Mod 2 Advice, please????

[paullofty]

I have my retake Thursday and really keen to get it passed (its expensive and stressful).

There's a lot to take in from lessons I've had (I've had two, soon to be 3 different instructors with different styles who have given me different, at times conflicting information). Could anyone confirm what they think the main things I need to think about are?

I think they are:

1. Speed (making sure I'm doing the right speed and speed is adequate for cornering etc.)

2. Road positioning (for normal riding and making sure positioning is right for turning and on runabouts etc)

3. Mirror checks/lifesavers (check mirrors before indicating and when slowing and speeding up, lifesaver any time I'm changing road position)

4. Indicating (do this properly ands cancel quickly)

5. Stopping and following distance ( making sure both are appropriate for the road and conditions).

have I missed anything??? I just want to go in with the things I need in my head and ride well and basically pass!

[Azen]

the main things I got tought were make sure that your road positioning is always centre (unless you are turning right or left then position yourself accordingly)

Lifesavers and observations (OSM PSL) mirrors before you indicate, right sholder check, indicate, position life saver about a carlengths before you turn.

in traffic before moving more than 1 meter check both sholders then move off.

following distance 2 seconds in normal conditions, 4 seconds in the wet, and i hink it is 6 seconds in snow???

stopping in traffic make sure that you can see the car in fronts mirrors.

cancel indicators when you turn into the new road and alsways check your mirrors when entering before accelerating (do thins when cancelling indicators I found it works better for me as i remember the two together)

roundabouts,

when going straight across use the left hand lane then takeing an exit past 12 o'clock use the right handlane or position to the right.

speed,

go as slow or as quick as you feel safe to do round corners I usually drop into third if I'm not already in it. if you are unsure of the speed remember that unless other wise signed that roads will be 30 or have 20 zones in built up areas (they like to trick you ;P)

Hope this helps. Also remember it is better to get a minor for hesitation than to get a serious for making another road user slow down.

[paullofty]

that's helpful, I just want to go out there with the rudiments in my head, rather then trying to remember every minute of training.

my first test I had everything spinning around in my head. I actually rode ok, but made a couple mistakes.

[Azen]

No worries dude, these guys could prob tell you more than I could.

But thats what I was tought to do for the basics the rest it just reading the road and your instructor should point out any weird bits on the test routes, he did with me and it really came in useful because the bits he pointed out came up in the test

[Guest]

"Making progress" I'd add that in as something fairly important.

This can include filtering. I think this can be instructor dependent though and do what is comfortable and you feel safe doing.

[fq-craigus]

The examiner is watching to make sure your 'safe' so all the above are important.

And not to confuse but also when cornering on country roads i was told the examiner will also be looking for you to be exiting the bend faster than you entered so that he knows your using posotive throttle throughout as no throttle can unsteady the bike

[Woodman]

I kept telling myself about distance and indicators as they were the two main things I kept forgetting.

Just try and ride as you think you should,instead of getting too hung up on robotic gestures.

The examiner should appreciate a natural and safe ride more than a "must do this because its what the instructor wants" ride.

If you need to do it,do it and if you don't,don't. Worked for me anyhow.

[paullofty]

I passed with ZERO faults!!!

Thanks

[NeilM]

Good stuff mate