dimmers

thanks for the replies. really like the look of the Kriega, think i'll try and find a dealer somewhere near me. one other thing though, some riders think wearing a rucksack isn't very safe? is it best to strap something to the bike instead? i would have thought the extra material on your back would help if you came off

anybody use a rucksack/backpack when riding? if so, what sort of rucksack do you use? is it designed with being used whilst riding a motorbike, or is it just a cheapy from JJB or something like that? Reason i ask is that the Kriega bags look really good! but they are very expensive, anybody got one (or something similar), is it worth the money? cheers!

all the best riders pass 2nd time round! the time will go quicker than you think, just don't dwell on your mistake too much as its the worst thing you can do (trust me i know, i failed for something really stupid on my first go at mod 2). good luck for next time!

i agree with what everyone else has said. i did my cbt and das last month, the jump to the GS500 from the 125 was great! then i passed my test and took a test ride on a '09 model cb600f hornet, and that was simply amazing (and even easier to ride) all the best with your training

That's what I'm hoping, 2nd time lucky again I will keep ringing up but I've got to wait 10 days apparently. I'm a bit bemused by that. All I want to do is get back on a bike and get it done but I think 2 weeks cool off is a little extreme. I can understand a small amount of time to re-compose yourself, 72 hours maybe would be better or even one week but 2 is a bit much. Had a look at other test centres but having got used to the routes and the bike that my instructor provides me with I'm reluctant to change. I don't want to take ny chances! yep i agree with you! i really don't see the point in waiting 10 days. I passed 2nd time, and had no extra lessons in the 10 days i was waiting to re-sit, apart from the ride just before my test. Does seem a long time to have to wait. Hope it goes well for you 2nd time round!

nice one mate! well done. ditch the 125 though, you want to get a proper bike now

all the best riders/ drivers pass second time mate! sorry to hear you can't take another test until end of September! keep ringing up for cancellations, or maybe try another test center?

PASSED! 2nd time lucky. Compared to yesterday, the weather was really nice so had no worries there. Went out for a lesson before hand with Mark (really cool instructor from 1stGear), nice route, not much traffic around, didn't do anything stupid, so was feeling good. Time for the test. Was being examined by a guy called Jim (nice guy!) and he asked me all the questions before we went out for the test, so it was good to get that out the way. Then it was off out for the test. Started off going on the same route as i had done in my lesson before hand, so was quite pleased about that. Got asked to pull over a few times early on in the test in a quiet housing estate (instead of on a main busy road like last time), so that went well. Then proceeded to do the EXACT same route as i had done in my lesson before hand (my instructor is such a legend for taking me on that route this morning!!!!), so was really pleased about that. Got back in after what i thought was a pretty good ride, and was told pretty much straight away that i passed. Thank fuk for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trying my hardest to wipe the stupid grin off my face at work, as they all i think i was at the 'doctors' ha Now time for bike shopping! Brilliant! thanks to everyone on the forum, the information on here has really helped me a lot. Pete

haha glad i'm not the only one then!

i've started doing them whilst walking round town when it's busy! 'need to get out the way of oncoming pram' quick lifesaver over left shoulder, move out the way, crisis avoided can i blame all the mod 2 training, or is this something i'm going to be doing from now on?

haven't taken it back yet as haven't had the time, but will try to do so this weekend. I did email the company i bought it from and they said to bring it in so they can take a look. i think they will offer to send it back to Arai to get a new strap fitted, so not as worried about it now.

take a look online for clothing. I'd go for a textile jacket with armour, there is such a range out there to choose from you're bound to find something to suit your budget. Weise do a good range of clothing, so do Spada and RST, all of which are very good value for money.

i take it you've done your CBT already? If not, i'd book that separately to see how you get on, and then your instructor will be able to determine how many days training you will require to pass mod 1 and 2. I took a week off work to do mine, from CBT on the Sunday through to Mod 1 on the Thursday. Once all that is out the way, you book an early mod 2 (say 9.30am) to avoid any further time off work, and any additional training you can take at the weekends. But i would definately recommend taking some time off work and getting it done and dusted, at least mod 1 anyway, then take it from there. Like a previous post said, if you know biking is for you, then go out and buy the kit (helmet, gloves and boots minimum) as its nicer training in your own gear - the kit you borrow will stink!! But if you're not sure, then the training school will be able to provide you with all you need (but double check with them first). best of luck!

well done mate! great news.

Keep going!!! Like some people say, you can just be really unlucky, but keep trying as it will be worth it. If you're not getting on with your current instructor, then maybe try someone new, the change might help give you a fresh approach to riding and your test. Also, if / when you have another lesson with an instructor, ask them to practise the things you aren't very good at/don't feel confident with. If dual carriageways and overtaking is something your not sure about, then ask to do quite a bit of it (at the end of the day you're the one paying for the lesson).

well done!!! must be a great feeling!

Sorry to hear that mate but I think its something about filter lights that many people don't know. If the straight ahead green light is a normal light then you can turn once that light is green, even if the arrow for your lane isn't. The green arrow for your lane only comes on when there is no traffic moving in the lane you need to go across. The only time you HAVE to wait for your filter light to come on is if the straight ahead green light is an arrow. thanks mate, at least i won't make that mistake again.

yes mate! that was me. did you pass your test? thing is other than that, i only got 1 minor, and i tried to argue my case with the examiner afterwards but he was having none of it. Still angry about it now I was even arguing with myself that i should just turn right, but something else told me to be safe, and sensible, and wait for the green arrow. I bet next time i fail for being to casual!!!!!!!! anyone got any money making ideas? i'm gonna be broke by the time i pass my mod 2 yes mate i passed only just, had 3 minors one was very close to a fail so he said. best of luck for your retest let us know how you get on. well done mate!! let me know what bike you go for.

If the green light for straight ahead is just a green light you can turn right when the road is clear. If the green light is a straight ahead arrow you have to wait for the right filter to turn green before moving off. If thats correct then I now realise why I often get honked at for sitting waiting at a set of traffic lights near me. For some reason the filter light only comes on once every 3 cycles of the normal lights. apparently they come on as soon as you move forward a bit and trigger the arrow to come on (well thats what the examiner told me).

Yeah, i've made sure i understand every traffic light sequence ever invented now! Strange how you only really think about these things when your on a test.

yes mate! that was me. did you pass your test? thing is other than that, i only got 1 minor, and i tried to argue my case with the examiner afterwards but he was having none of it. Still angry about it now I was even arguing with myself that i should just turn right, but something else told me to be safe, and sensible, and wait for the green arrow. I bet next time i fail for being to casual!!!!!!!! anyone got any money making ideas? i'm gonna be broke by the time i pass my mod 2

Yes, i'm beginning to have my doubts as to whether this was such a good idea after all, especially if i fail mod 2 again, i'm not sure i can afford a third go at it (well not for a month or so anyway). It gets to the point where you get people doing their CBT every two years as they can't be bothered with the actual test. Correct me if i'm wrong here, but in America i don't think they have to do any tests whatsoever, just apply for your license and then buy whatever bike you want! I'm not saying thats a good thing, i believe that some sort of test/training is required, but whats in place at the moment is crazy. With mod 1 for example, you get people failing because they are 1kph below the required 50 for the swerve test!!?!?!??!???!!!! Insanity. And when are you ever going to be driving down the road and suddenly think to yourself 'i know what, this looks like a nice place to do some figure of 8's!' I dread to think what it's going to be like in a few more years time. rant over

i find it really funny that even though after completing a CBT and being allowed on the road on a 125cc bike, you can turn up to your mod2 and do something the examiner doesn't like, and you get a fail for a serious fault, or something dangerous. Yet you're still allowed to ride around on your 125cc with L plates??????????? The whole system that's in place at the moment to be able to obtain a motorbike license is ridiculous if you ask me. I can see why a lot of people don't even bother anymore. If you haven't ever ridden a bike before, the whole process can cost nearly 1000 pounds (from theory test / CBT to mod 1 and 2, and all your training), not to mention time off work required in some cases. I reckon a modified CBT, or a 'version 2' CBT is all thats really needed to get your bike license. then again, i'm just bitter as i failed my mod 2 yesterday

again, i'm no expert, just letting you know what i've recently been taught. You might want to check that distance from the junctions when pulling over, but i think thats what my instructor said.

cheers for the replies. as a result of this stupid mistake, i now understand all traffic light rules/ sequences/ tram lights / filter lights etc etc etc in my car i would have just turned right, but its so different when you're being examined, i just doubted myself.