OhJay

Don't forget you can and should slip the clutch a lot more on the bike than in the car. Keep the revs up and control your speed with the clutch, the engine's rotation will have a significant effect on your balance and you want to keep that little bit of drive going to the wheel to help your stability.

I did mine in Farnborough and I'm based in Wokingham

That's the weekend of the baseball finals so I'm up in Hemel that weekend, 'fraid.

Congrats Well done you. And a good write up. Put something similar in the "mod 1 experiences" thread, all useful to people preparing for test to read what to expect. Locking up the rear on the emergency stop is a minor but if you realise what's happening, let off, let the wheel roll, reapply and regain control then it's only a minor. It's if you skid to a stop you fail since you're not demonstrating the bike control the whole mod1 is testing With the speed gates the target is 50. It used to be under 50 was a fail but now 48-49 is a minor, 47 is a fail. On to mod2 then. I'd definitely suggest at least go to a school and ask if they'll have a look at you. If an instructor says you're good then off you go but if there's stuff to pick up then best get it picked up before you do your test. Where are you asking that's £60 an hour? Mine was £50 and that was even with hire of the big bike. £40 if hiring the 125 and £35 on your own bike!

How old are you? If you can get your test done on a 125 before the end of the year then you'll still go through the normal 2 year restriction period and in 2 years time it's gone. Next year it'll get you to a certain licence level and you'll need to do another test on a bigger bike to start moving up. If you're old enough to do it on the big bike then it doesn't matter if it's this year or next (but I think the age is going up to ... 24? to do it next year), pass on big bike and full licence. The tests might be changing from mod1&2 to a single on road test but that's not set in stone yet.

'coz the rally's been and gone Post rally thread is here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=45065

Thank you all for a ruddy ace weekend, specially to Susie and Rennie for getting the entertainment sorted and all who organised! Has anyone seen my shorts?

Conga Rats

Hot and sunny here at the moment. Humid and muggy as well.

If it's raining like this I'm just going to have a fun weekend without going out on the bike (yes, that is possible ) I've packed a pair of swimming shorts for if it really does get ludicrously wet

I've just come over all funny

Not out that way so much, I'm out Wokingham side of Reading. I did my Get On and CBT with Motag who work out of a shipping container in Makro's car park. Absolutely no complaints whatsoever, Shaun's a nice guy but I didn't fancy trolling into the centre of Reading to do my full test and got recommended another place. I did my DAS with Pinewood just outside Bracknell who were absolutely amazing and I would recommend to anybody. Because I'd done my CBT elsewhere they insisted I went on an assessment ride with their head instructor to see what standard I was and make a suggestion from there. They recommended I went at a lesson a week and used the week to practice. I spent the first few lessons on the 125 until I got the basics right and then they asked if I wanted to do DAS or do tests on the 125. I chose DAS so had a couple of lessons getting used to the 500 and then test ready from there. The Mrs chose to do her tests on the 125. Both passed all tests first time. Such a great atmosphere. They actively encourage old students to wander down for lunch on Saturdays, they organise ride outs and track days and all sorts and it's a really fun bike club afterwards as opposed to other places that are "test, goodbye"

Pangbourne way? Bracknell's probably a bit tricky then?

Petty arguments from the ex-girlfriend 7 ****ing years after we broke up about how she feels I owe her nectar points! F**k it! And she can f**k off and all

If you're looking for someone to ride with put a post in the Cambs/EA section, I think there's a good few going from there. I know there's a few planning on meeting up in Peterborough at some point Friday afternoon and going together. I know Borgy, Tango and Bonnie off the top of my head but I think there's a couple more.

All schools have to have a pass rate above a certain level or DSA start to look closer at them Go along and ask every question you have and can think of. It's in their interests to answer them properly for you. If they get short with your asking questions then how patient will they be with you trying to learn how to ride? Whereabouts near Reading are you? Local recommendations can help with choosing bike schools as well. I'm just south of Reading and would recommend the place I went to, for example.

http://motomatters.com/opinion/2009/07/ ... _wave.html Interesting article on it. Apparently offers absolutely no benefit whatsoever

Nicknamed "Doctor's Dangle", you don't sit on those things, you keep all the weight on your feet so it was to force them to put their weight further back on the bike. And it makes you ever so slightly wider for anyone trying to pass you down the inside

That's how rumours start, you know?

I got the StromForce cover from coveryourbike.co.uk for mine You have to put in make, model etc so it's a really good fit (well... I've got higher screen and top box mount on mine so doesn't quite fit as well as it's designed to but hey), delivery was a couple of days and it's been solid so far.

Mine arrived today

That's a stunning pic what did you use to get that one?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SFxSiXjaV1Q/TjdWsIJbu9I/AAAAAAAAE-0/4JcAmERO5po/s1600/conga+rats.gif

Just have a look for photos of previous... be sitting down and suitably fortified first though

I've hitched a lift I'm afraid