Best tips for enfield mod 2 this friday - update second test passed!

[skiersteve]

As the titlesays really, I'm so freaking nervous even though I did my A2 license 5 years ago (am 27 now) I passed mod1 first time again but I fluffed mod 2 last time and passed second time, cam rider re-books are like 230.00 for mod 2 and I'm not minted so really hoping I pass first time it's hard for me to get too enfield on my own but i'm practicing on my little 98 rs125 whenever I can, my obs are good and I think my road positioning is decent, any tips for nerves no Idea why i'm so nervous, **** whoever decided that A2 holders have to do the exact same tests again after 24, such BS, Also on my mod1 I had to sign my name 3 times because I couldn't make it match my license lol, literally shaking haha and then when I finished mod1 and he told me I passed he said my lack of experience showed on the slow stuff even though in practice I was flying round the figure of 8 and u turns, god I hope I pass, no idea what this thread is for, just need some bikers too talk too since no one in my family cares about bikes

Edited April 12, 2019 by skiersteve

[geofferz]

I don't know about Enfield specifically but generally: relax, be confident - you are in control of the bike. Show it by being smooth - gentle but steady throttle and brake inputs. Read the road ahead so you can react in good time. If you see a 1 bike gap then go for it - don't hang about - they want you to crack on. I lost my examiner behind me for a good few mins on mine, and if they can't see you they can't mark you down! Looking good weather for it so, best of luck!

Rereading your post though for nerves I dunno - I'd say have a good big meal, and maybe so some exercise before like press-ups or something to get rid of some energy? I'm always chilled after exercise.

[elizabethf]

Kalms the night before so you get a decent sleep! I suffer with nerves too so these helps.

If nerves give you a gippy tum, just eat stuff like bananas, and avoid too much caffeine as it might make you twitchy(er).

Are you riding down to the test centre or meeting your instructor there? If you have the option to get to the training school earlier and ride down, opt for that, you can ride away all the stupid before your test (worked for me anyway).

And simply.... TELL yourself you can do this. You know how to ride, its no different from your MOD 2 before. You got this!

[Bender]

Shoulder checks, speed limits, make progress swiftly when you can, just treat it as a ride out with some instructions, ohhh yea relax

Good luck.

[skiersteve]

Kalms the night before so you get a decent sleep! I suffer with nerves too so these helps.

If nerves give you a gippy tum, just eat stuff like bananas, and avoid too much caffeine as it might make you twitchy(er).

Are you riding down to the test centre or meeting your instructor there? If you have the option to get to the training school earlier and ride down, opt for that, you can ride away all the stupid before your test (worked for me anyway).

And simply.... TELL yourself you can do this. You know how to ride, it's no different from your MOD 2 before. You got this!

 

I've got some rescue remedy on the ready lol and I do normally pop a 200mg caffeine pill to get me going in the morning but think i'll have water, a banana and some rescue remedy and I should be all good And we are riding from harlow, my test is super early so probably straight down to the centre and won't get too practice around enfield much but the ride to the centre is around 30-40 mins, so get a lil practice before, I keep thinking please don't give me a terrible route, don't know if they expect me to be a better rider since I'm on a A2 and not starting from scratch anywho fingers crossed

[elizabethf]

Nooo the routes are completely random but none will be harder than others, it's just what you perceive as hard!

A test route they use here in Lincoln goes out of the centre and on to an estate, then all the way along a 40mph road and a short bit of dual carriage, straight over a bridge, up hill (not steep), straight over a round about, left turn then straight back down a bypass to the test centre.... to me that's super easy but to others the idea of riding along a busy city centre route then out onto a bypass is too much!

My least favourite are country roads, especially in winter when I did my test, as you never knew what you'd find round the corner - ice, mud, high wind etc. Yet that's the route I passed on lol.

[learningtofly]

Not much to add really, save that I took my Mod 2 in Enfield; the examiner was very friendly and I didn't find the route held any nasty surprises. Just treat it as an opportunity to be out on your bike - you'll be fine. And, of course, good luck

[Hoggs]

I did mine at Enfield too. Just keep your eyes peeled for 30 to 20 zones as they will take you through one! Good luck!

[Guest]

Yeah did mine at Enfield. Like @hoggs said watch for the speed limit changes, lots of 30s to 20s and a few 40s with very few repeater signs. There are also some funny one way junctions where you need to watch your positioning if turning right. But treat like a normal ride and try to relax as best you can.

[Hoggs]

There are also some funny one way junctions where you need to watch your positioning if turning right.

 

Oh yes! I was taken down one on a practise run and my instructor was like "why the hell you all the way over there??"

[skiersteve]

There are also some funny one way junctions where you need to watch your positioning if turning right.

 

Oh yes! I was taken down one on a practise run and my instructor was like "why the hell you all the way over there??"

I thought you were ment to go all the way to a kerb on a one way street when turning?

[elizabethf]

Don't overthink it, just use the advice given to your by your instructor!

Also, stop thinking about it until the morning! Try and enjoy your week!

[Hoggs]

There are also some funny one way junctions where you need to watch your positioning if turning right.

 

Oh yes! I was taken down one on a practise run and my instructor was like "why the hell you all the way over there??"

I thought you were ment to go all the way to a kerb on a one way street when turning?

Yes you are but I didn't realise it was a one way so was in the middle of the road. I did not make this clear sorry

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

Im not a nervy person, usually excitement gives me a thrill and then I dont worry (even when maybe I should) BUT on my bike test I was nervous because probably like you you want it too badly, it matters (perhaps a bit to much) so normal sensible functioning leaves you and it all starts to feel a bit like an outer body experience.

I’ve only ever experienced this type of thing a few times in the course of my life but the method that seems to work well for me is to imagine the thing your concerned about has already happened. Goes a bit like this-

“I’m worried I’m going to fail because blah blah (fill in your own blanks here), yeh well it did happen, you were a bit crap and you did fail, not so bad is it, it’s just a fail and bummer I really did want to pass but I can have another go at it, it’s a forgone conclusion, well in that case who cares, I’ll just go along with it and soon I’ll be relaxing with a cup of tea.... or beer because it works and you pass

[Guest]

Im not a nervy person, usually excitement gives me a thrill and then I dont worry (even when maybe I should) BUT on my bike test I was nervous because probably like you you want it too badly, it matters (perhaps a bit to much) so normal sensible functioning leaves you and it all starts to feel a bit like an outer body experience.

I’ve only ever experienced this type of thing a few times in the course of my life but the method that seems to work well for me is to imagine the thing your concerned about has already happened. Goes a bit like this-

“I’m worried I’m going to fail because blah blah (fill in your own blanks here), yeh well it did happen, you were a bit crap and you did fail, not so bad is it, it’s just a fail and bummer I really did want to pass but I can have another go at it, it’s a forgone conclusion, well in that case who cares, I’ll just go along with it and soon I’ll be relaxing with a cup of tea.... or beer because it works and you pass

True story......a mate of mine who was renowned for having "momentous" personal experiences (usually associated with visits to the local licensed premises) once said to me "I've just had an out-of-body experience......" Unfortunately, I had to reply "no, that was a mirror". Oh, how we laughed.

The same person used to be a fan of film noir - that is, he blacked out in the library cinema after a visit to "The Wheatsheaf".

[Guest]

Oh and to the OP - just nix the caffeine tablets - even too much coffee or cola can get you so jittery that it screws you up. Not nice.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

Oh and to the OP - just nix the caffeine tablets - even too much coffee or cola can get you so jittery that it screws you up. Not nice.

 

True

[Nikolas]

I think the best advice is to not get the short bald examiner

A few Enfield spots that instructors will point out (some my own, some copied from various threads online):

- 'Innova Science Park' (where the test centre is) is all a 20. So turning either way from the test centre you're in a 20:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.674754,-0.018467,3a,75y,278.72h,82.1t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1siC2oF2V7nLNhIsctDtPM1A!2e0

(although it's not completely clear what the speed limit is between the roundabout to the North of the test centre and the entrance to the test centre travelling South, my examiner said it was the same 40 as Mollison Ave but I've also heard of people failing for going above 20 and my instructor thinks it's a 20).

- at the end of the driveway of the test centre, come to a complete stop and put your foot down, there's a hedge to your right and the examiner thinks it's unsafe to just slow down.

- at this intersection, you're probably going right so use the right lane if you can. Watch out for cars in the middle lane also going right and note that the lights take turns so if you're allowed to go right (solid green for you) the oncoming traffic is held at a red (which I think is very ambiguous as it's a solid green, not an arrow, so I'm not sure how you're meant to know that everyone else is being held):

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.679665,-0.0332224,3a,75y,298.64h,84.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgJ5CRp77jovZaJxfqCsKKA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- right at this spot before the Lidl, the examiner will probably ask you to turn left at the roundabout. Don't indicate left until you're past the entry to the Lidl car park. The examiner always gives the instruction early here to try to catch you out on indicating too soon.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6834965,-0.0310716,3a,75y,268.72h,80.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE1UwSU6MwkjHl4aHyF9k1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- as you're driving here by the Sainsbury's, you're probably in traffic in the left lane, keep in mind that if you're going to Cheshunt, you'll need to be in the right lane at the roundabout. You can't see the sign yet as it's too far away but in traffic it helps to position early:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6869046,-0.0317729,3a,75y,310.86h,89.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-S6_jP198_dN_iklktJ9Nw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- as you leave this roundabout, it's suddenly NSL so get up to dual carriageway speed until the sign at the next roundabout:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.687875,-0.0071,3a,75y,50.72h,79.57t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sI3SBXlPMtn80xJmN3SVrUA!2e0

- this is the one-way street that they'll ask you to turn right at, so position on the right curb:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.684426,-0.001659,3a,75y,252.43h,86.13t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s8Ts-RrhlAIaO2W5bt42kNg!2e0

and this one isn't one-way, so position normally as if there's a centre line:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.668893,-0.027992,3a,75y,275.29h,92.48t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s4pgrXVgzv3wjBBsBiVN4Pw!2e0

- there's a specific left turn that goes across a bike path; if turning left across a bike path be sure to do a very clear lifesaver over your left shoulder before turning:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6464299,-0.0365235,3a,75y,302.59h,70.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWKcUvCPxjgKUNi5Uy9vn5Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- there's also a spot where there's usually traffic from the left and they want you to make a right turn, there's a hashed area with a broken line separating the lanes on the road you're turning into. What they want you to do is move into that hashed area when there's no traffic coming from your right, wait and then continue into your lane when it's then free from your left. I've heard people of people both fail for doing it and for not doing it. I personally would try to wait for it to be clear on both sides before going (and probably get a minor for hesitation). If moving into that area when there's still traffic on the left, I would do it very slowly so it can't be interpreted as trying to cut in.

- here on Nags Head Rd you reach a church and the road becomes Lea Valley Rd, the road opens up but it's still a 30 (it feels like it should be higher but hasn't changed):

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6470699,-0.0382998,3a,75y,100.21h,74.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBWRn9ZjAG1IxEI9P0hrjww!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- this one is mentioned a few times online but I think it's outdated: there used to be an actual Stop sign here:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6432352,-0.0392689,3a,84.4y,187.45h,74.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDOWbarW_bz9VaHjTwV5Cmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[skiersteve]

I think the best advice is to not get the short bald examiner

A few Enfield spots that instructors will point out (some my own, some copied from various threads online):

- 'Innova Science Park' (where the test centre is) is all a 20. So turning either way from the test centre you're in a 20:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.674754,-0.018467,3a,75y,278.72h,82.1t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1siC2oF2V7nLNhIsctDtPM1A!2e0

(although it's not completely clear what the speed limit is between the roundabout to the North of the test centre and the entrance to the test centre travelling South, my examiner said it was the same 40 as Mollison Ave but I've also heard of people failing for going above 20 and my instructor thinks it's a 20).

- at the end of the driveway of the test centre, come to a complete stop and put your foot down, there's a hedge to your right and the examiner thinks it's unsafe to just slow down.

- at this intersection, you're probably going right so use the right lane if you can. Watch out for cars in the middle lane also going right and note that the lights take turns so if you're allowed to go right (solid green for you) the oncoming traffic is held at a red (which I think is very ambiguous as it's a solid green, not an arrow, so I'm not sure how you're meant to know that everyone else is being held):

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.679665,-0.0332224,3a,75y,298.64h,84.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgJ5CRp77jovZaJxfqCsKKA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- right at this spot before the Lidl, the examiner will probably ask you to turn left at the roundabout. Don't indicate left until you're past the entry to the Lidl car park. The examiner always gives the instruction early here to try to catch you out on indicating too soon.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6834965,-0.0310716,3a,75y,268.72h,80.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE1UwSU6MwkjHl4aHyF9k1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- as you're driving here by the Sainsbury's, you're probably in traffic in the left lane, keep in mind that if you're going to Cheshunt, you'll need to be in the right lane at the roundabout. You can't see the sign yet as it's too far away but in traffic it helps to position early:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6869046,-0.0317729,3a,75y,310.86h,89.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-S6_jP198_dN_iklktJ9Nw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- as you leave this roundabout, it's suddenly NSL so get up to dual carriageway speed until the sign at the next roundabout:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.687875,-0.0071,3a,75y,50.72h,79.57t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sI3SBXlPMtn80xJmN3SVrUA!2e0

- this is the one-way street that they'll ask you to turn right at, so position on the right curb:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.684426,-0.001659,3a,75y,252.43h,86.13t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s8Ts-RrhlAIaO2W5bt42kNg!2e0

and this one isn't one-way, so position normally as if there's a centre line:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.668893,-0.027992,3a,75y,275.29h,92.48t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s4pgrXVgzv3wjBBsBiVN4Pw!2e0

- there's a specific left turn that goes across a bike path; if turning left across a bike path be sure to do a very clear lifesaver over your left shoulder before turning:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6464299,-0.0365235,3a,75y,302.59h,70.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWKcUvCPxjgKUNi5Uy9vn5Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- there's also a spot where there's usually traffic from the left and they want you to make a right turn, there's a hashed area with a broken line separating the lanes on the road you're turning into. What they want you to do is move into that hashed area when there's no traffic coming from your right, wait and then continue into your lane when it's then free from your left. I've heard people of people both fail for doing it and for not doing it. I personally would try to wait for it to be clear on both sides before going (and probably get a minor for hesitation). If moving into that area when there's still traffic on the left, I would do it very slowly so it can't be interpreted as trying to cut in.

- here on Nags Head Rd you reach a church and the road becomes Lea Valley Rd, the road opens up but it's still a 30 (it feels like it should be higher but hasn't changed):

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6470699,-0.0382998,3a,75y,100.21h,74.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBWRn9ZjAG1IxEI9P0hrjww!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

- this one is mentioned a few times online but I think it's outdated: there used to be an actual Stop sign here:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6432352,-0.0392689,3a,84.4y,187.45h,74.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDOWbarW_bz9VaHjTwV5Cmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

 

cheers for the links, going to just ride my ride if i mess up ill rebook and go again but Ive got faith! Also I dont know if the bald guy is still there but I had him 5 years ago for my A2 and he passed me

[elizabethf]

Good luck!

[skiersteve]

So just finished and unfortunately failed, pulled out on a car that I thought was further away, deserved to fail, main disappointment is the fact the rebook is 14th may earliest!! I knew I failed the second it happened and went into whatever mode and only picked up one minor in total going too get insured on my brother's drz400 and have a ride around the centre, nearly there just got to try again

[SometimesSansEngine]

Sorry to hear that [mention]skiersteve[/mention], but am glad you're doing an honest self assessment. It'll help you next time around

[skiersteve]

So second test today and I done it at Cambridge instead of enfield and passed with one minor woop! The route was amazing, 20s,30s,40s,50s,60s,70s we done it all and the examiner was really friendly, sitting here with the biggest grin another biker joins the club!

[RAYK47]

Nice one Steve. Well done.

I have mine in cambridge on Tuesday. I am a little worried as they are booking up fast so if I fail I may have a long wait.

[Tango]

Congrats on the pass, mate......happy days.....

And good luck RAYK......