Am I stuck forever on a 125?

[Waaarrrggghhh]

So I failed my direct access Mod 1 for the 3rd time.

It is not only embarassing failing this many times but it is also very, very expensive. Every time nerves take over and I make a stupid mistake.

Thing is, I passed it all already on my current 125 and have my A1 license so I'm wondering if maybe it's time to accept I might never get my A license and just stick to 125. After all, the road tax and mileage is very cheap.

What's a fast 125 that can cruise on a motorway for extended periods no problem? 70+ mph top speed. There must be one surely?

My YBR 125 really struggles and is very slow, 65mph max but only on a straight with no headwind.

[Tdibs]

Practice, practice, practice.

Invest in some cones or a 12 pack of cokes and make the maneuvers muscle memory. Empty supermarket car parks are good for the bay parts too.

It seems you know what you need to do if you already passed one, just practice until you dont have to think about doing it.


Forget a 125 for motorway stints. If you can pass a A1 you can pass a A
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[mcprocrastina...]

Chin up matey, just keep at it, maybe go another 6 months before trying again and just try to be patient. The fact you fail is (while nerves can play a part) would suggest that you just need a little more time to refine both your confidence and your skills so you can pass without thinking. Good luck.

Out of curiosity what did you fail on?

[Beehive Bedlam]

What exactly are you failing on?

[pinkyfloyd]

[Rogerborg]

[Waaarrrggghhh]

[Rogerborg]

What's hitting them? The bike? Your boot? Your petticoat?
____________________
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

[Waaarrrggghhh]

[pepperami]

Sorry to hear that, like the others said, practice practice practice and more practice and when you've finished that, practice some more.

Oh and by the way, PRACTICE!
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Diskotekno]

To echo others Practice!

You could also try what I did before my second go at mod2 which was to get blind drunk so I wasn't conscious to worry about it the night before....worked for me!

[Pete.]

Get some cones, or those cheapo blister-shaped plastic discs, set them out in a car park and have at it. You'll be dodging cones like a boss in a few hours.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Beehive Bedlam]

[pepperami]

You could PRACTISE and every time you hit a cone, you must hit yourself in the face with a hammer.
I'll bet you'll soon get good at missing the cones
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Johnnythefox]

You have passed Mod1 riding a 125 which is harder than on a bigger bike so you know you can do it, just never give up, ride your 125 and book the odd full day to practice and take mod 1 tests on a bigger bike until you pass, the only time it counts is the time you pass, you'll get there.

[Wonko The Sane]

are you able to do the test at a different test centre?

The change in environment even though the actual course is the same may remove some of the 'here we go again'

with regards the cones, I'm guessing you're turning too tight, they can't fail you for riding right to the fence on the slalom (although I wouldn't do it) there's no issue to going wide to ensure clearance

it's only the figure 8 where you ideally need to not go round the last cone from the slalom, although I know a few people who have done and got away with it.
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Tracer1234]

Just remember, you have the rest of your life to ride bikes when you pass. It may seem like it will be forever until you are able to pass, but its not and when you do, you will wonder what all the fuss was all about.
____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[WD Forte]

Nil desperendum mate.
The fact you did it ok on your 125 but struggled on a bigger bike
suggests lack of time to get the feel of and relax on the bigger bike.

When you're ready to have another go, look into either paying or having a go on a similar sized bike/s until you feel you can ride them around
cone/car parks in a relaxed manner.
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[RobMorris]

I would suggest to wait a year.
Get a years riding on a 125 under yoir belt and go for it again once you have built your confidence back.
____________________
1992 Yamaha XV535 Virago

[Alpineandy]

[stevo as b4]

I agree with Rog.

Get your own 500-600cc sensible no frills bike like a CB500 etc, and practice on ahem private roads. You want about 200miles of riding time on a big bike before your tests I would say.

As for the 125, it might be all you need for work/commuting etc, but if it was a 65mph YBR would be ample and as good as any other 125.

The so called fast 125's and cruising on the motorway at 70mph for extended periods don't sit together, you won't get one that is fast and likes constant motorway work. And if you could they'd cost a fortune to run compared to bikes like the CB500, Bandit etc etc.

[Beehive Bedlam]

[FretGrinder]

I did my MOD 1 three times and my MOD 2 five times.

Stupid mistakes every time.

It can be done, what's the point in getting this far and giving up now you've come this far?
____________________
Yamaha MT-09

ಠ_ಠ

[Waaarrrggghhh]

[Rogerborg]

You don't need to practise, you just need to do it right once. You know you can do it, you just need to put bigger inputs into the A bike than on your tiddler.

And feel free to check the tyre pressures on the test bike. You will have been told to so as part of the pre-ride checks on your CBT, so do as they say, not as they (probably don't) do.
____________________
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