time, will declare a clean licence. His insurer will do a background check and realise he "has" these points and adjust (or cancel) his policy accordingly. I think he'll get short shrift from them at that point if he calls them and says "well it's a funny story actually.... Honest, take me by my word or alternatively prove these are my points" Same for renting a car, a van etc etc etc

When I passed my mod 2 I tried to do a symbolic tearing off of my L-plate on my Honda. It wasn't quite as smooth and cool looking a process as I hoped

Is it worth asking in the pepipoo forum? Some really knowledgeable types on there on these sorts of things, I lurk on there just for some of the interesting stuff I learn.

Took the opportunity to both take the kids as pillions on our new bikes for the first time, and ride out with a friend who recently passed his mod 2. Lovely little ride, a cuppa and some biscuits as we watched the sun set, then back home. First time riding in the dark for a long while, the BMW lights are looooooads better than the Kawasaki's were (although [mention]Magpie84[/mention]'s floodlights probably win the prize)

Just because you are ham fisted. I misunderstood when someone said that when you're a motorcyclist all the power is in your right wrist