Taking my test soon - will I need lessons?

[Nandonian]

So I've been riding a ped since I turned 16 and I've been on my new CG for the past two months, commuting to work and back almost everyday as well as going out on the weekends. I passed my theory yesterday so now thinking about doing my A1.

I feel safe when riding however I'm not sure what to do when it comes to taking my test, is it worth getting lessons? I've watched videos on YouTube of how to pass and I don't perform anywhere near as many lifesavers as I should (I do when moving lanes/roundabouts etc, but not every time I set off).
As well as this, I've got a tendency to stop with my right foot down - using the front brake.

Do you think it's best to get lessons or should I just have a bit more practise? I've looked into lessons and I'm looking at a good £180 for a day.
____________________
Suzuki Katana AY50; Peugeot Jetforce C-Tech 05+06; Honda CG125 ; Yamaha YBR125; Aprilia RS125 FP; Lexmoto XTRS 125; Aprilia RS125 Race Replica; Aprilia RS125 Extrema FP; Seat Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI

[kerr]

No need to book all day lessons, book a 2 hour one and see how you get on, if you get barked at for not using enough lifesavers etc, then more lessons and or more practice needed.
____________________
aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[Supermoto_Fan]

Would always reccomend at least one lesson. Many dont and that fine but at least you can get some tips and pointers regarding where you are making mistakes and where you excel. All the YouTube videos in the world won't make up for a good instructor watching you and giving you feedback.
____________________
Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[Nandonian]

I've been quoted £70 for a 2 and a 1/2 hour mod 1 lesson.

It might sound stupid, but could I not just book the real test as it's only £15.50, and if I pass I pass, and if I fail I know what on?
____________________
Suzuki Katana AY50; Peugeot Jetforce C-Tech 05+06; Honda CG125 ; Yamaha YBR125; Aprilia RS125 FP; Lexmoto XTRS 125; Aprilia RS125 Race Replica; Aprilia RS125 Extrema FP; Seat Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI

[Rogerborg]

Financially? No way. The pass rate for the old A2 (equivalent to the new A1) was above 60% for both mod 1 and mod 2. Mod 1 is a total no brainer, just do it until you pass.

Mod 2, you might benefit from some local knowledge, and knowing what the examiners are looking out for - for example, Glasgow Sheildhall are super-gay for unmarked crossroads. But any lesson is going to cost you as much as a go on the test, and you're 100% guaranteed not to get your license during the lesson.

I'd say just go for it, and if you have money left over afterwards, consider doing an IAM or RoSPA course, if they'll have you on a 125.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[FireStorm-X]

Hi there

I took a 3hr lesson before my MOD1 and also before my MOD2 even though I had been ridding for a while + whatched a load of you tube vids as well. In the end I would say the lessons were worth it.
____________________
Lexmoto Street 125 (sold) - Kawasaki ZR7S

[richwell1983]

Hi,

I recently passed without any lessons, although i'm late 20's so had a fair bit of car driving under my belt, which helped with road awareness etc. I passed mod 1 first time, and the examiner spotted i was only using front break apart from when i did the emergency avoidance, and stop, and he gave me a good scalding, and said he would have failed me if he could have.

I went away from that determined to use my rear break whenever stopping, and i would tell myself as i set off to work, that i was on test, and to act like it, which i think helped. (i had the same examiner for mod 2 a few months later, but he didn't recognise me, and using both brakes was drilled into me by then, and i passed.

Best of luck whatever you do, but read these forums as they were a gold mine of information for me!
____________________
GZ125, Ninja 250r 76 Norton Commando 850, 1989 K250a (project)

[Ribenapigeon]

You don't need traing for the Mod 1, just get carpark time in and drill yourself to do the observations before each manouver. Its cheap and youtube vids are enough.

I wish I had spent a few quid on even just one lesson before my first Mod 2 as I failed on a really dumb part (too slow on a slip road) which an instructor would have prevented. I did pass the second attempt though with only one minor.

[Rogerborg]

[richwell1983]

[J.M.]

The tests are easy peasy. If you've lasted this long without putting yourself under the wheels of a car, passing should be pretty easy.

Quick flick through the highway code if you're worrying, then jobs a gooden!
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Biker101]

I did mine before all the mod 1 mod 2 stuff.

I just booked 2 x 2 hour lessons and an hour before my test, rang the instructor and he seemed pretty pissed that I already had a test date booked but did it anyway, first lesson went terribly, second went better, passed first time with 2 minors.

So I'd book some, it helps get you up to test standard.
____________________
Past: 06 Runner SP50 >>> 01 Varadero XL125 >>> 08 Kwak ER-6f >>> 05 CBR600rr
Present: 99 FZS600 Fazer

[Saltire]

Really surprised at some of the replies, advising to just go for it without lessons on a bigger bike. It's late so maybe I am missing something, but are you really saying just go for the test without lessons?

I must be missing something... time for a re-read

[J.M.]

I passed with no lessons, as have many others on this forum
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Saltire]

[J.M.]

I sat my tests under the old rules; 125 for an A licence on my own bike. None of this testing on a bigger bike stuff. Ride there, take test, pass like a boss, ride home.

After my test, I hopped on to a 33bhp machine easily though. Even a 120bhp bike was easy to ride. Easier if anything. Throttle takes seconds to adjust to unless you're riding seriously fast... which you can't do on test/a lot of roads.
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Rogerborg]

[thepuma]

I passed both Mod 1 and 2 first time with zero lessons. Its really not that difficult to be honest. Mod1 is just a test of nerve ( and a little bit of skill) and mod2 is just a ride out where you just have to prove youre not a danger to yourself or anyone else.

Just do a bit of research on the net as to what the examiners are looking for....especially on the Mod1 you want to see exactly what you need to do...and theres some really good videos on Youtube for this.

As others have said...theres really nothing difficult in any of the tests, its pretty basic stuff. On my Mod2 I felt it was the worst id ridden since I took my cbt, but surprisingly I still passed. So theres really nothing to fret about.

Best of luck anyway.
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Lessons are so fucking dear. Jesus christ. Was a time when pretty much anyone could enjoy bikes - increasingly it's just old bastards like myself who can afford it. You pull up at these biker cafes and the average age is about 58. Used to be 18. Fucks sake.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Lyam]

I learned alot of valuble lessons from the instructors when i done my das course, would definately recomend further training even if you do pass with no lessons

[J.M.]

[Teflon-Mike]

What Training do I need before I take the tests?

If you have been riding a year or more and ent dead or crippled... you have probably been doing all that's required of you on test, every day, twice a day......

Whether it will impress an examiner or not is another matter....

Training is not JUST to pass tests....

Its tools and know-how to help you not hurt yourself.

THAT's the sort of safety kit you cant put a price on.

For tests? Certainly cant hurt to do some, even if its not 'essential'.
____________________
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?'

[Saltire]

Thanks for the insight guys. You are meaning get some practice on a private road before the test, instead of paying an arm and a leg for lessons?

I feel that would be necessary since you do your Mod 1 and 2 on a 500cc (I think, right?) and that's a good jump from my wee 125. Again I don't feel I would need lessons on anything other than the throttle, wouldn't want to agree to jumping into the test and I get to a junction and the bike zips out from beneath me.

If I have my facts twisted, in the words of the almighty Baron, Vlog me!

[Rogerborg]

Granted I'd been riding a couple of 250-class bikes in between, but when I swapped my HN for the GPZ, I got off the 125, jumped on the 500 for an end-of-the-road-and-back test ride, and after 200 yards I genuinely felt confident on it.

That's a smallish 500 though, it'll be dependent on the rider and the bike. Get one that suits, and it's no trouble at all to step up. You'll love the feeling of stability. Give it a try.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Saltire]

Cool stuff man, I'll probably do the half day course before I go for the test but at least I know I don't need to spend 500 quid just to get my license.