caretaker

Oh I misunderstood- If I saw a 125cc going cheap that would get me a bit more practice time on the road I would be interested in it but yes, the final aim would be to take my test on the 500cc having come this far. Of course I will keep you posted.... as and when I have any news

I did have a look at a 125 but to be honest although it was fun to be on it didnt really feel good having got used to a 500cc. so I'm going to stick with trying to get the full licence rather than the restricted. I will do a couple of ride outs/lessons just to practice the new perspective ( I will be riding around reminding and saying to myself I am not in a protective car I am on a motorbike and need to allow more distance)I will do the test again as soon as one becomes available and I've had a payday again to pay for it.

Well yes I met John as we had arranged and as we chatted he asked what I thought the problem might be and I said didnt really know as " I thought I was now riding generally okay and but when I relax and just ride naturally maybe I must be doing something wrong or just be slipping into 'car driver' auto mode or something that the examiner doesnt like". Once he had checked my documents, fitted me with a radio off we went for a ride around Mansfield. John had decided that he would just give me the directions to go and no instruction so he could observe how I did. It was a great ride I thoughly enjoyed it, riding around somewhere different to all the test routes of Lincoln..plenty of tight turns, hills, roundabouts, traffic, the works a whole new area - all new to me. After about 25 mins the the heavens opened up and the rain came down in torrents just to add to the mix. About another 20 mins later we arrived back at his training centre and as we were going indoors John asked " Now if you was doing that ride again what would you do differently?" I mentioned an indicator I remembered turning off a little late, my positioning on a particular rounabout that could have been a little better etc ......... He said "What about when you was going down the dual carriageway behind some cars at about 55/60 and it was raining hard ........I timed you at 1 second behind the car in front!" -I said, "I was sort of equidistant as per the line of cars that were in front and behind" ..... "yes," he said, "But you are not in a car, they are and you need to give them more room" (I wasnt tailgating by any means but I had slipped into car driver mode and just slotted myself into the flow of traffic as though I was in a car and without allowing for me now being on a bike) He also mentioned that I had failed to take an oportunity on an approach to some lights to occupy the front place in an empty centre lane and make progress by getting away early. I had just stopped in the line of traffic and gone with the flow of cars, he said "Thats another mistake common to car drivers, they usually dont bother with that too much, and they tend not to think and look far enough ahead". Thats again why I missed the chance to take the empty lane and make progress. The final assessment went something like this .. " Right, you dont need lessons and I dont need to give you any lessons, your observations are good, maybe a few to many at times" ( referring to the numerous shoulder checks I did whilst we went over numerous speed bumps) Your control is okay and you are safe or I would have returned before the downpour - (especially so, I think as he had allowed me to go on his new GS500) He said, "You can ride and control the bike okay thats not a problem but before we started I asked you what you think the problem is and you said maybe your naturally slipping into car driver mode once you relax- Well thats exactly it! you do know the problem but you are not changing it and dealing with it when you get on a bike. You just need to remember that you are on a bike, allow a little more distance than you would if you were in a car and work on your forward planning and looking further ahead." Anyway the result is from my point of view that I came away having enjoyed a thoroughly good ride in a different area........I had my suspicions fully confirmed and I now had something to consider and make sure I worked on getting " rid of my nasty car driver" habits as I take the next step towards taking my test again. Again, Thank you all for your input...........It is all appreciated. It seems 'Ash' seemed to have my probs simply sussed, and 'Bigshot' was also logically astute. In particular Thank you to Spunky for putting me in touch with John Wilson at Bike Skool of Mansfield, who I have no hesitation in reccomending...(anyone who take the care and time to give a free assessment to a newbie and not tout for unneccesary lessons is to be commended) Incidently, I am now of a mind to book a few hours ride out/lesson with John again anyway........ just for the fun of it.....

Apologies if I just got the wrong end of the stick, but reading the bit in brackets at the end put me into panic mode. I'd have to move quickly to beat that. I just called the school I'll be doing my CBT at (and more than likely the DAS training too) and he's said the next change to the testing and licencing is due in 2013. He did say the government could do pretty much anything in the mean time, but that there's nothing on the horizon, and he'd expect to know about changes 6 months to a year in advance. Maybe he was wrong though, hopefully someone will correct me if so. When I spoke to them in the past they suggested getting a 125 to practice on and once I'm ready, get a bit of training on a bigger bike and go for the DAS - best of both worlds that way. Get the miles under your belt, then get familiar with a bigger machine, then pass the test (simple as that eh? ). Re the bit in brackets - well as you say your trainer should know best and be aware of the timescale of any changes if any are in the pipeline..... (" It was only something I heard but from what you say it seems it probably has little credence"). .... Your best of both worlds plan sounds good and should allow you plenty of practice.

"When you fit the new plug make sure you have a good tight connection from the HT lead as well"

Hiya .......... The general opinion seems to be that I should stick at the DAS and give it another go. You also seem perceptive and correct that it isnt really anything to do with the bike - more a general riding issue - I have just returned from the assessment (carried out in this evenings downpour) and that seemed to confirm it too! Thank you for taking the time to let me know your thoughts

This sounds like fun and for a good cause too! I hope it goes well

Shame your not a little nearer I have one here that I could let you have. .... Its not done much for a while

Have look at the set of sockets you intend to use and see if they all take a 3/8" or !/2" ratchet (ie. the square hole in the back of them) its so you buy the right wrench for the socket set you intend to use

I'm not sure of your previous experience ....and time/practice on a bike does help. When doing a 5 day DAS course all time on a bike has to be paid for until you pass mod 1 and 2 even after the 5 day course any additional time and tests if required will also need to be paid for or When doing it on a 125cc- you have unlimited practice- take both Mods in your own time, and seperately, still allow for a bit of training, then its free to practice what you have been shown. If you want to take a test earlier than the self booking waiting lists use a trainer as they have them booked in advance -and when you have passed go for a 250cc or 33 bhp restricted big bike. (Apparently this is stopping in October- das bike test will be taken on 600cc and only allow you to ride a 600cc)

Yes, it sounds a good idea - I will do that- Thanks

I've had a look at the web site and sent an email asking them if they are up to the challenge of taking on the 'pupil from hell' - anyway I will see what they say and recommend. Did you do a DAS course with them and take your tests in Netherfield? ..if so did you pass them okay? did mine just before the new test came in luckily the test centre was in sutton then so it was roads i knew well. John is brilliant as are the rest of the guys that work for him and they're not shy to tell you you've cocked up, rememnber john ripping into me cos when we'd stopped i'd changed up to sixth instead of down to first when stopping (my 125 had all six straight down ). I'm sure he'll sort you out i know you've spent a lot of money already and more than you intended to but it is worth it in the end trust me, a change could be just what you need I have been in contact with the owner/trainer 'John' that you mentioned this evening and he as offered me a free 1hr ride and assement, a sort of mock test to see what he thinks and tell me straight. Its in a different area around Mansfield way that I dont know so that will be good too as it should keep me on my toes and allow him to independently assess how I do etc. Doing it on Wednesday about 4.30...... Yes we used to have a test centre in Newark that used familiar roads

I had a look into Bikesafe but its only for bikers with a full licence..but sounds a good day for anyone for the future Not sure where you picked that up mate but I just did it last saturday. L plates and all... It must be different for diferent forces then..I read up on the Faqs on Lincolnshire police web site http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Bikesafe/Bikesafe-FAQs.html Maybe I need to find out more from other areas -cheers anyway

I had a look into Bikesafe but its only for bikers with a full licence..but sounds a good day for anyone for the future

I have been in contact with the owner/trainer 'John' that you mentioned this evening and he as offered me a free 1hr ride and assement, a sort of mock test to see what he thinks and tell me straight. Its in a different area around Mansfield way that I dont know so that will be good too as it should keep me on my toes and allow him to independently assess how I do etc.

Thanks you for your support and everyone who has been kind enough to offer advice. I will let you know how I get on

yes, I've paid about that but also had half days extra practice time the day before as well so boosts it to to £300/£350 a retake.Its the doubt and openendendness...I tend to think that having done my best several times already and failed its going to take a bit of time on a bike now to make any noticable improvement...not sure that time on a 125 would help either...but it would be free practice once the cheap bike was bought. Or as you say, its just a case of nailing it next time, or the next , or the next!

Yes i heard that too..good luck and well done

Its a good job I'm not a cynical bitter old get- (if I was itd be easy to say that as they are funded by their own exam fees they are probably be working to a pass quota)

Thank you for your support, and I do agree but I am at the stage when I have allready spent the little more than I planned and heading towards the lot lot more.... I do beleive the cost will be easily forgotten if I can just get the test but its the openendedness of it all........... what will it finally cost? could it be thousands?

Well I agree knowing what i know now i could have bought a nearly new ybr 125 and ran that for a year for the same money but thats the dilema do i change horses mid stream and sell my 500 bike, buy a 125 do the mod 1 again and then go for the mod 2.? and yes i could still fail them as tests are so subjective. Pocket were deep but not so now and time off work is becoming an issue-Thing is now if i do nothing for a while I will just probably get rusty. Yes car driving is a lot different andfunnily enough i do think the bike lessons are making me a better car driver too

Yes i could be a crap rider but i'm sure the instructors would give it me in the ear piece if i was- or at least thats what they should do Done about 12 days DAS up to now so far and yes intend to do will do more if i continue..no choice I use their 500cc bike. Obviously, I'm not allowed to go out on my cb500 which is waiting patiently in the yard......... so tempting to say f@*K it though and get free practice but i've magnificently resisted the temptation so far and kept legal...... but it hasnt brought rewards! on the other hand I've not been nicked either. Bikesafe idea sounds good I will look into it............. The support on here is great and yes, its looking like I will have to give it another go...just got to decide the best way forward now

Yes the money is a pain as its so open ended - £1500 so far and probably at least 12 days training yes I have picked up a few minors as well on each test missing a couple of observations and a couple of hesitations in fact as i do err on the cautious side in 50/50 situation but Im capable of making good progress etc so far the only thing I havent been picked up on yet is for speeding! That will be next time! no doubt! I do tend to think they have me down as a born again biker because of my age 57 in fact when I went for my first test the examiner asked why an earth do I want to go on a motorbike. Not sure if its Lincolnshires casualty rate that is playing a part and they are making an extreme safety effort or obviously it could be that I'm just a crap rider

I've had a look at the web site and sent an email to John Wilson asking them if they are up to the challenge of taking on the 'pupil from hell' - anyway I will see what they say and recommend. Did you do a DAS course with them and take your tests in Netherfield? ..if so did you pass them okay?

No I have been taking the tests in Lincoln. but following on from 4 attempts to get the mod 1 - I am getting rather test and lesson weary now as i have been doing it since feb. (strange thing is i have had a car licence 40 years of heavy mileage driving and not had an accident) if you felt like changing instructor i would recommend bike skool http://www.bikeskool.co.uk/ if you don't mind coming out to sutton that is, i did all my training with them and they don't just teach you to pass a test, you never know someone elses input may be the thing you need. To give up at this point so close to getting your licence would be more expensive than just giving it another go in my opinion. Thanks for that- I will have a look at their web site- Its always good to know another option thats been recomended. Maybe having an assessment with them would be a way forward. I did contact a bike school at Mallory Park too that sounded okay but not sure if I want to change to taking a test in Leicester as its not my favourite place to drive. Mansfield is probably better for me