Module 1 Hazard Avoidance Swerve Test is Ridiculous

[2_Wheel_Glory]

Dear Forum,

Is anybody currently taking the Module 1 test on a 125cc machine?

Having problems accelerating the machine to 50 kph plus?

I've been advised by my instructor to keep the bike in 2nd gear and accelerate out of the bend to a speed in excess of 50 kph. This requires red lining the engine to 9000 revs just to get it up to speed. The pick up in 3rd is too slow.

I think this test is incredibly stupid and down right dangerous. Whoever devised it was certainly not a motorcyclist. I hear that over 1% of candidates taking this test have an incident or accident during the test.

This test is pushing my Yamaha 125cc engine to the maximum and risking damaging the engine.

Is this teaching bikers to be responsible and sensible riders?

If I fail this test again I'm going to write to my MP and the Minister for Transport a letter of official complaint.

Please give me your experiences.

[yen_powell]

Totally agree. They are changing the test and lowering the required speed slightly (a few mph either side of 50kph) amongst other relaxations.

Check out the DSA website for their own press release on the subject.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Scythe]

[2_Wheel_Glory]

[2_Wheel_Glory]

[Andy J]

[kramdra]

First gear on my cg125, gets me to 26mph indicated. 2nd gear is 40mph, 3rd gear is pushing 52, 4th pushing 62.

Considering the ratios, 3rd is really not a good choice for this manouver. you will only have been a couple MPH short, but on the same bike, I think an experienced rider could do it at 50mph.


what bike, is it maintained properly? becuase a vibrating bolt/fairing can make the engine sound like it is revving FAR higher than it really is. Unless its one of those fancy ones with a rev counter :p

[2_Wheel_Glory]

[Slacker24seve...]

Oh pipe down; if you can't manage the tiny little swerve you shouldn't be on the road, as said above. The surface in the compound is actually extremely grippy too, it really isn't that hard.

I do think that there should be a lowering of expectations in wet conditions for example but in the dry there really is no excuse. Just give it the beans, a little push on the handlebar to swerve around the cone, brake to a controlled stop
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[2_Wheel_Glory]

[Scythe]

[95Theses]

Carry more speed through the previous corner?

[blurredman]

I felt extremely uncomfortable doing the swerve. I've not as of yet needed to swerve as i'm on a bike. I don't ride 6 inches from people's doors!

And as for other road users pulling out, i sense them early on. Like a ninja.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[Slacker24seve...]

[Andy_Pagin]

[Gazza M]

honestly? the test may be a bit stupid, but im pretty sure most people have gone through it without muc h of a complaint. i had a ybr 125, ok it was a bit noisy but the engine is designed for it - redline is at 10k rpm on a ybr. i've sat quite happily at 60-65 mph and 9.5k rpm for prolonged times on the road and it hasn't blown up on me.

and the flick/swerve? easy. i actually found it quite fun even with a squared off rear tyre...

[2_Wheel_Glory]

Firstly, I very much doubt you will be doing any damage revving it into the redline for a couple of seconds and secondly is that not one of the most fun things about owning a bike?[/quote]

Surely the lesson to be learnt when taking the necessary tests to improve rider safely and road sense is to treat your machine and other road users with due care and respect.

The Module 1 test should encourage learner riders to ride their machines in a sensible and responsible way.

I think that the speed detection target of 50 kph plus is over stretching the performance ability of my machine and encouraging learner riders to rev their bikes in an abnormal fashion.

[Hockeystorm65]

.....I kept doing my speedtrap at around 55MPH (not KPH) on a Kwak ER5 when I did my DAS......in an attempt to slow me down he put me on a YBR 125.........I did it at 45MPH twice before he gave up and let me back on the ER5...my pass certificate has me doing 49MPH..........man up!

...keep the engine on the YBR at around 7500rpm and you will be fine!

...by the way, all of the above include a stop with the front wheel between the lines and a first time pass before I get the 'irresponsible' broadside. One of the main safety features of a bike over a car is it's ability to accellerate out of trouble...use it and don't worry about the engine until you are looking at a pool of oil on the tarmac...then you might have gone too far!
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Good judgement comes from experience.....experience comes from bad judgement!

[fozzym]

Far to much complaining about the Mod 1 as far as I'm concerned. Its the easiest part of getting a full licence, the theory is harder (more to remember).

Like others have said if you can't do such a simple maneuver then god help you on the road. On a 125 pretty much anything bigger than a football will knock you off so be prepared to swerve on a regular basis.

As for the bike struggling to make the speed, either your bike is crap in which case hire one or you just don't know what its capable of and are a bit tentative.

[2_Wheel_Glory]

[Hockeystorm65]

[2_Wheel_Glory]

...AGREE!

The 1% of people crash is down to the fact that about 2% of the people going forward for their MOD1 should not be allowed out without a rubber hat and a person next to them that talks them through how pedesrian crossings work....NOT because the speed of the swerve avoid manouvre is too slow! [IMHO]

...if you can't get up to speed in the distance or swerve at 30MPH then stick to driving Nike trainers, secure in the knowledge that those of us on 2 wheels will be able to avoid you when you step out into the traffic because you have forgotten the point of the whole 'red man' bit

....seriously '2 Wheeled Glory' assuming that the track is laid out correctly, you have either got a knackered 125 or a strong indication that biking is not for you.[/quote]

O.K. I'm a crap motorcyclist with a crap 125.

Thanks for the advice.

[kramdra]

tbh, it is your instructors fault if you feel uneasy riding your bike at that level. Its important that you can, becuasse one day you will need to and a small 125 is FAR more forgiving than the bigger bike that you would be able to ride if you passed.

The mod1 is *not* suppost to be a lesson of how you should ride. thats why its off the road. Its a test, that you are capable of using your bike at some fairly basic, easy limits.

My opinion is that real world riding is far better than lessons. Ive done 3000 miles since novemeber and very much ready for something faster for my occasional 70 mile commute to work.



and anyway, its only £15. Wait 3 days, and do it again...

[blurredman]

On module 1, I used my 20 year old Honda CG. It has 11 previous owners who I can guarentee have ragged it on many occasion, as have I.

I was just taught (by my own intuition and advice on the net) that to keep it in second and just 'pin it'. That would guarentee a 32MPH and more up to a possible 35MPH.

Sure, when you hear about the technique you are worried about your bike and indeed, when doing it, it sounds damn awful. But it must be done to get your licence. You MUST jump those hoops that the EU give us, because if you don't you'll never get your licence.

But after all, it is only for a few seconds at the most.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[Slacker24seve...]