Despairing Over Mod 2

[TomGT]

You may know I have had some trouble with the mod 2 test, but today I failed for the fourth time, I've had this examiner for 3/4 attempts.

He failed me again for road positioning, when turning right I was always in the right quarter of the lane, aiming for the first gap in the white blobs each time, but with me and the bike over my side of the white line, yet the examiner kept pulling alongside to the left

When turning left, I was again in the left quarter, close to the kurb, again aiming for the first gap in the white blobs, yet he failed me for turning right. I really don't know where I went wrong, I asked him how it constituted a serious fault, but he didn't really answer, suggesting only training to 'brush up' on my skills. Interestingly, the last time I tried for the test where I failed for something completely different, the examiner (different one) made no comment about my positioning, just the steering error.

So what should I do? Appealing to the DSA isn't going to get me very far, except making it harder to retake. Another option is booking again and asking for a different examiner, but I doubt this is possible. There's always book at another test centre, which is do-able.

The last option is to give up and just stick to the 125, which I felt a bit like doing earlier, but I really want to pass, and I've already sunk so much money getting this far. So what does bcf think?
____________________
1992 ZXR 400

[cimbian]

If the examiner pulled alongside you it would suggest he/she felt your road positioning was a danger and they were guarding you.

Speak to your instructor. If you have not had instruction maybe it is worth reconsidering, after all you have blown £225 in test fees so far.
____________________
22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[TomGT]

[Benno]

Different examiner, different test centre, maybe?
____________________
I'm autistic. That means I'm smarter than you.

[TomGT]

[psychodame]

First of all, deepest sympathy for this - I'm struggling to get my Mod 1 done, (failed it 3 times so far) so fully understand how disheartened, frustrated and upset you must feel.

My advice, is to battle on and get the damn test done and passed. If you can get to a different test centre then try that, but check first to make sure that your examiner doesn't also cover that centre too. Where I live I believe that the same examiners cover quite a large test area and therefore visit quite a few other test centres. The last thing you need is to turn up for another test to fing you've got the same examiner again!!
It may be that by now your subconscious is feeling that your local centre is jinxed and that won't be helping with your riding.

Have you been back to where you were trained and asked them for an assessment on your riding, and more importantly if they know any gossip about this examiner?

Above all, you've invested a lot of money, time, effort and nerves in getting so far. Please don't give up at this stage, just think ahead to a month or so's time, when you're out on your lovely big bike enjoying the ride, and you'll look back and wonder what all the fuss was about. I keep on telling myself that, and it kind of keeps me going.

Good luck for next time... xx
____________________
Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous

[TomGT]

[Dave70]

Only advice I can give is to maybe have an hours lesson with an instructor and tell him what's been happening on your tests and get him to look out for anything he would consider wrong with your turning, then take it from there.

Then re-book mod 2 at another test centre.

That's what I would do under your circumstances anyway.

Good luck for your next test

[tbourner]

Can you paint for us?

IMO this is where you should be when indicating to turn right:
https://imm.io/InAY
I might be wrong though, anyone else suggest a better position?
____________________
Trev, now a biker?
Looking for first big bike.

[TomGT]

[psychodame]

I've got some notes that are drawings that I was given by my trainer, that show the turning positions for X roads and T junctions.

If anyone wants a copy of them I can email as a .pdf if you'd care to PM me an email addy.
____________________
Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous

[tbourner]

[Teflon-Mike]

Implies two things:-

1/ Lack of confidence / Over confidence

Usually if they give you mutable fail reasons they basically aren't happy you are 'up to scratch' and its often consistency & confidence that is the main problem.

Other one, compounding the above:-

2/ Putting on a 'show' for the examiner

We all do it... "Oh scary man with clip-board for personality behind me!.... I have to impress him! What should I do, what SHOULD I DO!"

Over thinking, trying too hard, and doing stuff you wouldn't normally do if you were just out for a bimble.....

Result? Examiner doesn't see how you really ride, see's lack of confidence and obvious 'show' trying to do stuff you think will impress him..... hence HE doesn't get warm feeling you are up to the mark.


How confident are YOU that you ought to pass?

And, how much of a show have you put on each time?

Come on, I dgas either way, but fact that you are counting white line gaps suggests that you are overtly TRYING to put the bike where you THINK he wants to see it, rather than just riding the bugger and dealing with whats around you........

How did you 'present' at test?

Examiners WILL make sausage skin judgements, not fair, but they only have 45mionutes to assess your rinding, and how you turn up, like for an interview gives them some clues what to look for on the road.

Turn up gibbering dropping paperwork, looking startled when they ask simple questions..... they will presume a lack of confidence before you begin..... laugh and joke and they'll think you are cocky, etc etc.

There's more to it than just following the highway code for half an hour and not killing any-one! As you have discovered.

BUT I suspect like many repeat fails, that the main problem is that you are just NOT giving them an HONEST ride, showing them what you can do.... you are trying to show them what you THINK they want you to show them you can do......

Lessons, get some test tips; but take them away and instill them into your riding as subconciouse discipline NOT choreography just for the examiner..... THEN get a test booked, after some miles doing exactly what he said and 'brushing up', and with a "Fuck it! I'm JUST going to ride it like I would if her weren't there" mind-set, RIDE it HONESTLY, and get an HONEST apraisal of your riding and PROBABLY a pass cert to go with it!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Benno]

I was looking at test centres all over the country when I was searching for test dates. Also if you keep checking every day, cancellations WILL appear
____________________
I'm autistic. That means I'm smarter than you.

[psychodame]

[cimbian]

[thepuma]

Its my belief that the examiner pretty much knows by 10 minutes into the test if youre riding is up to scratch and if hes going to pass you, the rest of the test is then a formality unless you make a serious error.

If he decides he doesnt think youre good enough, he will simply work backwards and find the minors where you went wrong and nit pick if he has to to get enough marks down to fail you.

This is why its so important to not only ride safe, but with confidence and then youre giving the examiner little/ no excuses to fail you.

Hence you say on 2 occasions when you failed, he couldnt elaborate on your failings....hed basically decided early on that your riding wasnt what he'd deem a pass so was looking for any old slight thing to mark you down on.
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[TomGT]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Rogerborg]

[thepuma]

[bikertomm]

Hate seeing threads like this. I've only got 1 shot at each test really

I can't imagine how frustrating that must be.

Have you had any lessons or anything?

I think you should still try and get the test done rather than staying on a 125 How old are you?


____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[wots]

[RapidTrip]

Seeing all these posts of people failing the tests is slightly putting me off taking mine. I could never afford to keep paying for them all. I assume that plenty of training and keeping calm is the best way to pass first time?
____________________
“Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural.”

[psychodame]

I think that

KEEP CALM
AND
RIDE ON

Might be a good way to go
____________________
Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous