getready

Are you learning on your own or having lessons? If the latter then your instructor will guide you through what's required for each part of the test. If you are learning on your own, try searching Youtube for Mod1 videos - there are loads. Mod2 is just a supervised ride with a couple of basic questions thrown in, nothing to worry about.

Good luck!

Try shopping around mate - when I did my CBT (£80) I was told it was a flat fee, and if I had to come back another day because I wasn't ready for the on road part there would be no further charge. From what I've heard, quite a few schools operate on this basis.

Well done!

All the best for Mod2!

I think nerves affect most people - I was pretty nervous doing both test whereas on my car test I had no nerves at all for some reason (perhaps because it was a long, long time ago ). I also thought nerves would mess it up for me but once you are out there and actually doing it, concentration should displace some of the nerves. It was sitting in the waiting room that was the worst, and seeing riders come in before me who had passed, put a bit of pressure on!

This is so true, if you can control your nerves then you can ride better (stating the obvious I know )

Neither of the tests are difficult, daft mistakes normally cause most folk to fail. I saw a guy ride into the Mod1 compound with his stand down!

Leave the indicator on (you're still turning right), and if it's a dedicated right turn lane adopt a central position, rather than to the right at a normal junction.

I don't know, it was the training schools fault though, they some how managed to book me and someone else into the same slot or something like that, I don't get what they actual my done, but when she told me I would have to book more lessons, and the test, I told her she may as well just forget it

The training schools have to name the tests (ie, they phone up and tell DSA who is going to be taking the test at 9.15 etc) two working days before the test takes place. I was there when my instructor named me on my Mod2, so I know this is required.

It sounds like your people are badly organised to say the least, and as for needing more lessons - book in with another school mate!

Well done fella!

Hmmm I wonder if the bike shop would let me test the helmet on a quick ride.

You're right Colin, the prices are high but what are you supposed to do when you need a lightweight helmet that has a good visor and venting options? Looking around we're all pretty much at the mercy of what the companies want to charge. So far I've not found a better alternative...

This was the dilemma I had when choosing a helmet, I know the likes of Shoei etc invest loads in marketing and their prices are very steep, but IMO they are also very well made.

A mate of mine had a budget helmet whereby the visor used to lift up of it's own accord at speed

Being a new rider, I didn't want a heavy helmet, nor any other "features" that would distract me from my riding.

I tried on loads of helmets and found the Qwest to be the lightest and best made for what I could afford. I don't think £250 is bad if it lasts you five years = £50 a year to protect the squishy stuff in your skull!

I've got a Qwest - dead light (medium size), very quiet and fits me like a glove. I got £30 off the RRP at J&S, by a little haggling...

If I were to offer one criticism ii would be that it does get a little bit hot at times and I would prefer a bigger vent on the front to get more air in, but having said that it would make it noisier!

I love this bit on the advert - "Drinks provided (non-alcoholic)"

My two cents:

I did DAS three months ago and the moment I rode a 500cc I knew I wanted a full licence to give me the option to ride anything I wanted. I would be bored if I only had 33bhp to play with for the next two years. But if you can handle that, it's still amazing fun!

It could cost you more in the long run if you pass the restricted test, then end up wanting an "unrestricted" bike before the end of the two year period (ie, you have to do both modules again on a 500).

If you plan to own a big (ish!) bike in the next two years, I'd go for DAS.

When I did my DAS, I got told by my instructor to check my mirror and do a life saver before, moving into another road position, be it right or left. I'm suprised an instructor told you that a mirror check alone was adequate for road repositioning for the DSA test? Probably best you've got another instructor now.

Good luck with Mod2!

CBT is normally a good day, mine was good fun!

Check out the sticky at the top of this forum, there's loads of CBT reviews in there.

It's down to you at the end of the day - if all you want is a commuter then a 125 will do the job, but it's likely that you'll get bored of it if you want it as a plaything and will want something bigger sooner rather than later.

The upside is that good 125's (YBR's etc) are usually in high demand and hold their value very well, so you wouldn't really lose money on it.

I waited and did DAS.

Hi mate.

You'll need a CBT before doing anything road-wise on a motorbike, so get that sorted first!!

See Cobbz useful post about the various licence options/routes : http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/view ... 47&t=31635

If you're 21 or above, go for DAS and ride anything you like is my advice though

My understanding is that if you see someone at the side of the road you do click as they are a potential hazard and if they walk out you click again as they are now a hazrd.

 

This is how I did it as well. Clicked when I saw the potential hazard and clicked again when it became an actual hazard.

Good advice, get a couple of clicks in on each hazard if it "develops".

I thought the hazard test was completely out of touch with reality (having drove for 20 years), in that the timing of your click(s) is the judgement of your "perception" skills!! I can see most things a mile away and react accordingly on the road, yet clicking too early is a 0 score. You just need to jump through their hoop unfortunately if you want a bike licence.

DSA retards.

Good stuff.

I believe a full car licence automatically includes provisional motorcycle - I passed mine in 1991 and I had it on there!

I use a dark smoke one in the daytime and a clear one at night. Common sense really. Takes about 30 seconds to swap them over.

Never had any issues from plod either.

Go with a motorcycle school mate, much less hassle. It will probably cost you the same in insurance and mates riding the bike to the test centre or van hire etc.

I only found one place that would insure me for fire & theft (laid up) before I passed my Mod2 - Footman James. Most places were very arsey about this and wouldn't quote.

God knows who insures learners on big bikes for road/test use?

Good luck guys, sure you'll be fine.

Take your time, and do all your checks before you do anything. Eg: When I did my DAS, we went to the test centre to observe for a while and one guy on Mod1 rode into the gated compound with the stand down - instant fail!! He did everything else perfectly!

Awesome - enjoy!

If you go with the "semi circle" make sure you are on the inside of the bike, much easier that way as your body weight supports the bike.

Take your time as well, there's no limit on it (within reason).

That seems really dumb, seeing as you can legally ride in anything as long as you have a fastened approved lid on your bonce!! It's probably DSA trying to avoid any blame/claim compo cases as result of injuries acquired on the test if you come off.

I had to sign something to say that my health hadn't changed as a result of the test at the end of my Mod2!

Congrats - enjoy!!

@john59 - well done mate (that was exactly the same route I had!) Paul was the examiner I had, nice scouse bloke in a car.