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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 15:15 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: Failed Mod 1 test - bloody TWICE! |
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I just want to vent a bit.
A little bit of background. I used to live in London, did a CBT in 2012, and was going to get into motorcycling back then. I decided against it - since I already had a bicycle and motorcycling wasn't going to save me any time on my 5 kilometre commute. Motorcycling has been put on hold since then.
Fast forward to 2020 - I moved to Bolton, settled into my new job and motorcycling has been on my mind again. So I went ahead and did a CBT in July. I decided to go for the DAS. Now, with COVID and all, my training and test dates were quite far apart. I.e. I did training at a motorcycle school in late August and attempted for my mod 1 in the middle of September - 3 weeks later. On that occasion I did everything well except for the U-turn. I didn't get enough momentum, didn't twist the throttle enough (or at all?!), tried to do it on the tickover - and on the grippy Mod 1 tarmac I lost momentum and sadly put my foot down. Instant fail, but I carried on with the test, and did everything else absolutely fine. Had to try a couple of times for the emergency stop, first attempt was 47kph through the speed trap, second attempt was 51kph.
So, due to work commitments, I took a little time off, and decided to change schools to a local school. Main reason being, I did the bulk of my training with the first school on a GROM, rather than the Gladius that I took my test on, and to be perfectly honest, this didn't make much sense to me - the GROM hurt my ar$e, and I was sitting my test on a Gladius, not a GROM.
Fast forward to December and I did 3 days' training at the second school. I haven't been on a bike in the meantime. I was quite happy to do the 3 days' training again - to refresh road craft, technique and spend time on the big bike. This time I was on an SV650 and I really liked it. Certainly much more comfortable than the GROM.
Monday (21st Dec) I went for my Mod 1 again, this time using the SV650 rather than the Gladius. I only went and bloody failed it again! This time - I put my foot down on the slalom! I couldn't believe it; I never did that during training. Everything else was pretty spot on. My instructor said that I rode really well, and even the examiner said that I rode well. 60kph through the speed trap on the E-stop and 51kph for the hazard avoidance. My only fault was the weight bearing foot down moment on the slalom.
So it seems that I can do the high speed stuff just fine, but I'm not good at the low speed maneuvers...
My partner (who rides a CB500X) told me that it took her 3 attempts to pass, and what was in her favour was that she'd spent 5 years riding before she trained for her A2 licence.
I considered what to do going forward and ended up buying a very good example of a 2nd hand Honda 125. Sure, it feels a bit asthmatic compared to the 650cc bikes I've been training on, but at least I'm getting lots of practice doing slow speed maneuvers. The plan is to ride it for a few months at least and attempt the Mod 1 again next year.
Meanwhile we're riding together daily - she's been riding behind me and giving me regular debriefs. I'm trying to keep that mod 2 training fresh in my mind. Ironically I'm more "worried" about the mod 2 than the mod 1 test. I just haven't had the chance to sit for a mod 2 as of yet. |
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 16:53 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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TBH I was borderline on my Mod1. My instructors didn't say directly but the other guy doing the first training session & Mod1 was definitely a lot better than me. On the day though it's 80% nerves & 20% skill, IMHO. I went through the Mod1 just fine (two attempts on the stopping thing) and my co-student clipped a bollard on the hazard avoidance - literally failed on the last bit Best of luck on the next attempt, nil desperandum carburundum illegitami
I wouldn't panic too much over the Mod2 though if you're going about on a 125. It's all about the usual stuff: knowing when to stop, checking speed limit signs, road position, etc. and the class of bike (A1/A2/A) doesn't really change things. ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 17:05 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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Easy-X wrote: | TBH I was borderline on my Mod1. My instructors didn't say directly but the other guy doing the first training session & Mod1 was definitely a lot better than me. On the day though it's 80% nerves & 20% skill, IMHO. I went through the Mod1 just fine (two attempts on the stopping thing) and my co-student clipped a bollard on the hazard avoidance - literally failed on the last bit Best of luck on the next attempt, nil desperandum carburundum illegitami
I wouldn't panic too much over the Mod2 though if you're going about on a 125. It's all about the usual stuff: knowing when to stop, checking speed limit signs, road position, etc. and the class of bike (A1/A2/A) doesn't really change things. |
Thanks. My partner said the same thing - nerves absolutely make a massive difference.
And truth be told - I have had around 6 days of training on motorcycles - spread out over a few months in 2020. It was 2&1/2 days on GROMs in July/August, 1/2 day on the Gladius, and 3 days on the SV650 in December. It's not exactly a lot of experience, is it? Not to mention, that it's very condensed. I've never been good at doing intense courses, I prefer to learn at my own pace (usually slower than others!) and "little and often" is the best approach for me.
I think being on the 125 for a few months (I'll probably be getting out around 3 times per week on average) will do me a world of good and I can't imagine that I'll be putting my foot down on slow speed maneouvres once I'm used to doing them.
In my humble opinion, I think they should give mod 1 candidates a second try if they've messed up one or two of the exercises. But that's just my opinion and at the end of the day we have to follow their rules. ____________________ Honda GLR125 (finally)
Last edited by Vladimir on 21:20 - 27 Dec 2020; edited 1 time in total |
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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jeffyjeff |
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jeffyjeff World Chat Champion
Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 17:54 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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With any luck, it'll get dropped. The whole offroad mod1 thing was pure Brussels red tape anyway. You used to do your U-turn and emergency stop as part of the on road test.
It was the EU 2nd driving licence directive that brought in the need for measuring the minimum speed you did these at. It was our lazy bastard MEPs who didn't request a derrogation for the UK to make it at 30mph instead of 50km/h (31km/h and therefore speeding on UK urban roads) necessitating the building of offroad facilities.
People still used to fail the U-turn though but with half as much red tape and fucking about.
If we're going to need international driving licences to drive in the EU anyway, we may as well make the driving test how we want it and I'm sure nobody, be it UK drivers, the DSA or HM government really want to be maintaining and administrating offroad MOD 1 facilities. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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Nobby the Bastard |
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Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 18:28 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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Easy-X wrote: | Vladimir wrote: | In my humble opinion, I think they should give mod 1 candidates a second try if they've messed up one or two of the exercises. But that's just my opinion and at the end of the day we have to follow their rules. |
Ah, that's a nice idea but then the tests might take variable times to conclude and they already have a devil of a job scheduling stuff at least at Uxbridge anyway. Sorry but you're up against a government bureaucratic machine |
I hadn't thought of that; it makes total sense.
At the end of the day, rules are rules.
It just seems very unfair. I mean, if I'd messed up on 3 exercises - I'd happily just admit that I was unprepared.
Hypothetically being given the chance to re-do one exercise (the slalom, in this case) would have taken an extra 90 seconds, if that...
To be honest, during practice/training, it did take me a little bit of time to warm up to the exercises. On test day, due to my school not having a training pad, the arrangement is that I rode over to the Mod 1 site and went straight into doing the exam. I REALLY would have benefitted from 5 mins of practice, but hey ho... ____________________ Honda GLR125 (finally) |
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
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Kentol750 |
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Kentol750 World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 May 2016 Karma :
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Kawasaki Jimbo |
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Kawasaki Jimbo World Chat Champion
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 21:28 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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Kentol750 wrote: | Where on the slalom did you put your foot down? |
Crikey, I'm not too sure, it's a bit hazy, but thinking about it, it was just before the last cone.
My positioning wasn't quite right, so I really slowed down in order to avoid hitting the last cone, but slowed down a bit too much, lost momentum and put my foot down. At least, that's what I think happened. It's difficult to describe.
What's the significance of where on the slalom I put my foot down? If it's significant, it was my left foot, just before I switched from leaning left to learning right. If that makes sense? ____________________ Honda GLR125 (finally) |
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
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Posted: 21:31 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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Kawasaki Jimbo wrote: | jeffyjeff wrote: | I think that spending some time on a 125 will do you a world of good. It will give you a chance to really acclimate yourself to riding, you know, doing it automatically without really thinking about it. After you master the 125, the 650 will be easy. |
I'm not so sure about that. I found 125's an absolute doddle, like a bicycle, but it was the additional weight of the 500s, and possibly the narrower bars, that I found difficult. This was back in '98. Admittedly I did pick up an ear infection between CBT and main test, which didn't help. |
Interesting. I am finding the 125 a bit light and it's definitely easier to ride, but like I said, even after 2 rides, I feel a bit more competent and confident.
One of the things that I've been thinking about is that I've only ever ridden with an instructor "in my ear".
Riding without that is a bit weird... Sure, my partner was there on her CB500X, but it was definitely a different experience. ____________________ Honda GLR125 (finally) |
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GSTEEL32 |
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GSTEEL32 Traffic Copper
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Posted: 22:16 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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Personally, no amount of additional training beats experience at your stage in Mod1.
If your misses is happy for you to meet her at a cineworld carpark on a covid hit Sunday, you could do all the low speed stuff and get the daft mistakes out of the way.
Bikes is bikes is bikes at Mod 1 stage, all inline 4's with bugger all grunt, so it's not a question of vehicle choice as I see it.
You got unlucky on the day , many of us here have got lucky. I suspect its why, as a whole, the forum is pretty supportive of members that fail.
You'll pass Mod 1, probably clear Mod 2 without a second thought, then embaress yourself by falling off the fireblade you bought from Bolton Honda on PCP , 16 minutes after receiving your pass certificate.
I'll laugh at you for trashing the blade, as will most members here, but you'll have a license that will allow you to replace it with anything you want..... |
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spongefinger |
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spongefinger Renault 5 Driver
Joined: 18 Jul 2020 Karma :
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 23:43 - 27 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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GSTEEL32 wrote: | Personally, no amount of additional training beats experience at your stage in Mod1.
If your misses is happy for you to meet her at a cineworld carpark on a covid hit Sunday, you could do all the low speed stuff and get the daft mistakes out of the way.
Bikes is bikes is bikes at Mod 1 stage, all inline 4's with bugger all grunt, so it's not a question of vehicle choice as I see it.
You got unlucky on the day , many of us here have got lucky. I suspect its why, as a whole, the forum is pretty supportive of members that fail.
You'll pass Mod 1, probably clear Mod 2 without a second thought, then embaress yourself by falling off the fireblade you bought from Bolton Honda on PCP , 16 minutes after receiving your pass certificate.
I'll laugh at you for trashing the blade, as will most members here, but you'll have a license that will allow you to replace it with anything you want..... |
Fantastic response, really funny.
Cheered me right up!
Only slight issue, there is no Bolton Honda. There's a Rochdale Honda and a Bolton kawasaki, but I can't see myself buying a kawasaki... ____________________ Honda GLR125 (finally) |
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
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Kentol750 |
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Kentol750 World Chat Champion
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Kentol750 |
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Kentol750 World Chat Champion
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Vladimir |
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Vladimir Borekit Bruiser
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sulphur |
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sulphur Trackday Trickster
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barrkel |
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barrkel World Chat Champion
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Posted: 20:25 - 29 Dec 2020 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | If we're going to need international driving licences to drive in the EU anyway, we may as well make the driving test how we want it and I'm sure nobody, be it UK drivers, the DSA or HM government really want to be maintaining and administrating offroad MOD 1 facilities. |
A possible wrinkle: countries can elect to make people retake tests when they want to exchange a UK license for a local license. The more the UK licensing scheme drifts from the EU regulations, the more likely it is that this process will have friction.
For example, Ireland is going to keep on exchanging UK for IE licenses after 31st December, for a fee + certified eyesight test and a few more bits and pieces. Whereas it looks like Germany will probably mandate going through the German driving test after 1st July 2021.
Depending on how things shake out, this could affect things. The UK & EU will continue indefinitely fine tuning the details.
(This is relevant to me because we're looking to leave the UK, and needing to redo a whole driving test would be a PITA.) ____________________ Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ |
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JustinW |
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JustinW Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 21 Jul 2020 Karma :
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 3 years, 120 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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