advice for A1 Mod 1 test

[rk8479]

I'll be taking my mod 1 test on Monday and wanted dome advice about the test, I have seen some videos about it on YouTube but want some advice from other riders

Thanks

[-Matt-]

Just try be relaxed and focus on what youre doing, remember to do your shoulder checks at the correct points thats a common thing you might fail on if you become preoccupied with the task ahead. Should do fine

Good luck

[rk8479]

Thankyou, also what type of questions do they ask if any, will it be about the bike, the test, safety or other?

[-Matt-]

Questions are at the start of module two. Can find a list of possible combinations here https://www.cardiffmotorcycleschool.co.uk/motorcycle-training.asp?i=37

Just watch a load of youtube mod 1 vids if you havent already to get a broad idea

[writernick]

There are no questions in mod 1 just the manoeuvres. Each is easy in itself but it can be easy to panic so just relax and take big breaths between each element. They are easier than you might expect - you have lots of room to do the U turn in for example, so just keep your head up at all times and if you feel like you want to put your foot down then up the revs a little.
Good luck!

[rk8479]

Thank you guys, i'm surprised at how quickly i got the place as the theory test i had to wait 2 weeks before the test but the test center near me had mod 1 places availible every day next week, i thought i might of had to wait longer then the thoery

[Hefty]

Found this video helpful, if you haven't seen it already.. Roadcraft Nottingham - Mod 1
Not sure how up to date it is, but it gives a good idea of what to expect.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

A tip? Okay here goes (caveat - worked for me, might not for others). A bit of rear brake trailing goes a long way. I'm talking about the slow manoeuvres here, obvs - cones, and u-turn. To maintain a nice, smooth slow-speed you're using the clutch, and having a few revs on there can be a good thing. But using the bite point alone can unsettle the bike slightly - so bring in a bit of rear brake. Don't jab at it - it has to go on lightly and carefully. Done properly it can iron out wobbles, and act as a nice corrective measure. But the key is SMOOTHNESS - throughout. And if you haven't been doing it on the practice yard, your Mod 1 might *not* be time to experiment. That said, as long as you're smooth, you'll be fine. And obviously, try to keep away from that front brake on the slow stuff - plunging forks aren't what Derek wants to see, and front braking can create all kinds of unsteadiness when you're cone-weaving and whatnot. As you know.

All the best.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[Rogerborg]

That's true, but I wouldn't try and change your riding style over the weekend or give yourself more to think about. There's really nothing hard about the manoeuvres, there's loads of room and time.

For the swerve and e-stop, go round the bend in 2nd gear, pin it, don't change up and don't look at your speedo. Keep on the throttle until you're right at the speed gates, then come off it.

Don't press the rear brake while stopping, that's asking to lock the rear wheel up and get a fail. Just put your foot on the pedal, the examiner can't tell whether you're actually using it or not.
____________________
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

[defblade]

[Amber Phoenix]

Remember your life saver shoulder checks at all times, even when asked to pull away from car park and ride into test area. And when completed and asked to leave test area and return to parking bays.

Pushing bike: Make sure you leave the bike neutral! If you screw this up, discreetly hold in clutch whilst you pull it off.

Figure of 8: go really far wide of the cones. You only have to go between the cones, the far cone has no outer boundary you have to stay within. Make it easy for yourself, don't pull a tight figure of 8.

For all the low speeds manoeuvres, the key is clutch. Get the revs up and hold them, then work the clutch. Many falter and put foot down from too little revs, or take out a cone from jerky movement due to controlling speed with throttle instead of clutch.

Corner, e-stop and swerve:
After the first non-speed gauged zip round the corner, ask the examiner politely how fast you went through the gates. Will help you gauge if you need more beans or not on the next two speed tested runs.

e-stop: Don't panic brake, you will have loads of stopping distance to brake within, and progressive build up brake pressure.

Swerve: Don't stare at cones - you will clip them! Focus you gaze on the spot to side of them where you want the bike to go.
____________________
Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[rk8479]

one thing i have a question about is do i have to use a signal on the U-turn, i know its only maneuvers but they say it should be treated as a public road?

[Andy_Pagin]

No, the use of indicators is not required on mod 1.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Mark 37]

Take your time. When he asks you to do anything then shoulder check, (he'll ask you to turn around and face the other way in your own time), remember shoulder check. Tell yourself how to perform the manouver, then just do it.

The only thing I found disconcerting was doing the high speed manouvers whilst gunning it. They weren't hard but I had always been up to speed when doing them during my practice.

Good luck and don't sweat it.

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[rk8479]

Thanks guys, i passed it, only had two faults and it was for going just under the required speed for emergency stop and avoidance maneuver

[Mark 37]

Congratulations, onward and upwards from here.


Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[rk8479]

Thanks, also one question i would need to know is as my bike isn't fitted with hazard lights would the instructor on my mod 2 still ask me about them? also my bike is automatic and theirs no visible chain so would they ask questions about the chain if any for my bike? Thanks

[Rogerborg]

Here are the [url=https://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_197378.pdf]show me / tell me questions[/url.

There's nothing about hazards (mine didn't have any) and the chain question is a "tell me" but says "Tell me how you would check the condition of the
chain on this machine."
____________________
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

[rk8479]

[Rogerborg]

Absolutely no idea, my fine fellow. Why not find out how to check the belt tension anyway? It'll build some character.
____________________
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

[writernick]

Congrats on the pass! I think for mode 2's show & tell they will only ask questions relevant to the bike that you have.

[rk8479]

Thanks, also will i be able to speak to the instructor on the radio or is it just them talking to me and thats it?

[Ollie1995]

Hi, I'm doing my mod 1 soon, did you get to practice the maneuvers before the actually test?
____________________
XR 125, DT125 LC, Greeves Scottish, RS200, XS400, GPX600r

Theory Passed - 18/7/13 MOD1 Booked - 24/9/13

[rk8479]

[-Matt-]

I failed my first mod 1 for being 2-3kmph under the target on each attempt. You have to really go at it on a 125 to get upto speed i think