Some Mod 2 Questions (edit: BOOKED 29/9/11 - PASSED!)

[J.M.]

Alright guys, just looking for a few questions on the Mod 2; some are parts of riding which are quite a bit down to "rider's preference" and I want to be sure that my "rider's preference" is also the DSA Preference! Others are just some general questions

I feel competent with my riding ability, and if I can keep my nerves down on the day I can't see why I should have any real trouble for it; just got to hope for some "nice" traffic, if you know what I mean But obviously, I'll be showing up to the test in full biker gear, including a hi-viz, except for motorcycling boots. The boots I bought I'm still getting used to, and need more experience with them before taking a test with them (too heavy on the rear and sometimes miss the 1st-2nd gear change).

Mod2 isn't booked yet, but the check's now cleared, so I'll probably be getting onto booking it soon.

But as for the questions, I'm going to put the situation by "Q:" and what I would do next to each scenario by putting "A".

Q: Parked car is partly on the road, I can leave a good distance between me and the car without crossing the white line.
A: Right mirror, Right lifesaver, move towards the centre line (but don't cross it). No Indicator (if lights are off, if car is in-use (lights on) then indicate after lifesaver). Left mirror, move back into normal position when cleared by approx 1 car length.

Q: Parked car on the road, I'll have to cross the white line in order to safely pass it.
A: Right mirror, Right lifesaver. Right indicator (if it's not safe for me to move slow down and prepare to stop). Cancel indicator once onto other side of the road (or carriage way). Left mirror, pull back in after approx 1 car length (no left indicator).

Q: Mini-roundabout (shaped like a T) and a lorry has stopped (in traffic) with his back-end still on part of the roundabout. I'm approaching from the long part of the T and his back end is on the left part of the T. Traffic to the right has stopped before the roundabout, traffic from the left is there, but not regular.
A (not sure on this one): Approach the back of the lorry and slowly edge out for a better view
A (more sure about this one): Wait at the give way line for the lorry to move so I have a better view.

Q: Distances between vehicles, and riding formation.
A: Leave 2 seconds between me and the car in front (unless very wet or raining, then leave 4). When stopping, stop about a hatchback's distance (like a golf) between you and the car in front. If behind a motorcyclist riding in position 3, assume position 1 and leave about 1 seconds gap between me and him, 2 if very wet or raining. If behind a motorcyclist in position 1 or 2, assume position 2 (unless position 1 is required) and leave the 2/4 second gap.

Q: Approaching a roundabout, straight on is 12oclock, 4 junctions (including the approaching I'm on).
A: Approach in the appropriate lane (usually left on a 2-lane, or 2nd on a 3-lane). After passing the 1st junction turn on the left-indicator. Left, life saver and mirror before changing into any lane on my left (including leaving). Right life saver before leaving (if the roundabout has more than one lane).

Q: I'm stopped, traffic has just started moving in front of me.
A: Check Left & right hand mirrors, perform a right-hand life saver just before moving off. Allow another car's length in front of you before moving off (and examine the surface underneath the car).

Q: I'm coming to a stop in traffic, or at traffic lights, or any kind of stop except parking.
A: Slow down using front then rear brake, change down gears whilst slowing down. Use mirrors whilst slowing. Loose most of the speed by 2 car lengths from the vehicle in front and coast slowly to a stop 1 car lengths from the vehicle in front. Leave the bike in 1st gear and place the left foot on the ground. Right foot covers the rear-brake.

Q: There are parked cars on both sides of the road, there is only room to fit one vehicle down the road at a time. An approaching there is another vehicle with right of way. I stop using the correct stopping procedure.
A: Leave enough room for the vehicle to comfortably exit the obstruction. So indicators in use.

Q: There are parked cars on both sides of the road, there is only room to fit one vehicle down the road at a time. An approaching vehicle is approaching the hazard, as am I, neither of us has right of way yet.
A: Show patience to the instructor and stop before the obstruction, leaving good room for the other vehicle to clear the obstruction. No indicators in use.
A (or this?): As above, but signal with my right arm to show I intend to slow down.
A (or this?): As above, but flash my lights to signal right of way (even though that's not part of the highway code)

They're the main questions I have, I believe.

If someone would be kind enough to comment on my actions and decide, from what they've just read about my riding, whether you think I'd manage to pass the Mod 2 then that would be greatly appreciated!
If I fail Mod2 I'll ask them for an in-depth talk about my riding; I'll ask where I went wrong, what I could (should) do to improve, ask for a couple of tips, etc.

Also, ANY tips would be greatly appreciated!

Anyhow, that's enough of me rabbiting on, hopefully this hasn't become a tl;dr! [list=][/list]
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Alex_B]

As far as I'm aware do not ever flash another motorist to grant them right of way, ever! In real life we do it all the time but on a test, don't do it.

Do not indicate to pass parked vehicles, it just confuses other drivers/riders. Ireland I think allows this still but England, NOT!

Left foot down, right foot ON ( not covering) rear break.

1 and a 1/2 bike lengths is the correct distance from the car in front in traffic.

LEFT life saver before leaving a roundabout. It's the last move you make before exiting, make sure it's clear!!

I'd be interested to see how this thread pans out but please bear in mind I am still to take my Motorcycle test but have a car license for many, many years.

I think you're delving to deep, I really think Mod 2 is not that complicated and you should just ride it like a Sat Nav but keep to the 'rules'
By that I mean, do what the examiner expects but once passed you know you wont do that shit again and can do the real learning
____________________
My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[J.M.]

Thanks Alex, that's a really useful reply!

When I said right foot covering the brake I did mean that it was on, sorry for the confusion

I do hope you're right about it not being that complicated, 1 x £75 to pay would be very nice
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[GSTEEL32]

I do think your worrying too much, but I understand why. My first piece of advice is this, in all your scenario's your either slowing down, stopping or moving lane.

In all of these scenario's, you need to follow the same routine:

1) Look well ahead to assess the situation in front.
2) Look in both mirrors to assess the situation behind.
3) Indicate if you are changing lane or direction
4) Assess the situation behind again as you will invariably be reducing speed and the situation may have changed.
5) Shoulder check the direction in which you want the bike to go as a final check.
6) Move the bike into the desired position.
7) Cancel the indicator.

If your pulling up to red lights or a stop, you will still be following the same procedure apart from indicating or moving. In which case, as your assessing the situation in front and behind you'll be dropping down the box and coasting to a stop in first with the clutch in.

Left foot down, right foot on the peg just in case the bike starts moving, you can stop it using the foot brake. No need for the brake to be on if the bikes stationary though.

Things like trucks, other cars will unfortunately be luck of the draw on the day. I'd say this though, leave a doors width between you and parked cars, and only enter a roundabout if the exits clear.

good luck.

[J.M.]

Thanks gsteel, I think you've settled my worrying a bit

The main thing I wasn't really sure about was the indicating on passing cars - but you've cleared this up now

Going to be harsh analysing my riding while commuting on Monday, then if I feel I've got nothing to worry about then I'll get booking Mod 2. Thankfully there's only a week's waiting period down at Leicester this time of year
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[anthony_r6]

I know it's been answered, but I'll respond anyway!

1. You do not need to indicate to pass a parked vehicle. Also, depending on the size of the lane, and providing it's safe to do so, you may cross the line, as long as it's not solid and there's no oncoming traffic. If the space is tighter, but more than enough for you to get through, slow down to a crawl.

2. I'd be waiting for the lorry to move if you're view is obscured in any sense.

3. I don't think a cars length is necessary in stopped traffic, just give yourself a little room to manoeuvre should they roll back or something.

4. Anything after 12 O'clock is a right lane, right indicator job. If you're turning immediately left, it's left signal like a normal turn. If you're taking an exit after the first, but still before 12 O'clock, you indicate left after passing the first junction. Like wise, if turning right, you indicate right until you pass the junction before yours and then indicate left and move over, be sure to check your mirrors and blind spot before committing to the lane change.

5. Check both mirrors, and do both lifesavers.

6. If you know in advance you're gonna need to slow down or stop, I'd be more inclined to use the rear-brake first and then if I needed to stop, I'd be hitting the front afterwards. Change gears gradually and slow down gradually. First gear and left foot, yes.

7. If cars on are both side of the road it's highly unlikely they will have right of way unless they were already travelling down it. If they're already coming down then sit somewhere safe at the beginning of the parked cars to allow it to come through. Check your right-side before moving off and go slow, watch for doors, cars pulling out, etc.

8.Do not flash your lights, you're not allowed to do that at any point. It's safer to allow the other vehicle right of way if in doubt. Of course, as above, if you're already between the obstruction is your right of way. No need to signal either, just make sure you're breaking before you get to the obstruction, shows your observing way in advance.

Just one thing. When checking mirrors, always check both. Physical head movement to show you're looking at both. If you're turning right, - left mirror, right mirror, right shoulder, turn, right shoulder again. Like wise when slowing down, left mirror, then right mirror, slow down. Etc
____________________
Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[Alex_B]

[J.M.]

Really helpful AnPhonEh, Thanks!
I think between all the replies we've covered all the aspects of riding I was "unsure" about


Ahha, okay Alex, and thanks for wishing me luck So far everyone I've wished luck to with their theory/car tests has passed, so good luck to you, so keep that streak for me
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[sidewinder]

Don't forget to cancel your indicators..Many people have failed because of this

[Redoko]

[J.M.]

[swampy]

[J.M.]

[J.M.]

Just went to book MOD2 and got offered Thursday (29/9/11) at 10:25. So that's now booked, secretly sh*tting myself
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[anthony_r6]

Good Luck man, don't worry about it. That's the problem most people have - their nerves get in the way. At the end of the day, if you fail, you lose your money, that is it. You re-take knowing more about it, what to expect, and poof you pass. Think like that, and you'll pass first time - you know the drill!
____________________
Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[J.M.]

[Beelzebob]

Some good advice here. Would like to raise couple of points though

[J.M.]

[P.addy]

Roundabouts are a pet hate.

DSA want to see...

Anything before 12 oclock, left indicator, left lane and right shoulder life saver.

Straight on left lane unless specified otherwise on the road, left indicator after last turn off, right life saver as you join.

Anything after straight on, lanes depend on the layout, but typically right (inside) lane. Right indicator on, as you pass the last turn off you dont want, left indicator on and drift over the outside lane using a left life saver and a right one as you join the junction.

Cancel indicators.. remember that, mirror checks every 20ish seconds, any speed changes, before braking and all maneuvers.

Good luck tomorrow

[janner_10]

This post has helped me greatly preparing for my mod 2 - thanks for starting and best of luck for tomorrow!

[J.M.]

Thanks paddy, feeling more confident about them now It's rather handy knowing what the DSA want to see, I must admit

I am feeling more confident about it now, hopefully that plays to my favour


I'm glad this post has help you out janner, good luck with your test too!
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[P.addy]

[J.M.]

[crackfinder]

I was taught on roundabouts to do your life saver to check the "empty lane"
i.e. the lane you are not in as that is where the danger will come from,
it's easy to remember too, you don't have to worry about weather you're going right, left or straight over... in all cases you check the empty lane next to you...simples

oh, and good luck
____________________
Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (gone but not forgotten). Current - Kawasaki ZX6R A1P

[J.M.]

Cheers crackfinder
I'll also be making sure to add my right-hand life saver to every roundabout exit, where the roundabout is more than one lane (safest way; people choosing the wrong lanes and what not)
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900