Mod 2 prep questions

[ace-card]

I’ve been riding around for the past year, gaining valuable experience and preparing myself for my Mod 2 A2 restricted test which is now booked for 8th June! I have gone this route as I am not in a position to spend hundreds of pounds on instruction, but am pretty confident that I am nearly riding to standard. I have scouted all over the internet, bought books, watched videos and put all this into practice every day to try and ensure a pass, but there are still a few things that I would be grateful for some guidance on:

1) What lifesavers should I be making JUST BEFORE entering a roundabout. I have seen in some places that if going left or straight on, swing a right lifesaver before entering the roundabout and if going right, to swing a left lifesaver (these are the most exposed places). Is this correct?

2) I have heard conflicting information about mini roundabouts and the observations required on them. Should I been treating them as T-junctions or the same as a larger roundabout?

3) Should I try and overtake someone doing 40-50 on a 60 dual carriageway? I was thinking no as my little 10hp CG with 95kg on top could land me in a sticky situation!!

4)Finally, and the one that’s been bugging me the most…..if a single lane splits into two, obviously OSM is required before positioning myself for the correct lane. However, as I’m not technically changing lane, is an indicator signal required?? Again I was thinking no as this could be misleading.

Thanks, it’s such a mind-field out there! I've searched all over but still can't find definite answers!....maybe there are none and it just depends on the examiner you get!!

[shereen]

[Lyam]

It's your life at the end of the day, if you think you can teach yourself better thann an instructor with years and years experiance, than good for you, My instructor told me something inteesting once "Im not teaching you just to pass a test, im teaching you to stop becoming an organ donor"

[blurredman]

[ace-card]

Those answers cleared up the haze! Thanks!

Like you said, the cost of instruction is SO expensive. Although, the test is the same for people who have had instruction as for those who haven't, so in theory, the standard of safety should be pretty similar. I remember reading that statistically, the most bike accidents involve men 35-40, fresh off their DAS instruction.

[Jodie]

I did it this way Ace last year. I ran almost a year on my cbt which I found good, being a fair weather rider I didn't feel under pressure. I just gained valuable road experience.

I did have a lesson the day before my Mod 1 and Mod 2 though which was good as the instructor gave me a huge confidence boost, showed me all the 5 test routes in the area, where to position myself on a few bad roundabouts in the area and told me what to expect and watch out for.
Think it cost about £100 for the day but I think it's well worth it and would definitely recommend it.

Cost me about £290 all together.

Good luck

[ace-card]

I've thought about having just a day beforehand too.....it was also £100 at my local school. Don't really have £100 right now, but seeing as passing means A LOT to me, maybe I should!

[Frog]

Couple of thoughts:

1. You can't pass on a lesson. One lesson plus one test costs more than two tests, so it would be cheaper to not take the lesson as long as you pass on the first or second go.

2. Mod2 training consists on learning the routes. IMHO, I'd rather learn to ride than learn to pass. If you're safe on a route you don't know (I.e. Haven't been taught by an instructor), you'll be safe on your own. However, if you pass by being taught how to ride the routes, this doesn't mean you are safe.

Conclusion? Cheapest way *should* be to take the test, but, IMHO you should then take further training.

However, I havent got round to that yet, so maybe you shouldnt listen to hypocritical 'ol me...

Ummm.. HTH..?
____________________
CBT 23/09/10 - Theory 19/03/11 - Mod1 19/04/11 - Mod2 06/05/11
Bikes: CBF125 (sold 30/10/10-25/09/12) - CB400 24/06/11 (broken) - ER6-f 25/09/2012

[ace-card]

I downloaded 12 test routes used in Bristol, so have been slowly working my way through those and studying Google Earth to see best lane positioning for roundabouts etc......

More training would be v. sensible......It's always been my intention to do some form of advanced riding at "some point" after getting the DSA test crap out the way From what I've read and seen about post-test training, and correct me if I'm wrong, if you rode like that on test, you'd fail?? Seems strange!

[Frog]

Some things definitely. I suspect that the "ride in the middle of the lane at all times" will change, and a few other things too.

I think there's a real value to getting experience yourself, and forcing yourself to do the lifesavers, shoulder checks etc., until they become habitual.

After that I suspect I'll go for more training, but its a long while off yet... I haven't even got my bigger bike yet (although it hopefully won't be too long).

I guess it's each to his/her own... You've got to go on your own riding style and abilities methinks.

Are you confident / have you made your mind up whether to go training or just try and see?
____________________
CBT 23/09/10 - Theory 19/03/11 - Mod1 19/04/11 - Mod2 06/05/11
Bikes: CBF125 (sold 30/10/10-25/09/12) - CB400 24/06/11 (broken) - ER6-f 25/09/2012

[Gazza M]

one thing I'd watch out for on test that freaked me out a lil bit when I saw it - the examiner sits bloody close behond you. Mine sat on the left of my back wheel very very close which made me a bit apprehensive! I assume this is so he can see the rev counter/speedo to judge your gear usage...

and in terms of moneys, I took a morning sessions before each of my tests, mod 1 I had at something like 9 in the morning so met an instructor at 7:30... did my test then went around a few routes and he pointed out my bad habits! before mod 2 i did another morning session, again just ironing out any issues I had (obs drills etc). worked pretty well - got a nice 'A' on my licence to show for it!
____________________
Past: '07 YBR125, '00 GPZ500S, '99 ZRX1100, '98 CBR600 track bike, '97 ZX9R
Present: '05 R6 track bike, 140 pit bike

[ace-card]

Cheers for the heads up Gazza. I'm torn on what to do now....

As Frog pointed out, 2 tests = £150, a day lesson to iron stuff out and test = £175. That being said, the waiting time now for Mod2 is nearly 2 months (been checking everyday for cancellations!). So if I did fail first time, it would still be cheaper, but would take longer (assuming I passed second time). Then again, I could pass first time, in which case, both cheaper and quicker!! Ahhhhh!

Anyone fancy casting an expert eye on some not-so straight forward roundabouts if I post them up??
____________________
2007 Skyjet SJ-125, 2001 Aprillia RS125, 1988 Honda CG125, 1997 Yamaha YZF600R
Mama said "life is like a box o' chocolates....have what's nice, then offload the crap to everyone else!"

[Frog]

[Gazza M]

to be honest - I was all for doing it on my lonesome. I rang up the training school as they had slots i could do, the ones on the DSA website were far too long ahead, so I wouldn't been able to make the dates! it really helped me though - pretty sure I wouldn't have passed if I hadn't had the lessons. I'd say get just the one session before it specially for me, I'd been riding since mid November on the CBT wtih no other instrcution so had picked up a few bad habits on the way round!

may as well stick the pics up, i'm sure someone can help
____________________
Past: '07 YBR125, '00 GPZ500S, '99 ZRX1100, '98 CBR600 track bike, '97 ZX9R
Present: '05 R6 track bike, 140 pit bike

[ace-card]

Ok, here goes....

Just wondering how you guys would tackle these (lane positioning/indication), going from the red arrows to the green.

Cheers guys!
____________________
2007 Skyjet SJ-125, 2001 Aprillia RS125, 1988 Honda CG125, 1997 Yamaha YZF600R
Mama said "life is like a box o' chocolates....have what's nice, then offload the crap to everyone else!"

[Beelzebob]

[shereen]