Third attempt at Mod2 - PASSED !!!!

[TheArchitect]

Afternoon all

So I have booked in for my third attempt at Mod2 on the 1st of May.

Anyone got any awesome tips that'll guarantee I pass?!!

A bit of history:

First Attempt - Was a brilliant ride, picked up two minors the whole way, then on the way back to the test centre I had to do a sharp right turn onto a descending country lane (major onto minor). This while a white van was at the give way waiting to turn out. Due to the van I took a slightly wider line on the turn and ended up pretty close to the kerb. That was it. The examiner failed me on that because he felt I wasn't in full control of the bike during the turn despite me protesting that I intentionally took the wider turn circle to avoid getting too close to the van. Anyway got over it..

Second Attempt - Flawless ride. not a single minor fault other that the fact that I hogged the outside lane on a dual carriageway. that was considered a major fault and watayouknow.. I failed. Was pretty peeved off to say the least. Almost smashed my helmet through the examiners face when he told me why I'd failed followed by "otherwise it was a great ride".

Needless to say I'm pretty confident on the bike and my road awareness and obs are pretty good. I've been driving for 12 years so have a few bad habits when it comes to road positioning etc but nothing that would put me or other road users in danger.


TL;DR
Sorry, this is part rant and part asking for that genius bit of advice that will get me through my third attempt at Mod2 with a pass.

As always thanks for any advice, criticism and/or abuse!

Ash
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Rogerborg]

Do your test elsewhere, sounds like a right bunch of picky Dereks at that test centre?

Don't use the overtaking lane unless you're overtaking though.
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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

[TheArchitect]

If I fail this time I'm doing it in another city.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[esullivan]

When I did the BikeSafe day last year, the biker I was paired with did the same thing. Just sat in the outside lane of a dual carriageway for a couple of miles, doing under the limit. The cop and myself were following him, but on the inside lane. I thought he would get the hint, but nope. Just carried on, with a queue of cars behind him.

When we stopped for the debrief, I was expect the cop to focus on this, but he only mentioned it in passing at the end, as in "you should probably have been in the left lane there" kinda thing.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[dydey90]

[Robster]

hey I guess by your username you are London-based? are you doing the test over in Mitcham? i'm trying to decide whether its worth me doing the mod 2 here or back in Bournemouth - I failed my mod 2 in Salisbury

Good luck this time around, and hopefully the examiner's in a good mood!

[thewhyoffry]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/motorcycle-practical-riding-test-operational-statistics

Not sure if that is any help at all? - A breakdown of pass rate % for different areas/genders etc. I passed 1st time in Uxbridge test center in West london, from what I gather all the guys there are pretty relaxed and down to earth and won't fail you for anything trivial. I for example failed to spot that I was going into a NSL and was going 30 in the 60, examiner gave me a quick *you know were in NSL right?* and I got a move on and he only gave me the minor for it.

Sounds like they are being a bit over the top to me!
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The why of fry

[Matt B]

[TheArchitect]

Not sure how to do multiple quotes so I'll try to reply without them for now ...

Firstly, I have no plans to get a caravan in the immediate future, however, once the little rugrats are old enough to make themselves breaky I'll consider it!

Did both mod2's and the mod1 (which I breezed through) at the Brimsdown test center. To be honest I'm slightly reluctant to change center now as I know the roads around the center at Brimsdown now. Not sure if that has any bearing on the outcome of the actual test but who knows.

On the right turn I did do my obs prior to getting back to the center of the lane after the turn. I personally felt completely in control of the bike. I knew exactly where I wanted to put it to make the turn safely and with enough space in case the van rolled forward for what ever reason. I guess from the examiners point of view it didn't look so.

When I got done for being on the outside lane I ended up there after doing an overtake. But as I pulled out the road ahead and behind me was clear and I just thought ah well I just sit here. Silly I know.

Believe me I'm a pretty law abiding driver/rider. I rarely do unnecessary manoeuvres for the sake of saving 2 minutes off my journey. For some reason on this one occasion I just lost my senses.

My instructor was pretty annoyed at the examiner on the second go. Even he thought that was way to harsh and something that should have been an minor if not a friendly piece of advice afterwards.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[reddeviljp]

[Ste]

Knowing the roads shouldn't make any difference. If you think you can only ride to test standard on roads that you know then I'd say you're not ready to do your test.

It's down to the examiners judgement, any mistakes could be marked down as a minor fault or a major fault. You need to not give them any reasons to think that you're not ready for your full license.

"Almost smashed my helmet through the examiners face" doesn't sound like you were calm or relaxed so there's a fair chance the examiner picked up on that.

12 years driving is lots of experience but it's also lots of time to get into bad habits that examiners frown upon.

Chalk it up to experience and rebook at the same test centre.

[DaveB]

I did both Mod 1 and 2 at Brimsdown, passed both first time. Had a couple of minors on Mod 2. I'd stick at it their...
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Mod 2 passed 26/10/2011
Current ride: 2014 Triumph Street Triple R. Previous, 2007 Triumph Daytona 675, 2007 Triumph Street Triple, 2011 Derbi GPR125r.

[TheArchitect]

So went along for the test today with no high hopes or anything. Firstly I hadn't rodent a geared bike since my last test almost 2 months ago. Secondly it was pissin down with rain the whole time.

But despite all the and a few basic errors on the pre-test ride I passed with 2 minors. I honestly can't describe how chuffed and relieved I was. What a feeling. It's like someone's taken the ball and chain off my legs and now I can run (or ride as is in this case!).

One thing to note though, one of my minors was that I went too wide on a right turn. The exact thing I failed on on my first attempt. Guess I need to practise that.

Now to wait 6 weeks until I get my second years ncb and the CBR600RR will be mine!

Hurrah for me !!
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Pigeon]

[MC]

Congrats! Think its normal to run a bit wide until you get used to the bike.
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[TheArchitect]

Cheers guys. I'm still buzzing off it. Can't wait to take the l plates off my pcx tmrw morning. Small difference but a gratifying one!
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Az]

Well done! and on slower bends try to not lean into the bend/off the bike, just crank the biker over, keeping yourself fairly upright... seems to work well for me.

[Ste]

woo yay etc

Was it at the same test centre?

[TheArchitect]

[Spireite]

congratz well done
Take it easy on the RR!
Enjoy
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Z1000SX ABS TOURER

[pinkyfloyd]

Well done and welcome to the 3X club. Took me my third attempt to pass.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Matt B]

Well done
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[TheArchitect]

Cheers all.. felt so good to ride to work this morning without the L plates!

[reddeviljp]

[Frostdog]

Well done man, a weight off your mind and now it's put to bed! No more tests!! I'm just passed too, great feeling no Ls!!
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YBR 125, Bandit 600, Er6N, Honda CB400 Super Four