DAS (A2) Training - (need advice, update)

[NJD]

So back to the local training school I went this morning (felt like my CBT all over again) expected to be driven to the test pad with the bikes in the van to practice Module 1 and instead got more bang for my buck (in terms of training) than I could of planned for, turned out that there where two people doing their CBT so using the 125cc's to start out with wasn't an option, short brief and on to the open roads with my trusted GS 500 it was.

First impressions:

Dat powah do
Rolling of the throttle is more then enough to slow you down
Rear disc brake, using rear brake in 1st gear only, oh wow I can actually feel the rear brake
Oh a national speed limit, hello power

Managed not to drop the bike all day although did have one close call turning from one side road into another, wrong gear saw the bike stall mid turn (oops), instructor was ahead with other pupil and didn't see, wheey (although a local young goof ball did, race bike init, u w0t m8).

Only other one was not showing signs of slowing down when a traffic light changed to amber as I approached it (went through it instead) got away with it because I crossed on amber, that and I was still getting used to the bike so was easier to pull up in a safe place (in a red route, eerm what, got away with that).

Oh and becoming a hazard by using the overtake lake on a national speed limit doing only 55mph, got away with it due to getting used to the power of the bike (that and I had my fucking visor open, doh), although was advised to get used to the power I had underneath me to prevent zed situation.

Any other fault was made up for by my "firm and positive" shoulder / mirror checks.

One hour on the Module 1 test pad in the afternoon (after having my face blow off on national speed limits), managed the emergency stop first time (correct speed) and didn't need to try it more than once, had to try the hazard avoidance a handful of times and got up to speed on the 4/5th attempt and then attempted again (the other way) after other pupil had a go and managed to get up to speed on second and third attempt (took another go for the lulz).

Summary: Half a day more and I'm test ready, not bad for 6 months riding on a tiddler, having never ridden anything more than the CBT bike and my chinky 8bhp (of which wont be mine if I pass tests soon)

GS 500

https://s4.postimg.org/yly8dnahp/img.jpg

TL;DR = CBT > DAS > Powerful bike(/thread).

[Rogerborg]

[NJD]

[talkToTheHat]

Get that visor shut and keep it shut. Pinlock or foggy mask if your heavy breathing causes fogging at low speed.

The whole needing to mess with visor thing was holding me back massively when i was learning. Particularly as it added an extra thing to my traffic light routine and it requires left hand which should be on the clutch when stationary.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[NJD]

[talkToTheHat]

If the pinlock is slipping then you can turn the pins around to increase the tension on it. However riding with an open visor is not good for your pinkock and probably why it won't stay put.

I've had my hjc come open on me in strong winds at close to 60 as my 125 was doing that day only for the pinlock to be pretty much ripped out by the wind. That was a fun day.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[NJD]

[talkToTheHat]

Ah, if the pinlock is not sealing all the way round, try taking the visor off, putting it on a soft cloth, pulling it slightly flatter and pushing the pinlock higher up the visor.

As for the pins, they are slightly eccentric so you can adjust the pinlock tension, but you might need to push them out to do so.

Yes the max pinlocks on the is17 and shark race visors (amongst others) are better, but a lot of that is down to the recessed visor forcing you to get the visor in first time.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[NJD]

[NJD]

Update:

So popular season is indeed popular, turns out that my original plan of booking saturday as a taster day and then the extra ½ day / test latter on this month is now a no go due to all slots being booked up (a little annoying considering I'd booked holiday from work for test dates provided but meh).

So I've been in contact (with the original intent of booking the extra ½ day and test) with the school and the only dates that work for me and the school (at the moment) are mid - late next month, witch is fine but depends on if work will approve the one day off I need for the date of the Module 1 test and also in hope that no one else books the Module 1 on the day / time I've been provided (of course that day / time is open for anyone to book as I was unable to put down a deposit as I'm unsure if work will agree to my holiday on day that the test is due) between now and work making a decision on my holiday submission.

So all in all my hopes at gaining the A2 license are currently in tatters / will take longer than expected (and that's just booking the dates despite having the money, not to mention passing the tests).

At the moment I need to speak to work and then contact the school and make payment for provided dates (if possible) as soon as possible, however as above that's based on hope, even if work agreed to zed holiday it goes without saying someone could have booked that day / test time, and if that happens then the next dates that they're able to work around me is another month on (August).

TL;DR=

So..

Should I be patient and just wait until there's a time and date that suit me and the training school (if the one I'm currently trying to pay for doesn't work out) or should I consider attempting the Module 1 / 2 on my own 125cc (now that i've undergone some training) in an attempt to gain a full license?

(I'm not bothered if A1 or A2 simply would like a full license so that my theory / cbt certificate don't expire part way through next years insurance, and so that the money spent on theory isn't wasted).

Now that I've undergone some training on a GS 500 and have worked out where I was going wrong on the hazard avoidance (when previously attempting Module 1 on my own 125cc without any training) the only issue I would have (in theory) is getting my Arrow up to the required 30-32mph, although again now that I've had some training I feel I'd be more confident on the whole "speed" issue, but..

Question regarding A1;

(1) Are 60-70mph national speed limits used on the A1 - Module 2.

(my Arrow 125 is only capable of 50-53mph).

[Rogerborg]

You can be taken on NSL roads including dual carriageways. I was.

Strictly speaking, you need a theory pass within the previous 2 years to sit any tests, except for A after 2+ years on A2. So you may have to do theory again if it runs out after you've got A1 but before you've done A.

Considered buying your own A bike and finding a way to get it insured and to and from the test centre?
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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

[NJD]