bathtub

Hi Where did you sit Mod 2? Wigston or Banbury? If it was Wigston I know one of the examiners there is considered very tough. Just keep at it and you'll get it!! (unless you have passed by now of course). bathtub

Hi JimiB Rugby Riders based at Brandon Speedway will do lessons (£50 for 2.5ish hours) and they are good at catching bad habits I did CBT there and lessons before Mod 1. If you can swing it, for £125 the guys at Brackley Yamaha will do 1 on 1 for a full day. I did this before taking Mod 2 in Banbury and the advantage is that they take you around the actual test routes over and over again so you can pick up on any route specific issues and learn the speed limits etc. good luck! Bathtub

well , well? we're all waiting with baited breath.......

Well done mate! Been shopping yet? Bathtub

Nice one M8 Well done!

Hahahahhahaha point taken bathtub

Cheers Cypek! I thought about the order but i figured if people are going to keep reading it they only need to go though older posts once then if they chack back new posts are at the top? I will see if I get any more feedback though and also if I can figure out how to reverse the order! Thanks again and good luck with your tests when they happen! bathtub

Don't know how long I will keep this up but I have been blogging about learning to ride a bike from scratch at 40. I am not much of a writer but if anyone else out there is just starting out on a bike later in life it might be of use as I seem to be making all the mistakes (but learning from them ) including the wrong kit, not turning my indicators off and assuming because I have driven a car for many years learning to ride would be a piece of pi**. How wrong I was! Anyway - here's the link: http://notabiker.blogspot.com/ bathtub

Hi Ribena Well done! - I did my CBT at Rugby Riders and they are a great bunch. Patient and experienced. I did 125 then tests and now have restricted access licence (A2). I would just see how you feel re a bigger bike - RR may suggest the DAS but be aware you cannot practice or ride to your test legally on anything bigger than a 125 unless you have an instructor on radio contact with you. This makes the DAS an expensive option. I had a Honda varadero 125cc for 9 months which is a full size V twin (looks like a 600) this helps you get used to big bike feel and gives you better road presence. I used it to commute every day with L plates and this helped me gain confidence and knowlege. After I passed I got a Honda Hornet 600s restricted to 33bhp which I can ride on my A2 license for 2 years and will help me build up experience on a big bike without the temptation of mad power before I am ready. It's plenty fast enough for me after a 125 - so remember you have options other than DAS just think about your budget and stay safe! Also, Mod 1 in Leicester is fine but I would think about doing your Mod 2 in Banbury unless you know Leicester really well - much quieter, fewer speed limit changes and a laid back and friendly examiner. bathtub

Nice one mate - well done and enjoy your new ride. I am off to see an 03 Bandit GSF600S this morning, I feel impulsive... Andy

Best of luck chris, just stay calm and try to enjoy the ride. Let us know how you get on. Andy

Hi Mate Passed Mod 2 today on the vara! Still grinning and sipping a celebratory port Rout was much the same as the one I failed first time but no speeding rover drivers on blind corners!! Lovely to ride home with no L plates. I had no lessons apart from one all-dayer before the first failed attempt, I ride every day to work and just went down this morning to bimble about and get warmed up. Lessons are recommended especially if the test centre is in an unfamiliar area but the key is just relaxing and using your common sense. Want to give a shout out to Luke from Brackley Yamaha who took me out for a day in Banbury to learn the routes and give feedback - cheers mate! Andy

Yeah I love my Vara - cracking bike and very forgiving. To be honest I don't want to upgrade if I pass as the Vara is perfect for my commute - just want these bl**dy L plates off! Andy

Well done mate! That gives me confidence for next Wednesday! Andy

Brilliant 125 Vara forum here too: http://www.125varadero.com/ lots of helpful and friendly owners and guides for doing oil, sparks etc. I do my own basic maintenance on my '05 Vara so feel free to PM me with anything specific. Andy

Thanks everyone Determined to keep at it. The bonus is I will be less nervous next time and a bit more laid back! Andy

Absolutely gutted! Brilliant examiner, lovely sunny day in Banbury, the whole run was perfect and I knew it. As we were heading back to the centre, we came to a right turn, minor road onto major. Looked right, then left, right again, all clear and pulled out. At that precise moment a Rover came flying round the corner faster than the 30mph limit and I dropped a gear (2nd into 1st)and could not progress. Car had to brake for me and I got back into gear and moved away. I knew I had failed then but I carried on and finished. Only two minors, one for speed ( I was doing 33ish in a 30 but caught it immediately) and undue hesitation (parked cars on both sides due to school run and oncoming drivers constantly). Examiner was really nice and apologetic even though it was not his fault and I did say that I had comitted to the turn before teh car appeared and dropping a gear was a real life scenario which could happen to anyone but I did not force the point and accepted his decision even though I drove the 25 miles home feeling dreadful. Booked again for November 4th but I am so disappointed! Andy

My '05 XL 125 Varadero

All true: I did Mod 1 on a 125 Varadero (150kg and a full tank) and got 50km in swerve and 51km in emergency stop without feeling like I was revving the nuts off. 2nd in the bend at about 20-25 and open up when you come out lots of space to swerve and stop but don't look at the speedo. Andy