Martyc

I never saw the test centre til my mod1 (but it is a fair way and a really boring ride) but the school I used did have a huuuuge private yard with the whole thing set out as per the centre and it was fine for me. I didn't even think that the DSA would let you practice on their premises anyway? Might be worth a trip just to see it in the flesh and maybe watch a person or two go thru it (try not to put them off, their gonna have nerves as it is!) but it's nothing spectacular as long as u know the drill you'll be fine. I'm always weary of schools that don't have premises where they can practice the swerve etc off road, because things can, and do, go wrong occasionally.

First on looks like a voltage regulator the others I have no idea, what are they connected to?

But once it's done and you've got the licence in your hand you've opened up a whole new world of freedom. Stick at it, it'll be worth it in the end

BBQ paint from b&q, goes on nice dries well and looks factory. Thats what I used

If it gets worse it could start flaking and blocking your fuel system-best seen to sooner rather than later or you could be risking a breakdown (mechanically first, then mentally when you can't get your pride and joy to move and have to fork out to fix it)

Vee dub lupo 1.0 costs peanuts to run, insure, is easy to service and well made. Its 12 years old but faultless

Some training schools prefer you to get the theory out of the way I think so then it's just a clear run at the mod 1 and 2. I know that's what the place I trained with wanted to do as they intend to get most people on the road within 3 day lessons and half a day's mod 1 training at the most.

If you go for fancy paint (flips, pearls, custom replica etc) it might affect the premium as it'd cost more to repair

You have 2 years. I'd advise not to leave it too long or bad habits might set in and the 2 years comes round pretty quick!

It's just you in a big cage full of cones, 2 speed traps and a person with a clip board. If you have no idea it might be worth getting a bit of training with a school so you know what's expected. There's a bit more to it than the videos on you tube would suggest...

Well done just get loadsa practice in and you'll fly thru

In that case you'll want a faired bike if the wind blast is an issue (I found the same problem with naked's).... A good choice is the Honda cbr600f or any half/fully faired jap bike really, sv650s has always been a popular first 'big bike' and commonly restricted to 33bhp

Awesome but I believe servicing costs aren't that cheap unless you can do it urself, belts need changing regularly and if ducati reputation applies to these, electrics and reliability in general can be a bit patchy. I'd get a Honda hornet instead just because it seems a safer bet (not as exotic tho)

You did the best thing by staying calm. All you can try and do is create a safe distance for yourself and get the f**k outta trouble by taking advantage of the bikes acceleration (obviously safely tho!). Then get the retard's numberplate and company and report him hopefully they'll sack the fat mother trucker

Well done I'm sure you'll do great

I always find new gloves take time to bed in, til then it's not as easy with a fresh pair (but not exactly a huge difference) Good luck and have fun

Aren't some vacuum operated anyway(I.e when engine running)?

Anything to help get more people on 2 wheels

Well if you get stuck let me know i can pop my DVD rom in the post as long as you can send it back when ur done

When have you got your test or is it not booked yet?

Good luck I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for ya! Report back asap and let us know how you get on!

Try All 4 bikers in a search engine (is that ok and not breaking the rules?)

Cheers dude

I've got 2 spare calipers for my bike (if you can call it that) waiting for refurb- the original that was on there and a supposedly good one off eBay that looked like it'd been at the bottom of the sea for 10 years! It was 3rd time lucky and now I'm trying to source parts to fix the other two. The pistons and fluid seals no problem, outer seals seem impossible to come by so far.

Very good point- hopefully it won't happen when you need it-but I wouldn't wanna risk it. Get a Haynes manual, the procedure should be in there but even with basic mechanical knowledge it's quite simple when you take it apart. Or get a new/replacement caliper to pop on and refurb the old one in your own time (that's what I did and also how I found out how it worked/went together)