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Mod 2 bike test tomorrow - any tips?
flak monkey - 14/9/10 at 10:31 AM

I have my Mod2 (road ride) bike test tomorrow morning

Any tips from anyone who's done it recently?

I've got an hour or 2 with the instructor before hand to do some more riding around the town before my test - and I had some time last week after my Mod 1 as well - and it generally seemed to go ok then.

David


fesycresy - 14/9/10 at 10:43 AM

Don't fall off ?

It was over 20 years since I did my bike test, you've just made me feel old


balidey - 14/9/10 at 10:47 AM

Can't offer any advice, just best wishes for the test.

And the 'don't fall off' isn't such a silly suggestion. A friend went on a riding school (Haslams I think) and as she rode upto the instructor she forgot to put her feet down. So yeah, don't fall off


thunderace - 14/9/10 at 10:56 AM

good luck
whats mod 2 ,i passed my bike test in the 80s where the guy sent you round the block and if you made it back you got a pass


flak monkey - 14/9/10 at 11:00 AM

Mod 2 is the road ride part of the new tests (since 2009). 40mins, safety questions and an observed ride.

Basically the same as the previous tests without the e-stop and u-turn on the road as these are now done in the Mod 1 test which I did last week.


Johneturbo - 14/9/10 at 11:14 AM

Just go and enjoy it stay relaxed. you
know what you have to do

i did DAS 5 years ago so know it's changed a bit

best bit for me was riding round the block for my emegency stop use that time to gather ya thoughts and breath!!


ReMan - 14/9/10 at 11:39 AM

Advice here!
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=141751


steve m - 14/9/10 at 11:42 AM

"good luck
whats mod 2 ,i passed my bike test in the 80s where the guy sent you round the block and if you made it back you got a pass "

i did mine in 1977

oh, i do feel old


Stott - 14/9/10 at 11:46 AM

I got bollocked for stopping at give ways, looking and then proceeding without putting a foot down.

He said it made me seem cocky or something, even if I could balance, the instructor argued with him about it but I still got a minor for that.

I had my instructor follow the examiner around on the test route as he suggested that when some people fail on stupid things, he is sometimes able to debate the case, having witnessed it himself. Might be an idea if yours offers.

Good luck.


D Beddows - 14/9/10 at 12:08 PM

20+ years ago for me too make sure you do up your helmet..... don't ask why I mention it


flak monkey - 14/9/10 at 02:06 PM

I quite often stop for a second or 2 at give ways without putting my foot down. Instructor has never said anything so I have continued to do it.

I guess I will just have to see how it goes tomorrow. The examiner seemed like a nice bloke when I did my mod 1 last week - very fair etc - but I reckon a lot comes down to their mood on the day and the general traffic etc on the ride.

David


CraigJ - 14/9/10 at 02:26 PM

passed mine in july. just relax and get on with it. They will have you do a hill start and have you set off from behind a car so dont get too close when he tell's you to pull up behind one. Other than that just enjoy it and good luck.

P.s watch out for them dodgy car drivers.


flak monkey - 14/9/10 at 02:37 PM

Thanks

quote:
Originally posted by CraigJ
They will have you do a hill start...


Hill? Norfolk? You gotta be kidding. Lol


cd.thomson - 14/9/10 at 02:44 PM

i have my mod 2 on the first saturday in october.

good luck david


whitestu - 14/9/10 at 03:47 PM

Don't go too slow. I failed my first bike test for that.

Stu


matt.c - 14/9/10 at 05:54 PM

Good luck buddy.


mark chandler - 14/9/10 at 05:58 PM

As above, do not hesitate or dither about at junctions, they like you to make progress not stop at every give way as it shows confidence.

Mine was 7 years ago BTW.

Good luck


bmseven - 14/9/10 at 06:20 PM

Plenty of Lifesavers especially when entering a different speed limit, make sure you pick up speed when entering an increased limit & slow to the limit when entering a lower limit

If you make a mistake or take a wrong direction don't panic

[Edited on 14/9/10 by bmseven]


flak monkey - 14/9/10 at 06:38 PM

There seems a lot of confusion over lifesavers and when to take them. Maybe things have changed since DAS was introduced?

My understanding is (and how I have been taught)

Turning left:
Mirrors
Indicate
Left lifesaver
Move over to left side

No need for any more lifesavers as by moving over you have removed the risk of anyone cutting up the left of you.

Make turn to end up in middle of your lane
Check mirrors and cancel indicator

Right turn (major to minor):
Mirrors
Indicate
Right lifesaver
Move close to white line
Right lifesave again before commiting to turn
Turn
Check mirrors and cancel indicator

Right turn (minor to major)
As above but no second lifesaver

Roundabouts
Indicate as you pass exit before the one you are taking, left lifesave before moving out and again before leaving roundabout.

I hear about people doing right lifesavers on roundabouts, but this has never been mentioned to me other than if your exit lane is 2 lanes and merges to 1, just check no one is cutting up the outside of you.

Traffic
I also hear people saying about doing a lifesaver before moving in traffic (straight line). I have been told you only need to check mirrors before moving off and theres no need for a lifesaver as you arent moving your position in the road to the left or right.

Same as changing speed limits - only check mirrors, no need for a lifesaver.

Like I say this is the way I have been taught - hopefully the right way


cd.thomson - 14/9/10 at 06:46 PM

I use more lifesavers than that. It takes no effort to check my blind spot when I'm setting off and I mainly do it to make drivers take note. If you eyeball car drivers they seem to show you more care and attention.

I always do a right lifesaver as I leave a roundabout going straight on, as I've travelled around the outside of the roundabout but Mr car driver could well have followed his nose across the inside lane and try to cut infront.

I also lifesave at speed changes to stop the nobend in a micra whos been up my backside all the way through the 30 limit from being foolish and trying to overtake.

Bear in mind this is how I've been taught over the last few weeks!

[Edited on 14/9/10 by cd.thomson]


flak monkey - 14/9/10 at 07:00 PM

See, thats what I mean, there is contension over where and when is appropriate - I have seen forum arguments between actual instructors as well...

I'll discuss it with my instructor in the morning. I have been riding as I put above and he hasnt said anything to the contrary. (Worth pointing out my instructor does the post test advanced rider stuff too - but then I think a lot of them do)

The best comment I have heard is that each lifesaver should be taken on its merit at the time - if its more important to be looking forward, dont look over your shoulder. We did some stuff on the way back from my last lesson around the back roads. Some right turns have a corner almost on top of them, in that case dont take a second lifesavers as its more important to notice if somethings coming tearing around the corner.

[Edited on 14/9/10 by flak monkey]


McLannahan - 14/9/10 at 07:05 PM

I'd keep it down to just the three wheelies, two burnouts and four stopies.


cd.thomson - 14/9/10 at 07:52 PM

you joke..

i got a minor in my mod 1 for doing a stoppie on the "controlled stop" after the avoidance!


flak monkey - 15/9/10 at 02:57 PM

Passed! 2 Minors!

Lifesaved as I said above, no comments other than my observations were very good.

Well chuffed, now off to pick up the proper bike!


welderman - 15/9/10 at 03:06 PM

Well done, just in time for erm winter lol


eddie99 - 15/9/10 at 03:10 PM

Well done david! What bike are you getting now?


Benzine - 15/9/10 at 04:33 PM

Nice one! ^_^ If you want to look more like a biker then you can do what I did a couple of weeks ago. Dropped a g-clamp on one of my front teeth and snapped it in half.


Benzine - 15/9/10 at 04:34 PM

Nice one! ^_^ If you want to look more like a biker then you can do what I did a couple of weeks ago. Dropped a g-clamp on one of my front teeth and snapped it in half.


flak monkey - 15/9/10 at 07:39 PM

Picked up my SV650 this afternoon.

Just getting used to a low revving twin after riding the Honda CB400 I did my test on. But all in all its reat fun


02GF74 - 16/9/10 at 08:10 AM

welll done

lifesaver - when changing lanes or joining a motorway/dual carriage.


kipper - 16/9/10 at 09:27 AM

I passed my test on my 650cc BSA in the morning and traded it in @ Jordans of Hull for a Triumph tiger 110 with twin Carbs In the afternoon, it took me 3 years to pay of the HP loan.
Thoses were the days eh.

Enjoy your biking and stay safe.
Denis.


MikeRJ - 17/9/10 at 09:16 AM

Congrats on passing and your choice of bike, sent you a pm on the SV bike forum!


bmseven - 18/9/10 at 09:22 AM

Sorry but the lifesaver in an important observation and part of self preservation as a biker. You are vulnerable at all times, so wether a lifesaver is checking an exit route as granny is thinking about pulling out in front of you or checking there is no ossifer's of the law around prior to popping a wheelie

Or as happened to me only this week as a foreign arctic came sailing through the red light beside me!
Enjoy the bike and the freedom but most importantly stay safe.

*Note to self * Bloody cold this morning riding to work time to get the winter gloves out (250 mile a week bike commute)