My first go on a bigger bike... What to expect as a noobie

[thewhyoffry]

So I booked myself in for 3/4 days training with my Mod 1 booked in Friday and I will book mod 2 in from there (if I pass!)

I did not sleep a wink last night and was worried sick about the jump from my Duke 125 to a 'big' bike. Turns out they use the suzuki Gladius so it took some getting used to sitting down really low. (My back is bloody killing me now!)

First thing that I had to get used to is the power of a 650 and learning not to rev the nuts off it to move away. A couple of start/stop start/stops and I got the hang of it. Apart from the obvious power increase and weight of the bike it really felt fine! The Gladius did feel pretty clunky compared to the Duke but I remember the CBR125 I used on my CBT felt the same. Was on the road from 9am-4pm riding today getting a feel for the bike and the instructor telling me what I am doing wrong and where I need to bone-up.

From what I understand, my actual riding is fine. I need to think more about my positioning so that it is obvious to other road users what I am intending to do and I ALWAYS put my right foot down when I stop, never my left. Don't ask me why but I feel more stable with my right. I will try to correct that as much as possible before Friday. Also, I tend to have my index finger and thumb around the throttle and have my 3 remaining fingers over the front break. Never really thought about it but he said that an examiner might give me a minor for it. I think it comes from my commute where I HAVE to filter and like having the security of my fingers right on the break.

Day 2 tomorrow is more on site going around cones malarkey but so far I feel so good. I know I can ride, it is just hammering out my little habits that examiners will not be happy with!

Stopped off at Ace Cafe the other side of the north circular which I never realise was there! I will have to check out their bike meets (when I am all licenced up)

Hope that gives anybody who is about to start their DAS a bit of an idea as to what to expect. I bloody hate riding in a convoy of 3 and knowing somebody is following me but I guess rule number 1 is to relax.

[CaNsA]

Expect it to feel like this


https://i.imgur.com/GfIzmOe.jpg

[djrikki]

Good post - looking forward to summer when I go for mine

[thewhyoffry]

[thewhyoffry]

[janner_10]

I am a little bit envious - you have an interesting and exciting journey ahead of you learning to ride and passing your tests.

Only beaten when you get out on your first big bike on your own.

You will enjoy every moment of it. Hope all goes well

*Unless you fall off or fail lots of times, but that's rare.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[RhynoCZ]

The Gladius would be alright, it's not really a superbike, the biggest difference you will notice is that how effortlessly you gain the speed. In case you are like 99.9% of riders, then you'll also notice, at some point, that what seemed to be impossible on the smaller bike will soon get boring and you're gonna try to look for something swifter. Then, if you're like me, you're gonna find out that fast bikes are not that entertaining, for the most of the time you're on it.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[clancy]

[RhynoCZ]

[thewhyoffry]

Cheers guys!

Bed time for me, I am absolutely shattered! It really does take it out of you. MOD 1 on Friday is at 2 so get a lovely lay-in

[thewhyoffry]

Second day of training today! Went a lot better than the 1st day, feel like I have a lot more confidence on the 650cc bike now! Shitting my pants for mod 1 on Friday but what will be will be.

Went on the A40 to Uxbridge this afternoon and my god. I did not realise what I have been missing out on. I went from cycling to a 125cc bike and thought that was insanely fast. Now my Duke feels like a relic and has about as much power as a used jar of farts.

God I can't wait till I have a bigger bike!

[Ribenapigeon]

Its so much easier doing the tests on a bigger bike. No need to be ragging it to get up to speed for E stop on the Mod 1 and easy to get up to NSL on the Mod2. When I did a Mod 2 on my 125 the stretch of dual carriageway the Aberdeen examiners use is uphill and into the prevailing winds! It was murder trying to get up to speed before the turn off back to the test centre.

You should not have any problems if you've already been tooling about on a 125. Mod 1 is just a test of your ability to be a robot for 10 minutes. Mod 2 is all about not giving a shit and just riding safely while making progress. Don't be afraid to nip on, the examiners like that. i've passed Mod 2 twice (125 then on a 650) and both times I was complimented for being speedy. Follow the rules, indicate, cancel indicators and nip on and youl pass. If not don't give a shit just book again and slap the money down.

Oh, and don't tell anyone your doing the tests it just creates another group of people looking over your shoulder. Just look forward to when you can tell people you've passed.

[thewhyoffry]

[MeatHelmet]

The best piece of advice I got for my mod1 was after the examiner gave you the instructions, sit for a few seconds, and take a nice deep breath to get your head straight. Worked a treat for me. Good luck.
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Bike - 2003 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 Ninja (A1P)

[DeenBiker]

[BG5067]

and if you're not sure on something, don't be afraid to ask questions
____________________
Current. Kawasaki ZX9R.

Theory passed 17/01/2014. Mod 1 Passed 03/02/2014 (0 faults) Mod 2 10/02/2014 Passed (0 faults)

[thewhyoffry]

Thanks for all the wise words! It is simple things that I do in my everyday riding but because it's a test my pooper is going. But hey, if push comes to shove and I mess it up I can always rebook... Its only money! Having a nice cuppa and trying my best to go into the test as relaxed as possible.

Either way, tomorrow night I am getting twatted!

[thewhyoffry]

Quick update.

Mod 1 passed, 1 minor (I was going 30 for the avoidance, second time around I made sure I was going 35!) 4 Days of stressing like a mad man but worth it to have the pass certificate.

Thanks everybody for the advice, this forum has been a massive help to get me where I am today. If I had gone purely by my training alone it would have been a fail for sure. Best piece of advice I have been given is 100% when the examiner tells you what he wants, double check with him to ensure you are 100% sure and then take 10/15 seconds sitting there to make sure that you are calm and in control.

First mod 2 available was Monday at 8.15am so I have got that booked in. They advised me that morning ones are the worst but I would rather strike whilst the iron is hot than ride for 2 weeks on my Duke and forget how to ride a 650cc again!

I have no doubt that I am going to fluff it, I am constantly being told by the instructor that my positioning is off but I just hope that I can keep the minors under the limit and try not to do anything silly to get a serious.

For tonight however, it is a swift drink or two I think to finish off the stress that has been this week!

[MeatHelmet]

Congrats mate.

Mod 2 is all about confidence in your own riding ability.

Good luck.
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Bike - 2003 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 Ninja (A1P)

[sidewinder]

> > >

[Clutchy]

You'll be fine on your mod 2, pretend you're teaching the examiner how to ride and do a running forward planning commentary, helped me a lot!
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[BG5067]

I agree

Lack of confidence will make things worse, they like to see you make progress.

Know what you're doing
____________________
Current. Kawasaki ZX9R.

Theory passed 17/01/2014. Mod 1 Passed 03/02/2014 (0 faults) Mod 2 10/02/2014 Passed (0 faults)

[Paris2]

[thewhyoffry]

Cheers all for the wise words. Going to try not to think about it as much as possible. Just going for a busy Monday morning ride in no rush, bit of free satnav in my ear and most of all any move I make I must be overly safe. Not holding my breath to be honest but what will be will be
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The why of fry

[BG5067]