Just passed Mod 2, second attempt

[Oaf]

[Copied from the Newbies forum]

Just passed my Mod2, my second attempt, in sunny Macclesfield under the scrutinous eye of the infamous Kevin.

I live in Corfu, but the motorbike test there consists of turn left, turn right, stop. Congratulations. I wanted some proper training, so arranged in hindsight what was a bonkers schedule:

Friday 9am - theory test. I thought I'd failed it as I knew nothing about the hazard video test. Managed to pass it though.

Saturday - CBT. Done it before, and I've ridden 50cc scooters for 8 years or so, so nothing too scary there.

Monday/Tuesday - training with Tim at RJH in Congleton. Tim was a star, RJH was a shambles. They had 3 battered R-reg ER5's; one wasn't insured, one kept cutting out (the one I was on) and the other was OK. Luckily the other chap out training with me agreed to use the 125 on the first day, so I could get some proper big-bike experience. He should've had to though.

Wednesday - Mod1 test. Started at 6.30 to get some final swerves and stuff in before we headed out to Macc for the test. Just before we did, the clutch cable went wonky. Tim took a look and found it had frayed, leaving one strand connected. Quick trip to the garage, ripped the clutch cable off the uninsured ER-5, and off to Macc we went! Tim's trick of making us practice on a 3/4 scale route really paid off when doing the real thing - the cones seemed miles apart, so any problems due to nerves were offset by the generous proportions of the full-size circuit.

Thursday - Mod2 test. This was in Shrewsbury, about 60 miles away, so we had to ride down. Weather was horrendous, we got piss wet through even through waterproofs, so by the time we got there I was cold, wet, and my back had pretty much seized up. Didn't have chance to see any test routes, nothing. Quick bite to eat and straight into the test. Found it really painful to ride, and was rightly failed for riding like a spaz.

Friday - fly home, pissed off.

Came back a couple of weeks later. Discovered Nick at Cheshire Biker Training, who has shiny low-mileage CB500's with working clutch cables. Top bloke. Brought my own kit with me this time, so I'd be wearing clothes that fitted and didn't smell. Spent 3 hours riding in glorious sunshine around Macclesfield, took our time, went over the test routes, arrived at the test centre relaxed and confident. Had a good test, despite some dopey driver pulling out across me when I was doing 70, kept my nerve despite the temptation to give the car door a good kicking! Back at the test centre, Kevin gave me an animated telling off regarding following distances, but he prefixed with that with "you've passed" so I took it on the chin.

I've now got the fun bit to look forward to - choosing a bike! I'm after a naked street bike - so street triple, hornet, fz8 etc - although I'm 6'3" so many are just too small for me. Corfu doesn't have any speed cameras, so I figured a good way to keep my speed down would be the forces of nature trying to stretch my neck! Nobody wears helmets or proper clothing here, so I'll probably stick out with my proper gear and Magic Roundabout helmet, but I'd rather that than end up another Corfu fatality statistic.

[Guest]

only noobs ride without a skid lid,fact lol

[Sparky65]

but he prefixed with that with "you've passed

 

Aaah, those lovely words. Guaranteed to cause a hangover the next day (after putting away the bike keys, of course).

Well done

Ps. I'd add wannabe corpses to those who don't wear helmets, but each to their own.

[Oaf]

Thanks

All being well, in a couple of hours I'll be riding this fella!

Buying this thing has been one long, painful journey (bureaucracy, money, more bureaucracy - in fact, if I was religious I'd think someone up there doesn't want me to ride), but hopefully today the fun can begin!

[keith565]

wow, very nice indeed. ride safe

[Guest]

congratulations mate. Now go and enjoy the ride