Training for MOD1

[Nicko]

Can anybody give me an idea of the level of training it is reasonable to expect.

I have spent £700 so far with a local riding school for an assessment day, two training days and a mod1 test.  The motorcycle I was allocated had a problem with changing from 1st to second, and would more often that not drop into neutral, even if the indicator on the clocks said second gear had engaged.  I complained about this several times only to be told to  use more force (by this time my foot was sore from trying to force the shifter).  At the end of the second day I was getting fed up with being told over the intercom to "pick up the speed" away from junctions and I stopped and asked the instructor to take a ride on my bike.  He didn't but he did look at the shifter linkage, concluded the bike had been dropped by a previous rider, and straightened it.  Surely the bike should have been checked over after it had been dropped, or even between different students?

Whilst training on the MOD1 pad, the instructor constantly had his mobile phone in his hand, and at times while saying something he would stop talking, distracted by what he was reading on his phone.

So far I have failed the MOD1 three times, and can honestly say I have never felt confident and prepared for the test.  The instructor does not appear concerned at all about this.

A days training at £200 works out at £40 per hour (excluding a 30 minute lunch break and 15 minutes faff at the start and end of the day).  Am I wrong to expect the full attention of the instructor I am paying for, and it's it normal for the instructor not to give a damn if his trainees pass or fail?

I started this training as a bucket list adventure, wanting to pass my test at 57 years old.  I have been a professional driver for most of my working life (driving trucks all over europe and the UK), and have never struggled with training before.  What starting as fun has rapidly deteriorated into a nightmare.   MOD1 feels like an impossible mountain to climb and my confidence is shattered.

Have I just made a mistake in selecting a riding school or is this what I should expect?

 

Edited June 28, 2024 by Nicko

[KiwiBob]

I would try another training school!

 

This is what my local school (very good) charges... They do a pay as you go at £32:50 per hour or this... 

 

£1050.00

GUARANTEED TRAINING

CBT in Nottingham.
– Road Training in Nottingham, initially on a 125, then on a larger cc bike.
– Pre-Test fees included (worth £145.00)
– Further training free if final test failed, all you pay for is another final test and a pre-test fee for module 1 or 2.
– Please note that our price of £1050.00 does not include the final test appointment fees (£20.00 and £85.00, we book for you) or the theory test (£23.00, bookable online with the Driving Standards Agency) 

[S-Westerly]

3 hours ago, Nicko said:

Can anybody give me an idea of the level of training it is reasonable to expect.

I have spent £700 so far with a local riding school for an assessment day, two training days and a mod1 test.  The motorcycle I was allocated had a problem with changing from 1st to second, and would more often that not drop into neutral, even if the indicator on the clocks said second gear had engaged.  I complained about this several times only to be told to  use more force (by this time my foot was sore from trying to force the shifter).  At the end of the second day I was getting fed up with being told over the intercom to "pick up the speed" away from junctions and I stopped and asked the instructor to take a ride on my bike.  He didn't but he did look at the shifter linkage, concluded the bike had been dropped by a previous rider, and straightened it.  Surely the bike should have been checked over after it had been dropped, or even between different students?

Whilst training on the MOD1 pad, the instructor constantly had his mobile phone in his hand, and at times while saying something he would stop talking, distracted by what he was reading on his phone.

So far I have failed the MOD1 three times, and can honestly say I have never felt confident and prepared for the test.  The instructor does not appear concerned at all about this.

A days training at £200 works out at £40 per hour (excluding a 30 minute lunch break and 15 minutes faff at the start and end of the day).  Am I wrong to expect the full attention of the instructor for fee I am paying, and it's it normal for the instructor not to give a damn if his trainees pass or fail?

I started this training as a bucket list adventure, wanting to pass my test at 57 years old.  I have been a professional driver for most of my working life (driving trucks all over europe and the UK), and have never struggled with training before.  What starting as fun has rapidly deteriorated into a nightmare.   MOD1 feels like an impossible mountain to climb and my confidence is shattered.

Have I just made a mistake in selecting a riding school or is this what I should expect?

From the experience of my son (in Bristol) and my son in law (Swindon) you have a very poor school. Change them ASAP and find somewhere else.

[Fiddlesticks]

The thing that rings alarm bells for me is the fact that they're putting you in for the test before you're ready. A good school shouldn't do that, and they don't usually want to, as lower averages raise eyebrows with the powers that be.

Secondly, it doesn't sound like they've made too much effort to get you there.

At the end of the day, you're the customer. If you feel something is off, take your business elsewhere. Don't let it put you off, riding is great fun, and so should be the process of learning.

 

[Bender]

You've been unlucky rather than making a mistake, find another.

[Dombo]

Change schools. 
I did a five day course with an independent school, sole instructor training two of us for DAS, I am similar age bracket to you. Instructor had been doing it for close on 30 years and was a very keen biker with an impressive collection of bikes.

Mod 1 was on day 4, Mod 2 the following week on the final day. Every one of the first four days we practised Mod 1 stuff and the instructor never took his eyes off us - luckily for me as I was struggling with the fig 8 and U turn right up until we headed off to the test centre ( where I somehow nailed it). Riding between car parks for the Mod 1 sessions was our Mod 2 practice.

The bikes were in excellent condition, with crash bungs and bar protectors and I had  no trouble getting into neutral or any other mechanical issue.

Both of us passed first time with only one minor in my case.

Definitely try another school.

[RideWithStyles]

Defo try another school but id be doing a lot a revision and looking up a lot before hand to speed things up.

The other thing is your expectation or many you may have? no you shouldnt expect sole attention unless you book and pay for it or lucky on the day which you may or not need?

Bikes are very individual as to how they wear (cars are the same) let alone if they get dropped, some are not very evident as to small cap bikes are designed to carry on working as best as possible with a noob at the bars. 
This is very individual and just ranting on a forum is very one sided unless there is visual documentation to back it up as to what you need.

[S-Westerly]

When my son did his DAS he was straight on to a Suzuki 750 of some type. My son in law did his on a Honda 650 so small bike isn't necessarily what the school uses. A decent school should update its bikes reasonably often. Eg:

Circuit Based Training, Mallory Park.