JoeyRH

Hi mate, I passed my Mod 2 a week ago and I was worried about the same thing. On my test, some guy nearly smashed into the side of me from a junction, but i anticipated the danger, checked my mirrors and slowed down....as i predicted he came flying out onto my side of the road, saw me and skidded to stop (but by then already on my side). I had seen him a mile off, so just stopped, waited for him to sort his life out and then I checked my mirrors, blind spot and off I went. The instructor is looking for you to ride safely. He knows that the road is full of kn*bheads, but it's how you anticipate the danger. If a car causes you to do something crazy that was not your fault, he will not punish you. You just need to make sure you don't do anything dangerous and make a car (or anyone) suddenly change their planned course of action. Ride safely, look ahead and spot potential hazards. Check your mirrors a lot and make it obvious you are checking them. Get the life savers done and SEEN to be done. Finally...make sure you double check the indicator is switched off after the turn, as its dangerous to other road users if they think you might be turning, but you're not. Best of luck. Relax and enjoy it. Talk to yourself out loud in your helmet while you are on the test - don't worry no-one can hear ya!. "Need to watch my speed, its a 30 here", "Need to remember to check over my should before switching lanes", "Have i turned off my indicator?"..... ... ..You get the idea. Joey.

Thanks for your replies! Can't wait to get out on the road!

Evening all, So I passed my big boys bike test last week and have secured myself a lovely FZ6n. She's a beauty. I've always wanted a leather jacket for a bike, but just couldn't see myself wearing one on my little YBR. Now that I have the bike that I've wanted, I'm upgrading my gear to match. So, I've bought a leather jacket. Its a Weise - a right tidy number and there are plenty of leather trousers to match to choose from. On the other hand though, I'm considering some textile or maybe half and half trousers, as I'm planning on doing some touring next year and leather trousers might not be too practical (feel free to disagree here, I'd like your say on this too). So finally we get to the question. With my heart set on this jacket I've bought, is it strange to pair it with textile trousers? Would that look odd? Does anyone else ever do it? If it would make me like like a right plonker, I'm fine to go the way of the leather bottoms, but thought I'd run it past you lot. Nice one.

Had my Mod 2 at Burgess Hill today and passed first time! 3 minors but who really cares. Examiner was ace and nothing really worried me about it, unlike Mod 1! Can't wait to find a bike this weekend. Thinking either a Fazer, XJ6 or a Hornet. Woo!

I initially was a little worried about hitting the speed, but found that if i spent the morning (or whatever practice time you have) always in second gear, you get a feel for what the bike is like at 30(ish) miles an hour. Listen to the revs and remember that sound. You then won't have to think about looking at your speed and you won't hit that bloody cone like I did!

Unlucky mate. If it makes you feel any better, it took me 3 attempts - each at £145! It's so much because the fee covers the cost of the test, plus the hiring of the 600cc bike and the instructor for the day.

High revs, really careful on the clutch and back brake only. Another thing that definately helps is where you are looking... Stare at a fixed point on the horizon (or at the end of the testing yard) and NOT at your feet, wheels, tarmac or the instructor. If you do, you are massively more likely to wobble. Finally, if you try going too slow, the examiner will actually slow his walking pace. So keep behind him, but keep up with him.

So I finally passed my Mod 1....third time lucky, eh! Now that I passed this part of the test, I feel like I can express myself about how I feel about this test. So following my first attempt where I clipped the cone on the swerve and the second attempt, where I foolishly put my foot down on the figure of 8 (something I've never done before and to this day still baffles/angers me), I'm pleased to report that the third attempt went swimmingly, with no errors at all. I've got a bit of a problem with this test and everyone I speak to seems to agree with me to some extend. From fellow trainees, to experienced trainers. From those yet to learn to ride, to those thankful for not having to take the new EU certified test. Everyone seems to resent the changes and I'd be happy to jump on this bandwagon. The biking school I was training with said that the new test had really put a dent in the levels of people learning to ride. People just don't have the money or the heart to do it. If I hadn't had such an interest in learning to ride and my interest was more of a mild intrigue, I would have cut my loses and given up. At £145 per re-take (that's including the instructor, bike hire etc), failing Mod1 is an expensive mistake to make. When you see that cone on the swerve go flying through the air in your mirror, you think to yourself, 'That cone just cost me a few days pay". Here's to passing Mod 2. I have high hopes, as I'm good on the road. The streets are my playground. The little blue cones were my hell.

I live in the city, so bike. No congestion charge, no tax, a lot of free parking, love filtering, love bus lanes (yes, London allows it). Just looking forward to getting my full licence...motorways and bigger bike and ability for someone to ride 'bitch'.

I had my first shot at Mod 1 today but unfortunately I failed. I managed to get get no minors but kicked over the bloody cone on the swerve. Gutted. For anyone thats nervous about this, rest assured, there's nothing very tough on this test, its stop stupid errors and mistakes like mine that mean you might fail. I'd never been on a big bike until yesterday and quickly got used to the Yammi XJ6 I was given. I actually found parts like the slalom and figure of 8 easier on a bigger bike. They just feel much more stable. The test centre was a 90 minute ride and the power difference between this fuel injected best and the little YBR I currently own is huge. I loved it. 54 on the failed swerve and 63 on the successful E-stop. I'm confident in retaking this next week. Just got to really tuck your feet in or that cone will go a-flying.

Although I'm no expert, I know that you only have ONE licence and the ability to drive a car or ride a bike are just catagories on the licence and not separate ones in their own right. If you lose your licence for drinking driving for example while driving in your car, you are banned from riding your motorcycle too, although I'm not certain on the exact science behind how points are distributed across it. I'm sure someone will know for sure. p.s. I'm a Law student. It's a fascinating subject to study and would recommend it

Ah I see.. (and Flasher Unit - that's the name I was looking for!). Might just be easier getting myself some normal bulb indicators, although the LED's look pretty smart. Thanks for the reply. Appreciated. J

Evening one and all, Hope everyone's had a cheerful Xmas. I took my bike out earlier and managed to drop it (don't ask!) - which was pretty stupid of me. Generally its in working order, apart from the front right indicator that smashed off. My neighbour across the street has kindly given me some brand new flash-looking LED indictors. I've taken off the broken one and the front left and replaced them both with the new ones. Problem now is that when I click on the indicators, they light up, but stay on, instead of flashing on and off. Just to make sure I'm explaining myself correctly..it's not that they stay on all the time (when I haven't switched them on), its when I flick them on, they DON'T flash, but just light up. Anyone got any ideas about this? Will certain lights cause this to happen on some bikes, or maybe has me dropping it caused some other issues? I'd appreciate some help, if anyone can offer it. Might need to buy a replacement Yam indicator or maybe get a new (have no idea what this part is actually called) indicator 'box' - found next to the battery on the side of the bike, incase blowing the bulb has somehow shorted the connection. Thanks in advance... Joey

The online gadget company I work for (that I promise not to mention this time! ) sells these. They are really good and we've had hardly any problems or complaints with them. Recommended highly. Joey