JJBS3

All the best mate! I found it easier to keep my nerves in check than I did for MOD1....Just ride as if it was your instructor, and enjoy it!! Its a road ride after all! Good Luck!

Good luck!!!

MOD 2 Macclesfield 0937 6th August. Examiner..Kevin Couldn't have been a better day for it, gorgeous sunshine. Arrived at the test centre in plenty of time. Backed the bike into the space so I could just drive out without risking any stupid manual handling! Keep bike key in hand or if your glove has a velcro strap, put it on there. This avoids embarrassing faffing once you are all kitted up and the examiner waiting. Kevin introduced himself, gave me a briefing of what he expected (ride for yourself, just as you would do on a lesson etc etc) then kitted up with the radio (out of the ark!) We went out to the bike, he asked about checking the oil level, testing the horn, and then 'what you would tell a new pillion to do/not do' Then off we went, out the test centre and straight across (those in macc will know where this is...remember STOP sign at junction!!!!!) Kevin was on his bike, and sat very close behind...no chance of losing him like Brooklyn did Out of macc, up to the mod1 site, back down pexhill road, country lanes then back through a housing estate. Did the angled pull off then back to the test centre (NOTE this isn't one of the routes listed on the DSA website, so don't get too hung up on them...he can take you anywhere!) Parked bike and went back into test centre where he told me I'd passed WOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOO!!! Gave me a debrief about right hand lifesavers when turning right at roundabout (not necessary really but I'd been doing them...gave me 3 minors for that, and 1 for 'could have gone a little faster on the country lanes' ...I couldn't remember the limit on the road so was sitting about 45-50 on the twistys...it was a national though, so fair enough. All in all, he was very pleasant, fair and his instructions were all very clear. HAPPY DAY!!!! Again...HUGE THANKS to all at RJH for brilliant tuition, but special thanks to Nick....I had a blast in all my lessons!!!!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE...It's the best feeling ever!! Have covered 500 miles on my new toy since tuesday when it arrived.

As said in the title, Mod 2 passed yesterday at Macclesfield!! Not sure I have ever felt such relief!!!! Had a fantastic time throughout the CBT, DAS with RJH training! Huge thanks to Rob for getting me started, Nick for brilliant lessons and the rest of the team at RJH....Highly recommended to anyone in the area!!! Was supposed to pick up my new toy from a bike shop that shall remain nameless (for now) yesterday afternoon having paid for it 10 days ago, only to find that they had it in bits having only inspected it the night before....ARRRGGGHHHHHH Have to wait till Monday now, although that isn't confirmed yet either! Bitter-sweet ending to a fantastic day I guess

MOD 1 (second attempt), Yesterday, 0915. PASS. Arrived at the bike school at 0715 so that we could get a ride before the test at Macclesfield rugby club at 0915. Nerves starting to set in as we arrive at the test site. Park up the bike, make life easier on yourself at this point by backing it into the space, so you can just ride out. Then I met the examiner, Simon who was very pleasant and re-assuring. Quick document check and then down to the bike. He briefed me once I was on the bike, about once in the 'arena' to treat everything as though you were on the road...IE Rear observations (mirrors and lifesavers) before EVERY pull off and on every stop. SO rode over to the 'parking bays' for the manual handling. Remember that the bike should end up straight in the middle of the second bay....but also remember that you can do it as a 3-point manouvere (much easier than in one movement) Then Slalom (don't try it too slowly...thats how I messed up the first time) and figure of 8 (Don't try to do it too tight, use the available space within reason. Then Slow ride, and U turn. (Make sure to do your rear Obs before pulling off and before making the turn) Then the Infamous 'Swerve'. Really this has been villified by so many people but its not a major swerve by any stretch of the imagination...(even in the wet at 62km/h first attempt at MOD1)...JUST DON'T use the brakes until you are upright and straight again. Then finally the 'Controlled' stop. Examiner then said 'park up the bike in the carpark (remember he is still watching for rear Obs), and meet me back inside' Debriefed...1 minor (my front wheel passed his board on the slow ride very slightly). 58 and 57 achieved for the swerve and e-stop. Certificate issued WOOOOO!!! 15 mins from start to finish! We had a little chat then started the ride home with a huge grin!!! The examiner briefed me fully in between each part, and was very reassuring and friendly throughout. Top Job! Hope I have him for MOD2!!! Good luck everyone!

Thanks everyone, Its been an emotional road, but a thoroughly enjoyable one!!! I can't wait to get the last bit done, then hopefully join some of you for a ride out!!! (if a little slower LOL) I'm so happy now , so I'm not sure how I'll cope when mod 2 is done WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

Yipppppeeeeee!! Mod 1 passed today, and Mod 2 booked for soon!! Happy happy times!!! Good to see you again Brooklyn! Cheers Nick, Rob and Jacci at RJH!

We'll be there matey....Brilliant instruction...can't beat it!. Indeed RJH all the way !

Indeed I did Rob....hope I can re-create things on monday! Can I have the other black CB500 though?

Ok SO just come back from day 4... Day 3 went like this... Miserable weather all day...very wet and raining pretty much continuously but not a problem. Again we had a road ride, lanes, housing estates, national speed limits etc etc, and then rode a mock test route (Module 2) which was very useful. Had a look at some bikes, and stopped for coffee. In the afternoon, Instructor Nick took us to a quiet road and set up some mock module 1 manouveres....slalom, U turns, swerves, and emergency stops. Really was an eye-opener to do these things in the wet! I was amazed at just how much grip you have!! And the Swerve....well don't let the bad press frighten you....we clocked most of them about 40mph in the wet without issue, then he set up the cones to the actual test-swerve (less severe). KEY THINGS Learnt...counter-steering, and no brakes!! Then another little ride around to cool the bikes down, then de-brief. Day 4..Today. Glorious weather...big long road ride...Cat and Fiddle road (look it up if you haven't heard of it..some 'interesting' bikers eye views off this road on you-tube), macc to buxton, to Matlock baths, Stopped for coffee in the sun. Back to Macc via the same roads stopping for bite to eat in the cat and fiddle, back through Macc town centre, then back to the unit for some more slow-riding Mod 1 practice. 95 miles covered in all, with the C & F road twice! (Great for having to read the road as far in advance as possible, and for confidence in leanin the bike over) SO there we go...MOD 1 monday afternoon! Fingers crossed !!!! I've loved every minute of DAS so GO DO IT!!! Hope thats a little value for you!

OK DAY 2 DAS...Brilliant day again!! For those that are interested today went as follows... Out for a few laps of the town, a few lanes etc, then into a carpark for some slow riding practice I.E. U-turns and slaloms, 'figures of 8' etc. Started to get a little annoyed with myself doing U-turns to be honest, as I kept putting my foot down....Instructor Nick pointed out what I was doing wrong (for reference I was pulling in the clutch as I had almost completed the turn, hence losing drive, hence losing balance. What I should have been doing was letting out the clutch further until straight!!) Ahhhha!!! Sussed that and kept going and going, then tried some 5.5 step wide U-turns...bit harder but managed it a few times none the less. Then did some slaloms and '8's and back on the road. Lots of lanes, towns, dual carriageways, and a quick stop for a look round a bike equipment shop so that Nick could explain about good gear etc. Then back on the road, more of the same to a honda dealer for a quick refreshment (REALLY HOT DAY) then back via a few lanes and towns. Heavens opened for the last 6 miles or so, which was a good experience All in all a fantastic day, and feeling MUCH happier on the road, slow-riding, round towns, at speed, even counter-steering (what a difference that makes in cornering!!!!!) Top Notch day, top notch instruction. Now can't wait for day 3 DAS!!!

Don't worry about changing to the 500 Claire, its different at first but everything works just the same and it feels more stable on the road I reckon! I've only had an hour or so on the 500 but felt much happier after the first 10 mins or so. Will report back after tomorrows session!

Cheers Claire, and yeah no problem! I guess you are coming to the same point somewhen soon then? Well the story begins with a 1 hr taster session, as I hadn't ridden a bike for about 20 years (and that was a 1st gear only around a housing estate) so effectively a total beginner. Booked CBT for the very next day, and loved it. Brilliant instruction, but lots to learn very quickly..for a total beginner! So then today...started off back on the 125 (as I don't have access to a bike outside the school), and did a trip out through towns, estates, national speed limits etc around to the test centre, then back etc, taking turns in leading with the other learner (he was just about finishing his DAS course and sitting MOD1 that afternoon)....stopping in a car-park to practice low-speed handling (slalom etc) then back out on the road for the test centre. Watched a few others do MOD 1 then Brooklyn (also on here) sat his MOD1....flew it by the way!! So then we swapped bikes, I got the 500, he got the 125 (to his dismay I reckon LOL)...then another hour out on the roads and back to the training school. Quick assessment of the day.....then home. I CANT WAIT for the next session on weds . Will update again then..if you are interested! LOL

Hey All, Just got back from first day of DAS with RJH....had a brilliant day, lots of things have started to fall into place and fortunately the slow riding is getting a bit better too! Had a very useful watch of a few mod 1 tests taking place too whilst out. Some difference between the 125s and the 500s though eh!! No going back now!! Can't wait for day two now!!!!

Good luck matey, did mine last week...Cracking day..you won't want to get off at the end of it.

Hey All, Booked my first 3 days DAS instruction for next week..monday weds and friday!! I WILL have a proper license before too long ...Hopefully! Hope I can master this slow-riding a bit better on a bigger bike LOL

Hiya, booked some DAS lessons next week, so I could be wrong, but I copied this from my rider school webpage.. "Module 1 certificate linked to theory certificate When you pass module 1 you will be given a pass certificate you need to keep. The module 1 certificate is linked to your theory test certificate so make sure you pass the next module before your theory test runs out." Hope this helps! And good luck!

It certainly is!!! Half tempted to go out today and buy a cheap 125 to play with until DAS is done and passed!

Hey all...I know its a small thing, yet its another step closer to getting riding properley! Did my CBT today with RJHGT. Huge thanks to Rob, Nick and Tim, and behind the scenes Jacci for the huge amount of support and top quality training. Am totally hooked now, and will be continuing with DAS within a few days! Anyone in the cheshire area needing training...these chaps are ace! Jim